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Trauma...Every child in the child welfare system has experienced trauma, whether it is from abuse and/or neglect by their families, or as a result of separation from their families and community after removal from their homes. Numerous research articles and studies detail the impact of trauma on developing children and youth, which causes both short- and long-term problems, including difficulties with learning, ongoing behavior problems, impaired relationships, and poor social and emotional competence. Perhaps the biggest tragedy is that these children often experience additional trauma once in the child protection system itself, which is something CASA volunteers see across Texas every day.
To address this ongoing issue, Texas CASA has taken a leadership role in understanding the availability and impact of trauma-informed and mental health services in the Texas child welfare system. Additionally, Texas CASA has taken steps toward becoming a more trauma-informed organization and believes all adults who work with children in the system must understand the impact of trauma on child development and behavior so that children in care have an opportunity to begin healing and do not experience additional trauma while in the system.
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