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Families and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in helping children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. These resources are for parents, adoptive parents, resource/foster parents, grandparents, caregivers, and all others who care for children and teens. The more caregivers learn about how traumatic events affect their children (whether toddler, school-age, teen, youth, or adult), the more they understand the reasons for their children’s behaviors and emotions, and the better prepared they are to help them cope. When children know that caring adults are working to keep them safe and support them in understanding their reactions to trauma, most can recover and go on to live healthy and productive lives.

NCTSN Resource

Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of a Stabbing

Type: Tip Sheet

Gives information to parents and caregivers about media coverage following a stabbing. This tip sheet describes what parents can do to help their children, media exposure after events, and talks about what it is like when a family is a part of the story.

NCTSN Resource

Trauma and Your Family

Type: Fact Sheet

Offers parents and caregivers information about trauma. This fact sheet defines traumatic stress and describes how common it is, how it can impact a family, and things a family can do to cope with traumatic stress.

NCTSN Resource

Physical Punishment: What Parents Should Know

Type: Fact Sheet

Provides parents with information on the negative impact of physical punishment, and introduces parents to effective alternatives to physically disciplining their children.

NCTSN Resource

Helping Your Teen Cope with Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse

Type: Fact Sheet

Provides information for parents and caregivers whose teen might be or is experiencing substance abuse and/or stress from a traumatic event. This fact sheet is a part Understanding the Links Between Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse: A Toolkit for Providers.

NCTSN Resource

Understanding Child Traumatic Stress: A Guide for Parents

Type: Fact Sheet

Offers parents information about child traumatic stress (CTS), the best way to treat CTS, what parents can do at home for their children, and how parents can make sure their children receive support at school.

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