Trauma Informed Care
A Framework to Understand and Address the Impact of Trauma
Understanding the impact of trauma on individuals is critical when delivering compassionate, high-quality care while keeping patients and staff at UHS Behavioral Health facilities safe and supported. Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is a framework that involves understanding, recognizing and responding to the impact that trauma has on individuals, with an enhanced focus on promoting safety and healing. The premise of TIC is that personal experiences can result in a wide range of adverse effects. Shifting the mindset from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” is at the heart of the approach.
“We are committed to and passionate about our mission of delivering high-quality patient care.”
Matt Peterson
President, Behavioral Health Division
The Behavioral Health Division is expanding its focus on TIC by applying Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) principles and practices across the entire division.
“We are committed to and passionate about our mission of delivering high-quality patient care,” says Matt Peterson, President, Behavioral Health Division. “Our Trauma Informed Care initiative aligns with our strategic priorities and values, including Patient and Staff Safety programs, as well as Staff Engagement and Retention, Risk Management and Clinical Services.”
Behavioral Health facilities are receiving the tools and training they need to implement TIC. More than 20 individuals representing all four Behavioral Health Operational Divisions have taken on the role of Trauma Informed Care Master Trainer. Since September, Master Trainers have been visiting facilities to conduct training for all staff, including non-clinical staff, with the goal of having all Behavioral Health team members trained within one year.
Trauma Informed Care Master Trainers: Front Row (L to R): Jennifer Morgan-Smith, Scott Doyel, Karen Johnson, Carey Carlock; Second Row (L to R): Donna Midkiff, Katie Hampton, Kayla Lee, Krystin Sommer, Terry Crotty, Jennifer Rousch, Jennifer Fopma, Tayler Landa; Third Row (L to R): Karin Kurtz, Orlando Herrera, Sue Ellen Foley, Montu Jani, Todd Bergmann, Eric Roldan, Esther Holden, Ralph Menard, Mack Wigley, Jeremy Wagoner, Andy Mayo
Trauma Informed Care training for new Behavioral Health employees is also underway. Additionally, each facility will identify a Trauma Informed Care Ambassador who will partner with the CEO to ensure the long-term adoption and adherence to the TIC framework.
To date, 40 Behavioral Health facilities have completed training with training scheduled for another 50 plus sites.
“We appreciate the commitment of our facilities as they implement the principles of Trauma Informed Care at their respective facilities over the next several months,” says Karen Johnson, Chief Clinical Officer, Behavioral Health Division. “We thank our dedicated teams for continuing — and bolstering — their commitment to exceptional patient care. Through intentionally creating environments in which our team members feel supported, we can and will continue to differentiate UHS as a behavioral health employer and provider of choice.”
North Star Behavioral Health Chief Clinical Officer Montu Jani, MS, NCC, MHA, LPC, provided Trauma Informed Care training to staff in Alaska.
Jennifer Morgan-Smith, LMFT, MBA, trained staff at Aspen Grove Behavioral Hospital in Utah.
Andy Mayo, PhD, delivered training at Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare in Louisiana.