Presenters: Patricia Wilcox, MSW, LCSW, Vice President for Strategic Development, Klingberg Family Centers and Theresa Lindberg, MSC, LPC, Managing Director, Child & Youth Services, CARF International
Instead of simply reviewing standards, our session will be an active workshop where we will present a unique Trauma-Informed Surveyor Checklist that assesses the deep integration of TIC into an agency’s culture. This checklist can also be used by leaders to evaluate trauma-informed care at their agency. This tool looks for observable evidence and asks probing questions to determine if an organization has truly adapted a trauma-informed worldview, rather than just “checking boxes.” Key areas of focus will include:
• The critical role of staff well-being as the foundation for client healing.
• The application of core principles like “symptoms are adaptations” to reshape how services are delivered.
• How to build a culture of safety and de-escalation that aligns with the principles of polyvagal theory.
Participants will leave with a practical, actionable framework for transforming compliance into a powerful lever for cultural change. The session will be interactive, providing agency leaders and staff with the tools and mindset to confidently prepare for accreditation while strengthening their commitment to sustaining trauma-informed care.
