A JOURNEY TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN MONTANA INDIAN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS

The Billings Area Office of Indian Health Service (IHS) partners with Mountain Pacific on grant funding from the Montana Healthcare Foundation to support IHS facilities, tribal health departments and urban Indian centers in the implementation of trauma-informed care. This project helps organizational and clinical practices make widespread changes to address trauma and its impact on Montana’s American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.

What is trauma?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes trauma as events or circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening that result in adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and wellbeing.

What is trauma-informed care?
Trauma-informed care takes the patient’s experience into account at a clinical and organizational level. According to SAMHSA, a trauma-informed organization

• realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;
• recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families and others;
• responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices;
• resists re-traumatization, meaning actively works to make sure a patient is not further traumatized.

What is missing? Contact us with your needs. We want to support you in your trauma-informed care journey!

Alona Jarmin, RN, BSN, MSN
Project Manager
Mountain Pacific
ajarmin@mpqhf.org
(406) 594-0217

LeeAnn Bruised Head, MPH, CDR USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer
Public Health Adviser, Director – Office of Urban Indian Health Programs (OUIHP)
Billings Area Indian Health Service
leeann.bruisedhead@ihs.gov
(406) 247-7073