What is the primary goal of trauma-informed care in child welfare?

The primary goal of trauma-informed care in child welfare is to empower children and ensure their safety. This approach recognizes the widespread impact of trauma on children and seeks to create an environment that fosters healing and resilience. It involves understanding the effects of trauma on a child's behavior and emotional well-being and integrating this understanding into every aspect of care.

By empowering children, trauma-informed care ensures that their voices are heard and they are active participants in their own healing process. This empowerment leads to better outcomes, as children are more likely to engage with services and support systems when they feel safe, respected, and empowered.

Furthermore, ensuring safety is crucial; this involves not only physical safety from harm but also emotional safety, which is achieved by creating supportive relationships and consistent environments. Consequently, the trauma-informed care model emphasizes these dual goals of empowerment and safety to help children navigate their experiences and foster their development in a healthy manner.