TBRI Resource Page
for Rwanda Children
A curated collection of free, high-quality materials to help school leaders, teachers, caregivers, and support staff build a more trauma-informed, relationship-centered environment. These resources are drawn from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) and trusted trauma-informed care educators worldwide.
Use this as a leadership reference for planning staff development, orienting new team members, and identifying no-cost materials to share with teachers, caregivers, school leaders, and support staff. Many of KPICD's school-focused TBRI resources are offered as a free gift to anyone who wants to learn more.
The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) describes Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) as a holistic, attachment-based, trauma-informed model designed to help children and youth who have experienced adversity — offering practical support for behavioral, emotional, and relational challenges. It is built on decades of research and grounded in neuroscience, attachment theory, and the science of sensory processing.
The Three Principles of TBRI
Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting work together to support children through relationship, regulation, and skill-building. No single principle functions in isolation — each one builds on and reinforces the others.
Connecting
Builds trust and attachment through warm, attuned relationships between adults and children.
Empowering
Supports physiological and ecological needs so children can feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn.
Correcting
Teaches and shapes behavior through proactive and responsive strategies grounded in connection.
Recommended Free Resources from KPICD
Official materials from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University — the original source of TBRI training, research, and practitioner tools.
Begin with the short TBRI Animate video before moving into longer training resources. KPICD recommends it as the strongest starting point for anyone brand new to TBRI — a clear, animated overview that introduces the core concepts in under 10 minutes.
| Resource | What It Offers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| About TBRI | Official overview of TBRI, its principles, research foundation, and resource pathways from KPICD. The best written introduction to the model. | Visit |
| Resource Library | Central library with free videos, downloadable tools, articles, and classroom resources — regularly updated by KPICD. | Open |
| TBRI Classrooms | Free school-focused materials specifically designed for educators and administrators — includes implementation guides and classroom tools. | Explore |
| KPICD YouTube Channel | Official video channel with curated playlists, school-relevant content, and ongoing releases from KPICD researchers and trainers. | Watch |
| TBRI Animate Page | Short introductory animation explaining TBRI — the recommended first stop. Explains how trauma affects the brain and what TBRI does differently. | Watch |
| Introduction to TBRI | Dr. Karyn Purvis introduces TBRI in a one-hour foundational session — ideal for staff orientation or team learning. Presented by the model's creator. | Watch (1hr) |
Free TBRI Video Resources
Share these in staff meetings, orientation sessions, or short professional development blocks — no paid training required. All are freely available on YouTube and KPICD's website.
Video resources are among the most accessible tools for building shared understanding within a school team. These selections range from short animated introductions to full one-hour training sessions, allowing you to match resource length to the time and context available.
| Resource | What It Offers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| TBRI Animate | KPICD describes this as the perfect place to start — a short overview of how trauma affects the brain and learning. Ideal as an introductory resource for any staff member. | Watch |
| TBRI Animates Playlist | Free animated TBRI videos hosted on YouTube by KPICD — covers multiple topics in the TBRI model in short, accessible segments that can be used for team learning. | Playlist |
| KPICD YouTube Channel | Central source for official TBRI videos, classroom clips, and related content — the most comprehensive single source of free TBRI video training. | Channel |
| TBRI Podcast Playlist | Free podcast conversations about TBRI that support ongoing leadership learning. Suitable for independent listening during commutes, preparation, or reflection. | Listen |
| Introduction to TBRI | Dr. Karyn Purvis introduces TBRI in a one-hour foundational session — suitable for new staff orientation and as a shared reference for leadership teams. | Watch (1hr) |
Additional Trauma-Informed Care Videos
Broader trauma-informed care content useful for healthcare workers, support staff, and whole-team learning. These resources extend TBRI concepts into organizational practice.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a broader framework that encompasses TBRI within organizational and healthcare contexts. These videos help staff understand trauma's impact on behavior, learning, and relationships — forming the "why" behind TBRI practices. They are particularly useful for staff who may be newer to trauma-informed concepts.
| Resource | What It Offers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| What is Trauma-Informed Care? | A free animated overview of trauma-informed care in healthcare and organizational practice — free to use in trainings and meetings. Produced by the Center for Health Care Strategies. | Watch |
| Principles of Trauma-Informed Care | Short overview of core trauma-informed care principles relevant to patient and staff interactions. Produced by OPENPediatrics for a healthcare and educational audience. | Watch |
| Trauma Informed Practice | Practical explanation of trauma-informed responses, including safety, trust, and avoiding re-traumatization. Part of the MARAM Animation Series — clear and accessible. | Watch |
| Getting Started with Trauma-Informed Practices | School-oriented video on trauma-responsive strategies that support regulation and learning in classroom environments. From Edutopia — well-suited for teacher orientation. | Watch |
Understanding Trauma & the Brain
Deeper background on how trauma shapes the developing brain and behavior — foundational knowledge for anyone working with children who have experienced adversity.
One of the most powerful shifts in trauma-informed work is understanding that behavior is communication — not defiance. These resources offer neuroscience-grounded explanations for why children from hard places behave the way they do, and why relational, trust-based responses are not just kind, but biologically necessary. They are excellent tools for building leadership and staff understanding of the rationale behind TBRI.
| Resource | What It Offers | Link |
|---|---|---|
| How the Body Keeps the Score on Trauma | An interview with Bessel van der Kolk for Big Think+. Van der Kolk is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who spent his career studying trauma — his work is foundational to the field of trauma-informed care and deeply relevant to the Rwanda context. | Watch |
| 8 Impacts of Childhood Trauma on the Brain | Describes difficult childhood experiences that can put the brain on "high alert" — explains the neurological basis for hypervigilance, difficulty learning, and relational mistrust that many children from hard places exhibit. From Healing Psychology. | Watch |
Training Resources from Dr. Laurie Bailey
Presentations, facilitator guides, and handouts prepared specifically for Rwanda Children — organized by training track. Select a category below to view and download the materials for that group.
How to use these resources: Each category below contains materials tailored to that specific group or topic. Click any category to expand it and access the presentations, facilitator guides, and handouts available. Physical copies will also be provided directly. If you have questions about a specific resource, contact Laurie Bailey at leadingsafely.org.
Materials in this track are designed for nurses, midwives, and clinical care providers at Rwanda Children. They address trauma-informed approaches within clinical and maternity care settings, recognizing that many patients and families served have experienced significant adversity and loss.
Resources in this track cover child malnutrition identification, prevention, and intervention in the Rwanda context — including family education materials, nutrition assessment guides, and staff training tools for caregivers and health workers.
Materials in this track support vocational sewing and textile training at Rwanda Children — including instructional guides for trainers, skills assessment tools, and handouts for program participants. These resources complement the practical, hands-on sewing instruction provided on-site.
These materials support leadership development within Rwanda Children — equipping leaders to build and sustain trauma-informed organizational culture, lead with safety and trust, and support staff wellbeing alongside student outcomes.
Materials in this track are designed for matrons and patrons — the residential caregivers and house parents who provide daily care for children. These resources focus on the relational, trauma-informed practices most relevant to residential care environments where children live and heal.
Materials in this track are designed for nursery caregivers and infant/toddler program staff at Rwanda Children. They address trauma-informed, attachment-focused care for the youngest children — recognizing that the earliest relational experiences are foundational to all future development, regulation, and learning.
A note on these resources: All materials listed here are free to access at the time of publication. KPICD offers many of its school-focused TBRI resources as a free gift to anyone who wants to learn more about Trust-Based Relational Intervention. Please review each source's terms before using materials in paid or public settings. This page is maintained by Leading Safely for Rwanda Children school leaders and staff. For questions or additional resources, contact Laurie Bailey at leadingsafely.org.