TBRI and Trauma-Informed Classrooms Training

What is the practice? 

Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® & Trauma-Informed Classrooms is a 4-part digital training designed to equip educators to meet the needs of vulnerable children in a school setting. It includes: 4 digital video sessions of teaching (totaling 5 hours), as well as a PDF guide including presentation slides, sample schedules, tips for hosting a training, discussion questions, and additional resources. 

Who is the practice for? 

TBRI® & Trauma Informed Classrooms will include information that applies to a wide variety of ages. This training can benefit teachers of children and youth of all ages. 

What outcomes does the practice produce? 

• Improve student behavior  
• Improve executive functioning skills 
• Reduce fear and facilitate healing for vulnerable children 
• Reduce aggression and disruptive behavior 

What is the evidence? 

Parris, S.R., Dozier, M., Purvis, K.B., Whitney, C., Grisham, A., & Cross, D.R. (2015). Implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention in a charter school at a residential facility for at-risk youth. Contemporary School Psychology, 19(3), 157-164. doi: 10.1007/s40688-014-0033-7 

After the first year of implementation, school data showed a 33% decrease in referrals for physical aggression or fighting with peers over a one-year period (35 in 2010-2011; 23 in 2011-2012). After a two-year period of implementation, school data showed a 68% decrease in office referrals for physical aggression (35 in 2010-2011; 11 in 2012-2013); an 88% decrease in referrals for verbal aggression (116 in 2010-2011; 14 in 2012-2013); and a 95% decrease in referrals for disruptive behavior (751 in 2010-2011; 34 in 2012-2013). Overall, there were 902 of these types of referrals combined in 2010-2011, and only 59 in 2012-2013, resulting in a 93.5% decrease in these types of incidents after the first two years of the implementation process. 

Purvis, K.B., Milton, H.S., Harlow, J.G., Parris, S.R., & Cross, D.R. (2015). The importance of addressing complex trauma in schools: Implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention in an elementary school. ENGAGE: An International Journal on Research and Practices in School Engagement 1(2). 

This study showed an 18% decrease in incident reports and 23% decrease in the number of office referrals for the top ten most frequently referred students following TBRI implementation in an elementary school with an at-risk student population. 

How is the practice implemented? 

TBRI & Trauma-Informed Classrooms training is a digital training designed to equip educators to help children from backgrounds of abuse, neglect, and/or trauma.

This four-part seminar includes the following sessions: 

• Trauma & The Brain: The Impact of Trauma at School (57 minutes) 
• Empowering Our Students: Meeting Physical Needs (1 hour, 13 minutes) 
• Connecting in the Classroom: Creating Relationships that Matter (1 hour, 6 minutes) 
• Correcting Behavior: Rethinking Classroom Management (1 hour, 32 minutes) 

This training can be purchased for individuals or for a school. Each purchase allows three devices to download the material, so the training can be housed on three devices on a campus. The accompanying PDF guide provides presentation slides, tips for hosting your training, sample schedules, and additional resources for creating trauma-informed classrooms. 

Who can implement the practice? 

Educators and school counselors can implement TBRI. TBRI can also be helpful for any caregiver. 

What are the costs and commitments associated with becoming trained in this practice? 

Please contact the program for the most recent costs and commitments, as these may change. 

The cost is $250 for one year of access to the videos and PDF guide. A school or individual can purchase the training at this cost. 

What resources are useful for understanding or implementing the practice? 

• TBRI Website: https://child.tcu.edu/tbritic/#sthash.Ehn1ACiI.dpbs   

Rating: Promising 

Secondary components: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports; Positive Youth Development; Positive Safe and Supportive School Climates