How Being Trauma-Informed Improves Criminal Justice System Responses

SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation, operated by Policy Research
Associates, Inc. (PRA), is known nationally for its work in regard to people with behavioral health needs involved in
the criminal justice system.

Although prevalence estimates vary, there is consensus that high percentages of justice-involved women and
men have experienced serious trauma throughout their lifetime. The reverberating effects of trauma experiences
can challenge a person’s capacity for recovery and pose significant barriers to accessing services, often resulting
in an increased risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

Training Objectives

o Increase understanding of trauma
o Create an awareness of the impact of trauma on behavior
o Develop trauma-informed responses

Audience: This highly interactive training is specifically tailored to community-based criminal justice professionals and those who work with justice-involved individuals including:

o Law Enforcement, EMS, and Fire
o Community Corrections
o Court personnel
o Peer Support Specialists
o Medical and human service providers

For questions, please reach out to Susan Auger at auger@augercommunications.com

Training Location

Henderson Police Department

200 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, NC 27536