12 Core Concepts for Understanding Childhood Traumatic Stress
The 12 Core Concepts provide essential guidance for professionals working with children and families affected by trauma. Developed by leading experts in childhood traumatic stress, these concepts help practitioners understand how trauma influences children’s emotions, behaviors, and development within the broader context of their families, cultures, and communities.
Grounded in a deep understanding of the complexity of trauma, the 12 Core Concepts emphasize the importance of safety, the role of family and cultural supports, and the ways trauma can shape a child’s worldview. They also highlight children’s capacity for resilience and the protective factors that foster healing and growth. Recognizing the impact of trauma work on providers, the framework underscores the need for ongoing reflection and wellness. By integrating these principles, caregivers, educators, and service providers can promote recovery and strengthen resilience for both children and their families.
Overview of the 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Childhood Traumatic Stress
12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families
The foundational framework of the Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma. These 12 Core Concepts outline key principles for understanding and responding to childhood traumatic stress. Each concept offers a lens for interpreting case material, guiding clinical reasoning, and informing trauma-informed decision-making. The full version includes detailed narrative explanations of each concept, making it well-suited for in-depth professional training, clinical supervision, and case formulation.
Bullet 12 Core Concepts
A plain-language, bullet-point version of the 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress in Children and Families. This version breaks each concept into digestible points, making it easier for learners to grasp foundational ideas and apply them during discussion or case analysis. It is particularly helpful for early learners or when time is limited.
One Sheet 12 Core Concepts
This single-page document lists all 12 Core Concepts with brief descriptions. It serves as a quick reference guide during CCCT trainings, allowing facilitators and participants to recall and apply the concepts without needing to access the full narrative versions. Ideal for intermediate learners and practitioners familiar with trauma-informed care principles.
12 Core Concepts Adaptations
Simplified 12 Core Concepts
A more accessible version of the One Sheet 12 Core Concepts, written with simplified language to support understanding across a range of literacy levels and learning needs. It is especially useful for audiences unfamiliar with clinical terms or new to trauma concepts, such as youth workers, parents, or peer mentors.
Los 12 Conceptos Centrales: Conceptos para entender las reacciones al estrés traumático en los niños y sus familias
A translated version of the original 12 Core Concepts for use with Spanish-speaking audiences. It provides linguistically appropriate access to trauma-informed care principles, supporting inclusive training environments and enabling bilingual facilitation.
The 12 Core Concepts for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
An adapted version of the Core Concepts materials created in collaboration with Gallaudet University. These materials are presented in ASL to be accessible to deaf and hard of hearing learners. Each core concept explanation also provides dead and hard of hearing specific considerations.
The 12 Core Concepts for Youth Living with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities
An adapted version of the Core Concepts intended for use with individuals who have Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD), or for professionals who serve them. This version simplifies content structure and uses accessible language and illustrations that promote conceptual understanding while respecting learner dignity and agency.
The 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families Adapted for Youth Who Are Trafficked
An adapted version of the Core Concepts intended for use with individuals who are experiencing or have experienced trafficking. This version outlines and describes a range of points that practitioners and agencies should consider as they strive to assess, understand, and assist trauma-exposed children, families, and communities in trauma-informed ways.
I 12 concetti fondamentali: Concetti per la comprensione delle risposte di stress traumatico nei bambini e nelle famiglie
A translated version of the original 12 Core Concepts for use with Italian-speaking audiences. It provides linguistically appropriate access to trauma-informed care principles, supporting inclusive training environments and enabling bilingual facilitation.
Online Interactive Course
The 12 Core Concepts: An Online Interactive Course
A self-paced online learning module that introduces the 12 Core Concepts using multimedia, quizzes, and interactive elements. It allows learners to independently explore each concept, reinforcing comprehension and application of trauma-informed reasoning in a structured format. Ideal as prework or reinforcement during CCCT implementation.