What is TSS?

Trauma Sensitive Schools (TSS) is a process, not a product. A TSS acknowledges the prevalence of trauma and its impact on development, learning, and behavior.

Trauma Sensitive Schools have a great ability to prevent and mitigate the impacts of traumatic exposure on our youth. By becoming a TSS, schools can become a protective factor for these students and increase the social and emotional and academic skills of the entire school body.

The practices, procedures, and policies of a TSS are grounded in the guiding principles: safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, choice, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness.

Professional Development Event

WIRED to THRIVE 2.0
Connecting Systems for Mental Wellness
February 26, 2026
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Virtual
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Participants will explore how behavior, biology, and systems alignment intersect to create thriving learning environments with wellness at the forefront using a combination of wellness initiatives.

The Neurosequential Model in 3-8 Year Olds
April 16, 2026
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
at CESA 11
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Participants will gain a more thorough understanding of the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) framework, regulation states, and practices to improve learner engagement.

Embedded Professional Learning

In the 2025-2026 school year, we will discuss foundational TSS knowledge and job-specific TSS topics (like school safety, supporting students and staff experiencing grief and loss, regulation states, and sequence of engagement) in the following networks:

• Special Education Induction

• Gifted and Talented Coordinators

• Initial Educator

• New CTE Teachers

• Principals

• School Counselors

• Mental Health Navigators

• School Nurses

• School Safety

• Phy. Ed. & Health Teachers

On-Going Support

Each CESA provides on-going technical assistance, training, resources, and coaching support for building and continuously improving a trauma sensitive school to districts on an as-needed basis.

Contact us to discover what supports would best fit your needs and goals for this work.