Speaker(s):
Presentation: Research has firmly established that incarcerated populations have experienced traumatic events and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at a much higher rate than the general population and a link between traumatic events and later criminal activity has been established. Of particular importance for correctional substance use disorder programs, is the fact that individuals with PTSD are at a 4 to 5 times greater risk of using or misusing substances than those without PTSD. A woman who is incarcerated may have experienced an average of 6 traumatic events in her lifetime, whereas a typical woman in the community has experienced an average of 2 traumatic events. Incarcerated women also have higher rates of PTSD than women in the community (40% vs. 12%) and are ten times more likely to use substances in response to trauma (64% vs. 6%). This presentation will not just look at the prevalence of trauma, but will provide an overview of how two correctional women’s treatment programs have begun the transformation to providing trauma-informed care. This transformation has included identifying ways to assess participants’ level of trauma at admission and discharge, implementing measures to positively impact trauma, training staff and making a trauma sensitive and responsive shift in culture and practices. Presenters will provide an overview of the steps taken to begin providing trauma-informed care to women in Institutional treatment.
Objectives:
- Provide an overview of how to make the transformation to providing trauma-informed care
- Provide suggestions on how to assess and identify trauma
- Provide suggestions on how to address trauma once identified
- Provide training suggestions for staff
- Provide suggestions on effective collaboration in implementing a trauma-informed approach
Slides and Handouts:
Haney_Best Practices Providing Trauma-Informed Care to Women in