Supportive Trauma Interventions for Educators (STRIVE) is a collaborative partnership between Boston Medical Center’s Child Witness to Violence Project, and Vital Village Networks. STRIVE aims to improve student success by improving the quality of teacher-student relationships using an evidence-based, trauma-informed model. STRIVE was designed in response to the ideas, requests, and concerns raised by educators, parents/caregivers and administrators in several Boston Public Schools. The model is designed to be sustainable by developing leadership and expertise within schools and early education systems. STRIVE has expanded to work with schools in the Greater Boston area and across the state of Massachusetts.
Estimated 2,000 students reached
700+ parents/caregivers benefited
25,000+ teachers and caregivers trained
19,000 have earned full certification
STRIVE aims to help schools and early education systems of care increase their capacity to identify, respond to, and optimally support the unique needs of young children who have been impacted by trauma exposure. STRIVE works on several levels to build resiliency of students by supporting educators and school administrators, improving classroom environments, and developing trauma-sensitive school systems connected to community-based resources:
Learn more about our model and evidence here: A Framework for Trauma-Sensitive Schools Infusing Trauma-Informed Practices Into Early Childhood Education Systems (McConnico, Boynton-Jarrett, Bailey & Nandi, 2016).
STRIVE uses a multidisciplinary, cross-sector network to build the capacity of supportive adults (parents, caregivers, educators, school administrators, etc.) to address the needs of children exposed to trauma. Toward that end our three goals are:
To achieve these goals, we aim to engage educators, school administrators, and community residents in leading, designing, and improving trauma-informed, supportive school atmospheres.
All STRIVE offerings are grounded in the evidence-based STRIVE Framework. Below is a list of our Professional Development offerings that can be provided virtually or in-person. STRIVE also works with partners to provide consultation, coaching, curriculum development, and classroom toolkits.
Through this free open-access online course, participants will learn what trauma is and its impact on children, how to identify warning signs of trauma exposure, recognize persistence of racial and social inequities, recognize the role of teachers in mitigating effects of trauma, core principals of trauma-informed practice, and introductory strategies to enhance resilience and promote protective factors.
STRIVE has partnered with BPS since 2014. With the support of the Boston Cares Grant, STRIVE trained over 200 BPS educators, over 20 BPS Schools, reaching an estimated 2,000 students
STRIVE continues to partner with Boston Public Schools for professional development trainings, especially with in the Department of Early Childhood Education and Boston Pre-K.
Since 2020, STRIVE has partnered with Boston Pre-K to provide professional development to educators, administrators, and family engagement staff. Additionally, STRIVE has provided family workshops and educational opportunities to Boston Pre-K parents/caregivers. Estimated reach 2020-2026:
1,200+ educators, administrators, and family engagement coordinators
700+ parents/caregivers
25,000+ teachers and caregivers trained in Trauma-Informed Practice — with a 74% course completion rate, nearly 19,000 have earned full certification
"Participating in the STRIVE Learning Community Fellowship has deeply influenced my approach to teaching, leadership, and trauma-informed care in transformative ways. One of the most impactful takeaways was learning how to center relationships and resilience in all aspects of classroom practice. I became more intentional about building authentic, trusting connections with children and families—seeing behavior not as a challenge to fix, but as communication to understand.
The fellowship also deepened my understanding of reflective practice. I now regularly create space for my team and myself to pause, assess what’s working, and recognize the emotional undercurrents in our classrooms. This shift has helped me become a more compassionate and grounded leader—one who models vulnerability, prioritizes wellness, and fosters a culture of psychological safety.
In terms of trauma-informed care, STRIVE helped me move beyond theory into actionable strategies. I became more skilled in recognizing triggers and stress responses, and I learned how to co-regulate with children in ways that support their nervous systems and restore a sense of safety. From implementing calming spaces to adjusting expectations with empathy, my practices are more responsive and rooted in the understanding that healing happens in safe relationships.
Ultimately, the STRIVE Fellowship has helped me lead with empathy, equity, and intention, and I carry those values with me every day—in the classroom, in staff meetings, and in conversations with families." — Elizabeth Scott, Boston Outdoor Preschool Network @Franklin Park Zoo, STRIVE Learning Community Fellow 2025
"I hope to work towards building relationships that foster resiliency with children. I also have a better understanding of generational trauma and how to look for signs of trauma in the children in my classroom. I also feel that I understand more now that creating an environment that supports trauma informed practices benefits everyone, not just the children the practices are intended for." — Middlesex County Educator, AGO Participant
