In 2007, the Multiplying Connections Cross System Training Institute (CSTI) embarked on a process to define a set of core knowledge, attitudes, values and skills competencies that children’s services professionals need to provide trauma informed and developmentally appropriate care.
A working group of the CSTI, began by reviewing numerous competencies from relevant professional fields including behavioral health, child welfare, public health, violence and injury prevention, and early childhood education, as well as conducting an extensive review of literature on trauma informed and developmentally appropriate practice.
(Bloom & Farragher, In press; Bloom S. , 2006; Bloom S. , 2010; Elliot, Bjelajac, Fallot, Markoff, & Reed, 2005; Harris & Fallot, 2001; Hodas, 2006; Knox, 2001; State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services-Behavioral and Developmental Services, 2002; Minnesota Association of Education for Young Children, 2004; National Training Initiative for Injury and Violence Prevention, n.d.) (Perry & Szalavitz, 2006) In early 2008, the full CSTI, assisted by several consultants with expertise in workforce competency development, trauma and evaluation, met together and used a nominal process to reach consensus on a draft set of competencies derived from this review. In the spring of 2008, a national group of 35 trauma experts from research, policy and practice engaged in a three-phase review to hone and refine the draft competencies. Input and feedback from this expert panel were used to further refine the competencies and a second draft was returned to the Multiplying Connections CSTI and Steering Committee for final review and approval. The competencies will be updated as needed.
