Christine Cowart, MA, CTP
Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer
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Christine Cowart, a dually-certified trauma professional and policy specialist, has built a career in human services with a focus on criminal justice, family services policy, and trauma intervention. Through this work, she developed an in-depth understanding of trauma, its possible effects, and what can be done to change the story. She founded Cowart Trauma-informed Partnership, to help organizations implement trauma-informed care practices, and has been working to merge trauma-informed care with design since 2020. Christine is a faculty member at the Boston Architectural College (BAC), where she teaches Trauma-informed Design.
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 director 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 a child specialist and an adaptive ski instructor through Professional Ski Instructors of America.
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I was raised in the United States by two immigrant parents, one from North Africa, the other from Western Europe, who merged the best of their vastly different cultures. After I married, I joyfully welcomed two Indigenous sons from South America, each with their own personalities, stories, gifts, and traumatic histories. 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, to help individuals and organizations implement trauma-informed practices. 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 then joined Janet E. Roche and Dr. Davis Harte in co-founding the Trauma-informed Design Society.
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In 2024, I co-authored Trauma-informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners with the the TiD Society Leadership Team.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.