Thursday, September 15, 2011

National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth


The National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth recognizes that most homeless youth have experienced multiple traumatic events both before becoming homeless and once on the street. This underscores the importance of trauma-informed practice:
  • They suggest that several homeless shelters might need a trauma-informed transformation, considering such details as the need to put a lock on the shower door at a shelter in order to ensure physical safety and emotional security.
  • Youth workers need to provide trauma-informed care, seeking to understand each young person’s emotional triggers, build supportive relationships, and give youth opportunities to rebuild control in their lives.
  • Individuals who have experienced homeless express the need for expectations and empowerment, and hope that staff members are willing to look beyond external behavior, and recognize the underlying trauma beneath.