Trauma-Informed Care for People with Disabilities

This training provides an introduction to trauma and trauma-informed care for professionals supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Participants will examine how trauma can affect behavior, communication, relationships, and daily functioning. The course will help participants recognize behaviors that may be connected to trauma experiences and build awareness of the ways systems, environments, and interactions can unintentionally be a source of trauma. Participants will learn practical strategies to reduce re-traumatization risks while promoting safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Through examples and scenarios, attendees will learn trauma-informed care principles and strengthen their ability to demonstrate trauma-informed approaches in everyday practice when supporting people with I/DD.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, learners will be able to:

  • Describe common trauma experiences among people with I/DD.

  • Recognize behaviors in people with I/DD that may be related to trauma experiences.

  • Identify and reduce re-traumatization risks.

  • Describe trauma-informed care.

  • Demonstrate trauma-informed care.


    Format: Self-paced training (work at your own pace, use "save and exit" as needed).

    Duration:  ~60 minutes

    Arranged by: Allison Root, DrPH, RDN, MCHES

    Subject Matter Expert: Lynne T. Tomasa, PhD, MSW. Nursing review: Kim Licciardi RN DNP ENP-C/FNP-C NEd; Physician review: Tammie Bassford, MD; Dietetic Review: Allison Root, DrPH, RDN, MCHES; Case Study input: Samantha Rothermel-Peters, Mohammed Najeeb Naabo.

    Narration: AI voice technology (WellSaid)

    Target Audience: Public Health Professionals including community health workers, physicians, nurses, dietitians, social workers, and others.

    Published: Sept. 2026.

    Disclosures:  The subject matter expert, planners, reviewers, and authors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

    CE Available: 

    • Continuing Education Contact Hours for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES): This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0  total Category I continuing education contact hours (1.0 Continuing Competency Credits). WRPHTC provider number 99036.
    • Continuing Professional Education Units for Dietitians (CPEUs): As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the WRPHTC is approved to offer continuing professional education units by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. The WRPHTC designates this activity for 1.0 contact hours for dietitians. Dietitians should enter activities as type 102 on their Activity Log.
    • 1.0 AMA PRA credit for Physicians
    • 1.0 ANCC credit for Nurses

    Accreditation Statements


    The WRPHTC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
     

    The WRPHTC is a Designated Multiple Event Provider of Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.


    Language: English
    CHES Event ID#: SS99036_TICPD
    Category 1 Credits: 1.0
    Continuing Competency Credits: 1.0
    Advanced Credits: 0.5
    Level 1: No
    Level 2: No
    Level 3: No
    Physicians: 1.0
    Nursing Total Credits: 1.0
    Primary Tier: Tier Two
    Secondary Tier: Tier One
    Primary Domain: Health Equity Skills
    CHES Credits Hours: 1.0
    Dietitian Credit Hours: 1.0
    Physician Credit Hours: 1.0
    Nursing Credit Hours: 1.0