Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practices in Schools

Isaiah B. Pickens, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and organizational development specialist whose career is dedicated to strengthening people and systems. He is a former Assistant Director for Service Systems at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress and a former Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Pickens is well known as a trauma expert and specialist in creating emotionally intelligent school cultures. He is certified by Stanford University as a Compassion Specialist and is a recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, among other honors. Dr. Pickens is founder and CEO of iOpening Enterprises.

"As the leader of a national network of in-school providers working with students most impacted by trauma and systemic barriers, I find the TICR framework both affirming and actionable. Pickens bridges clinical insight and lived experience, offering tools that honor the humanity and resilience of our students while challenging schools to remove obstacles to their success. This book is not just theory--it's a roadmap for building school cultures where every student is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive."--Rey Saldana, President and CEO, Communities In Schools "A timely and practical resource that brings TICR practices to life for educators. What sets this book apart is its use of authentic stories that illuminate the real challenges and possibilities within schools, paired with active learning strategies that invite readers to reflect and practice along the way. Clear implementation checklists transform complex concepts into doable steps, making the content highly accessible for school leaders and classroom educators alike. This is a book that both inspires and equips schools to take meaningful action."--Stacy Overstreet, PhD, Department of Psychology, Tulane University; Senior Advisor, Coalition for Compassionate Schools "Pickens has contributed greatly to our understanding of how to support the trauma-impacted students and families we serve, most of whom live in unsafe neighborhoods with the stress of chronic housing and food insecurity. This book gives schools a comprehensive system for supporting students suffering from trauma, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in the healing process. A 'must read.'"--Bill Milliken, Founder and Vice Chair, Communities In Schools "Excavating trauma and culture in way that will help everyone working with youth of color, this book offers guidance that is easy to read, digest, understand, and implement. From a pedagogical standpoint, Pickens covers all the bases, providing definitions, vignettes, inquiry, and application. But he doesn't stop there--he asks us to interrogate ourselves, our practices, and our educational systems to ensure we can actually walk away from the book better. As a former elementary school educator and current therapist for adolescents, I highly recommend this book for all educators responsible for teaching (and learning from!) these amazing students every day."--Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, School of Social Work, Columbia University-