Last week we organized an introductory session of TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention®) to better understand children with a history of trauma and help their healing. What’s special about this session is that it had been especially organised for employees of the social apartments owned by the Child Protection System of District 4, Bucharest. Almost 50 care givers, psychologists and social workers had the opportunity to learn the principles of this intervention methodology.

“The course helped me realize the importance of my work,” confessed one of our participants. Nevertheless, the way care givers are approaching children in social apartments is directly influencing the biological development of children’s brain. This is investigated and documented by Harvard University – “Center on the Developing Child” and the study results raise the awareness of the impact each caregiver has on the development of children in care.

During the course we’ve presented general concepts to better understanding complex trauma but also practical examples that all participants analysed to understand what causes a tantrum and how to prevent and manage difficult behaviour.

“It helped me better understand what the most important needs of these children are,” wrote another participant. Others felt that “the course approached highly significant themes such as love and respect, issues that are ignored by many” and “the case studies helped us understand what causes the behavior of our children”.

“Do not interrupt classes to educate staff in the public system” was one of the encouragements we have received. Next month we will continue providing these session; 130 participants working for the Romanian child welfare system are expected to attend by the end of May.

“Tzuby’s Kids” is an established Romanian NGO, member of the Romania Without Orphans Alliance (ARFO) and part of ARFO’s Trauma Consortium. “Tzuby’s Kids” has accredited trainers providing training in understanding trauma and the intervention methodology TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention®), developed by Dr. Karyn B. Purvis and Dr. David R . Cross in the TCU Institute of Child Development.