These resources provide information and guidance to support pediatricians in taking a trauma-informed approach to pediatric care.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events.

The Care Process Model (CPM) for Pediatric Traumatic Stress

Developed through a collaboration by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah and the Center for Safe and Healthy Families at Intermountain Healthcare’s Primary Children’s Hospital, this CPM includes 2 processes to address child traumatic stress across the pediatric lifespan.

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

The Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress (CPTS) is a partner in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), and was founded in 2002 to address medical trauma in the lives of children and families. This toolkit contains resources for a wide variety of pediatric health care professionals, related to pediatric medical traumatic stress.

Center for the Developing Child

The mission of the Center on the Developing Child is to leverage the power of science in pursuit of better, more equitable outcomes for young children facing adversity. Visit the Center on the Developing Child for access to webinars, toolkits, podcasts, articles, policy briefs, and more.

Related AAP Resources & Initiatives

Click on the resources below to learn more about related initiatives.

Mental Health Initiatives

The AAP supports a developmental approach to children’s mental health that encompasses primary prevention through promoting social-emotional health and safe, nurturing relationships; secondary prevention through screening, identification and assessment; and tertiary prevention through treatment and co-management with mental health professionals.

Early Brain and Child Development

The Early Brain and Child Development (EBCD) work group developed numerous materials, including several teaching modules, to educate pediatricians and others on the importance of protecting and promoting healthy brain development in early childhood for a child’s lifelong health.

Early Relational Health

Early relational health is a framework that explores the role of early relationships and experiences in healthy development across a child’s lifetime. Relationships, especially in the early years, are biological necessities to build a foundation for lifelong growth and development.

Foster Care

The AAP provides relevant and up to date health care resources for pediatricians, parents, child welfare agencies and others who care for children and adolescents who are involved in the child welfare system.

Screening Technical Assistance and Resource (STAR) Center

The STAR Center seeks to improve the health, wellness and development of children through practice and system-based interventions to increase rates of early childhood screening, counseling, referral and follow-up for developmental milestones, maternal depression and social determinants of health.

Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

These resources provide information and guidance on supporting children who have experienced trauma: A guide for primary care pediatricians to identify, address and respond to trauma in children and a guide for pediatricians specifically focused on supporting adoptive and foster families who may have experienced trauma.

Last Updated

02/03/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics