Toward Healing and Agency: Trauma Sensitive Research and Evaluation from Beginning to End

Abstract Information: Much of the focus on trauma sensitivity focuses on the data collection process, i.e., the collection of data without retraumatizing people. While important, trauma sensitivity should be included in every step of the evaluation process. From the very first step of determining whom to include in the design, to how to report and disseminate in sensitive ways, this presentation will give guidelines from beginning to end. Additionally, we will address building resilience in our stakeholders - and not just on minimizing risk for the evaluator. To this end, we will include frank discussions as to how attempts to protect or avoid difficult topics can amount to paternalistic control and how, conversely, giving opportunities to share their experiences with evaluators, we can be conduits of healing and agency for our participants.