1. The Trauma-Informed Community Network of Greater Richmond: Building a Resilient Community
Lisa Wright, MSW, LCSW and Melissa McGinn, MSW, LCSW Greater Richmond SCAN
GRTICN Coordinators
The Greater Richmond Trauma Informed Community Network (TICN) of Virginia is a diverse group of individuals, convened by Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), who share a commitment towards the creation of a more trauma informed and resilient community within the Greater Richmond region. The Greater Richmond TICN was formed in the fall of 2012 and is currently comprised of over 230 members from more than 100 different organizations representing a wide range of systems that include public, private, non-profit, state and local government agencies.
The Greater Richmond TICN has a variety of committees that work towards advancing and supporting trauma informed and trauma sensitive practices and policies. These committees are: Training Committee, Legal and Courts Committee, Schools Committee, Healthcare Committee, Brief Screening Tool Committee, Workforce Development Committee, Policy Committee, and Outcomes Committee.
Introduction
Key Elements
Local agency/organization willing to commit to be the “backbone organization” and willing to take the lead on coordinating efforts and providing administrative support.
Identify an individual (s) within the “backbone organization” to take leadership of coordination efforts.
For long-term sustainability, must have a committed and consistent leader (s) and a committed “backbone organization” to assist with on-going administrative support and coordination.
Individuals willing to come together and collaborate around creating a more trauma informed and resilient community.
Hold forums and conversations within the community around unmet needs regarding trauma.
Individuals and/or organizations recognizing need for more trauma informed and trauma sensitive practices within the community.
Begin to identify and invite “trauma champions” to the table from various systems (public, private, non-profit, state, local government etc.).
Create a network that moves people out of silos and encourages collaboration and participation across systems.
Identify what (if any) existing coalitions, committees and initiatives may already be occurring within the community.
Identify the immediate gaps, needs, and/or priorities within the community and determine where to begin.
Key Elements
Key Elements
Conduct a national scan of current initiatives and lessons learned from other systems and communities who have already begun to do this work.
Identify a model to utilize as a framework for your network (ex. Collective Impact Model).
Develop a structure for committees and sub-committees to carry out the work, with identified leadership for each committee., and a schedule for regular committee-chair/leadership meetings.
Have realistic and attainable goals and expectations, recognizing that these are often traumatized, and tired systems.
Identify trauma champions who will help sustain this work and support development of Trauma Informed Leadership Teams (TILT) within organizations, systems and communities.
Develop a shared language by offering frequent, accessible foundational trauma trainings for new staff, volunteers, and community members to attend.
Target leaders of a system, organization and /or community to elicit buy in and commitment.
Formally acknowledge challenges and barriers.
Acknowledge and talk about the historical and systemic trauma within the community and racial, cultural and socioeconomic issues impacting this work.
Develop a system for communicating and sharing resources and information between members (i.e. create a group on ACES Connection, develop a website, send monthly E-note / newsletter, etc.).
Hold consistent meetings for the whole TICN that are engaging (include updates from committee work, have guest speakers, share resources, etc.).
Develop and facilitate new-member orientation meetings to provide history, mission, and expectations of network members
Trainings and public awareness events need to target all levels of a system.
Highlights
Led efforts for new language in VA State Board of Education regulations requiring trauma-informed courses as a requirement for university K-12 teaching programs.
Provided consultation and technical assistance to organizations on process of becoming more trauma-informed: Child Welfare, Law Enforcement, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Schools etc.
Led efforts for Resolution in General Assembly recognizing TICNs as a best practice model
Led Wellness Project for Richmond City Police Department
Facilitated bi-monthly Trauma & Resilience Basics trainings
Hosted monthly Resilience and Paper Tigers documentary screenings
Provided consultation across Virginia on development of TICNs
For additional information, please contact:
Lisa Wright, MSW, LCSW
Greater Richmond SCAN
Melissa McGinn, MSW, LCSW