Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach that understands, recognizes, and responds to the effects of trauma, using the latest research in brain science and behavioral health.
Models we use:
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) is a trauma-informed caregiving model designed to help children from hard places heal and thrive. TBRI is built on the understanding that many of the youth we serve have experienced trauma, loss, or neglect that disrupts their sense of safety and connection. TBRI equips our staff and teachers with practical tools to build trust, create structure and respond to behaviors with compassion rather than punishment. It focuses on three core principles:
- Connecting (building relationships through trust and nurture)
- Empowering (meeting physical and emotional needs)
- Correcting (teaching life skills with grace and consistency)
Our training staff have studied under TBRI developers Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross and their team at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at Texas Christian University (TCU) and are accredited by TCU as TBRI® Practitioners. At Cunningham, training courses utilize the TBRI® curriculum developed by KPICD. Implementing TBRI helps us better support our youth by creating safe, supportive environments where healing relationships can grow. It’s not just a strategy—it’s a shift in mindset that honors the worth of every child and helps them build the confidence and connection they need to flourish. LEARN MORE
- Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC by Dr. Margaret Blaustein)
ARC is a comprehensive framework for intervention with traumatized youth. The approach is grounded in attachment theory and early childhood development. It addresses how a child’s entire system of care can become trauma informed to better support trauma focused therapy.
The ARC manual uses easy-to-understand language, defining three main goals (Attachment, Self-regulation, Competency) and a fourth (Trauma Experience Integration). It breaks these down into 10 core targets with strategies for evaluation and involvement at different levels—system, caregiver, and child/youth.
Other resources
- Locally, CU Trauma & Resilience Initiative is a collaboration of individuals and organizations, including Cunningham, dedicated to making Champaign-Urbana a trauma-informed community.
- The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente assessed associations between childhood trauma, stress, and maltreatment and health and well-being later in life.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention with Dr. Karyn Purvis
Developmental psychologists, Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, offer a unique intervention for high-risk, vulnerable children. Their treatment is based on research and personal experiences and is applicable for all ages. This solution treatment teaches kids that they are unique and special, something every child should hear and know.
Oprah Winfrey and 60 Minutes
Oprah Winfrey and 60 Minutes reported on how trauma plays a role in childhood development and what new methods are being used to help kids who have experienced it. The story includes an interview with Dr. Bruce Perry, whose expertise Cunningham and HopeSprings follows. It’s a great way to further understand how our kids are experiencing healing and hope. As you will see, it’s not about “what you did,” but rather “what happened to you.”