About Us
The Trauma-Informed Care Advocacy Network (TICAN) is a professional and advocacy-oriented global network dedicated to advancing trauma-informed care across systems, institutions, and communities. TICAN was founded on the recognition that trauma is a deeply human experience that affects individuals, families, and societies, and that healing is possible when care is grounded in compassion, dignity, and understanding.
TICAN exists to bring together trained professionals, advocates, institutions, and allies who are committed to ensuring that trauma-informed care becomes a standard, not an exception, in how people are supported. The Network promotes ethical practice, professional collaboration, advocacy, and systems transformation in order to foster environments that support healing, resilience, and human dignity.
Our Vision
The mission of TICAN is to advance trauma-informed care through advocacy, professional collaboration, capacity building, research, and systems change. TICAN works to influence healthcare, education, social services, justice systems, humanitarian response, and community development so that services recognize the impact of trauma and actively support recovery and wellbeing.
Our Vision
TICAN envisions a world where trauma-informed care is integrated into all systems that serve people. We strive for a future where compassion informs policy, where institutions prioritize safety and dignity, and where individuals and communities are empowered to heal, grow, and thrive.
Our Purpose and Work
TICAN works to
• Advocate for trauma-informed policies and institutional practices
• Provide education and professional training in trauma-informed care
• Support collaboration among professionals across disciplines
• Promote ethical and healing-centered care
• Support research and knowledge exchange
• Elevate lived experience as a vital voice in systems change
• Build communities of practice committed to healing and resilience
Our Guiding Principles
All TICAN activities are grounded in the core principles of trauma-informed care. These include safety, trustworthiness, transparency, respect for choice and autonomy, collaboration, empowerment, cultural humility, and social justice. TICAN is committed to ethical practice, accountability, and the prevention of harm and retraumatization.
Our Global Commitment
TICAN operates at local, national, and international levels, working with professionals, institutions, and communities across sectors. The Network is inclusive, non-partisan, and committed to building a global movement that centers healing, dignity, and humanity.
Championing Trauma-Informed Living and Transforming Institutions Through Compassion, Knowledge, and Advocacy
Trauma affects individuals, families, and communities in ways that are often invisible but deeply impactful. It shapes how people experience the world, how they relate to others, and how they engage with systems designed to support them. Recognizing this reality, TICAN is committed to championing trauma-informed living and transforming institutions so that care, services, and everyday interactions are grounded in compassion, understanding, and respect.
Trauma-informed living is not limited to clinical settings. It is a way of approaching life that acknowledges the emotional and psychological experiences of others and responds with empathy rather than judgment. It encourages individuals, families, and communities to create environments that promote safety, trust, and healing. By raising awareness and providing education, TICAN empowers people to integrate trauma-informed principles into their personal lives, professional roles, and social interactions.
At the institutional level, TICAN advocates for meaningful change across sectors including healthcare, education, social services, justice systems, and community organizations. Many institutions were not originally designed with trauma awareness in mind, which can unintentionally lead to practices that overlook or retraumatize those they serve. TICAN works to promote policies, training, and practices that ensure institutions become spaces of safety, dignity, and recovery rather than sources of further harm.
Knowledge is central to this transformation. TICAN promotes education, research, and professional development to ensure that trauma-informed care is understood and applied effectively. Through training programs, advocacy initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, TICAN supports professionals and organizations in building the competence and confidence needed to implement trauma-informed approaches.
Compassion remains at the heart of TICAN’s mission. True systems change begins with recognizing the humanity of every person and understanding that healing is possible when individuals are supported with care and respect. By championing trauma-informed living and advocating for institutional transformation, TICAN seeks to contribute to a future where individuals feel safe, valued, and empowered, and where institutions serve as foundations for healing, resilience, and human dignity.
Our Executives
We have a dynamic and solid team behind our advocacy.
