TTI GRANT SUMMARY

Introduction: A Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) grant was applied for in
2011 and received in 2012. One of the primary goals of this grant was to prepare
the Division of Juvenile Corrections (DJC) to implement Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
and trauma-specific interventions within the Copper Lake/Lincoln Hills Schools
(CLS/LHS) programs. This was felt to be a significant need due to the fact that a
majority of youth at both facilities (62% of males and 83% of females had an
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) score of 3 or more) have experienced
adversities including, but not limited to, the following: severe and persistent
neglect, abandonment, physical abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing violence and
frequent/sustained disruption of family and community ties. As a result, many young
people have entered the correctional system with unresolved trauma resulting in
emotional, social and neurological difficulties. Adopting TIC was deemed necessary
in order teach staff the skills necessary to support youth as they attempted to
manage extreme trauma reactions in a challenging living environment. A review and
revision of current institution security practices (e.g. security stays, room
confinements, etc.) which could traumatize or re-traumatize youth resulting in
additional damage began. Grant funds were to be utilized to develop a collaborative
effort involving DJC, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Division
of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), and Wisconsin Family
Ties (WFT).
Activities: DJC, with the help of all the partner agencies, has made considerable
strides toward the accomplishment of the primary goal of establishing a TIC
environment within the entire facility:
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A TTI Steering Committee was formed and met initially in February, 2012. The
committee, which included representatives from several stakeholder groups,
has continued to meet on a bi-monthly basis to oversee grant initiatives and
provide ongoing guidance and direction.
In order to provide more effective Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment,
several DJC staff have been trained in Seeking Safety. Seeking Safety is a
cognitive, treatment program designed to help those experiencing both a
substance use disorder as well as PTSD symptoms. In August 2012, Seeking
Safety treatment groups were initiated in the DuBois Living Unit program and
have been favorably accepted by both youth and treatment providers.
On August 17th, 2012, Elizabeth Hudson and Paula Buege provided
introductory TIC sessions to institution staff along with ongoing consultations.
Renee Krueger initially provided extensive TIC training sessions for new
employees. Currently, several staff are competent to provide this training for
new staff. Additional staff will be trained as needed.
On January 27th and 28th, 2014, Dr. Randy Moss, a TIC expert from Utah,
provided training for 97 staff. At this point in time, all direct care staff have

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 received at least 4 hours of training with many receiving several additional
hours.
Throughout the life of the grant, a variety of TIC related training opportunities have
been made available to DJC staff. These included the following:
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Several staff visiting a residential treatment center in Illinois that incorporates
the Seeking Safety curriculum.
A COMPAS risk and needs assessment training session occurred in May 2012.
Several DJC staff participated in a Transformation Transfer Initiatives
conference in Washington, DC.
Staff attended several additional Seeking Safety training events including an
institution consultation with an expert from California.
Several staff participated in a site visit to Homme Home Residential Care
Center to view their TIC program.

As trainings and discussions have occurred, there has been increased awareness of
how trauma impacts brain development and the resulting deficits in emotional
regulation. Sensory interventions can provide a means for aiding in emotional
regulation which in turn supports improved cognitive processing. Emerging research
provides insight into the importance of providing multiple regulating strategies to
youth to improve readiness for engagement in cognitive-based programs. Through
the aid of the grant, DuBois Living Unit staff attended training in this area in 2012.
All institution social workers received similar training in 2013. Supplies have been
purchased to introduce sensory related items throughout the institution and have
been fully incorporated into the DuBois Living Unit as well as the Wells and Krueger
Safety Units.
It should be noted that security procedures have been an ongoing focus for training
and for changes in institution practices. Security staff have received specific training
in TIC philosophy as it relates to safety and security as well as avoiding retraumatizing youth. In addition, security staff and clinical staff have developed a
data base relating to the needs of individual youth and appropriate staff
interventions. TIC practices are currently being utilized in institution safety units.
As an example, the following changes have been initiated in the Krueger Safety Unit:
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Padlocks will not be used on the belts as they no longer serve the intended
purpose and do not increase individual security.
The use of leg shackles were eliminated for the purposes of out of room time.
Specific exception may be made by a supervisor for cause based on
containment needs.
The progression will change to a belt status for the first day of out of room
time only.
Placement in out of room time restraints will continue to be supervisor
approved for aggression containment only.
If a youth is not in a restraint status in the building he will not need to be in a
restraint status for out of building activities such as medical and dental.

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 Specific exception may be made by a supervisor for cause based on
containment needs.
TIC in Action: The DuBois Living Unit was chosen to be the first unit to incorporate
a TIC approach to daily life. The activities to date are as follows:
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Initiation of Seeking Safety AODA curriculum
Modification of discipline practices resulting in a reduction of room
confinements and other disciplines
Modification of living unit rules and procedures
Inclusion of TIC terminology during case conferences and informal discussions.
Creation of a Calm Room (average of 266 requests to use per month)
Significant physical changes incorporating TIC principles are being
incorporated in an extensive DuBois Living Unit renovation. Eventually, all
living units will have similar modifications.

Youth and staff have largely responded positively to the many changes with
comments including:
"I'm new here but I really hope the staff picks up this idea and runs with it. I totally
think we need to focus on TIC."
"Can now see how outside traumas can affect choices and behavioral patterns in
troubled youth."
"I believe that TIC can help staff understand/get an idea of how trauma can affect
their behavior throughout their lives."
Results: Research data from other correctional facilities that have incorporated a
TIC approach have demonstrated a significant reduction in the use of a security
placements. This is important because any form of forced isolation could potentially
traumatize or re-traumatize youth who have already experienced damaging
adversity in their lives.
In order to determine whether the implementation of TIC practices had a significant
impact at CLS/LHS security placements in DuBois and Miller Living Units were
compared over two different time spans. Miller Living Unit was chosen for this
comparison because it shares many characteristics with the DuBois Living Unit
(same CUS, same SUD focus, similar policies and procedures, similar fluctuating
population, etc.). The results for the first time span are as follows:

Jan. 2012
Feb. 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012

Major Disciplines
DuBois
15
11
15
13
12

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Miller
21
6
9
13
16

 TOTAL

66

65

It is important to note that these results indicate a similar utilization of security
placements from January to May of 2012. Both living units average about 13
security placements each month during that period of time. This would suggest a
high degree of similarity between the two living units in terms of their discipline
policies.
Major Disciplines
DuBois
Miller
Jan. 2014
7
12
Feb. 2014
10
15
March 2014
8
18
April 2014
2
17
May 2014
6
9
TOTAL
33
71
TIC concepts were introduced to DuBois Living Unit beginning in August 2012. By
2014, staff were effectively utilizing these concepts in a variety of ways. This is
illustrated by the dramatic reduction in security placements as measured from
January to May of that year. In fact, only half as many placements occurred when
compared to a similar period in 2012. This is true even though the number of
security placements in Miller Living Unit actually increased slightly when compared
to a similar period in 2012.
Next Steps: An institution-wide Champion Committee was formed several months
ago. Committee members were drawn from a variety of living units and disciplines.
The purpose of the committee was to develop ideas regarding the implementation of
TIC concepts and to obtain feedback regarding the acceptance of TIC within the
institution. This committee has been extremely valuable and will continue to be
utilized as TIC concepts are introduced.
As mentioned previously, Dr. Randy Moss provided two days of training as well as a
full day of consultation with administrators and selected staff. The focus of the
consultation was to address the issue of establishing a TIC culture throughout the
institution. Ideas for addressing the remaining tasks were discussed. As a result of
this meeting, a specific and focused timeline was developed to complete the desired
transition. A variety of issues were included in this timeline including a complete
review of all division policies as well as institution procedures and practices to insure
they are consistent with a TIC approach. All remaining living units are scheduled to
begin introducing TIC within the next 24 months. Complete institution transition to a
TIC philosophy, including such issues as staff assistance with secondary trauma,
should be completed in the next 24 – 36 months.
Outreach Activities: It is important to point out that this grant had an extremely
important unintended consequence. Several agencies, both within and outside of
DOC, learned of the efforts being made at LHS/CLS to incorporate a TIC concept
throughout the institution. As a result, numerous unsolicited requests were made to
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 provide information about this endeavor. Ms. Renee Krueger, along with other staff
and sometimes accompanied by DuBois Living Unit youth, provided training and
background information to the following groups:
Training provided to other invested agencies
10/08/2013 Northcentral Technical College – Police Science
“Adolescent Development, TIC and Gangs”
10/14/2013 DOC – Division of Community Corrections Southeast Region
11/05/2013 Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conference Workshop
05/12/2014 Jail Health Care Conference Workshop
04/17/2014 DOC – Division of Adult Institutions Warden’s Meeting
05/05/2014 Correctional Education Association of Wisconsin Teachers Conference
workshop
05/16/2014 Juvenile Superintendents Conference

Consultations/Tours
03/03/2014
07/31/2014
June 2014
9/9/14
Services

Taycheedah Correctional Institution
University of Wisconsin – Madison Professor and Graduate Student
Phone consult with Kansas Department of Juvenile Services
Bureau of Prevention, Treatment & Recovery, WI Dept. of Health

Upcoming Trainings
09/22/2014
10/01/2014
10/07/2014
10/23/2014
11/11/2014

Western Regional Adolescent Services (LaCrosse Co. Detention center)
Statewide Division of Community Corrections Managers Conference
Northcentral Technical Center – Police Science (Gangs and TIC)
Marathon County Department of Social Services
Children Come First Conference workshop

TIC Lessons Learned: Training in TIC concepts for current employees at CLS/LHS
was provided over a rather lengthy period of time, beginning in 2012 and concluded
on January 27 and 28, 2014. This resulted in a portion of the staff understanding this
approach and a large portion remaining uninformed. This resulted in a considerable
amount of misunderstanding and misinformation. This was particularly problematic
when relief staff worked in DuBois Living Unit. A lack of consistency resulted,
causing significant problems. A better approach would have been to provide training
for all staff over a much shorter time span, however it also means that there is more
costs associated with doing this (e.g. overtime).
It also became evident that not all staff were able to immediately process and
incorporate TIC principles at the same rate. For some, the process seemed to take
much longer. The key factor in acceptance seemed to be ongoing training and reTTI Grant Summary (9/24/14)

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 exposure to these concepts. Sometimes, a different perspective from a different
trainer seemed to be critical. Thus, a continuing commitment to provide ongoing
training is essential to the process of a change in atmosphere on an institutional
scale. For some staff, multiple exposures are absolutely necessary for a change in
behavior and attitude which suggests that multiple trainings over an extended
period of time is needed for this group.
It has been difficult for some staff to utilize TIC concepts in their normal interactions
with youth. Efforts are continuing to demonstrate examples of TIC responses by
means of written scenarios and examples. It has been suggested that a “training
tape” in which TIC principles are utilized, would be a helpful tool. This will be a
continuing effort related to ongoing refresher training.
TIC principles are not consistent with the design of juvenile correctional facilities 45
years ago, when CLS/LHS was constructed. As a result, an extensive remodeling
project was undertaken. This involved numerous modifications to DuBois Living Unit
including re-painting the entire living unit in more relaxing colors, removing the
window screens that created a cage-like atmosphere, using a noise deadening
coating to provide a calmer, quieter environment, etc. The lesson learned is that
major upgrades such as this, require a great deal of time, effort and financial
resources. However, the things learned updating and improving the DuBois Living
Unit can be applied when the other living units undergo a similar remodeling in the
future.
The final “lesson” learned for this project is that a major shift in treatment approach
requires a genuine, ongoing commitment from administrative staff at all levels. A
reoccurring comment from some staff has been that TIC “won’t last”. This is possibly
a reaction to other initiatives that were not supported over time and eventually were
abandoned. TIC has been solidly established at CLS/LHS and seems to have the
support of a majority of the staff. However, in order for it to truly embody the
culture of the institution, a continuing commitment of resources for training,
materials, remodeling, etc. will be absolutely essential.
In summary, this grant has enabled the institution to begin the long process of
creating a culture of hope and healing for both youth and staff.

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