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Trauma-Informed Care

Individuals receiving child welfare services may have a history of traumatic experiences. These resources offer information about the effects of trauma and using trauma-informed approaches to promote healing and positive outcomes.

Highlighted Resource

Collaborative Teams Toolkit for Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care Tip Sheet for Collaborative Teams Serving Children, Parents, and Family Members Affected by Substance Use and Co-occurring Mental Health Challenges

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2024

Designed for collaborative teams who serve children, parents, and family members affected by substance use, co-occurring mental health

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Policy and Practice Resources

Strengthening Systems Collaboration for Families at the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Co-Occurring ...

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child..., 2025

This brief offers strategies, reflective questions, and resources to strengthen cross

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Collaborative Teams Toolkit for Trauma-Informed Care

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child..., 2024

Designed for collaborative teams who serve children, parents, and family members affected by substance use, co-occurring mental health

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State and Local Examples

The Importance of a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System

Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020

Provides an overview of the effects of trauma and features state and local program

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Children Affected by Trauma: Report to Congressional Requesters

U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2019

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education

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Additional Resources

Recommendations for Trauma-Informed Care Under the Family First Prevention Services Act

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2020

Highlights the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) requirements and provides

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Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Trauma

Center for Healthcare Strategies, 2019

Treatment providers, behavioral health clinicians, and other healthcare professionals

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View Document (PDF 268 KB)

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

NCTSN improves access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents

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Find Help with a Personal Situation

Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Locator

To find treatment facilities confidentially, 24/7, please call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP).

To locate general treatment services, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Treatment Locator online or call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. It is a free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members needing treatment for a mental and/or substance use disorder.

To locate general treatment services, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Treatment Locator online or call 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. It is a free, confidential, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members needing treatment for a mental and/or substance use disorder.

National Child Abuse Hotline

If you suspect a child has been harmed by abuse or neglect, please call 1-800-422-4453.

If you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at Call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Serving the United States and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. All calls, texts, and chats are confidential. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.

If you suspect that a child has been harmed or is at risk of being harmed by abuse or neglect, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Serving the United States and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who—through interpreters—provide assistance in over 170 languages. All calls, texts, and chats are confidential. If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.

National Suicide Prevention Line

For free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7, please call or text 988, chat 988Lifeline.org, or call 1-800-273-8255.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available and there are options to receive compassionate care. You can call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Both are confidential and available 24/7 to everyone in the United States and will connect you to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you.

If you or someone you know are in crisis, thinking about harming yourself, attempting suicide, or harming another person, tell someone who can help right away. There are options to help you cope. Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is confidential support, available 24/7 to everyone in the United States.

Contact Us

The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare offers free technical assistance to a variety of systems on making policy and practice changes to improve outcomes for families affected by substance use disorders and involvement with child welfare services. To learn more about technical assistance services or if you have a question please email NCSACW at ncsacw@cffutures.org or call toll-free at 1–866–493–2758.

Administration for Children & FamiliesSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
https://ncsacw.acf.gov

An official website of the Administration for Children and Families and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare