Christine Cowart, MA, CTP
Christine Cowart is dually-certified as a trauma professional by Florida State University and the International Association of Trauma Professionals, and is a member of the ACEs Connection’s Speakers and Trainers Bureau. She has built a career in the human services field, with a focus on criminal justice and family services policy. Through this work, she developed an in-depth understanding of trauma, its possible effects, and what can be done to change the story.
My Story
I earned my Master of Criminal Justice degree from the State University of New York at Albany, while working in a variety of related positions. I then served as a state legislative analyst in both New York and New Jersey, including 10 years in the Law and Public Safety section of the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services. I have also worked as a policy analyst for the New York State Division of Parole and as a contract and grant specialist for the Vermont Department for Children and Families, where I doubled as the co-chair for the Family Services Division’s racial equity workgroup. I am currently employed as the policy manager for the Vermont Department of Corrections, where I am helping to implement a Department-wide trauma-informed approach.
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In my spare time, I volunteer in a variety of capacities. I am a member of her local school’s community-based diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, which works towards ensuring a safe environment for all students and families. In addition, I've served as an adaptive sports instructor for the past 20+ years through Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a year-round program that offers holistic, sports and recreation opportunities to people with disabilities. I am certified as an adaptive ski instructor through Professional Ski Instructors of America, and as an adaptive recreation and sports specialist through Blaze Sports America.
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I am married, and an adoptive mother of two sons with traumatic backgrounds. My personal and professional experiences led me to a clear recognition of trauma and its effects throughout our society. Committed to researching and addressing this phenomenon as a specialty, and driven to share this information with the general public, I founded Cowart Trauma Informed Partnership, and dedicate much of my time helping individuals and organizations implement trauma-informed practices.
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Recognizing that the physical spaces in which we spend time can impact our perceptions, stress levels, and ability to regulate our emotional responses and behaviors, I joined with Janet E. Roche, MDS CAPS, and J. Davis Harte, PhD, WELL AP in co-founding the Trauma-informed Design Society. The Society is a transdisciplinary team with a focus on turning trauma-informed design research into practice, and back into research. Located across the United States, the Society merges our extensive experience in human services and interior design with an understanding of trauma science, to help organizations implement a trauma-informed approach in their services and create stress-reducing physical spaces.
Contact
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