California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's video: California Model pillar: Trauma-Informed Organization

One of the foundational pillars of the California Model recognizes the need for CDCR to become a trauma informed organization. Staff often witness or are directly impacted by traumatic events while also serving a population who are dealing with their own trauma. Spearheading the first part of this effort is Dr. Briana Rojas, PsyD, CCTP-II. She’s CDCR’s chief psychologist and the associate director of the Office of Employee Wellness. “Trauma-informed is to recognize the pervasiveness of trauma in the world and seek to be responsive. It means becoming aware of trauma’s many personal and societal consequences, anticipating how trauma survivors may respond to our words and actions, and doing our part to create a world that does not cause further harm,” Dr. Rojas said. “Even more, being trauma-informed means helping to create a world that can foster growth, resiliency, and healing as well.”