Rhode Island Trauma Informed School Commission
Recommendations for Implementing the Trauma-Informed Schools Act in Rhode Island
“I’ve spent a lot of time one-on-one with teachers who are really struggling with what’s happening in their classroom with the kids who are exhibiting some trauma signs and symptoms. It’s been more difficult for me to support them than it has been to support my people doing the therapeutic work because they’re feeling quite helpless and hopeless. The resources just aren’t there to support the teachers doing the work. You can’t teach in that environment. It’s been daunting to see how they’re expected to juggle so many things, of being able to meet the needs, follow the curriculum, get the scores where they need to be for their district.”
— Focus Group Participant
The Rhode Island Trauma-Informed Schools Act, RIGL § 16-21-41, was signed into law in June 2022 and established the Trauma-Informed Schools Commission to assist the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) with implementing the act. Commission members, including Dr. Margaret Pacione-Dyszlewski, Director of Clinical Innovation, Bradley Hospital, represent a range of health and education system interest holders as required under the legislation.
In March 2024, the Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved the Trauma-Informed Schools Commission Implementation Plan and Supporting Materials. This plan, along with the Commission’s Final Report, was submitted to the legislature in July 2024.
The Commission Was Charged With:
Conducting a review and assessment of existing trauma-informed schools and community-based resources and initiatives across the state.
Informing the development of a trauma-informed school implementation plan and supporting materials that was submitted to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.
Researching, identifying, and cataloging state, federal, and philanthropic sources that align with the purpose of the act; and submitting a final report that details the Commission’s findings and recommendations for implementing trauma-informed practices in every elementary and secondary school in Rhode Island.
Moving the Vision Forward
The Implementation Plan outlines the vision and charge of the Commission and provides an overview of research, best practices, and key frameworks informing the Commission’s work. This Final Report is the third and final document required from the Commission per the legislation. The Report begins with the results of a public input process on the Implementation Plan, highlights a set of priority actions from the Commission, and ends with a catalog of state, federal and philanthropic sources for implementing trauma-informed practices in Rhode Island schools. Together, this body of work presents an ambitious path toward fully integrating trauma-informed practices within all Rhode Island schools. As the Report makes clear, implementation of the recommendations will require a sustained investment in state funding to realize this vision.
