VA Trauma-Informed Initiatives Catalog
| Initiative | State Agency | Division/ Department | Summary and Goals | Phase | Funding Source(s) | Target Population | Principle(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith and Community Initiative | Department of Social Services | Division of Community and Volunteer Services | The Faith and Community Initiative (FCI) partners with faith and community organizations to promote the health and wellness of families in the child welfare system and address substance use disorder prevention. They prioritize reaching underrepresented faith groups and communities with limited resources, including rural areas, Spanish-speaking communities, and Black communities. FCI is developing a certificate program to equip faith communities in handling substance use disorder, emphasizing equity, and focusing on child welfare and family safety. They are actively involved in the Faith Community as Recovery Allies program, utilizing religion and spirituality to empower faith communities and transform lives toward recovery. | Implementation | Unfunded (programmatic and staffing support by State General Funds) | Social services-engaged families | Collaboration and Mutuality, Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues | |
| Family First | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services | The Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) aims to keep children safe, strengthen families, and reduce the need for foster care. Family First supports the overarching mission that kids should grow up in a safe, stable, and secure family that supports their long-term well-being. It implements evidence-based services to enhance child safety, permanency, and overall well-being. The initial implementation was developed through the three-branch model that emphasized collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and proactive measures. Recent updates include expanding preventive measures through the “community pathways” program, increasing the availability of evidence-based prevention services, and prioritizing employee and service provider training. | Implementation | Federally funded (Title VI-E Prevention Funds, ACF) | Children/youth and parents/caregivers | Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency | |
| Healing-Centered Organizations | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | The goal of the Healing-Centered Organizations Initiative (HCO) is to develop and promote models for creating healing-centered organizations in Virginia’s Trauma-Informed Community Networks (TICNs). This process, which utilizes a learning collaborative approach, includes, but is not limited to conducting a trauma-informed agency/organization assessment; compiling, analyzing, and utilizing the data to develop a strategic plan for becoming a more trauma-informed and healing-centered agency; implementing the first steps in that plan; and sharing information about process and implementation within and among TICNs throughout Virginia for purposes of replication. | Pilot | Federally funded (ARPA) | Local-level agencies and organizations | Trustworthiness and Transparency, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Kinship Care | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services | Kinship care means that a child lives with a relative or other close family friend to stay connected to family when they are unable to live with their parents. The state is committed and actively working to increase the number of foster children placed in kinship care. To achieve this goal, Virginia hosts workshops for employees and staff to provide specialized training on how to effectively promote kinship placements and convenes a group to facilitate collaboration and communication between stakeholders. VDSS is also contracting with several private agencies to provide kin recruitment services to local departments, with a focus on recruiting kin for children in congregate care. | Implementation | State General Funds | Children/youth and families | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | |
| Lived Experience (LEx) Community of Practice | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | The Virginia Lived Experience Community of Practice, convened by the Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy, is made up of coordinators of lived experience groups at state and state-level partner agencies throughout Virginia who have access to a diverse range of experiences and knowledge from individuals with different backgrounds. The purpose of the group is to collaborate, connect, and gain deeper insights into insights into best practice policy and program development. | Implementation | Unfunded (programmatic and staffing support by State General Funds) | State-level lived experience groups | Collaboration and Mutuality, Peer Support | |
| Parent Advisory Council | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services | The Parent Advisory Council is a group of people with lived experience with child welfare. The Council collaborates with VDSS to involve parents in shaping programs and policies, to empower parents, and to improve the effectiveness of VDSS initiatives. The Council has made progress through public awareness campaigns, close collaboration with the Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) initiative, and monthly meetings with parent representatives from each region. They also share their expertise through webinars for social work students and maintain an open application process to welcome new parents to join their efforts in partnership with Families Forward and the TFSC initiative. | Implementation | Federal funds (Adoption Savings Funds) | People with lived experience with child welfare | Peer Support, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Pathways to Resilience | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | Pathways to Resilience provides a national forum to help states and communities advance trauma-responsive policies and programs across sectors. Pathways convenes state and community leaders to raise awareness of the impact of trauma and adversity and advance strategies for promoting equity, health, and well being. The initiative has engaged participants from 48 states, including VDSS staff who serve on their group of Expert Advisors. Pathways has established an extensive Resource Library, facilitates communication between state partners, and hosts learning network sessions wherein state leaders and national experts provide training and information on best practices and approaches for preventing and addressing trauma. | Implementation | Private funding (Aurerra Health Care) | Representatives of trauma-informed and healing-centered programs and offices nationally | Collaboration and Mutuality, Trustworthiness and Transparency | |
| Refugee Resettlement Program | Department of Social Services | Division of Community and Volunteer Services, Office of New Americans | The Refugee Resettlement Program in Virginia is driven by the fundamental goal of facilitating the integration of refugees into their new communities. Recognizing the challenges faced by newcomers in adapting to a foreign environment, the program offers a comprehensive range of support services. Through strategic partnerships with five refugee organizations, the program implements various initiatives to foster durable economic self-sufficiency and social cohesion. The Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MyVA) program provides refugees with guidance and opportunities to access education and employment. The Virginia Refugee Student Achievement Program (VRSAP) offers tutoring support to help newcomers and their families bridge language and educational gaps. The Refugee Resettlement Program addresses critical needs such as housing, legal assistance, and healthcare, recognizing that these aspects significantly impact refugees’ successful integration. | Implementation | State General Funds | Refugees residing in Virginia | Culture, Historical, and Gender Issues, Safety | |
| Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) | Department of Social Services | Division of Child Support Enforcement | The Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) federal demonstration grant’s purpose is to enhance safety measures and safe access for victims and survivors of domestic violence who receive, pay, or seek child support. Through partnerships with state agencies, Virginia’s statewide domestic violence coalition, local domestic violence service providers, and survivors' voices, the SAVES team will review all policies, processes, and procedures that intersect with child support and domestic violence safety and access concerns. Barriers and gaps in service will be identified and removed or mitigated. Domestic violence training will be developed and tailored to the unique needs of child support enforcement caseworkers. Training on child support and the safety measures in place will be provided to local domestic violence service providers and hospital birthing centers involved in paternity establishment. Specialized triage teams will provide enhanced customer services to victims and survivors. Informational and educational materials are being co-developed with partners to facilitate awareness, describe ways in which safety measures have been incorporated to protect survivors/victims, and catalog the most relevant methods for access to child support. | Implementation | Federal Funds (ACF) | Victims and survivors of domestic violence who receive, pay, or seek child support | Safety, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Science of HOPE/VDSS Hope and Resilience Transformation Team | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | VDSS has adopted an evidence-driven framework, the Science of Hope, which promotes organizational resilience and healing and a culture of hope that counteracts the effects of trauma. Hope is comprised of three key elements - Goals, Pathways, and Agency/Willpower – and organizational outcomes associated with the implementation of the framework at an organizational level are enhanced employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention rates. VDSS began its implementation of the framework in 2023 by having 32 staff members, representing all portfolios and most divisions, trained as Hope Navigators. The Hope Navigators, along with other interested staff from across the agency, make up the agency’s make up the agency’s Hope and Resilience Transformation Team (HARTT). The HARTT will be working in the years ahead to develop and fully implement the science across the agency. | Implementation | Unfunded (programmatic and staffing support by State General Funds) | VDSS workforce | Trustworthiness and Transparency, Collaboration and Mutuality | |
| SPEAKOUT Youth Advisory Board | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services | SPEAKOUT empowers youth and young adults in foster care by giving them a platform to actively contribute to improving the foster care system. They provide direct feedback to key stakeholders, advocate for changes in foster care, and promote inclusivity. With an expanded reach and increased youth participation, the program engages in activities such as speaking engagements/presentations, workgroups on best practices, legislative work, and supporting driver's license acquisition. | Implementation | Chafee Funding | Youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care | Advocacy, Youth Voice and Choice, Peer Support, and Empowerment | |
| State Trauma and Resilience Network (STRN) | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | The Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy participates in the State Trauma and Resilience Network (STRN), a national group made up of Governor’s advisors and state leaders focused on addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), convened by the National Governors Association. The initiative began as an ACEs Learning Collaborative that included 5 states (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming) but has since expanded to include additional states and an expanded area of focus on trauma and resilience. The STRN convenes state agency leaders across the nation to break down barriers, build connections, and identify practical solutions for raising awareness of the impact of ACEs and promoting equity, lifelong health, and well being. | Implementation | Private funding (NGA) | State agency staff leading trauma-informed and healing-centered programs and offices | Collaboration and Mutuality, Safety | |
| Thriving Families/Safer Children | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services | The Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by implementing policy and systems changes through a Family Resource Center Framework. By engaging individuals with lived experience and promoting diversity and inclusion, the project focuses on educating children and families on preventive measures, reducing the need for formal child protective services involvement. In Virginia, VDSS has contracted with Families Forward to develop and implement Family Resource Centers in seven Virginia communities to enhance parenting skills, increase protective factors, and promote family well-being. | Implementation | Federal CBCAP Funds (ACF) **Note: These funds allocated as part of ARPA block grant funds. Ends in 2025. | Children/youth and families | Collaboration and Mutuality, Peer Support | |
| Trauma Informed Community Networks | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy and Family and Children's Trust Fund | VDSS works routinely and collaboratively with Trauma-Informed Community Networks (TICNs), which are multi-sector coalitions of networks throughout the state focused on building resilience and preventing and mitigating the impact of trauma in their communities. Through community awareness campaigns, education, and other initiatives, TICNs aim to influence state policymakers and involve youth and families in their efforts. Recent activities include collaborations with the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health, the establishment of new networks, and the provision of free training to the public on trauma-informed care and practice. | Implementation | Variety, based on community | Service providers across systems working with individuals, children, and families in community | Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Two Gen/Whole Family | Department of Social Services | Division of Community and Volunteer Services, Office of Economic Opportunity | The Virginia Community Action Network (consisting of the Virginia Community Action agencies throughout the Commonwealth, the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) at VDSS, and the Virginia Community Action Partnership (VACAP) has adopted a Two-Gen/Whole Family (2Gen) approach that supports families by assessing and addressing all of the needs of both children and adults in the family. The approach includes comprehensive community partnering and problem-solving, family coaching/mentoring (through family assessment and goal-setting), blending and braiding of multiple programs and funding sources, and often innovative approaches to overcoming problems like the “benefits cliff” and the lack of social capital for families working to climb out of poverty. The Virginia Community Action Network is currently implementing a pilot in six Community Action agencies across the Commonwealth. The pilot focuses on family coaches/mentors working with smaller caseloads (10-15 families) to develop and support the accomplishment of family goals. Families work on their goals within multiple domains (housing, employment, education, mental and physical health, building social capital, etc.). OEO and VACAP work collaboratively to regularly assess the effectiveness of the approach, and develop network long- and short-term goals for continued expansion of the whole family model throughout the network. | Pilot | General Assembly appropriated TANF Funds | Families identified by each agency | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | |
| Two Gen/Whole Family | Department of Social Services | Office of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives | Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) have begun adopting the Two Gen / Whole Family (2Gen) framework. In collaboration with Accenture and the Aspen Institute, the Office of Innovation & Strategic Initiatives (OISI) developed a screening tool and communal round table model based on six key components. The pilot phase of this approach began in 2023 and has launched in six LDSS across Virginia; four LDSS are piloting the screening assessment in their Family Service’s In-Home Program, one LDSS is piloting the screening tool in their VIEW program, and one LDSS is piloting the Communal Round Table model. OISI is collaborating with the Office of Research & Planning (ORP) on a mixed methods evaluation of the LDSS pilots. | Pilot | Unfunded (programmatic and staffing support by State General Funds) | Families identified by each agency | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | |
| Underserved Populations | Department of Social Services | Division of Family Services, Office of Family Violence | The Office of Family Violence (OFV) aims to promote and improve the provision of domestic violence services for unserved and underserved populations. OFV provides grant funding for domestic violence agencies working with underserved populations and for population-specific organizations providing limited domestic violence services to the population they serve. The grant programs provide funding to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to enhance their efforts in preventing domestic violence and supporting victims and their children. | Implementation | Federal Funds | Domestic violence programs in Virginia | Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues, Safety | |
| Virginia HEALS | Department of Social Services | Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy | Virginia HEALS is a comprehensive initiative with three primary goals: 1) identify children and youth who have experienced trauma and/or victimization; 2) provide them and their families with comprehensive and coordinated services based on their unique needs and identities; and 3) establish policies and practices to sustain this approach long-term. To achieve these goals, Virginia HEALS developed and promotes Virginia’s Trauma-Informed Model of Service Delivery, supported by a toolkit of resources and e-Learning modules, for service providers across all family-serving systems and sectors. | Implementation | Unfunded (programmatic and staffing support by OTRP). | Service providers across systems working with individuals, children, and families in community | Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Social Emotional Learning Guidance Standards | Department of Education | In accordance with HB 753, passed during the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) established a uniform definition of social-emotional learning and developed the Virginia Guidance SEL Standards for all public students in grades Kindergarten through 12 in the Commonwealth. The SEL curriculum-frameworks were developed with a trauma-informed lens and embedded Trauma-Informed principles throughout all resources. Trauma-Informed Practices that include SEL can mitigate the negative effects of trauma. When student experience trauma their self-regulation, self-efficacy, supportive relationships, and problem-solving skills are essential in helping them navigate. Also, SEL is an identified protective factor for students with trauma backgrounds, as it can help them mitigate the impact of trauma. A trauma-informed learning environment that incorporates SEL helps students feel safe and supported—socially, emotionally, and academically—and these supports extend to students’ relationships, self-regulation, and well-being. | Implementation | Unfunded mandate, staff funded by state/federal funds | Children/youth and families | Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency | ||
| Community Schools | Virginia Department of Education | Community schools – which are schools that support the whole child and intentionally form strong partnerships with families and the community to prepare each student for success – are rooted in the principles of trauma-informed care. The Virginia Community School Framework guides schools as they create opportunities, empower communities, provide wrap-around services, and meet students where they are every day. The policies, practices, and supports of community schools allow for flexibility to put students first by offering access to services such as early childhood education, mental health support, food support, and academic enrichment. As a result, doors are opened for students and they can reach their full potential. | Implementation | One-time state funds allocated | Children/youth and families | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | ||
| Applying a Trauma-Informed Framework to the IEP Process: A Community of Practice for School Social Workers and School Psychologists | Department of Education | School social workers and school psychologists view the IEP process – from referral to development – with a trauma-informed lens. This community of practice allows Virginia school social workers and school psychologists the opportunity to come together to create shared definitions of trauma-informed practices in schools, discuss different approaches to report writing and oral reporting of assessment results and share best practices. The practitioners will apply all they’ve learned about the trauma-informed framework to their schools so that all students feel safe and supported. | Implementation | Staff funded by state/federal funds | School social workers and school psychologists | Collaboration, Voice, and Choice, Safety | ||
| Virginia Tiered Systems of Support (VTSS) | Department of Education | The Virginia Tiered Systems of Support (VTSS) Trauma Learning Modules provide tools to develop the systems to gain knowledge, build practices, and have the skills to support a Trauma-Sensitive School. Participants' professional journey includes engaging and practical learning modules. Within the learning modules, they interact with content that is focused on developing a Trauma-Sensitive School. Supplemental activities, resources, and an action planner are included to help guide implementation. Videos from experts and division staff implementers are also included with each module to enrich the participant experience. | Evaluation, Implementation | Blend of state funds and federal funds (staff funded by state/federal funds) | Educators | Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency | ||
| The Virginia Career and Learning Center (CLC) - Learning & Resource Center For School Mental Health Professionals | Department of Education | The Virginia Career and Learning Center for School Mental Health Professionals offers professional development and career opportunities for school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and other licensed school mental health professionals in Virginia Public Schools. Multiple training modules are offered on trauma-sensitive practices. | Implementation, Evaluation | Federally funded (staff and project) | School mental health professionals | Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency | ||
| Screening for Experiences and Strengths | Department of Juvenile Justice | The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice partnered with the Department of Social Services’ VA HEALS staff and other subject matter experts to implement the SEAS tool statewide on July 1, 2022. As part of its 18-month implementation process, DJJ developed an agency procedure on the administration of the SEAS and a companion Referral and Response Protocol specifically designed to guide DJJ staff on the appropriate response(s) to SEAS results. In addition, the agency had the SEAS placed in its automated data management system and modified its social history investigation report to include a template for staff to summarize SEAS results for the court. Finally, as part of this process, DJJ trained approximately 500 staff to administer the SEAS and introduced more than 250 stakeholders to the tool. On-going SEAS training is provided to all new probation officers as a component of their mandatory basic skills training. To sustain and strengthen staff’s understanding and usage of the SEAS tool, DJJ plans to hold booster training sessions on the SEAS in 2024. | Implementation | No specific funding source. Utilize exisiting staff and resources | Juvenile justice-engaged youth | Safety, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | ||
| Handle With Care | Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services | DCJS' Center for School and Campus Safety was awarded a grant to implement the Handle with Care (HWC) Trauma Informed Communication program. Handle with Care (HWC) is an intervention where if a law enforcement officer encounters a child during a call, that child's information is forwarded to the school before the school bell rings the next day. The school implements individual, class, and whole school trauma-sensitive curricula so that traumatized children are "Handled with Care." If a child needs more intervention, on-site trauma-focused mental healthcare is available at the school. Currently, there are 35 school divisions and partnering first responders participating in the program, and the program aims to expand even further in time. | Implementation, Evaluation | Federal grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance through their STOP School Violence program. It was a 3-year grant that ends in September 2023, at which point it will be funded directly through the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety. | Children/youth | Collaboration and Mutuality, Safety | ||
| Virginia Multi-Disciplinary Team Stakeholder Group | Department of Criminal Justice Services | In 2023, DCJS convened the Virginia MDT Stakeholder Group comprised of representatives from DCJS, VDSS, Commonwealth Attorney’s Services Council (CASC), Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA), and the Southern Regional CAC (SRCAC). This group developed and facilitated two MDT 101 virtual sessions for newly established or struggling MDTs in Virginia. A more in-depth MDT: Good to Great training was also developed for MDTs that are fully functional and seek to increase collaboration and coordination related to child physical and sexual abuse case review. Two six-hour sessions were provided. Due to the success of the MDT 101 training and the need for consistent MDT training for new members due to member turnover, the stakeholder group is moving forward with a train-the-trainer model to provide this virtual training on a quarterly basis. Five trainers have been identified as subject-matter experts. All MDT 101 trainings will be listed on the DCJS website. | Implementation | No specific funding source. Utilize exisiting staff and resources | Members of multi-disciplinary teams in Virginia | Collaboration and Mutuality, Trustworthiness and Transparency | ||
| Virginia Wraparound Implementation Center and High Fidelity Wraparound | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | HFW is an approach used nationwide and a service that is designed for a broad range of children and families including youth who have child welfare or juvenile justice involvement as an alternative to out-of-home placement. The goal of HFW is to develop and implement plans designed to empower families to maintain youth with serious emotional disorders (SED) in their homes and communities. HFW is evidence informed, team-based care coordination process that is firmly grounded in System of Care values including individualized, family and youth driven services, strengths-based practice, natural support system development/enhancement, and building of families and youth self-efficacy. DBHDS partners with United Methodist Family Services to facilitate training and technical assistance support for the implementation of Intensive Care Coordination using High Fidelity Wraparound via the Virginia Wraparound Implementation Center (VWIC). VWIC is the entity in Virginia that provides training and technical assistance support for the High Fidelity Wraparound Workforce (Intensive Care Coordinators, Family Support Partners, and Youth Support Partners). | Implementation | Federal Funds (ARPA and Family First Prevention Services) | Child welfare or juvenile justice involved children/youth | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | ||
| Virginia Family Network and Youth Move | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | The primary purpose of Virginia Family Network (VFN) is to create educational opportunities and support for families and caregivers of youth with emotional and behavioral challenges to support this mission, including education and support related to leadership development and advocacy related to youth mental health issues. Additionally, VFN is responsible for providing workforce development opportunities and support to peer supporters (Family Support Partners and Youth Support Partners) in the children's services workforce. | Implementation | Mental Health Block Grant Base Funds | Families and caregivers of youth with emotional and behavioral challenges | Peer Support, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | ||
| Human Rights Committees | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Human Rights | The Local and State Human Rights Committees empower people who have or are receiving developmental and/or behavioral health services by giving them a platform to actively contribute to the prioritization and protection of the assured rights of individuals in the DBHDS service delivery system. Serving on 18 committees across the Commonwealth and hosting upwards of 75 meetings per year, they provide direct feedback and recommendations to service providers about the prevention and mitigation of abuse and neglect, and the use of restrictions and restraint; they review decisions regarding consent and human research, and they serve as the primary proponent of due process for individuals when they disagree with a service provider's decision following a human rights complaint. | Implementation | Unfunded mandate, staff support provided by OHR | People who have or are receiving developmental and/or behavioral health services | Trustworthiness and Transparency, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| Infant Mental Health & Attachment Course | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Child and Family Services (Part C) | The IMH-Attachment Course Supports the Endorsement Credential/and awareness of Many topics such as attachment, relational health, trauma, family dynamics, etc. | Implementation | VCU, design was collaborative effort | Behavioral health providers | Safety, Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues | |
| Broadening the Lens Curriculum | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Child and Family Services (Part C) | Broadening the Lens Curriculum course supports Practitioners in their education/practice from Prenatal development through relationship-based approaches. These sessions are conducted through a lens of trauma-informed practice. | Implementation | Braided Funding: DBHDS, DOE, Early Impact-Home- visiting | Behavioral health providers | Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency | |
| Lift Up Virginia | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness | Lift Up Virginia (LUV) is a statewide initiative that harnesses the healing power of connection to build resilience across Virginia, through trauma-focused psychoeducation and evidence-based practices. The LUV network targets communities across disciplines to adopt trauma-informed, human-centered principles, including school-based, agency-level, and organizational settings. Features of the LiftUpVirginia phase 1 site include statewide training opportunities, shared resources, trauma-focused media toolkits, and recommendations, and LUV Story Interviews and articles from community leaders across Virginia. Lift Up Virginia hopes to empower healers to define their own implementation strategies through common a language and a shared mission. | Implementation | Staff funded by state/federal funds | Service providers across systems working with individuals, children, and families in community | Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice | |
| The Self Healing Communities Model | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness | The Self Healing Communities Model (SHCM) builds the capacity of communities to define and solve problems most relevant to them and generates new cultural norms that mirror the values and aspirations that community members have for their children (Mission Statement of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2016). To adopt this model in tandem with spreading implementation of the ACE Interface Curriculum, DBHDS funds scholarships to community service boards focused on leadership in awareness of trauma and adversity, tracking ACE Interface cohorts and training. | Implementation | Staff funded by state/federal funds | Community Service Boards | Empowerment, Voice, and Choice, Collaboration and Mutuality | |
| Trauma Informed Schools Initiave | Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services | Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness | The Trauma Informed Schools Initiative (TIS) is a cross-sector effort with DBHDS and The United Way of Southwest Virginia to implement trauma-informed principles and strategies. The goal of the Trauma-Informed Schools Initiative is to create awareness around what it means to be trauma-informed and provide resilience skills. This effort draws on the partnerships between the community, CSBs, schools, and UWSWVA. In providing this support, it’s our hope this initiative can demonstrate that trauma-sensitive schools are the foundation for student health and wellness, a critical factor in student academic success. Additionally, trauma-sensitive schools are difficult if not impossible to build and maintain without community support and collaboration. | Implementation | Staff funded by state/federal funds | Schools, community service boards,and community-based organizations | Collaboration and Mutuality, Safety | |
| Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Approaches | Department of Health | Division of Disease Prevention | The Division of Disease Prevention (DDP) at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) presents the Trauma-Informed and Healing-Centered Approaches (TIHCA) program as an approach to Ending the HIV Epidemic and all related syndemics in Virginia. It outlines how DDP and its partner agencies will transition to Trauma-Informed, Healing-Centered (TIHC) organizations that recognize and respond to the effects of trauma on the health of Virginians. It is a multi-year, state-wide initiative that builds upon the Virginia Integrated HIV Services plan. The plan highlights the importance of using a health equity lens to apply TIHC approaches (TIHCA). | Implementation | Ryan White Part B funding | Agencies engaged in HIV prevention and services and those they serve | Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues, Collaboration and Mutuality | |