Hopes for healing: An exploratory study of trauma-informed care training and the juvenile justice system

Abstract

The topic of traumatic stress among justice-involved youth has gained national attention. Studies have shown a multitude of factors contributing to youth experiencing trauma or victimization. Reports indicate that about 34% of children in the United States experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. Studies have shown that between 75% and 93% of youth in the juvenile justice system have suffered traumatic victimization of one form or another. In 2013, Texas passed legislation mandating all juvenile probation and juvenile supervision personnel to complete trauma-informed care training. A web-based Qualtrics survey, consisting of 28 items, was sent to Texas juvenile probation departments (JPD) with the goal to survey juvenile probation officers and other personnel, resulting in 108 responses. The study addressed (1) the type of trauma-care training received; (2) the implementation of trauma-focused practices and policies; and (3) the promotion of a physically and psychologically safe environment for justice-involved youth. The findings indicate that most of the respondents completed trauma-informed care training and met the state requirement. Although the training provided knowledge and understanding of youth trauma, not all juvenile probation officers referred youth to trauma-specific services, indicating a need for specific trauma-informed policies and practices with regular monitoring to ensure that youth received these rehabilitative services.