Positive relationships between children and adults are critical to creating the brain architecture to grow healthy social, emotional, and intellectual development.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) uses the “Four R's” to define trauma-informed care. A trauma-informed organization, according to SAMHSA:
- Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands the potential paths for recovery.
- Recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system.
- Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.
- Actively resists re-traumatization.
Changes to Trauma-Informed Financial Award Distribution Beginning July 2025
Effective July 1, 2025, eligibility for a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Financial Award will be updated. Financial awards will be available only to:
- Licensed Family Home (LFH providers serving children and families accessing state subsidy, and
- License-exempt family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) providers.
In preparation for this change, the application for TIC Financial Awards will be unavailable in MERIT throughout the summer. Please check back to find out when they will be made available again.
If you have completed DCYF-recognized trauma-informed education and training prior to July 1, 2025, you must submit the temporary TIC Financial Award Application Form by July 15, 2025.
To receive payment for a TIC Financial Award, providers must have an active Statewide Vendor (SWV) Number. For more information on how to apply for a SWV Number, please visit the Apply for a Statewide Vendor Number webpage.
If you have questions about this email or your TIC Financial Award, please visit the DCYF TIC webpage or contact the DCYF MERIT navigators at dcyf.merit@dcyf.wa.gov.