Practical Solutions
Trauma-Informed Behavior Management
A research-based approach for resource parents and social workers
Children in foster care have often experienced traumas that impair their development and functioning. Research shows clear links between trauma history and behavior problems. Resource parents and social workers struggle with the behavior of many children in foster care. To help them, faculty at the School of Social Work at UNC-­‐CH developed a skill-­‐based training for workers and families that is grounded in the research and that strongly emphasizes transfer of learning. Each course component includes homework that resource parents and social workers do together in the home. Trauma-­‐Informed Behavior Management • Assumes all behaviors meet needs. • Sees “bad” behavior as coping mechanisms developed in response to traumatic experiences in order to survive. • Strategies must be based on understanding a child’s historical experiences. • Focus is on building trust, modifying environments, teaching skills, and supporting child to learn and use new coping strategies. • Always addresses physical and psychological safety first. • Behavior Management: Using specific strategies to help children learn new, more adaptive ways to get needs met. 1. Training
SKILLS PARTICIPANTS LEARN . . .
Online A. Foundations of Trauma and Behavior 1. Define trauma and explain its effect on behavior 2. Describe patterns of behavior using concrete, objective descriptions of what they see before, during, and after problem behavior occurs (90 minute webinar plus homework) Classroom Instruction B. Behavior Management: Prevention (2.5 hours plus homework) 3. Describe behavior management prevention strategies and why they matter 4. Apply prevention strategies to case scenarios (skill practice) C. Behavior Management: Power Tools 5. Describe “power tools” and how and when to use them (2.5 hours plus homework) 6. Apply power tools to case scenarios (skill practice) D. Individual Behavior Planning (2.5 hours plus homework) 7. Describe individual behavior planning and how and when to use it 8. Develop an individual behavior plan (skill practice) Cost $3,000 per offering for up to 15 people; $195 per person after that 2. Coaching to Support Training Implementation
Experience and research tell us the “train and hope” approach doesn’t work (Fixsen, et al., 2005). To obtain maximum benefit from Practical Solutions, attend one or more 1-­‐hour, one-­‐on-­‐one Skype sessions with behavior management coaches to reinforce skills taught in training. One session: $125 per person. 3. Trainer Certification
Those who take the training and have at least three coaching sessions are eligible to attend a 2-­‐day classroom train-­‐the-­‐trainer event, after which they will be certified to teach Practical Solutions in their own agencies. Cost for certification is $695/person. Benefits: receive ongoing support and updates from course developers; participate in a community of practice comprised of other certified trainers who are committed to fidelity to the training model and to becoming behavior management experts. The community will meet quarterly via phone or web conference and be facilitated by course developers. Certification is good for two years, after which it can be renewed by attending a brief refresher training to ensure the course is delivered with fidelity. Family and Children's Resource Program (http://fcrp.unc.edu) Amy Ramirez, Training Coordinator (aramirez@email.unc.edu; 919/962-­‐4365) UNC-­‐Chapel Hill School of Social Work, 325 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill, NC 27599-­‐3550