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Families and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in helping children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. These resources are for parents, adoptive parents, resource/foster parents, grandparents, caregivers, and all others who care for children and teens. The more caregivers learn about how traumatic events affect their children (whether toddler, school-age, teen, youth, or adult), the more they understand the reasons for their children’s behaviors and emotions, and the better prepared they are to help them cope. When children know that caring adults are working to keep them safe and support them in understanding their reactions to trauma, most can recover and go on to live healthy and productive lives.

NCTSN Resource

Complex Trauma: Facts for Caregivers

Type: Fact Sheet

Helps parents and caregivers recognize the signs and symptoms of complex trauma and offers recommendations on how to help children heal.

NCTSN Resource

Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of a Stabbing

Type: Tip Sheet

Gives information to parents and caregivers about media coverage following a stabbing. This tip sheet describes what parents can do to help their children, media exposure after events, and talks about what it is like when a family is a part of the story.

NCTSN Resource

Trauma and Your Family

Type: Fact Sheet

Offers parents and caregivers information about trauma. This fact sheet defines traumatic stress and describes how common it is, how it can impact a family, and things a family can do to cope with traumatic stress.

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