The TAO Project supports innovative research and education related to
creative, experiential, ​neurosequential interventions for
Trauma, Addiction, and Offender Issues
and Disruption of the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Although originally created and directed by Dr. Leigh Falls Holman, the TAO Project is now a cooperative project
with multiple university sites and community partners. We take a lifespan approach to exploring the trajectory of trauma, emotional dysregulation, and mental health challenges that lead to interaction with disciplinary authorities at schools, in the community, and in forensic settings (e.g., child welfare/foster care and corrections). Each team member may work on multiple focus areas or projects; however, each has its' own team lead who manages the projects under that area of focus.
Areas of Focus
Perinatal, Infant, and Early Childhood Mental Health, Dr. Kristi Nobbman Dunaway, Team Lead
Trauma-Informed Schools, Dr. Michael Skirius, Team Lead
Trauma-Informed Legal Systems, Dr. Paul Dunaway, Team Lead
Forensic and Correctional Settings, Dr. Frances Ellmo, Team Lead

The TAO Project is interested in partnering with schools, community mental health agencies, law enforcement agencies, child welfare agencies, hosptials residential treatment facilities, and correctional settings to

• Raise awareness of the connection between trauma, emotional dysregulation, and development of addictive or offending type behaviors;
• Train human service and law enforcement professionals in trauma-informed approaches to intervention;  and
• Develop and evaluate creative, neurodevelopmentally- and trauma-informed interventions in real-world settings;

Samples of Our Work
*click the title below to find a related publication.

​Modified CIT Training with an Army Forward surgical Unit

Training army forward surgical teams to triage, de-escalate, and manage peri-traumatic reactions in the combat theater to minimize devlopment of PTSD, addictions, non-combat violence, and suicidal behaviors.

book club with mothers who are trauma survivors struggling with Addictions, to improve Therapeutic Outcomes.

Interdisciplinary research between counseling and literacy professionals exploring the use of book clubs as an emotion regulation mechanism aiding
therapeutic relational engagement for mothers struggling with complex trauma and addictions.

Canine Assisted Therapy: Addictions and Juvenile & Adult Inmates 

Research on Canine-Assisted Therapy with

1. Female Inmates on a Mental Health Prison Unit​
   
2. Juveniles Incarcerated in a State Facility, and
   
3. Addicts mandated for treatment.

​Many people suffer from trauma-motivated addiction or offending behaviors.
Trauma-informed care requires neurosequential interventions that meet the client where s/he is neurodevelopmentally. Trauma survivors often suffer from overactive limbic systems and ANS responses to environmental triggers associated with their trauma. As a result, many self-medicate with addictive behaviors or act out through aggression or illegal behaviors. 

We seek to work with community partners to develop innovative interventions, conduct
research, and educate professionals & the public about neurosequential interventions
for trauma survivors struggling with addictions and offending behaviors,
and we investigate methods for disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. 

OUR GOAL

TAO Project
Seeking to Tame Emotional Dysregulation
​

Partnering with community for

Research

Working with Community Partners to Create and Evaluate Creative, Relational, and Experiential, Neurodevelopmental & Trauma-Informed Interventions with People Whose Emotional Dysregulation or Disability Leads to Behavioral Problems Resulting in Contact with Disciplinary Authorities (e.g., School, Police, Courts, Corrections).

Raising Awareness through

Training

Providing Education to Human Service and Legal Professionals, as well as, Community Members about Connections between Relational Trauma, Emotional Dysregulation, and Development of Mental Illness and Addiction Challenges.

Providing Education and Training on Neurodevelopmentally- and Trauma-Informed Interventions for Couples & Families, Schools, Communities, and Forensic Settings.

improving tomorrow through

Innovation

Creating Evidence-Based Neurodevelopmental Trauma-Informed Programs and Interventions in Real-Life Settings where Emotion Dysregulation Contributes to
Addiction, Aggression, and Trauma in Families, Schools, Communities, and Correctional Settings.

Conducting Program and Single Intervetion Evaluation within these Settings to Add to the Professional Knowledge Base on Neurodevelopment Truama-Informed Care.