Innovations in Trauma-Informed Programs and Practices for Schools (Teaching and Research)

The Trauma-Informed Programs and Practices for Schools (TIPPS) is an innovation hub that utilizes a strength-based and equity-centered interprofessional approach to bring faculty (field, clinical, tenure,  and research), students, staff, and community practitioners together to foster learning and dissemination of research on childhood trauma and system change. Educational components of TIPPS support field experiences for MSW students and professional learning for K-12 school providers. The model also supports research partnerships with schools and organizations throughout Michigan. 

TIPPS as an innovation hub is grounded in research and anchored in antiracism and PODS concepts. It provides an alternative to individualized models of trauma-informed care. By having a collaborative approach within the hub, teaching, research, and practice are advanced while providing equitable access to mentorship and professional development to team members.

TIPPS engages UM students, clinical, tenure track and field faculty, and community partners on a local and state level.   In practice, the TIPPS framework features 10 core principles (pillars) that guide activities tailored to the local culture and context of schools. These pillars provide “scaffolding” for schools committed to advancing trauma work by changing school systems so they are safe, inclusive, and nurturing of all students. 

Efforts are underway to advance several interrelated education and research goals. A grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Michigan Health Endowment Fund supported feasibility/usability testing of the TIPPS framework for K-12 settings.  We are applying for additional grants to test an implementation and scaling approach for TIPPS. Adaptations for early childhood education are underway with recent funding from UM’s Engage Detroit initiative:

Price, D., Robinson, Y., Riley, H., Ribaudo, J., Giang, C., Herrenkohl, T.I., & Miller, A.L. (in press). Start early: Providing trauma-informed, systems-focused professional development in early childhood development and learning contexts. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 8 (4). doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304055