Trauma-Informed Strategies for Supporting Children and Youth in the Child Welfare System during COVID-19

Children and youth who become involved in the child welfare (CW) system often experience trauma as a result of maltreatment and other adversities while in the CW system, including removal from home and multiple out-of-home placements. Children and youth of color, particularly Black and Native American children, are disproportionally represented in the CW system and are more likely to experience trauma due, in large part, to structural racism and historical trauma. LGBTQIA+ youth are also at high risk for trauma while in the CW system. The good news is that decades of research on resilience shows that protective factors can help children and youth thrive in the face of trauma and adversity. #mentalhealth #racialequity