
UPLIFT:
A Trauma-Informed Care
Training Program for Schools
Effective July 1, 2022, the CT General Assembly passed legislation requiring Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC) to develop a statewide training program to support public school educators address trauma.
Trauma can negatively impact physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral development, and can have lasting effects on health, well-being, and prosperity well into adulthood. A trauma-informed approach
can help schools thoughtfully look at strategies to identify areas that may be perpetuating trauma responses in students, staff, and families. UPLIFT is a train-the-trainer program that is trauma-informed, resilience-focused, and individualized to meet the unique systemic needs of a school or district. The Regional Trauma Coordinators will provide training, technical assistance, and consultation to public school districts at NO COST.
UPLIFT Vision
One day, schools across the state will infuse a trauma-informed lens into existing practices, realizing that this shift is critical for the well-being of their students, and will positively impact the climate for everyone in the building.
Know the Stats
-
Nationally, 63% of children have faced some form of adverse childhood experience (ACE)
-
20-25% of youth from low-income backgrounds experience 4 or more ACEs
-
40% of adults in CT reported symptoms of anxiety or depression
-
49% of youth in CT aged 12-17 who have depression did not receive any care in 2020...of the 51% receiving care for depression, 70% are receiving that support at school
Children Affected by Trauma are
Far More Likely to Experience:
-
Learning difficulties
-
Mental Health Concerns
-
Lower grades and graduation rates
-
Increased suspensions and expulsions
-
Increased involvement with child welfare and juvenile justice systems
-
Long-term health problems
-
Decreased life expectancy
Our Curriculum
foundations of
trauma-informed care
Audience: ALL district staff
Goals
-
Identify ways that trauma or toxic stress impact neurological development, relationships and learning.
-
Understand types of trauma experienced by children, adults and/or specific communities.
-
Understand the key components of a trauma-informed approach in schools.
-
Identify trauma-informed care practices that can uplift your existing building-wide practices.
STAFF & SYSTEM WELLNESS
Audience: ALL district staff
Goals
-
Increased understanding of the impact that trauma exposure has on our students, and the adults that work with them.
-
Recognition of the signs of secondary/vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue & burnout.
-
Increased knowledge and use of meaningful self-care and system wellness strategies to mitigate stress for all school-based employees.
TIC Leadership Orientation
Audience: Multidisciplinary Team
Goals
-
Increased understanding of a comprehensive TIC framework at the system and/or building level
-
Understanding of barriers/needed components for meaningful change
-
Learn how to utilize the tools and resources offered through the training program to increase
TI practices in schools (e.g., needs assessment, review existing school data, action step/goal planning, training, etc.)
TIC IN PRACTICE SERIES
Audience: ALL district staff
Goals:
-
Develop a deeper and more individualized understanding of major TI concepts, according to your specific role in the building.
-
Utilization of needs assessment data to identify key areas of strength and areas to target.
-
Identification of existing practices and development of universal, select and targeted TI strategies that can be utilized in all school spaces by all school-based staff

How to Get Involved
1. Want to learn more about UPLIFT?
Complete our Interest Form, which will reach our Regional Trauma-Informed Care Coordinators.
2. Contact your local RESC Trauma Coordinator
Visit www.rescalliance.org/uplift to get more information about this training program or to set up presentation for your school.