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The NCTSN TIOA is derived from the NCTSN definition of a Trauma-Informed Child and Family Service System, which is based on collaborative work from a diverse group of NCTSN members with trauma and systems-change expertise.

Their work identified nine areas, or domains, that are key to creating a trauma-informed program or organization, and these are the nine domains of the NCTSN TIOA:

The items in the NCTSN TIOA have been developed and refined through a synthesis of current research and the diverse expertise within the Network. This collaborative effort incorporates the perspectives of individuals with lived experience, direct service providers, administrators, trainers, researchers, and intervention developers who work across child welfare, juvenile justice, education, healthcare, and mental health systems.

The NCTSN TIOA includes eight to twelve items within each of the nine domains. Individuals can expect to take roughly 30-45 minutes to complete it. Each domain is a separate section that includes a definition of that specific domain. Respondents are asked to rate each item on a five-point scale ranging from “this practice does not exist within our organization” to “this practice is institutionalized and part of how the organization does things all the time.” Individuals can also choose the “unable to rate” response.

Below are some sample items from the Screening Domain of the NCTSN TIOA:

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