Equity-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care
EC-TIC
We recognize that achieving health equity requires an approach that acknowledges both individual and systemic trauma.
Trauma-informed practice seeks to address the health consequences of trauma through integrative responses that incorporate an understanding of the effects of trauma, the multiple pathways to recovery, and the potential for re-traumatization.
Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (EC-TIC) incorporates the added measure of identifying and addressing trauma, its impact on healthcare access, and broader health outcomes, particularly for communities who have been underserved and disproportionately impacted by trauma. The core mission of EC-TIC is to transform cultures, systems, and communities by providing a path to greater equity, well-being, and healing.
Why EC-TIC Matters
Systemic barriers and historical traumas—such as structural racism, economic disinvestment, and discriminatory policies—create adverse community environments that perpetuate poor health, education, and economic outcomes. Traditional trauma-informed care often focuses on individual experiences of trauma, but EC-TIC broadens the lens to include the systemic and structural factors that shape health and well-being.
By implementing EC-TIC principles across systems—including healthcare, education, housing, and the justice system—we can reduce disparities, promote resilience, and foster healing-centered communities. Research shows that without addressing systemic adversity, trauma-informed interventions alone may fail to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Our roots
A legacy from Alive & Well Communities
CHCM’s expertise in EC-TIC builds upon the foundation of Alive & Well Communities, which developed trauma-informed models to support schools, healthcare systems, businesses, and community organizations. Through training, technical assistance, and long-term partnerships, Alive & Well helped institutions alleviate and address the impacts of trauma and toxic stress. Now integrated into CHCM, this work continues—bringing evidence-based trauma-informed practices to organizations and communities across Missouri and beyond.
Implementing EC-TIC
How we support our community and partners
Through our Training & Technical Assistance services, we help organizations embed EC-TIC principles into their policies, practices, and cultures.
Our offerings range from one-time workshops and professional development opportunities to multi-year collaboration and technical assistance for sustainable impact. These services help institutions create environments that prioritize healing, reduce disparities, and foster systemic change.
EC-TIC for communities
Activating Communities
Beyond organizational partnerships, EC-TIC guides our direct engagement with community members. We offer programs designed to empower individuals and promote collective healing.
Community members are invited to participate in Community Empowerment Workshops and Healing Circles to increase their knowledge about trauma and toxic stress, promote self-care strategies, and process personal and community trauma collectively. Learn more about EC-TIC for Community.
EC-TIC for eduction
Activating Schools
Trauma-informed schools are places that provide safe and supportive environments for children to learn and educators to work. They infuse the science about trauma and its impacts into daily practice, program design, policy creation and implementation, and the culture of the school. A trauma-informed school is not simply a school where staff know about trauma, or a school where there is a therapeutic classroom or additional counseling staff.
A trauma-informed school fundamentally has changed the way it works to promote healthy, resilient educators and learners capable of disrupting the cycle of trauma in their lives and communities and creating more equitable outcomes.
EC-TIC for healthcare
Activating Healthcare
Trauma-informed health institutions create safe, supportive environments that promotes equity, well-being, and healing. Trauma-informed Health professionals are able integrate the science of trauma and its impacts into daily practice, policy, and organizational culture.
A trauma-informed healthcare institution is not simply one where staff are aware of trauma or where behavioral health services are available. It is a fundamentally transformed system that prioritizes resilience, trust, and equity, addressing both individual and systemic sources of trauma.
Join us in advancing equity and healing
Whether you’re an organization seeking to transform your practices or a community member embarking on a healing journey, CHCM is here to support you. Together, we can build more just, inclusive, and resilient communities.
EC-TIC Offerings and Background
Downloads and Informational Materials
For further reading, explore our training menu and key research documents that inform our EC-TIC approach in the Downloads Section below.
CHCM 2025 Training Menu
The Pair of ACEs & Community Resilience Framework
Pair of ACEs and Resilience Trees Tutorial
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Trauma-Informed Partners
Learn more about our partners on their trauma-informed journey
We’re proud to work alongside schools, community organizations and healthcare institutions that are actively embracing trauma-informed practices to better support community members, students, educators, patients, and families. These partners are leading the way in creating safer, more supportive environments that recognize and respond to the impact of trauma.
Want to see who’s doing this important work?