Safe Children Coalition trains to become trauma-informed organization

For employers in a wide variety of industries, employee turnover is a critical – and expensive – problem. Low retention rates result in lower productivity and the loss of institutional knowledge as well as the need to recruit new workers, which can be costly.

In the child welfare realm, there is an additional problem: the disruption, case delays, and trauma experienced by children and families every time they need to start over with a new case worker. According to data from the Florida Department of Children and Families, the statewide turnover average for child protective investigators is 37%, with some areas reaching as high as 80%, due to job stress and low wages.

In order to build a stronger, more resilient workforce, Safe Children Coalition (SCC) – with curriculum guidance and training delivery support from All Star Children’s Foundation (ASCF) – has begun intensive training and made a commitment to becoming a trauma-informed organization. A trauma-informed organization can have a profound impact on its employees, both in terms of their own well-being and their ability to perform effectively in the workplace. By prioritizing safety, trust, empowerment, and sensitivity, a trauma-informed organization creates an environment that supports staff in their work, promotes their mental and emotional health, and minimizes the risk of burnout or secondary trauma.

The benefits of becoming a trauma-informed organization include: 20increased resilience; stronger employee engagement and job satisfaction; increased employee trust and loyalty; improved employee relationships; higher productivity and performance; more effective leadership development; enhanced belonging; and an overall workplace culture transformation.

“Trauma-informed training helps team members recognize the sensitivities and perspectives of the community we serve but also of our staff,” said SCC Family Support Specialist Supervisor Desiree Brown. “Being a trauma-informed crusader in child welfare is what will set us apart from other community based care organizations. We have arguably one of the most challenging professions – we need this!”

The process began approximately a year ago, when SCC approached the All Star Children’s Foundation (ASCF) to support the agency-wide implementation of trauma-informed care practices through training and consultation. Since then, teams from both organizations – including leadership and training staff – have been working closely to plan and deliver the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s “Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit” to SCC personnel at all levels.

Over the past several months, ASCF and SCC’s training teams have jointly reviewed and adapted the curriculum to meet the specific needs of SCC staff. Facilitators from both organizations are co-leading the training sessions, combining ASCF’s clinical expertise with SCC’s deep knowledge of child welfare. This unique blend of perspectives ensures the material is both clinically sound and highly relevant to everyday practice in the field.

“We are so excited to be walking alongside the Safe Children Coalition on their journey to becoming a trauma-informed agency,” said All Star Clinical Director Chelsea Hernandez, LCSW. “Their commitment to recognizing the impacts of trauma and fostering understanding and resilience is clear in every conversation during the planning and delivery of training. Building these relationships with SCC and its staff has been incredibly rewarding, and we at All Star hope this is just the beginning of a meaningful partnership for years to come.”

So far, SCC team members have participated in the first phase in the effort, consisting of multiple classroom training curricula targeted toward various levels and roles within the organization. “Trauma 101” included a curriculum for all segments of the SCC workforce focused on understanding different types of trauma and their impact on those who experience it; how trauma intersects with safety, permanency, and well-being; the critical role of resilience in helping children, youth, and families heal; and how a trauma-informed organization can have a profound and positive impact on employees.

“Trauma-informed organizations are more likely to create a positive, supportive environment that enhances trust, engagement and healing, while reducing harm and burnout,” said SCC President and CEO Brena Slater. “Feedback on the training here at Safe Children Coalition has been very positive thus far; we are grateful to the All Star Children’s Foundation for its support and excited to see the benefits to our team and to the children and families we serve in the months and years to come.”

For more about Safe Children Coalition, visit sccfl.org.

About Safe Children Coalition
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children and youth, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.