Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice with Children and Youth

Abstract

Human rights violations and other traumatic events imperil the lives of millions of children worldwide, jeopardizing their physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social development, health, and well-being. Childhood trauma is a global public health problem. Untreated childhood trauma can impose lifelong negative consequences on children's health, well-being, and life chances. Children and their families urgently need access to trauma-informed systems of care and traumaspecific interventions. Given the social work profession's focus on social justice, advocacy, and facilitating access to resources, an in-depth understanding of trauma-informed social work practice is critical for direct practice with children and youth, program development, research, and policy. Trauma-informed social work intervention and advocacy will optimize the chance of achieving good outcomes in adulthood for vulnerable, traumatized children and youth. This chapter provides an overview of trauma among children and youth and its consequences on their lives. This chapter also describes principles of trauma-informed service delivery and evidence-based, culturally appropriate trauma-specific interventions with children and adolescents.