Trauma-Informed Care Policy
A district shall adopt and implement a policy requiring the integration of trauma-informed practices in each school environment. A district must include the policy in the district improvement plan required under Education Code 11.252 [see BQ].
The policy must address:
- Using resources developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), methods for:
- Increasing staff and parent awareness of trauma-informed care; and
- Implementation of trauma-informed practices and care by district and campus staff; and
- Available counseling options for students affected by trauma or grief.
Education Code 38.036(a)-(b)
Training
The methods for increasing awareness and implementation of trauma-informed care must include training as provided below. The training must be provided:
- Through a program selected from the list of recommended best practice-based programs and research-based practices established under Education Code 38.351;
- In accordance with the district professional development policy [see DMA]; and
- As part of any new employee orientation for all new district educators.
The training must address how grief and trauma affect student learning and behavior and how evidence-based, grief-informed, and trauma-informed strategies support the academic success of students affected by grief and trauma. The training may include two or more listed topics together.
For any training under this provision, a district shall maintain records that include district staff members who participated in the training.
If a district determines that the district does not have sufficient resources to provide the training required under this provision, the district may partner with a community mental health organization to provide training that meets the requirements at no cost to the district.
Education Code 38.036(c)-(d), (f)
[For more information on mental health training for district employees, see DMA.]
