Nineteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

This workshop focuses on responding to the effects of relational and socio-political trauma within K12 and higher education settings using Trauma-Informed School Programming (TISP). Traumatized students must prepare for their futures, but social and academic engagement is often exceedingly difficult due to invisible side effects. The data emerging from the International and United States versions of the Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) survey has sounded a startling alarm regarding the impact of trauma as it interferes with psychosocial development across the lifespan. In response, TISP is an integration of neurobiology, traumatology, attachment and cognitive developmental theories to help traumatized persons achieve a sense of safety and stabilization. This is prerequisite to accessing higher order cognitive processes involved in learning and social engagement. Its principles are applicable to all students regardless of age or type of trauma interfering with functioning. The presenters will introduce case examples of the model’s application in both k12 and university settings in the United States and Estonia. Examples include trauma related to economic marginalization and violence due to national immigration and race-based policies, and war. ACE data suggests that well over 50% of the world’s population is at risk of suffering the consequences of unmitigated trauma caused by abuse, catastrophes, or socio-political violence. TISP provides a way for educational settings to tend to trauma-based wounds in order that those already disadvantaged by acts of neglect and aggression can create needed resiliencies to survive and thrive.