Learning Opportunities

WHAT IS TES TRAINING?

“The Traumatic Event Systems Model is a model that is meant to understand the human systems response to trauma…so it is a model that is applied to both the early, initial response to tragedy, that is also meant to support all levels of the human system – so students, staff, parents and caregivers, in a school based response, or workers and their families in an organizational response – and also address the issue of traumatic aftermath."
– J. Kevin Cameron, Executive Director, NACTATR (now CTIP)

The Traumatic Event Systems (TES) Model enhances traditional crisis response practice by providing leaders and professionals with the tools they need to prepare, intervene, and support individuals and communities through the complex and sometimes, lasting effects of trauma.

With the advent of media and social media, we’ve seen how a natural response to trauma can be intensified and amplified far beyond the initial impact zone, needlessly building anger and anxiety within communities. Until recently, the majority of trauma research has focused on the linear impact to the individual; however, the TES Model aims to identify and prevent traumatic events that continuously affect multiple human systems (e.g., families, schools, communities, states, provinces and territories) that may even be located hundreds to thousands of miles away from where the initial trauma occurred.

The TES Model focuses on four phases of assessment and intervention, with necessary distinctions for schools, worksites, and entire communities:

Children and Youth Focus 

Phase I: Initial Response: Child and Youth System (e.g., schools, sports teams, clubs or church youth groups, etc.) 

Phase II: Comprehensive Strategic Assessment: Adult Systems (e.g., teachers, coaches, support workers, etc.) 

Phase III: Community Intervention: Parent & Family System

Phase IV: Traumatic Aftermath: Preparing for the Process of Recovery

Workplace Focus

Phase I: Initial Response: Frontline Staff in the Workplace 

Phase II: Comprehensive Strategic Assessment: Adult Systems (e.g., managers & leaders, affiliates, etc.) 

Phase III: Community Intervention: Spouse/Partner & Family System 

Phase IV: Traumatic Aftermath: Preparing for the Process of Recovery

High-Impact Crises or High-Profile Traumatic Events 

Combination of the above