Implementing Trauma-Informed Care Plans District-Wide with Naomi Handley, Rachel Hamm, and Leandra Torra

As districts and states across the country grapple with the effects of trauma exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health crisis, and more, many have shifted to a trauma-informed care approach to promote healing environments for students and staff. One of NCSSLE’s Project Prevent Cohort 3 (P2C3) grantees, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), has made particularly noteworthy progress in implementing this approach district-wide. 


On this episode of “In Session,” we speak with Naomi Handley, Rachel Hamm, and Leandra Torra, P2C3 grant recipients from Jefferson County, KY, about the district’s extensive trauma-informed care training approach. This conversation is guided by NCSSLE’s Annie Knowles and Brianna Cunniff.  


Learn more about JCPS at their website, and read their Grantee Highlight for more information about their trauma-informed plans.  

Time Stamp 

Question / Topic Discussed 
0:45Welcome & Introductions
1:28Why JCPS puts emphasis on Trauma-Informed Care
7:24The process for districts to create a system and provide trauma-informed care to schools
10:41 How this work connects to their Project Prevent grant
12:25 School specific plans 
16:14Challenges they have encountered
23:30 Successes and impacts they have seen on the school community
28:52What comes next for this trauma-informed care work
35:18Closing 

For all questions or feedback, you can email ncssle@air.org. Thanks for listening!

View Episode Transcript Here

Please note, the contents of this podcast do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the U.S. Department of Education, nor does it imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education

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