Implementation and program evaluation of trauma-informed care training across state child advocacy centers: An exploratory study

Abstract

Awareness of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is essential for all professionals employed at child advocacy centers (CAC). This study evaluated the effectiveness of a training program that utilized a modified version of a TIC curriculum accessible through the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) among CAC workers in Florida. The workers' TIC knowledge level (n=203) was examined prior to the training, immediately thereafter, and in a 12-month follow-up. Participants in general had similar levels of TIC knowledge before the training although the knowledge level was significantly affected by race/ethnicity, years of working experience, and educational degree. The results also indicated that participants' TIC knowledge significantly increased after training, with an effect size of 0.71. This increase appeared to be universal among participants. Further, the significant increase still maintained in the 12-month follow-up test. The analysis of participants' responses to two open-ended questions suggested that most participants were satisfied with the program. It is suggested that training efforts need to be conducted frequently to ensure that CAC employees get repeated exposure to the information in order to ultimately improve the services they provide to victims.