Trauma Informed Care for Extension Professionals 

Thursday, March 12, 2026 • 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

This presentation focuses on the necessity of adopting trauma-informed practices within Extension professional services, noting that trauma is highly prevalent in our communities and directly impacts how individuals learn. Because a human being cannot effectively learn when they feel unsafe or emotionally activated, Extension professionals must look beyond simple education to provide a safe, supportive environment. A central theme of the presentation is viewing behavior through a “lens of trauma,” which acknowledges that affected individuals may struggle with a lack of trust in authority, feelings of helplessness, and a perception of the world as a chaotic or unsafe place.

You will learn the MO Model of Trauma-Informed Care which provides a four-stage framework for organizational growth: moving from “Trauma Aware” (understanding prevalence) to “Trauma Sensitive” (preparing for change), then to “Trauma Responsive” (active implementation), and finally becoming “Trauma Informed,” where inclusive practices are fully embedded into the culture.  The workshop will also cover how effective trauma-informed care also requires the ability to recognize signs of a traumatic response in others, building safe spaces, and human centric relationship. Ultimately, the approach is summarized by the philosophy that people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Hosted By: Rachel Bailey, University of Missouri Extension