Zoom image: Illustration of hands holding words with the phrase "Transformation to a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective" Illustration of hands holding words with the phrase "Transformation to a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective".

Transformation Project

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work transformed our MSW curriculum by integrating trauma-informed and human rights perspectives in 2009. After collecting feedback from our stakeholders, we captured the magnitude of this change in impact statements and an original image.

Zoom image: Transforming education, research and practice Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspectives.

Transforming education, research and practice

Zoom image: How trauma-informed and human rights perspectives are sustained Our Lexicon -- How a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspectives is Sustained, Policy, Evaluation and Practice.

How trauma-informed and human rights perspectives are sustained

Zoom image: What are trauma-informed and human rights perspectives? Language, What is a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective?, "Trauma is prevalent in a large percentage of the population and influences how individuals perceive and approach the world. A trauma-informed perspective recognizes this prevalence, and works to avoid re-traumatization. It considers what has happened to someone, rather than what is wrong, and notes the relationship between traumatic events and human rights violations. A human rights perspective incorporates a global lens anchored in respect and advocacy." – University at Buffalo School of Social Work, "The trauma-informed and human rights perspective has taught me to begin to critically examine my everyday language, which was previously so societally ingrained, and to modify it so that it supports the innate humanity and individuality of the person." –Elizabeth Hole, MSW Student.

What are trauma-informed and human rights perspectives?

Zoom image: How trauma-informed and human rights perspectives are created Collaboration, How a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective is Created.

How trauma-informed and human rights perspectives are created

Zoom image: The journey to trauma-informed and human rights perspectives Illustration of figures of people putting blocks together to create taller structure under the word Action, “The Journey to a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective, submit: Members of Consortium and Advisory Board interpret results; team submits to Council on Social Work Education, assess: Student surveys and organizations and client assessments distributed; focus groups held”.

The journey to trauma-informed and human rights perspectives

Zoom image: Transforming education, research and practice What difference do trauma-informed and human rights perspectives make?

Transforming education, research and practice

Zoom image: Trauma-informed and human rights perspectives promote empowerment Empowerment, A Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspectives Promote Empowerment.

Trauma-informed and human rights perspectives promote empowerment

Zoom image: Thank you to the local community of agencies who played a pivotal role in the transformation Thank You! . . .to the local community of agencies who played a pivotal role in the transformation to a Trauma-Informed and Human Rights Perspective including AIDS Network of WNY, American Red Cross- Serving Erie and Niagara Counties, Amherst Center for Senior Services, Baker Victory Services, Child Welfare Court Improvement Project, Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County, Child and Adolescent Treatment Services, Crisis Services.

Thank you to the local community of agencies who played a pivotal role in the transformation

Zoom image: "Being trauma-informed allows more control and choice and feeling of safety by the client, more engagement too." Transforming education, research and practice, Collaboration, Empowerment, Lexicon, Action.

"Being trauma-informed allows more control and choice and feeling of safety by the client, more engagement too."