Resources
Tools and learning to take back to your team.
A growing library of videos and ready-to-use downloads on SEL, trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, and family engagement — curated by Affinity Educational Strategies.
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Videos
Short talks and explainers we share with the educators, families, and government partners we work with.
What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?
A short primer on ACEs and how early adversity shapes behavior, learning, and long-term health outcomes.
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime — Nadine Burke Harris
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris's foundational TED talk on the medical and developmental impact of childhood trauma.
The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)
An introduction to PCEs and the protective factors that build resilience in children and youth.
Trauma-Informed Schools: A Brief Overview
A walk-through of what it looks like when a school community adopts trauma-informed practices end to end.
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Ready-to-use resources
Free guides, toolkits, and frameworks you can print, share with staff, or hand to families.
Restorative Question Guide
Affinity's go-to prompts for restorative conversations — use in classrooms, family meetings, and team debriefs to repair harm and rebuild trust.
Student Helpline Information
A printable one-pager of vetted student helplines and crisis support contacts to post in classrooms and share with families.
The Four Rs
Affinity's framework for trauma-informed practice: the Four Rs (Realize, Recognize, Respond, Resist re-traumatization) explained for school teams.
CASEL SEL Framework — The 5 Core Competencies
The widely adopted CASEL wheel and definitions for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
SAMHSA — Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach
A field-tested framework for embedding the six trauma-informed principles across programs and systems.
ACEs Aware — Provider & Educator Toolkit
Screening tools, response protocols, and family-facing handouts for talking about ACEs and resilience.
Michigan MiTEAM Practice Model — Quick Reference
Overview of the MiTEAM model used in family team meetings across Michigan child welfare and education partners.
Restorative Practices — Conversation Starters for Classrooms
Printable circle prompts and affective statements to open and repair classroom community.
Family Team Meeting — Preparation Checklist
Step-by-step checklist for facilitators preparing to lead FTM, TDM, or CFTM meetings with families and partners.
Looking for something specific?
We build custom learning materials and facilitation guides for schools, agencies, and government partners. Let us know what your team needs.
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