Center for the Transformation of Schools

Students with a history of trauma face unique challenges in the classroom and many educators don’t receive the necessary training and education to meet these students’ needs.

Students with foster care involvement are particularly affected, often experiencing multiple traumatic events that can impact their behavior and learning. The MONARCH Room® (Multifaceted Approach Offering New Beginnings Aimed at Recovery, Change, and Hope) intervention uses trauma-informed strategies to improve school discipline by keeping students engaged in learning rather than subjecting them to suspensions. Through the work of the CA MTSS Research Consortium and in partnership with Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS), the MONARCH Room® research team implemented the program in 12 Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) middle and high schools, provided training for school staff known as Champions, and collected data through surveys and focus groups to evaluate the initiative’s effectiveness and challenges.

About the MONARCH Room® Intervention

The MONARCH Room® is a sensory integration and de-escalation space designed as an alternative to exclusionary discipline strategies.

Facilitated by behavioral interventionists, it provides students a safe, nonpunitive environment to self-regulate by using structured sensory techniques to process trauma triggers. The room allows students to explore which sensory tools help them best manage their emotions, with visits monitored and documented.

Learn more on the CTS website.