Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2013
This article provides a theoretical framework for the Sanctuary Model®. The Sanctuary Model is a ... more This article provides a theoretical framework for the Sanctuary Model®. The Sanctuary Model is a trauma-informed organizational change intervention developed by Sandra Bloom and colleagues in the early 1980s. Based on the concept of therapeutic communities, the model is designed to facilitate the development of organizational cultures that counteract the wounds suffered by the victims of traumatic experience and extended exposure to adversity. Details of the Sanctuary Model logic model are presented.
Although there has been a significant increase in the delivery of evidence-supported, trauma-info... more Although there has been a significant increase in the delivery of evidence-supported, trauma-informed care over the past few years, there has been less discussion around the consideration of the broader cultural, political, and societal factors that contextualize client trauma and that also need to be recognized and understood to promote healing and prevent future trauma. In support of sharing some best practices and lessons learned, this article provides a case study of one agency that has used the Sanctuary Model®, an evidence-supported, trauma-informed organizational change model, to introduce the practice of cultural humility with staff as a facilitator of improved service delivery for clients from culturally marginalized communities. The model supports these endeavors through the adherence to the seven commitments, a set of organizational values for creating a trauma-informed community, allowing for all voices to be heard and considered and providing opportunities to begin the ...
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2015
There is increasing interest in the human services field in transformational leadership (Fisher, ... more There is increasing interest in the human services field in transformational leadership (Fisher, 2009; Gellis, 2001; Mary, 2005) and the association between this style of leadership and employee engagement, thus impacting the quality of services delivered (Everett & Sitterding, 2011; Mary, 2005). The Sanctuary Model®, a trauma-informed organizational intervention, promotes many elements of the transformational style of leadership, especially the elements of inspiration, optimism, encouragement, honesty, motivation, respect, team-orientation, effective communications, empowerment, reliability, trustworthiness, and empathy (Bloom, 2005, 2011; Smith, 2011). This exploratory, qualitative study examines how social service agency leaders have used a transformational leadership approach to implement the model in two different organizations.
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2017
Research links high youth exposure to community violence (ECV) with negative health consequences,... more Research links high youth exposure to community violence (ECV) with negative health consequences, and the World Health Organization recommends ECV as a new adverse childhood experience (ACE) category. The current study is among the first to include ECV within the ACE categories, examining ACEs and behavioral health (BH) service usage, using a population-based adult sample. Results reveal ECV and ACE associations in the expected direction. Respondents reporting ECV before age 18 had higher ACE scores than those without ECV. Results demonstrate ECV's predictive power for later BH needs and confirm its utility as a new ACE category. Practice implications include attention to ECV among adult populations and mitigating long-term costs through early intervention and prevention. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • There are potential long-term adverse effects of trauma on adult health, so routinely assessing for ECV as well as ACEs among adult populations is recommended. • Early intervention in a school setting for youth who have experienced ECV can be an effective approach to prevent its adverse effect in later life.
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2013
Despite increasing evidence in the public health field about the prevalence of adverse childhood ... more Despite increasing evidence in the public health field about the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the general population, little is known about the prevalence of ACEs among social service providers. Trauma backgrounds may influence both worker susceptibility to vicarious traumatization as well as clinical decision making. Similarly, individuals with trauma backgrounds are vulnerable to re-enactment of their history. With pressure on social service agencies to demonstrate successful client outcomes, it is critical that agencies explore factors that influence high-quality care. This exploratory study is the first investigation of ACE prevalence among workers in an agency that provides residential treatment, day treatment, and schooling for children with histories of trauma. Study results suggest a high prevalence of ACEs among these workers.
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2013
This article provides a theoretical framework for the Sanctuary Model®. The Sanctuary Model is a ... more This article provides a theoretical framework for the Sanctuary Model®. The Sanctuary Model is a trauma-informed organizational change intervention developed by Sandra Bloom and colleagues in the early 1980s. Based on the concept of therapeutic communities, the model is designed to facilitate the development of organizational cultures that counteract the wounds suffered by the victims of traumatic experience and extended exposure to adversity. Details of the Sanctuary Model logic model are presented.
Although there has been a significant increase in the delivery of evidence-supported, trauma-info... more Although there has been a significant increase in the delivery of evidence-supported, trauma-informed care over the past few years, there has been less discussion around the consideration of the broader cultural, political, and societal factors that contextualize client trauma and that also need to be recognized and understood to promote healing and prevent future trauma. In support of sharing some best practices and lessons learned, this article provides a case study of one agency that has used the Sanctuary Model®, an evidence-supported, trauma-informed organizational change model, to introduce the practice of cultural humility with staff as a facilitator of improved service delivery for clients from culturally marginalized communities. The model supports these endeavors through the adherence to the seven commitments, a set of organizational values for creating a trauma-informed community, allowing for all voices to be heard and considered and providing opportunities to begin the ...
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2015
There is increasing interest in the human services field in transformational leadership (Fisher, ... more There is increasing interest in the human services field in transformational leadership (Fisher, 2009; Gellis, 2001; Mary, 2005) and the association between this style of leadership and employee engagement, thus impacting the quality of services delivered (Everett & Sitterding, 2011; Mary, 2005). The Sanctuary Model®, a trauma-informed organizational intervention, promotes many elements of the transformational style of leadership, especially the elements of inspiration, optimism, encouragement, honesty, motivation, respect, team-orientation, effective communications, empowerment, reliability, trustworthiness, and empathy (Bloom, 2005, 2011; Smith, 2011). This exploratory, qualitative study examines how social service agency leaders have used a transformational leadership approach to implement the model in two different organizations.
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2017
Research links high youth exposure to community violence (ECV) with negative health consequences,... more Research links high youth exposure to community violence (ECV) with negative health consequences, and the World Health Organization recommends ECV as a new adverse childhood experience (ACE) category. The current study is among the first to include ECV within the ACE categories, examining ACEs and behavioral health (BH) service usage, using a population-based adult sample. Results reveal ECV and ACE associations in the expected direction. Respondents reporting ECV before age 18 had higher ACE scores than those without ECV. Results demonstrate ECV's predictive power for later BH needs and confirm its utility as a new ACE category. Practice implications include attention to ECV among adult populations and mitigating long-term costs through early intervention and prevention. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • There are potential long-term adverse effects of trauma on adult health, so routinely assessing for ECV as well as ACEs among adult populations is recommended. • Early intervention in a school setting for youth who have experienced ECV can be an effective approach to prevent its adverse effect in later life.
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 2013
Despite increasing evidence in the public health field about the prevalence of adverse childhood ... more Despite increasing evidence in the public health field about the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the general population, little is known about the prevalence of ACEs among social service providers. Trauma backgrounds may influence both worker susceptibility to vicarious traumatization as well as clinical decision making. Similarly, individuals with trauma backgrounds are vulnerable to re-enactment of their history. With pressure on social service agencies to demonstrate successful client outcomes, it is critical that agencies explore factors that influence high-quality care. This exploratory study is the first investigation of ACE prevalence among workers in an agency that provides residential treatment, day treatment, and schooling for children with histories of trauma. Study results suggest a high prevalence of ACEs among these workers.
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Papers by Nina Esaki