WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Fund for Workforce Solutions has received a one year grant from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to develop a strategy to integrate trauma-informed practices into workforce development.

More than half of the U.S. population has experienced at least one traumatic event. Trauma-informed practices are becoming more common in clinical settings, but trauma shows up everywhere, including at work. Understanding the effects of trauma on workers is a critical step toward helping them succeed.

“When employers report issues with lateness, missed shifts, or other behavioral issues, what they don’t realize is that they may be witnessing the effects of something that happened to their workers years ago,” said Kelly Aiken, vice president at the National Fund. “This grant will help us figure out what employers need in order to understand and address the effects of trauma in the workplace.”

With this support, the National Fund will conduct research on current trauma resources, identify what needs to be modified for workforce development and what still needs to be developed. The National Fund will partner with Atlanta-based Multi-Agency Alliance for Children.

Ultimately the strategy will lead to a comprehensive plan for education, training, and technical assistance for employers, workforce development professionals, training providers, and community organizations to integrate trauma-informed practices and management techniques to support worker success.