The National Fund’s introductory guide will advance trauma-informed approaches in employment and the workforce system

Washington, DC (April 5, 2021) – 2020 was extremely difficult for everyone. The coronavirus pandemic, racial violence, and a divisive election made the year toxically stressful or traumatic for everyone. That stress and trauma shows up at work.

 The National Fund for Workforce Solutions’ new guide, A Trauma-Informed Approach to Workforce provides an introduction to trauma and its effects in the workplace. Employers and workforce development organizations can use the guide to learn about core concepts and organizational strategies and practices to advance trauma-informed approaches in the workplace.

“The 2020 pandemic has been toxically stressful for everyone,” said Janell Thomas, director of worker success at the National Fund. “Our universal experience has raised our collective understanding of employees’ toxic stress and trauma will be an essential part of the post-pandemic recovery.”

Trauma-informed care is a new practice area for workforce development. Addressing trauma is directly connected to creating equitable and inclusive workplaces. Through the support of Anthem Health, the National Fund convened a trauma working group that has spent the past six months researching this emerging field. A Trauma-Informed Approach to Workforce is the result of their efforts.

“This guide isn’t the end of our work. It’s just the beginning,” said Thomas. “There is a lot of work to do, and our workgroup identified some of these gaps, which we include in the guide. We hope employers, workforce development organizations, funders, and others will take the information in this guide and run with it.”