Whole-System Change Model
to Trauma-Informed Care
Transform your system, transform your care
SAMHSA recently released a Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach, which cites the Traumatic Stress Institute’s Whole-Systems Change Model to TIC as one of several frameworks used to develop their guide. It focuses specifically on tools and strategies for implementing a trauma-informed approach.
Striving to become trauma-informed?
We know that implementing trauma-informed care is complicated, and sustaining TIC can be even more challenging. The development of the Whole-System Change Model is the result of TSI’s years of experience working with clients to create lasting change. TSI serves as a steady, long-term partner supporting systems as they prepare to launch, implement, and sustain TIC culture and practices.
Are you seeking an approach that…
- Includes proven training curricula, a train-the-trainer model, and implementation coaching to ensure sustainability?
- Goes beyond trauma-specific clinical treatment techniques to organization-wide culture change?
- Promotes practical strategies for overcoming common obstacles and enhancing program delivery?
- Recognizes that everyone at your organization is a treater and that the health of all treaters is central to healing clients?
Learn more about the Whole-System Change Model:
See Infographic Below
“TSI’s Whole-System Change Model was the magic solution. TSI mentored and trained us on the model and it was a game changer for us.”
Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in IDD Organizations and Systems
Trauma-informed care (TIC), widely viewed as a best practice in the human services, refers to a whole-system approach to addressing the reality of trauma in the people being supported through staff training, trauma-specific treatments, trauma-inform behavior support, and policy changes. Implementation of TIC has been shown to increase staff retention, decrease restraints, and decrease abuse allegations.
Is Your IDD Organization or System Ready Yet for Trauma-Informed Care?
The Traumatic Stress Institute held two 60-minute webinars in April 2022 to ground participants in the basics of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) as it applies to IDD organizations and systems. The presenters discussed how TIC could strengthen organizations, offered a model for implementing TIC, and explained how to determine your readiness to make this rewarding (and challenging) change.
A recording of the webinar is included here, helpful for those who missed it or for those wanting to review or share the information presented with others. The documents shared during the webinars are included below.

COMPONENTS OF THE MODEL
Leadership Engagement
Risking Connection Staff Training
Risking Connection (RC) is a trauma 101 staff training model that organizations adopt to foster a trauma-informed workforce. RC becomes embedded in the organization through a Train-the-Trainer model. READ MORE…
Restorative Approach Staff Training
Follow-Up Coaching
Trainer Certification and Professional Development
Risking Connection Associate Trainers are certified to teach the RC Training at their organization. Trainers join an international community of RC Trainers who benefit from annual professional development trainings. READ MORE…