Implementation Guides

Health Centers & Clinicians

Screening trauma to heal communities and cut costs

Improve whole-person care with trauma-informed screening. The FACES Assessment helps health centers identify and address trauma that may be impacting patient health outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Individual level

  • Tailors care plans based on trauma exposure
  • Prevents escalation into crisis by offering timely mental health interventions
  • Improves patient engagement in therapy, education, and self-regulation

Community level

  • Promotes collaboration between clinics, schools, and nonprofits
  • Informs wraparound service development to support entire families
  • Builds safer, more supportive communities through trauma-informed practices

Economic level

  • Reduces healthcare costs by decreasing ER visits, inpatient stays, and chronic illness
  • Mitigates long-term consequences of untreated trauma
  • Optimizes funding by targeting high-impact services with data-informed insights

Clinical guidance

  • Not diagnostic; identifies exposure to adversity
  • Includes a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach
  • Score of 4 or higher indicates higher risk for emotional disturbance

Implementation resources

Download the sector guide and parental consent template for planning and implementation.