Development and Evaluation of the Trauma-Informed System Change Instrument: Factorial Validity and Implications for Use

In this paper, we present the process of developing and evaluating an instrument designed to measure the extent to which a
complex community system has changed as a result of a community initiative, and for purposes of this research, doing this
within the content area of developing local trauma-informed child welfare systems in specific communities in Michigan. The
instrument was designed for the Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center’s (CTAC) Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded initiative to bring a trauma-informed perspective to professionals working
with children in child welfare. The Trauma Informed System Change Instrument was developed with the input of experts in trauma-informed
system change. Two parts of the instrument were analyzed separately using confirmatory factor analysis. A two factor model
was fit for Community Characteristics and a three factor model for Individual Characteristics. Although adequate factorial
validity was obtained for the instrument, specific items on the instrument that were problematic in fitting the model were
identified, and suggestions for revising the instrument for improved functionality are offered, as are other potential uses
of the instrument.