Skip to content Back to Top

Trauma‐Engaged Schools:

As Alaskans we are resilient and on the cutting edge of transforming schools together by supporting the whole student and integrating trauma-engaged practices. New understanding into the impact childhood trauma has on learning and behavior empower schools to provide affected students what they need to succeed and to help break rather than inadvertently perpetuate the cycle of trauma.

About the Project

This framework was developed in response to requests from concerned Alaskans across the state. It is a collaborative project of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, First Alaskans Institute, Alaska Afterschool Network, Alaska Mental Health Board, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Child Trauma Center, and Association of Alaska School Board’s Initiative for Community Engagement. More than 200 community members, school board members, school staff, counselors, nurses, and administrators throughout the state contributed input and feedback.

DEED Contact: Sharon Fishel

Transforming Schools Framework

  • Each chapter of this framework includes a story of a student or teacher. The example highlights common practices and transformative practices that consider trauma-engaged approaches. Each story is followed by relevant research and information, and suggested steps. Each chapter also provides essential reflection questions for school and district teams. These reflections can help be the building blocks for shared understanding and widespread integration of transformative practices.

    Readers are encouraged to work through this framework with colleagues and community members, and to use the suggestions and reflections questions that feel most appropriate. To get started, readers only need an interest in learning, a commitment to student success, humility, and the spirit of collaboration.

Transforming Schools Toolkit

  • The vision of this toolkit is to help Alaska schools and communities integrate trauma-engaged practices and policies into their everyday activities in order to improve academic outcomes and well-being for all students. Improving student outcomes requires us to support the whole child, and to understand how trauma impacts a child's ability to learn and thrive.

Trauma Engaged Schools Research

Alaska educators and other youth service providers need strategies and systems to reduce the harmful effects of trauma and to increase the health and safety of children so they can better develop and learn. REL Northwest supported Alaska partners by conducting research, offering technical assistance, and creating dissemination materials. See the results below.

Trauma Engaged Schools Video Library

The Trauma-Engaged Schools Knowing to Doing Video Library offers over 50 peer-led and statewide experts’ short videos tied to the topics in the Framework. They are under 10 minutes and easily accessible for personal review or in a group setting to stimulate discussion.

Click for Videos

Social Media Campaign

The Transforming Schools messaging campaign aims to transform schools to be trauma engaged by promoting the use of the Transforming Schools Framework and Toolkit.

Calling all trauma engaged school champions to spread the word!

Transforming Schools Quick Guide

Transforming Schools Quick Guide (Word)

DEED Online eLearning Courses

Other Alaska Resources

National Websites