Resources

Training and development are key to a successful trauma-informed children’s ministry. There is a wealth of resources (beyond this website) that can help you and your team develop your trauma competency. Several useful trauma-informed resources are listed below:

Learn More About Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html

https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score

Books About Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

Brain-Changing Strategies to Trauma-Proof our Schools: A Heart-Centered Movement for Wiring Well-Being by Maggie Kline and Peter A. Levine
Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks: An 8-Week Bible Study for Small Groups in Trauma-Informed Ministry by Chris Haughee
The Heart of a Healer: Trauma Informed Biblical Counseling by Chris Lim
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Seigel and Tina Payne Bryson
Trauma and Grief: Resources and Strategies for Ministry by R. Scott Sullender

Online Trauma-Informed Care Training Programs

Trauma Free World, the education arm of Back2Back Ministries, offers low-cost online trauma-informed training courses for leaders and volunteers serving in faith-based organizations. Group discounts and customized training programs are available. For more information, visit https://www.traumafreeworld.org/training
The International Network of Children’s Ministry (INCM) offers a low-cost eight-module online course in Trauma Competent Children’s Ministry. Course topics include an overview of trauma and developing a trauma competent team and environment. For more information, visit https://www.incm.org/training
The TCU Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development provides excellent self-guided online courses, printed materials, and videos on many trauma-related topics that relevant to children’s ministry. For more information, visit https://child.tcu.edu and select “Store” from the menu.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers free online webinars, e-learning courses, and training curricula on a variety of trauma-related topics. Although not targeted specifically to churches, many of these in-depth resources are relevant to children’s ministry. For more information, visit https://www.nctsn.org/resources/training

Trauma-Informed Organizations

Churches cannot be places of healing for children unless they actively prevent re-traumatization. GRACE is a non-profit organization that empowers Christian communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse. They provide training and consultation services tailored to the unique needs and context of each congregation. For more information visit https://www.netgrace.org

by R. Scott Sullender