OVC FY24 Trauma Recovery Center Demonstration Project

The U.S. faces a pervasive problem with violence, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, which historically have limited access to services and resources. Gun violence is pervasive and costly. African Americans, Latinx, and Native Americans face higher rates of violence, with African Americans 10 more likely to die by homicide compared to Whites.

Traditional trauma services often fail to address the complex nature of violence in marginalized communities. Effective trauma recovery services should be culturally and linguistically appropriate to engage survivors effectively. The UCSF "TRC" Model, developed in 2001, offers evidenced-based comprehensive mental health and support services to underserved crime survivors, demonstrating significant improvements in psychological and physical health, decreased substance use, reduced PTSD and depression symptoms, and cost-effectiveness and improved engagement services.

In partnership with stakeholders, crime survivors, and community members, NATRC will conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis to identify communities needing trauma recovery centers. Based on this analysis, NATRC will develop a request for proposals and select 3-5 new TRCs in high-need areas. NATRC will support those TRCs in implementing the model and services and provide training and technical assistance.

The UCSF TRC model is designed to advance equity and remove barriers to accessing services for marginalized populations. Developed to engage communities often overlooked by traditional victim services, the TRC model emphasizes client-centered care, overcoming barriers to healing, reducing healthcare disparities, inclusive services, cultural responsiveness, rejecting stigma, and cost-effective outcomes.

The TRC model specifically serves survivors from underserved communities, providing high-quality, evidence-based trauma recovery services at 52 sites. With 20 years of experience, the TRC model has proven effective in serving the most impacted populations, including black and brown survivors, unhoused victims, immigrant and undocumented victims, and LGBTQ individuals. The proposal aims to fund organizations aligned with these principles, offering technical assistance and training to achieve similar successful outcomes nationwide.

By integrating survivor voices and community-led solutions, we can address the root causes and effects of violence, promoting healing and resilience. These services will help create a more equitable society by reducing violence, improving health outcomes, and strengthening community ties.