Trauma is far more common in the lives of young people than many adults realize. Its impact can shape behavior, learning, relationships, and long-term well-being. Research shows that a significant percentage of children and adolescents experience at least one traumatic event, and for some, those experiences lead to post-traumatic stress. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as exposure to violence, abuse, neglect, household instability, substance use, or mental health challenges, can undermine a young person’s sense of safety and connection. Trauma-informed approaches acknowledge this reality and shift the question from “What’s wrong with this youth?” to “What is this youth experiencing?”

Scale Strategic Solutions is playing a role in the shift to better support youth with our online, on-demand Trama-Informed Approaches with Youth training. The course was recently approved for 1 CEU for all licenses governed under the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Understanding the 4 Rs of Trauma-Informed Care

At the core of trauma-informed care are the 4 Rs. The first, Realize, emphasizes understanding how widespread trauma is and how deeply it can affect development, behavior, and emotional regulation. For professionals working with youth, realization creates awareness that trauma may be present even when it is not disclosed. Recognize builds on this awareness by identifying the signs and symptoms of trauma in young people, families, and systems. This includes changes in mood, behavior, engagement, or coping strategies that may otherwise be misinterpreted as defiance or disengagement.

From Awareness to Action: Responding with Care

The third R, Respond, focuses on putting this understanding into action. Trauma-informed responses integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, practices, and daily interactions with youth. This includes creating predictable environments, offering choice and voice, building trust, and prioritizing emotional and physical safety. Responding effectively also requires grounding our work in the six core principles of a trauma-informed approach that address safety, trust, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and societal context. These principles serve as the backbone of healing-centered work with youth, guiding how we engage in everyday interactions.

Creating Systems That Promote Healing

Finally, Resist Re-traumatization challenges organizations and practitioners to examine how systems, policies, and interactions may unintentionally cause harm. This principle calls on professionals to intentionally design environments, practices, and communication that promotes dignity, choice, and respect. This is especially critical when working with youth who have experienced ACEs or ongoing stressors such as housing instability or food insecurity. Scale Strategic Solutions’ Trauma-Informed Approaches with Youth training equips participants to apply the 4 Rs and trauma-informed principles in real-world youth-serving settings. Designed for social service providers, educators, youth workers, and professionals working with youth, this on-demand course strengthens participants’ understanding of trauma while offering practical strategies to foster resilience, empowerment, and healing.  The course was recently approved for 1 CEU for all licenses governed under the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

 Ready to strengthen your trauma-informed practices with youth? Enroll in our on-demand training todayand gain practical tools you can apply immediately to foster safety, resilience, and healing.