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School Personnel

Research suggests that approximately 25% of American children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. A child's reactions to trauma can interfere considerably with learning and/or behavior at school. Schools serve as a critical system of support for children who have experienced trauma. Administrators, teachers, and staff can help reduce the effects of trauma on children by recognizing trauma responses, accommodating and responding to traumatized students within the classroom, and referring children to outside professionals when necessary. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed tools and materials to help educators, school staff, and administrators understand and respond to the specific needs of traumatized children. In addition to the NCTSN resources highlighted below, School Personnel can learn more about creating trauma-informed schools in the Trauma-Informed Care section of this website.

NCTSN Resource

Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after an Earthquake

Type: Fact Sheet

Offers teachers guidance on helping students after an earthquake. This fact sheet describes common reactions students may have, how teachers and school staff can help, as well as engage in self-care after an earthquake.

NCTSN Resource

Schools and Grief: Helping Students Cope with Death

Type: Webinar

Focuses on childhood grief in the school setting. This webinar discusses key points about children's grief response, including physical and behavioral responses, the impact of developmental level on the grief response, impact of culture on grief, and how CTG differs from grief.

NCTSN Resource

Response and Recovery after School Violence

Type: Webinar

Presents a process for threat assessment and management in an educational setting. This webinar addresses the process of assessing risks of a particular individual or group of individuals and the design and implementation of management strategies to reduce those risks.

NCTSN Resource

Self Care for Educators

Type: Tip Sheet

Highlights tips for educators on self-care. This tip sheet is a part of the Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators and includes information on working with traumatized children, and tips for school staff who work with any child who has experienced trauma.

NCTSN Resource

Trauma Facts for Educators

Type: Fact Sheet

Provides teachers with facts about the impact of trauma on students. This fact sheet, a part of the Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators, includes information on trauma reactions and how teachers can help.

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