Institute for Trauma Treatment in Schools (ITTS)
ITTS was created in partnership between Simmons University's School of Social Work and the Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention to provide training resources for professionals in trauma-informed care. In order to provide training to the widest audience possible, ITTS offers online evidence-informed training to MSW students (pre-service) through Simmons University, and to current practitioners (in-service) through AIP staff and consultants.
The course is presented asynchronously in two parts;Course 1: Foundations "Understanding Trauma and its Impact on Teaching & Learning" and Course 2: Practical Applications "Providing Evidence-Based Treatments in Schools and Trauma-Informed Care for Special Populations". A training certificate is awarded to those who complete each part of the course. And Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are available for social workers and mental health counselors who complete the requirements.
ITTS is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
AIP is a National Center for Trauma Care in Schools, as designated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our partnership with the National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) provides us with resources such as the NCTSN) Framework for a Trauma-Informed School.
So far we have had training participants from 42 different states, and the District of Columbia, and as far afield as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
FREE Online Training Resources for Practicing Clinicians
Course 1: Foundations "Understanding Trauma and its Impact on Teaching & Learning"
Course 1 focuses on examining trauma, how it effects youth, and strategies for treating trauma within a school context. Simmons is also offering Continuing Education Units (CEU) for social work and mental health counseling licensure, for the completion of Course 1 (8 CEUs in total). For Course 1 you must complete all 8 sessions to receive CEUs. An introductory video to Course 1 is available below.
Course 2: Practical Applications "Providing Evidence-Based Treatments in Schools and Trauma-Informed Care for Special Populations"
Course 2 focuses on how to apply your knowledge of trauma treatments in a school setting, and offers courses aimed at examining how trauma effects a number of different specific populations that you might encounter in your work. Simmons is offering Continuing Education Units (CEU) for social work and mental health counseling. You can take whichever individual sessions best fit your needs as a mental health practitioner. Participants will receive credits for whatever sessions they complete (up to 12 CEUs in total).
Both courses are FREE to take, and you can register for the courses and find full detailed descriptions of all of the sessions and presenters below through Simmons on-line learning platform. Social Work CEUs are provided by Simmons University School of Social work through the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts chapter (NASW-MA). Counseling CEs are provided by Simmons University School of Social Work through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Participants should check with their licensing board to make sure the credits from those organizations are accepted.
Participants will also be invited to participate in a university study of the effectiveness of the course if they so chose. We are encouraging course takers to take part in the evaluation if they are able, as it helps us to create better and more useful resources for practitioners doing this very important work.
If you have any questions about the course, or if you require assistance once you begin, please contact us at ITTS@aipinc.org.
Below are video introductions to each course, highlighting the content covered and the expert presenters for each session.