Reducing Harm while Promoting Healing: Using Hope Science in Residential Facilities

Youth entering residential or substitute care have often already experienced significant trauma related to abuse, neglect, family separation, or instability. Without careful, intentional practices, helping systems themselves can unintentionally contribute to additional or secondary trauma through inconsistent caregiving, punitive responses, frequent transitions, lack of youth voice, or poorly timed interventions.

This session introduces the Hope‑Centered Residential Curriculum as a trauma‑responsive framework designed to reduce harm, promote emotional safety, and support healing for youth in care. Participants will explore how hope‑centered principles can be embedded in daily routines, staff‑youth interactions, and treatment environments to prevent re‑traumatization while fostering resilience, stability, and trust.