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About Us

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to help teachers, administrators, parents and students learn techniques to effect positive change and create a healthy, safe learning environment as well as homes for all.

We envision communities where youth and young adults have the skills, hope and opportunities to live and learn safely and successfully, realizing their full potential.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

We are committed to understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of trauma. This philosophy is known as trauma-informed care. The BIST model recognizes that problematic behaviors are most often rooted in traumatic experiences. Until students feel that they are safe and able to work toward healing from the trauma they have experienced, it is difficult for them to be academically successful. Certified in the Sanctuary Model of trauma-informed care, we identify four components of safety that are essential to providing a safe learning and working environment for children and staff:

Physical Safety

Are you free from violence and physical abuse?

Psychological Safety

Are you free from emotional abuse and safe within yourself?

Social Safety

Are you safe to be yourself regardless of the environment you are in?

Moral Safety

Do you practice healthy values?

If these aren’t in place, it’s impossible to expect youth who have experienced trauma to learn effectively. We focus not only on the trauma the child has faced, but also the child’s capacity to create positive change for themselves. As we work with children to develop coping skills and emotional awareness, we empower them to live safe, productive and nonviolent lives inside and outside of the classroom.

BIST PHILOSOPHY

We are committed to understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of trauma. This philosophy is known as trauma-informed care. The BIST model recognizes that problematic behaviors are most often rooted in traumatic experiences. Until students feel that they are safe and able to work toward healing from the trauma they have experienced, it is difficult for them to be academically successful. Certified in the Sanctuary Model® of trauma-informed care, we identify four components of safety that are essential to providing a safe learning and working environment for children and staff:

Grace

GRACE is the foundation of the relationship that provides unconditional care for children even when they struggle to allow adults to partner with them.

As part of giving GRACE, we accept:

  • You
  • Your problems
  • Your pain
  • Your needs

Accountability

is problem solving to learn and grow. It allows children to increase critical thinking skills, ability to overcome obstacles, increased resilience, increased confidence and therefore increased effort.

EVIDENCE-BASED OUTCOMES

Our training and overall model are highly effective. Recent data shows that 90% of participants who complete Basic BIST training receive a 95% or higher score on the comprehensive Basic BIST exam. As educators incorporate the BIST model into their learning...

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COMMITMENT TO PARENTS

Predictability, consistency, communication and parental support are essential components to a student's success in the classroom. We are committed to partnering with you and your child’s school to ensure everyone has the proper....

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ABOUT CORNERSTONES OF CARE

Cornerstones of Care is a trauma-informed behavioral healthcare nonprofit that partners with the community to improve the safety and health of children and families in Kansas, Missouri and beyond through six key service areas:...

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