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NCTSN Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment

What is the NCTSN Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment (NCTSN TIOA)1?

  • A validated organizational assessment developed by the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS)
  • Incorporates the knowledge of NCTSN members with expertise in child trauma and systems change 
  • Measures organizational practices related to trauma-informed care  
  • Designed for organizations serving children and families
  • Comprised of 87 items across 9 domains
  • Situated within an implementation framework to support organizational change
  • Flexible process that allows for tailored implementation pathways  
  • Available for download at no cost  

Why should my organization consider implementing the NCTSN TIOA?

  • Measure your organization's trauma-informed practices  
  • Bring to light important areas for your organization to address related to trauma-informed practice
  • Identify strengths and build on the expertise already available within the organization
  • Create a roadmap for organizational change related to anti-racist trauma-informed practice
  • Integrate anti-racist principles within trauma-informed practice
  • Establish a common language around anti-racist trauma-informed practices within your organization and your broader community of child- and family-serving agencies 
  • Identify resources to help your organization better serve children and families who have experienced trauma and support staff working with children and families 
  • Elevate the importance of partnering with youth and families 
  • Assess progress and improvement over time
  • Maintain a sustainable and continuous focus on the need to become an anti-racist trauma-informed organization

1Halladay Goldman, J., Purbeck Trunzo, C., and Agosti, J. (2019). NCTSN Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment. Los Angeles, CA, and Durham, NC: National Center for Child Traumatic Stress.

What Are the NCTSN TIOA Domains and Items?

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...