In today's high-pressure workplaces, trauma's hidden effects significantly impact organizations, breeding conflict and amplifying communication challenges. At RISE, we address this critical issue. Our timeline highlights our journey in developing tools and frameworks to transform organizations from trauma-unaware to healing-centered spaces.
2024
Introduction of the Strength through Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) Organizational Certification
FSU Collaborated with long-term partner Simply Healthcare to support its provider, Henderson Healthcare, in becoming the first STAR-certified organization. This rigorous certification program involves:
- Organizational Champions: 10% of staff complete a 20-hour professional-level certification.
- General Staff Training: The remaining 90% undertake a 3-hour foundational course in trauma and resilience.
- Skills Development: All staff participate in a module focused on essential communication skills.
This comprehensive approach ensures organization-wide understanding and implementation of trauma-aware and resilience focused practices.
Pioneering Connection-Based Organizational Change
In Summer 2024, FSU achieved a significant milestone as academic leaders from across campus completed an intensive eight-week journey into Non-Violent Communication (NVC) using Dr. Cindy Bigbie's acclaimed methodology. Deans, directors, and department heads explored these transformative techniques, demonstrating how enhanced communication could reshape campus dynamics.
During the pilot program, participants engaged in an 8-week foundation course where they learned proven communication techniques to navigate conflicts and foster understanding in challenging situations. Weekly "empathy gyms" provided practical opportunities to develop these skills, particularly focusing on effective communication during triggering situations.
In July 2024, the cohort and other NVC supporters gathered on campus for a full-day debrief of the pilot program. This session proved pivotal as participants envisioned how The Bigbie Method (TBM) could be integrated into FSU RISE's offerings. This vision became reality in Fall 2024 when FSU RISE formally partnered with Dr. Bigbie.
Building on this foundation, FSU plans to launch Connect First in January 2025. This program, developed in partnership with Dr. Bigbie, will deliver her evidence-based curriculum to cultivate environments of authentic connection, empathy, and collaboration across organizations.
A New Era of Resilience at FSU
In early 2024, the Collaborative entered a transformative phase, becoming the Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment (RISE). This change reflected our expanding mission and strength-based approach to addressing trauma and building resilience across communities.
As RISE began offering certification programs to external organizations, FSU chose to lead by example. The university launched an ambitious initiative to create a trauma-aware and resilience-focused campus by engaging key stakeholders across the institution:
- Academic colleges and programs
- Student services and support units
- Faculty and research centers
- Administrative departments
- Campus leadership teams
The College of Social Work became our first internal partner, completing their certification and establishing a model for other colleges to follow. This successful pilot demonstrated how RISE principles could transform academic environments and strengthen campus communities.
Building on this momentum, FSU set a bold goal: to become a fully trauma-aware and resilience-focused institution by the end of 2025. By applying RISE principles internally, FSU is empowering its faculty and staff with evidence-based approaches to enhance the campus learning environment. This commitment positions FSU as a leader in higher education, showing how universities can create more supportive, resilient, and thriving academic communities.
2023
New Leadership and Growth
In August 2023, FSU's Provost, Jim Clark, appointed Dr. Angi Yoder-Maina as its first Director of the Collaborative. Dr. Yoder-Maina brings global expertise in trauma-informed, responsive, and healing-centered programming.
Expanding Partnerships
FSU's second partner for the Trauma-Aware Organizational Certification was Sunshine Health, a top Medicaid managed care organization in Florida. With over 3,500 employees participating, Sunshine Health earned the certification in July 2023.
2022
Adapting to Change
In early 2022, the team realized that online virtual sessions would be most effective in reaching a decentralized workforce. In response, an online asynchronous training for medical professionals was created, titled "Trauma and Resilience for Healthcare Professionals Level 1: Trauma and Resilience Aware." This course required a 90% staff completion rate from organizations and earned Simply Healthcare the first Trauma-Aware Organization certification from FSU.
2021
In 2021, Simply Healthcare sought FSU’s help to launch an initiative ensuring their workforce was educated about trauma and resilience.
Throughout the year, FSU's team offered consultations, trainings, and policy reviews to support Simply Healthcare's organizational goals. These efforts aimed to promote trauma-informed practices and enhanced communication with patients. Providers received informational packets with journal articles, infographics, and explanatory materials. Several employees completed the 20-hour virtual FSU Professional Certification on Trauma and Resilience, developed by the Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy (CPEIP) and the Institute for Family Violence Studies (IFVS).