Enhancing the Capacity of Trauma-Informed Schools to Address Youth Violence

Given the diverse sources and impacts of violence and trauma, the proposed project draws upon the network of community-based organizations that make up the Coalition for Compassionate Schools to support schools in the installation and implementation of a trauma-informed multitiered system of supports (TI-MTSS). Use of a TI-MTSS can help transform educational settings from potential sources of violence and trauma to responsive cultural contexts that prevent trauma, foster healing, and address the needs of students exposed to trauma and the educational workforce that serves them. The project will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, where young people are exposed to shockingly high rates of violence and trauma. Partner schools serve predominately economically-disadvantaged students of color (predominately Black). This project will promote racial equity and the removal of barriers to access experienced by students of color, and particularly Black students facing structural poverty, by providing culturally-responsive supports and services on their school campuses. The project will do so in partnership with the culturally-specific health organization, Institute of Women and Ethnic studies. Additional community partners include Children’s Bureau of New Orleans and Project Fleur-de-lis. The project will build upon a strong foundation of Tier 1 trauma-informed practices installed through the Coalition for Compassionate Schools’ Trauma-Informed Schools Training of Trainers program. Drawing on the expertise of our community-based partners, a Family Bridge at each school, and the integrated stage-based implementation framework, the proposed project will support partner schools in the installation and initial implementation of culturally-responsive, trauma-informed Tier 2 and Tier 3 services. Specific activities will be accomplished through three core implementation elements: the use of teams to lead implementation efforts; capacity building to support systems change; and data-driven decision making.