Bri’s been admitted into a shelter with her children. When she arrives, the intake worker asks her how old her children are. When Bri tells them the ages of her kids, she’s told that they cannot shelter her two sons, aged 16 and 18, because their shelter policy states men and male teens are not allowed to stay at the shelter. Bri doesn’t want her sons to stay in the homeless shelter across town, so she leaves without finishing the intake. (1) How is this policy NOT trauma-informed? (2) In what ways would you change it to be trauma-informed?

The DVSP that you work at has a policy that states the kitchen/dining area gets locked between the hours of 10pm–6am. Additionally, survivors are not allowed to eat in their rooms. Several survivors have been written up for having snacks or eating fast food in their rooms, after they have returned back to shelter after a late night. (1) How are these policies NOT trauma-informed? (2) In what ways would you change them to be trauma-informed?

A DVSP has a policy that states that smoking is forbidden on the premises. They also have a policy that kids under 12 cannot be left alone. One day some advocates see Adrian, a survivor, smoking in his car in the parking lot with his young daughter. The windows don’t seem to be down, which the advocates are fairly sure is illegal. They decide to report to DCFS. (1) How are these policies, and the advocates' response, NOT trauma-informed? (2) In what ways would you change the them to be trauma-informed?

Your DVSP has a policy that male advocates/shelter workers are not allowed in the shelter after 10pm. David is a recently-hired shelter advocate and normally works in the mornings. One night, the regular graveyard shift advocate calls in sick, and David picks up her shift. When he shows up, he’s told it’s fine if he covers the shift this one time, but he’s not allowed to enter the west wing of the shelter, where the survivors’ rooms are located. (1) How are these policies NOT trauma-informed? (2) In what ways would you change them to be trauma-informed?

Your DVSP has a policy that states that four write-ups will equal an exit. The Rodriguez family has been written up 3 times. The 1st time was when the eldest daughter called her friends while she was in the shelter, instead of going off-property to make the call. The 2nd write-up was when Ms. Rodriguez missed the midnight shelter curfew several nights in a row. The 3rd time was when her two sons ignored the 9pm children’s bedtime several times (eating late-night snacks in the kitchen, doing homework/watching TV in the lounge area, etc.) and then being rude when told to go to bed. One more strike, and the Rodriguez family will be asked to leave. (1) There are several policies here being enforced. How are each of them NOT trauma-informed? (2) In what ways would you change them to be trauma-informed?