What if the key to improving a child’s behavior isn’t found in stricter rules, but in stronger relationships? And what should care and treatment look like for children who have experienced really hard circumstances?

Our guest today brings evidence-based answers to both of these questions.

Darius Payne is a licensed Master Social Worker and Juvenile Justice expert with extensive experience in child welfare and the application of Trust-Based Relational Intervention®, or TBRI®. He currently oversees training, implementation, and quality assurance of TBRI® at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department.

TBRI® is a trauma-informed, attachment-centered approach designed to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced adversity. Rather than focusing solely on behavior management, TBRI® emphasizes felt safety, connection, and skill-building. When children experience healthy, consistent relationships, they begin to develop confidence, self-worth, and the capacity to heal.

In this episode, Darius shares the key tenets of TBRI® and how it strengthens families, how the foster care and juvenile justice systems can work together more effectively, what systemic change really requires, and more.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/podcast/darius-payne-47/