1093: Beyond Do No Harm: Implementing Trauma and Resiliency Informed Accessible Evaluation

Evaluation practitioners increasingly recognize that traditional approaches may unintentionally perpetuate harm, particularly when working with communities experiencing historical trauma and ongoing inequities. While "do no harm" has long been a foundational principle, today's complex challenges demand approaches that actively contribute to healing, equity, and liberation.

This interactive workshop introduces the Trauma and Resiliency Informed Equitable Evaluation and Approaches (TRIEE-A) framework, an innovative methodology that bridges trauma science, resilience theory, and justice-centered evaluation practices. Developed through years of field implementation across diverse contexts, TRIEE-A provides evaluators with practical strategies for transforming every phase of the evaluation process.

Participants will explore how trauma manifests across ecological systems and impacts evaluation engagement, examining both individual and collective dimensions. Through case studies and interactive exercises, the workshop demonstrates how to integrate TRIEE-A's six core principles: Safety; Trustworthiness & Transparency; Liberation, Voice & Choice; Collaboration & Mutuality; Cultural, Historical & Gender Awareness; and Peer Support & Collective Care.
The workshop begins by establishing a foundation in trauma science, introducing participants to the various forms of trauma that can influence evaluation work—from individual experiences to historical and collective trauma. We examine how traditional evaluation approaches may inadvertently replicate harmful power dynamics or trigger trauma responses, and how TRIEE-A offers an alternative path forward.
Through guided activities, participants will learn to implement the TRIEE-A framework across the entire evaluation cycle. Key topics include creating physical and psychological safety protocols, developing transparent communication strategies, implementing authentic power-sharing mechanisms, building collaborative governance structures, addressing historical context, and incorporating peer support systems.
The session provides concrete strategies for implementing trauma-responsive, equitable practices throughout the evaluation lifecycle—from community engagement and design through data collection, analysis, and utilization. Particular attention is given to navigating power dynamics, centering community wisdom, and creating methodologies that balance rigor with accessibility.
Participants will examine real-world case scenarios to identify potential trauma triggers in evaluation contexts and design trauma-responsive alternatives. Through collaborative problem-solving activities, attendees will develop practical tools they can immediately apply in their practice, regardless of context or methodology. The workshop balances theoretical foundations with hands-on application, ensuring evaluators leave with both conceptual understanding and practical skills.
By integrating trauma science with liberation-focused evaluation approaches, TRIEE-A creates pathways for evaluation practice that not only avoids harm but actively contributes to healing and transformation. The workshop addresses common implementation challenges and provides strategies for navigating institutional constraints while remaining true to TRIEE-A principles.

This workshop is ideal for evaluators seeking to enhance their practice with approaches that recognize the pervasive impact of trauma while centering healing, equity, and transformative change. Whether working in community-based settings, government agencies, foundations, or educational institutions, participants will gain valuable tools for conducting evaluations that honor the complexity of human experience and contribute to more just, equitable outcomes.

Join us for this transformative workshop and become part of a growing community of practice dedicated to evolving evaluation methodologies that promote healing, equity, and liberation through trauma-responsive approaches.