Since Casa de Esperanza was founded, we have been helping children heal from trauma. When kids come to Casa, especially toddlers, it takes them time to adjust. They are agitated because everything is new. Ebony Betts, Sr. Director of Family Services explains, “The children we see are often disengaged and withdrawn, and there’s a lot of crying and sadness. Toddlers who know they are not with their parents are in emotional distress. Any child who has experienced trauma, whether physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, or has been removed from their parents struggles and is developmentally delayed.”
Previously we shared baby Lia’s story, an infant who arrived undernourished and lifeless. She didn’t cry when she was hungry or had a dirty diaper because she had learned in her young life that no one would come. Casa caregivers showered her with attention, responding to all her needs consistently and quickly. As we built trust with her, baby Lia started to act like a typical baby who interacted with us and communicated her needs.
The process of building trust with our children, being consistent, engaging them, and helping them to regulate their emotions is not new to our work. But as we continue our model of care conversion to the Texas Child-Centered Care model that the Department of Family and Protective Services requires, we are formalizing our methods; implementing TBRI, Trust-Based Relational Intervention®. It offers practical strategies to help the whole child, so they can build fulfilling lives after trauma:
- Empowering principles to address their physical needs
- Connecting principles to establish and restore healthy relationships they can depend on
- Correcting principles to disarm their fear-based behaviors
Casa’s Behavioral Health Program also reinforces the principles of TBRI. Children who have experienced trauma struggle with transitions in a way typical children don’t. Moving from one activity to the next, going to bed, leaving the playground, these daily changes can trigger their emotions deeply. “Through play therapy we can interpret what the children went through and use their strengths to help them address their weaknesses,” shares Rosalys Martinez, Behavioral Services Manager. “Play therapy helps them learn to transition without distress, which helps them after their time at Casa and once they start school. They can start building their self-esteem, they can be in control of their story and their lives.”
Children infants to age six are developing rapidly in all areas; Casa cares for them when important growth is taking place, from learning to walk, to potty training, to learning to speak and so much more. TBRI will help reinforce our work and reach our goal that children have an increased sense of belonging and thrive in a safe foster home.
