Foster Care Training

Training will focus on managing social anxiety and loneliness through the use of three of the five social and emotional competency domains: self-awareness, social awareness and relationship skills. Explore arts-based activities that support enhanced self-compassion as well as activities that encourage building healthy connections with others. Enjoy an overview of practical techniques that increase self-understanding and compassion. Gain an understanding of how the quality of our social interactions improves as we develop greater insight and connection with ourselves. Register Here

Training will focus on one of the five social and emotional competency domains of relationship skills. This training will explore how developing strong communication skills to build healthy relationships. This training will discuss the importance of communication skills in decision making, conflict resolution and working collaboratively. Enjoy an overview of practical arts-based techniques that help develop healthy communication skills. Register Here

SEL is a strategy that helps improve outcomes and the overall well-being of youth in care. Comprehensive learning goals for SEL include developmental benchmarks across five social and emotional competency domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making skills. Training will discuss and explore the definition of social-emotional learning and its essential role in the systems’ environments. Identify the critical components of SEL, explore how to incorporate SEL with other systems-based programs and learn practical arts-based tools for implementing SEL into practice. Register Here

Training will teach about various evidence-based approaches for managing anxiety around transitions for children in care and explore strategies for creating structure through transitions, coping with loss and grief and building healthy connections. Enjoy an overview of practical arts-based techniques that enhance emotional well-being and build connections for caregivers and children in care. Register Here

Training will focus on one of the five social and emotional competency domains: self-management. Explore how developing the skill of resiliency leads to being more self-motivated and how practicing self-compassion leads to a healthy sense of self. Participants will enjoy an overview of practical arts-based techniques that increase personal motivation and their sense of personal control, healthy lifestyle choices and healthy relationships. Register Here

This 2-day 15-hour in-depth pre-licensure class on the assessment and treatment of substance-related disorders was developed for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs. It is also appropriate for any other staff members who want simply to learn more about this issue. Topics covered include: drugs and their effects, current trends, screening and assessment, warning signs, an overview of substance-related disorders as defined in the DSM-5, treatment strategies such as relapse prevention, harm reduction and motivational interviewing, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid basic understanding of how recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs […]

The training is derived from an evidence-based model called Pro-ACT (Professional Assault Crisis Training), a principle-based safety enhancement program, designed to teach professionals to prevent or respond to potential client assaults in a successful way.    Register Here

Participants will discuss several different categories of behavior support strategies to use with youth including individual and group support strategies as well as crisis communication techniques. Participants will learn how to prepare youth to support themselves and work toward their goals when they are no longer in care. Didactic presentation, group discussion, art and visualization exercises are utilized.

Whether a Child’s communication is effective or ineffective, it can leave a parent feeling like they are constantly trying to put out fires. Learn how to Interpret your child’s needs, Provide opportunities to make choices, Teach appropriate pro-social behaviors. Register Here

Trainees will gain a basic understanding of the most common types of childhood disabilities, what their signs and symptoms are, behaviors we might expect to see from children with these disabilities, and how to best serve children who exhibit signs of these disabilities and their families, as well as resources for ways to get help for these children.   Register Here

This two-hour course will allow participants to review, understand and practice, the principals around the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard. Administrators and staff will build a foundation of shared understanding around decision making, considering youths’ developmental and age appropriateness for activities, outings, etc. The principals will be based on safety, cultural competence and trauma informed practices that highlight accessibility and appropriateness for youth participation.

Trainee’s will gain skills on how to appropriately intervene when a youth or a youth’s family member is having suicidal ideation or attempts, using the QPR skills of: Question a person about suicide, Persuade someone to get help, and Refer someone to the appropriate resource. Trainees will be able to recognize the warning signs and clues and use suicidal communication to instill hope and resiliency in youth and families. Trainees will gain skills to act vigorously to prevent possible tragedy for youth or their families. Register Here

Foster parents, service and care providers of system-involved youth play a crucial role in their healing journey. So, it’s essential for them to regulate themselves in order to assist youth in their care with regulating themselves. Participants will learn how to teach foster parents, service and care providers about emotional regulation skills as well as skills to practice with these caregivers. Register Here

This training builds and increases skills used in identifying and implementing tactile intervention activities that support and model appropriate behaviors. The training provides self-regulation and strategies to use when identifying negative behaviors in children who have experienced trauma and learning methods in problem solving and building rapport with children and youth.  Register Here

This training is an introduction to implementing behavioral strategies with children who present with a variety of challenging behaviors. It includes a discussion of basic principles of behavior modification, behavioral assessment, functional assessment and methods of support. The discussion addresses the advantages, risks and limitations of these approaches in various settings including group care settings, classrooms and families.

Promoting health and satisfying sexuality starts with attitudes and age-appropriate education. Many system-involved youth have had negative sexual experiences which may impact their sexuality throughout their lifespan. In this course learn to understand, identify and talk about sex and sexuality with youth, caregivers, family members and school staff. Topics to be covered include: anatomy and physiology, sexual identity, sexual diversity, cultural considerations, STDs, birth control, menstruation, sexual functioning, sexual dysfunctions and disorders, sexual consent, healthy relationships, sexual dysfunction and sex therapy, This course meets the pre-licensure requirements for Human Sexuality, 10 hours, for individuals applying for a license with the Board of Behavioral Sciences

Developing healthy relationships with system-involved youth can be challenging given the patterns of trauma they may have experienced. This course will provide an overview of several strategies to establish and build healthy relationships with youth. The facilitator will also focus on the importance of healthy relationships with self as a foundation to establishing and building healthy relationships with youth.

Given the disproportionate number of youth in the foster care and juvenile justice system it’s important for health and social service providers to understand their clients and families from a cultural lens. This training will provide an overview of acculturation, how it impacts youth. Participants will learn strategies to support a youth’s cultural identity.  Register Here

This training provides an overview of racial bias within school systems and ways to address it. Participants will gain an understanding of what racial bias is, how it manifests in schools, and its impact on students, especially system-involved your who are disproportionately youth of color. They will also learn strategies for addressing racial bias in school systems and advancing for racial equity. The training will emphasize the importance of cultural competence training for educators. Overall, those who support system-involved youth will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to address racial bias within their school systems and create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students. The material will […]

This training will educate those who support system involved youth about how to support acceptance and healing for sexual minority youth. Participants will learn to define sexual minority (LGBQ youth, sexually exploited youth), and explore the overlaps in experience of sexual minority system involved youth. Participants will learn and discuss the concept of shame and how it relates to non-heteronormative sexual identities, as well as experiences with childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual exploitation. Finally, participants will review five antidotes to shame and embody using these practices through group activity.

This training will build upon introductory level knowledge of culturally sensitive eating disorders to equip providers in reflecting upon and implementing support strategies that are appropriate in various youth-care situations serving Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and Youth of Color in foster care. Through collaborative, interactive, and reflective learning, participants will be guided and asked to apply various support strategies to case scenarios. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to share questions and curiosities from their experiences for discussion within the group. This is considered an intermediate level class and a previous training or experience in supporting youth with eating disorders is recommended.

What is the gender binary, exactly? As transgender, nonbinary, & gender fluid people become more visible in pop culture and media, many people hear the term “gender binary” without having a nuanced understanding of how rigid cultural expectations around gender impact not just LGBTQ system involved youth, but all people. This training session explores the meaning of the term “gender binary” and invites participants to identify specific ways the binary impacts all system-involved youth, individually and systemically. Participants will work in small groups to generate three ways they can interrupt the gender binary within their efforts to support system involved youth.

This seminar draws on Liberation Psychology, Queer and Critical Race theories and frameworks to address ways that community, culture and how relationships help to create opportunities or challenges for healing and liberation for foster youth with histories of trauma. In working with diverse foster youth, it is important for Participants to explore their understanding of intersectional identities as well as power/privilege dynamics. This training will help participants understand best practices for working across difference, increasing self-reflective capacity, and deconstructing colonial concepts.

Many system-involved youth and young adults struggle with aggression, low frustration tolerance, etc. All this can make conflict much more difficult, which is troublesome given that conflict can arise within families, within relationships with friends and romantic partners, at school, at work, etc. An overview of why conflict arises, how to understand conflict through a cultural lens, what happens when conflict isn’t resolved, and conflict resolution skills in relationships, in learning and professional environments. Register Here

This training will focus on allowing participants to assess their views on the importance of cultural humility as a concept in work with youth and families. The training will provide a space for participants to discuss cultural practices, how to remain humble in the face of difficult work, and how to be aware of our own personal biases that may get in the way of exceptional care for youth.

This training aims to provide child welfare professionals with an understanding of racial bias within child welfare, and to equip them with the tools and strategies necessary to eliminate biases in their efforts to support system-involved youth. Participants will learn about the impact of racial bias on children and families, as well as best practices for promoting cultural competence and addressing personal biases. The training will also cover strategies for addressing racial bias in child welfare reporting. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

In this training, participants will learn about principles of engagement that can be applied when providing services to families who have experienced generations of trauma, including individual, intergenerational, and historical trauma. Typical challenges found in the engagement process in supporting this population will also be identified, such as cultural implications, bias, and social justice issues. Lastly, we will discuss practices and effective strategies for the engagement process and in building a positive alliance with families from a trauma informed and multicultural perspective.

The effects of racial microaggressions and vicarious trauma have been shown in research to cause very harmful consequences to those experiencing them, especially for people of color who are coping with colonization, assimilation, and generational trauma. In this 2-hour training, the presentation will include: definitions; research on how polyvagal theory can help heal harm from racial microaggressions and vicarious trauma; an introduction to the neuroscience of nervous system and brain chemicals; and strategies BIPOC system involved youth and their caregivers (who are all too often negatively affected by vicarious trauma) can implement. Participants will be guided through a sequence of learning activities to explore and understand the negative impact that […]

This course will review the definition and science regarding Implicit Bias. The training will provide participants with a firm understanding of Implicit Bias, it’s definition, impact, and ways of addressing it in order to keep it from having a negative impact on youth in care.

Clinicians will be given the opportunity to explore the ways that unearned white privilege shows up in their clinical work. Clinicians will be encouraged to explore and discuss how this privilege impacts them in their work, their relationships with clients, and their sense of agency in creating change in an oppressive and racist society. As a group we will learn about white fragility as well as ask questions and process challenges related to our daily clinical and professional interactions. This group is for anyone who self identifies as white in any point along their journey of unlearning racism.

Given how many immigrants are in the United States it’s important for social service and behavioral health providers are able to work with immigrant families. This training will provide an overview of immigration issues that can arise in the course of treatment such as cultural barriers, assimilation, acculturation, etc. Participants will learn strategies to more effectively partner with immigrant families. Register Here

Power dynamics and privilege can be barriers to both establishing and maintaining a relationship with system-involved youth and their families. It’s crucial for social service, care and service providers to acknowledge the privilege they have and how it can affect their work. Without this awareness, we may not fully understand the challenges and obstacles system-involved youth and their families have and are experiencing. Youth and their families may also passively go along with our recommendations because we hold the power in the relationship. Join us as we explore power and privilege in working with system-involved youth and their families.  Register Here

Systemic racism is a pervasive issue embedded in our systems and institutions. This training will focus on systemic racism within the healthcare and learning environments and systems. It’s crucial for providers to understand systemic racism and how it affects system-involved youth to help them navigate these institutions and systems. Register Here

This training is designed to invite staff to pay attention to what brought them to this work, the values and beliefs that inform their practices and the social and relational history of these values and beliefs. Participants will engage in the Tree of Life exercise in order to connect to what they hold as important in the work and how they live into these things in their everyday practice working with youth. Having a better understanding of brings us to work with foster youth allows us to access those cherished ideas even when the work gets difficult.

This training supports providers in understanding intersecting concerns for girls, young women, and transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary youth who are system-involved. Participants will define gender minority as encompassing the gender identities above, and review four systemic barriers for gender minority youth in the child welfare system within our current sociohistorical context. Participants will also identify three differential outcomes and three overlapping concerns for gender minorities in the child welfare system. In small and large groups, we will explore four strategies for addressing systemic & individual barriers for gender minority youth, including reviewing how to advocate for gender minority youth and how to use community resources.

Adults and children with neurodiverse traits have emerged from a history of scholastic shame and the need to be “”directed and controlled”” to a world of options and the freedom to express their needs. With this knowledge, we, as professionals, have the chance to collaborate with autistic system-involved youth to determine the degree of stimulation they need to increase or decrease in their surroundings in order to carry out necessary life skills. We also recognize that some autistic youth are quite task-oriented, while others are much more relationally focused. With this in mind, we will look at how both routine and novel circumstances can increase interest in a task and […]

Working with foster youth can be challenging given the generational patterns of trauma, poverty, incarceration, etc. So, it’s essential for providers to understand generational trauma and how to work with foster and systems- Involved youth from a generational perspective. Without this perspective, we can have unrealistic expectations for youth and their families and encounter barriers to engagement. Providers will learn strategies to support youth with generational patterns of trauma within their families. Register Here

Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.

Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.

This training will equip attendees with foundational knowledge about how to best understand and support children with ADHD, autism & other learning differences. Register Here

This training will provide attendees with information about Awareness and Prevention on the topic of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) in the US and local communities. Attendees will be provided with valuable tools and resources that empowers them to make a difference in the effort to eradicate exploitation of children.  Register Here

This training will provide attendees with information about Awareness and Prevention on the topic of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) in the US and local communities. Attendees will be provided with valuable tools and resources that empowers them to make a difference in the effort to eradicate exploitation of children.  Register Here

Foster youth face unique challenges and triggers during the holidays. From culture and religious clashes with their foster family, to feeling guilty for enjoying time away from their biological family, and much more! This training helps foster families understand the challenges foster youth face and how to make these holidays easier for them. Register Here

Foster youth face unique challenges and triggers during the holidays. From culture and religious clashes with their foster family, to feeling guilty for enjoying time away from their biological family, and much more! This training helps foster families understand the challenges foster youth face and how to make these holidays easier for them. Register Here

This training is designed to introduce prospective Resource Families to the Child Welfare System and the role of a resource parent. Participants will receive an overview of the steps to becoming a resource parent with Alternative Family Services.

If you have every thought of fostering now is your chance to learn what it’s all about from the comfort of your home. Please join us a a short presentation to learn about the fostering options to help the children and youth in our communities. Register Here

If you have every thought of fostering now is your chance to learn what it’s all about from the comfort of your home. Please join us a a short presentation to learn about the fostering options to help the children and youth in our communities. Register Here

If you have every thought of fostering now is your chance to learn what it’s all about from the comfort of your home. Please join us a a short presentation to learn about the fostering options to help the children and youth in our communities. Register Here

This training will review the history of how and when youth’s personal rights were enacted, clarify the differences between youth and non-minor dependent’s,  what their personal rights are and the caregivers role and responsibilities to ensure the youth’s rights are protected.  Register Here

This training will review the history of how and when youth’s personal rights were enacted, clarify the differences between youth and non-minor dependent’s,  what their personal rights are and the caregivers role and responsibilities to ensure the youth’s rights are protected.  Register Here

This training will review the history of how and when youth’s personal rights were enacted, clarify the differences between youth and non-minor dependent’s,  what their personal rights are and the caregivers role and responsibilities to ensure the youth’s rights are protected.  Register Here

Attendees will understand Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Rights for youth in foster care. These rights ensure young people in foster care age 10 and older, including non-minor dependents, have access to education, information, and services about their sexual and reproductive health. Attendees will understand the sexual and reproductive health rights of youth in foster care and the duties and responsibilities as a caregiver as well as those of the case worker, how to engage with youth about sexual and reproductive wellness. Register Here

Attendees will understand Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Rights for youth in foster care. These rights ensure young people in foster care age 10 and older, including non-minor dependents, have access to education, information, and services about their sexual and reproductive health. Attendees will understand the sexual and reproductive health rights of youth in foster care and the duties and responsibilities as a caregiver as well as those of the case worker, how to engage with youth about sexual and reproductive wellness. Register Here

Participants will learn the lingo and process for initiating, reviewing, and participating in the process of an IEP. Participants will learn timelines, requirements, and laws governing the administration of an IEP. Register Here

Participants will learn the lingo and process for initiating, reviewing, and participating in the process of an IEP. Participants will learn timelines, requirements, and laws governing the administration of an IEP. Register Here

This support group will offer a space for prospective and current foster and adoptive parents to talk about their experiences as such. This space will offer support from other fost/adopt parents who have been through similar experiences as they learn to process the legal, social and emotional expectations on their families. The group will cover such topics as: behavioral issues, separation and attachment (theoretical frameworks and practical application(s), IEPs/educational needs, legal expectations, and other critical topics of concern for our families. Fost/Adopt parents will learn that their experience is uniquely similar to others who are struggling with the joys and pains of the process of fostering and adoption.

To effectively work with system-involved youth it’s necessary to involve their foster parents, service and care providers. However, many social service and behavioral health providers can struggle to work with their parents and other supports. In this training, you will learn strategies to enhance engagement with foster parents, service and care providers. With increased supportive involvement, care providers have the ability to learn how to effectively support the youth in their care, have opportunities to get involved in their own healing and growth, collaborate with the providers about current behaviors, etc.  Register Here

This training will discuss challenges, statistics, and tips to affirm one’s gender identity, as well as review the importance of using proper pronouns and respecting a person’s gender identity. Join us as we work together to develop empathy and understanding for LGBTQ2IA+ community members. Register Here

This training will cover important aspects of Native American history and how to support Native American youth in foster care by focusing on preserving their cultural identity. The training will provide participants with knowledge and resources to engage youth in their traditional cultural activities and beliefs such as connecting them with mentors and tribal elders, attend native ceremonies, supporting traditional dress, cooking traditional foods and listening to traditional musi Register Here

This training will cover important aspects of Native American history and how to support Native American youth in foster care by focusing on preserving their cultural identity. The training will provide participants with knowledge and resources to engage youth in their traditional cultural activities and beliefs such as connecting them with mentors and tribal elders, attend native ceremonies, supporting traditional dress, cooking traditional foods and listening to traditional musi Register Here

This training will review pronouns and definitions related to transgender youth; and we will discuss the history of transgender people throughout history. We will review personal accounts of transgender experiences from trans youth and their families. We will discuss ways we can welcome youth in our homes and affirm their identities, creating a welcoming and diverse environment for all youth in our care. Register Here

Many mental health professionals, regardless of their work environments, will most often encounter a case or situation concerning of child abuse or neglect. In the state of California, legally mental health professionals are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. There is a wide range of issues pertaining to child abuse/neglect intervention. These include identification, assessment, reporting, and treatment. Therefore, it is critical that mental health professionals be informed about the principles and strategies helpful in these areas in order to ethically and accurately meet their legal duty.

This 2-day 15-hour in-depth pre-licensure class on the assessment and treatment of substance-related disorders was developed for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs. It is also appropriate for any other staff members who want simply to learn more about this issue. Topics covered include: drugs and their effects, current trends, screening and assessment, warning signs, an overview of substance-related disorders as defined in the DSM-5, treatment strategies such as relapse prevention, harm reduction and motivational interviewing, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid basic understanding of how recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs […]

This training is designed for care and service providers, social workers, educators and others who work with system-involved youth and families who have experienced trauma. The training will cover the principles of trauma-informed care, the effects of trauma on the brain and body, common responses to trauma, screening and assessment for trauma, trauma-informed communication, and language, implementing trauma-informed care in organizations and practices and self-care for providers. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout). Register Here

The purpose of this training is to create a renewed and heightened awareness of boundary issues in work with foster youth. Having boundaries is not just a matter of being professional. Appropriate boundaries are a key ingredient in providing the children in our care with the highest quality of care, which often times requires us to build trusting and healing relationships with them. Frequently the relationships we build with clients can have ambiguous boundaries, making it important to develop an awareness of possible danger signs for boundary issues that might result in poor practice or which might be red flags for potential exploitation of clients.

Friendships and romantic relationships can bring up a variety of responses for system-involved youth, from excitement to fear and anything in between. New relationships have the potential to evoke one’s deepest insecurities, vulnerabilities, and fears. They are also powerful places to grow, transform, and inspire. Young people often receive messages about friendship and romantic relationships from the media, movies, and the other adults in their lives. Especially for system-involved youth, they may have unhealthy experiences of relationships. In this training we will explore cultivating healthy friendships and romantic relationships for youth, specifically system involved youth, using mindfulness and compassion practices. We will engage in practices to support system involved youth […]

Elder and dependent adult abuse is at an epidemic level in the United States. In California, many professions are now legally designated as mandated reporters in an effort to help combat this increasing problem. This reporting responsibility is a serious one and can pose ethical dilemmas for mandated reporters. This training will address the signs to look for to identify elder abuse, the problems facing mandated reporters in elder abuse situations, the process for reporting, and help you to understand how, when, and where to report suspected abuse or neglect as well as what to expect after your report has been made. Register Here

Elder and dependent adult abuse is at an epidemic level in the United States. In California, many professions are now legally designated as mandated reporters in an effort to help combat this increasing problem. This reporting responsibility is a serious one and can pose ethical dilemmas for mandated reporters. This training will address the signs to look for to identify elder abuse, the problems facing mandated reporters in elder abuse situations, the process for reporting, and help you to understand how, when, and where to report suspected abuse or neglect as well as what to expect after your report has been made. Register Here

This training will cover who are Mandated Reporters and their responsibilities to report child abuse, types of child abuse and neglect, accidental vs purposeful abuse and what, when and where to report abuse. Protection for reporters and penalties for failure to report. This training is intended for those that work with children and youth within the child welfare system or are at-risk of entering. This includes child welfare workers, resource parents, youth sports coaches, youth mentors, teachers and volunteers/staff working with this population. Register Here

This training will cover who are Mandated Reporters and their responsibilities to report child abuse, types of child abuse and neglect, accidental vs purposeful abuse and what, when and where to report abuse. Protection for reporters and penalties for failure to report. This training is intended for those that work with children and youth within the child welfare system or are at-risk of entering. This includes child welfare workers, resource parents, youth sports coaches, youth mentors, teachers and volunteers/staff working with this population. Register Here

This training explores the purpose of actively working with youth in care to help them meet preferred behaviors. The training highlights four things to think about in any given situation before choosing how to support youth: your personal state, the desired outcome, the situation and environment, and which approach to use. Didactic presentation, group discussion, art and visualization exercises are utilized.

The training will focus on Seeking Safety and Harm Reduction. It will address the client perspective in relation to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder treatment (SUDT), as well as the provider perspective. Register Here

The training will focus on Seeking Safety and Harm Reduction. It will address the client perspective in relation to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder treatment (SUDT), as well as the provider perspective. Register Here

As participants engage youth in identifying the youth’s presenting needs, what often follows are more nuanced relational dynamics that begin to emerge. Foster youth may at times be reserved in their openness to communicate vulnerabilities and needs. However, as trauma content begins to surface between youth and providers or caregivers, those supporting youth may find themselves struggling to navigate their own emotional reactions. This training reviews areas of nuance for providers to attend to in their work with youth, where dynamics of trauma reactions, implications for secondary trauma, and the impact on relationships is reviewed.

“An Overview of Commercial Sexual Exploitation” part 2 will review risk factors for involvement in commercial sexual exploitation and identify common pathways of entry into the commercial sex industry. The training will then discuss the impact of involvement in the commercial sex industry and needs many survivors have. The training will end with a discussion of ways to support survivors on their healing journey.

The Layperson Naloxone (NARCAN) training course will teach you how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone. The Layperson Naloxone (NARCAN) training course is suitable for laypersons, including, but not limited to: businesses, organizations, community members, correctional facilities, educators, faith groups, government and health care professionals, parents and caregivers, pharmacies, school nurses, senior living facilities, sober living communities, treatment and recovery centers, and more. Register Here

This training will equip care managers, providers and trainers with training and education on how to refrain from shaming and stigmatizing their clients, understand the disease of addiction and how it directly impacts the brain, and recognize an overdose and the importance of administering naloxone at care facilities, where our most vulnerable populations receive service at.  Register Here

This training will equip care managers, providers and trainers with training and education on how to refrain from shaming and stigmatizing their clients, understand the disease of addiction and how it directly impacts the brain, and recognize an overdose and the importance of administering naloxone at care facilities, where our most vulnerable populations receive service at.  Register Here

This training will equip care managers, providers and trainers with training and education on how to refrain from shaming and stigmatizing their clients, understand the disease of addiction and how it directly impacts the brain, and recognize an overdose and the importance of administering naloxone at care facilities, where our most vulnerable populations receive service at.  Register Here

Given the prevalence of domestic violence with transitional age youth as well as teens, it’s crucial social service provider, foster parents and other natural supports know how to create safety plans with survivors. This training will provide an overview of safety planning within the framework of harm reduction. Learn how to safety plan for clients still in violent relationships as well as individuals who are ready to leave them or have left them. Register Here

The topic of self-care has been gaining momentum in the social services and behavioral health field. Just as it’s important for providers to practice self-care, it’s important to teach foster parents, service and care providers to take care of themselves. This training will teach you practical skills for educating caregivers about self-care, addressing barriers to self-care and helping care and service providers create a self-care plan. Register Here

Gratitude has been shown to have positive effects on one’s well-being. This training will provide an overview on the research of gratitude, the impact it has on one’s emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. The training will also cover strategies to teach youth about gratitude as well as how to practice gratitude with system-involved youth.  Register Here

An alarming number of youth run away from home, foster homes, group homes, etc. which can place them in extreme danger. While the safest option for youth would be to not run away, many still do. So, it’s important for youth serving providers to incorporate harm reduction principles. Unfortunately telling youth not to run away doesn’t work. In this training, we will apply harm reduction strategies to youth who run away to help increase their safety. Register Here

Families across the country have been impacted by the opioid epidemic. This training will provide an overview of the epidemic. Participants will learn how to effectively support youth and families who use opioids and have been impacted by them. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strategies-to-support-youth-and-families-impacted-by-opioid-use-tickets-665670216537 Register Here

Many system-involved youth self-injure themselves and providers can struggle to know how to effectively support them. This training will provide you with a better understanding of non-suicidal self-injury. You will be able to identify the reasons for the behavior as well as strategies to support system involved youth who hurt themselves.

Many system-involved youth struggle with anxiety so it’s crucial for social service, caregivers and behavioral health providers to understand the different types of anxiety ailments and know how to effectively support youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of anxiety conditions as well as practical strategies providers can use to support youth and young adults struggling with anxiety.  Register Here

It’s important social service providers, foster parents, guardians, and natural supports have ongoing dialogue with system-involved youth about dating, boundaries, and sex. Without these conversations, system-involved youth are left to navigate these topics on their own or with their peers. This training will equip you to have these crucial conversations which can improve outcomes for system involved youth.

During this training, participants will review their roles in assessing and intervening to prevent suicide as defined by professional organizational ethics and legal statutes. Participants will deepen their knowledge and understanding about the drivers to suicidal ideation and what they can do when they are working with a client with suicide risk. This training is considered advanced. A beginner level introduction course or experience with suicide assessment and prevention screening and assessment is recommended.

Unfortunately, teen dating violence is common so it’s imperative that service and care providers, educators and foster parents are aware of the issue. This training will provide an overview of teen dating violence including risk factors, warning signs, preventative strategies and mitigation strategies.  Register Here

Training will focus on suicide risk factors, protective factors, assessment of risk severity and safety planning in the context of telehealth. Identify potential challenges when assessing suicidality by secure real-time messaging, phone and while using video platforms. Cover standardized and non-standardized suicide assessment tools and the means of titrating the use of these for telehealth. Translate assessment information into a dynamic safety plan that includes warning signs, formal and informal supports/contacts, supportive environments and coping strategies. Discuss how to address the limitations of confidentiality for the different telehealth modalities. Ending with a discussion around initiating emergency services if the youth presents with acute needs. Includes large group discussion, breakout groups […]

This training will help system involved youth and those who support them gain a better understanding of the different kinds of eating disorders, and the reasons people turn to eating disorders to help them cope. Once that is understood, participants will learn about resources within the community which support recovery as well as how they can help those struggling. They will also learn preventive techniques to stop eating disorders from developing.

A little of 20% of new HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas were among youth. In order to help prevent HIV infection in system involved youth, those that support them need to understand risk factors, prevention strategies and how to teach this information to system involved youth and their families. HIV+ system involved youth and their families need support to manage the medical and psychosocial issues they face. In this class we will focus on prevention, signs and symptoms, testing, stages of infection, legal issues, social and cultural issues, preparing youth for loss of a parent from HIV, mental health issues and resources. This course meets the pre-licensure […]

One of the most significant challenges for those supporting system involved youth is to effectively engage youth and help them build constructive, transformational behaviors that are sustainable and lead to healthy community engagement and improved outcomes. This is especially challenging when system involved youth are using substances as self-medication. In this training, we will explore how to enhance our capacity to support system involved youth by examining Strengths-Based Practices (especially designed for substance using transition age youth) that prepare us to foster alliance and promote young people’s emotional development and wellbeing and strengthen their resilience and ability to heal from traumatic events and lead a meaningful life. Additionally, we will […]

This training is designed to provide those who support system involved youth in any setting with practical strategies to address the increasing issue of school refusal among students. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the causes and impact of school refusal, learn to identify signs and symptoms, and explore evidence-based approaches to support students in returning to school. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will leave with the knowledge and tools necessary to support and implement individualized strategies for system involved youth exhibiting school refusal.

“Strength-based, strength-based, strength-based! Wow, this seems to be an important mantra in our field! Since all of us understand our youth in our own ways, I hope that anyone supporting system involved youth and their families will attend! This training is about how we can remain strength-based when we have to use pathologizing/stigmatizing labels. While I hope that we are all advocating (in our own ways) for important changes that will allow us to be more strength-based and individualized, what do we do NOW to make sure that these negative labels don’t follow our youth in the system of care (foster care, juvenile justice and mental health systems)? This training […]

This training is designed to provide those who support system involved youth with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to effectively engage system-involved fathers. Participants will learn about the common challenges faced by system-involved fathers, barriers to father engagement, the impact of lack of father involvement on children, and effective strategies for outreach and recruitment. Participants will also learn how to build trust with fathers and families, communicate effectively with fathers, empower fathers to be involved in their children’s lives, and identify and connect fathers with resources and support. Case studies and success stories of effective father engagement programs will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to develop […]

We can’t know how to develop plans to support system involved youth if we don’t understand fully the youth’s context including family relationships, historical trauma, and intergenerational influences. Learn how the history of the biological families of our system involved youth impacts their current functioning and how a family’s life cycle developmental challenges are intricately related to a youth’s own developmental challenges and attachment issues. We will review the importance of creating family trees and timelines with families in order to learn about their culture/stressors/life experiences and other important values. This information guides our case planning and service provision of all kinds. Without context, we cannot possibly understand what the […]

One of the most significant challenges for those supporting system involved youth is to effectively engage system involved youth and help them build constructive, transformational behaviors that are sustainable and lead to healthy community engagement and improved outcomes. In this training, we will explore how to enhance our capacity to support system involved youth by examining how the Incorporation of Coaching Techniques(which are especially designed for supporting disengaged transition age youth) can prepare us to foster alliance and promote young people’s emotional development and wellbeing as well as strengthen their resilience and ability to heal from traumatic events and lead a meaningful life. Practicing and sharing the methods outlined by […]

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has often been utilized to help those that struggle with intense experiences of emotion dysregulation. Yet, when one thinks of psychosis, an experience that can greatly disrupt one’s ability to engage in emotional regulation, DBT is not commonly thought of as an effective strategy to improve outcomes for system involved youth. By examining the four modules of DBT (distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness), we will learn how DBT-informed concepts and principles can be applied to benefit system involved youth with Psychotic Spectrum Disorders. There will be an emphasis on introducing skill building strategies derived from DBT, rather than a strict adherence to DBT […]

The work is in the mirror. Here is a call for those of us who dare to call ourselves visionaries and change agents to task ourselves with parallel processes of internal and external examination. As artists and visionaries, educator, faith-based practitioners, child welfare professionals, educators, etc, our unconscious material can have dire consequences for those we are charged to serve. Liberatory dialogic self-reflective journaling offers a process of asking and answering unexamined questions of the heart.

This course will focus on the utilization of Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills when working with system-involved youth and their caregivers. This course will provide practical skills and strategies to resist the righting reflex when met with resistance. Participants will increase their understanding of the righting reflex. The content explores MI four guiding principles, represented by the acronym R.U.L.E. Participants will gain a general understanding of how resistance may show up when working with system involved youth and their caregivers. The course will provide training participants with strategies on appropriate responses to resistance as well as statements and ways to respond to resistances rather than using the righting reflex. The material […]

This training teaches how to understand family dynamics from a relational perspective that will allow us to develop case plans for our system-involved youth using a strength-based lens with the Pain in the Heart Healing (PITH) Questions. These questions were developed specifically to utilize evidence-based elements from structural and attachment-based family theories in an applied way for kids in our continuum of care who have experienced multiple serious trauma and attachment ruptures in their lives. We will explore the link between past trauma, current feelings about the past trauma, and the fear of what might happen in the future. Since our kids are acting out these traumas in their behavioral […]

Wraparound is an intensive, home-based service model that seeks to stabilize and sustain youth and their families in their communities. This comprehensive training seeks to establish the framework of this uniquely flexible model. Participants can expect to learn in-depth theory as well as have ample opportunity for practice by utilizing real case examples. Day one of the Wraparound training covers a general introduction to the Wraparound model (including the principles of Wraparound), the different roles in Wraparound, Unconditional Care, phases of Wrapround, and permanency/family team building.

Wraparound is an intensive, home-based service model that seeks to stabilize and sustain youth and their families in their communities. This comprehensive training seeks to establish the framework of this uniquely flexible model. Participants can expect to learn in-depth theory as well as have ample opportunity for practice by utilizing real case examples. Day one of the Wraparound training covers a general introduction to the Wraparound model (including the principles of Wraparound), the different roles in Wraparound, Unconditional Care, phases of Wrapround, and permanency/family team building.

In this training, we will explore how to enhance our capacity to support system involved youth by identifying their leadership qualities, redirecting their energy towards project development, and coaching them on skills needed to self-advocate towards financial success and leadership roles in their community where others can follow them. This approach will strengthen their social and emotional development and wellbeing, as well as foster their resilience and ability to heal from traumatic events. Practicing and sharing the methods outlined by this workshop will allow us to deepen our effectiveness with system-involved youth and their families while supporting them towards healthier lifestyles and will help change the culture of how we […]

System-involved youth and families require culturally responsive care and services. For those who identify as native or indigenous, there are added challenges for services providers who do not identify similarly to understand individual, familial, and cultural needs. In this training, the lead trainer provides information about infuse holistic and indigenous approaches for work with diverse families. This training reviews mental health approaches that focus on the reclamation, reconnection, and strengthening of ancestral knowledge, particularly focused on native communities.

This training is designed for care and service providers, social workers, educators and others who work with system-involved youth and families who have experienced trauma. The training will cover the principles of trauma-informed care, the effects of trauma on the brain and body, common responses to trauma, screening and assessment for trauma, trauma-informed communication, and language, implementing trauma-informed care in organizations and practices and self-care for providers. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout). Register Here

This training is for service providers who work with chronically and severely mentally ill youth in out-of-home care. The training reviews common challenges that are faced by youth with chronic or severe mental illness with regard to placements, relationships, stability, and wellbeing. Providers will also understand the benefits of team-based approaches in service delivery for youth and NMD with high needs.

This seminar draws on Liberation Psychology, Queer and Critical Race theories and frameworks to address ways that community, culture and how relationships help to create opportunities or challenges for healing and liberation for foster youth with histories of trauma. In working with diverse foster youth, it is important for Participants to explore their understanding of intersectional identities as well as power/privilege dynamics. This training will help participants understand best practices for working across difference, increasing self-reflective capacity, and deconstructing colonial concepts.

Trainees will be taught the common signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and learn how to recognize it in themselves and others. Having this knowledge will bring awareness and ability to identify and interrupt the progression of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue to allow successful client-staff relationships and increase staff retention in the helping profession.   Register Here

Trainees will be taught the common signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and learn how to recognize it in themselves and others. Having this knowledge will bring awareness and ability to identify and interrupt the progression of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue to allow successful client-staff relationships and increase staff retention in the helping profession.   Register Here

Trainees will be taught the common signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and learn how to recognize it in themselves and others. Having this knowledge will bring awareness and ability to identify and interrupt the progression of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue to allow successful client-staff relationships and increase staff retention in the helping profession.   Register Here

Trainees will be taught the common signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and learn how to recognize it in themselves and others. Having this knowledge will bring awareness and ability to identify and interrupt the progression of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue to allow successful client-staff relationships and increase staff retention in the helping profession.   Register Here

Youth coming to the Assessment Center in Alameda County are most vulnerable and have often experienced various types of trauma. Providers working at the Assessment Center can often feel pulled to continue working to support the needs of the youth that are in crisis. This training gives providers the opportunity to discuss the complexities of working with youth in a 24-hour facility. Providers attending this training will learn about the importance of establishing boundaries in a supportive way in order to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

Working with foster youth can pose numerous challenges and can often lead to providers experiencing secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. This training reviews ways to foster resilience and continue building positive relationships with foster youth. Providers attending this training are reminded of the positive impacts they can have when working with foster youth. Providers are given the opportunity to share successful practices and strategies when working with foster youth that have led to prosocial behaviors.

This training is intended to Learning Normative factors associated with positive early child development, The Diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder, and the effects of child abuse and neglect on development. Register Here

In this training, participants will learn about principles of engagement that can be applied when providing services to families who have experienced generations of trauma, including individual, intergenerational, and historical trauma. Typical challenges found in the engagement process in supporting this population will also be identified, such as cultural implications, bias, and social justice issues. Lastly, we will discuss practices and effective strategies for the engagement process and in building a positive alliance with families from a trauma informed and multicultural perspective.

Services involving screening of youth needs traditionally involve a one-directional focus and power dynamics were youth and families struggle to feel as though they have the ability to self-advocate. This training looks at frameworks involving collaboration and engagement with youth and families during screening services. Service providers will have opportunities to examine and discuss a case-based example of how enlisting collaboration from the start of services can uncover important dynamics in family relationships and youth needs.

This 1-day training will provide an overview of the intersection of shame and trauma. Trauma survivors carry heavy burdens of shame that impact all aspects of life. Despite how prevalent shame is amongst foster youth, it’s rarely discussed. This training will focus on strategies to heal shame with system involved youth and young adults who have experienced trauma. Participants will also learn about self-compassion and strategies to practice self-compassion when supporting system involved youth and young adults who have experienced trauma including Foster Youth and Commercially Sexually Exploited Children.

Given the prevalence of trauma, it’s important for parents and caregivers to learn about trauma and how to best support their youth. Youth may turn to maladaptive coping skills such as self-harm or substance abuse. They may struggle in school academically and even behaviorally. They may withdraw or exhibit many other behaviors. It can be hard to make sense of their emotions and behaviors in the wake of trauma. This training will better equip you to talk with foster parents, care and service providers about a child’s trauma and how best to support them. Register Here

STAT is a mental health screening and assessment program, located at the Alameda County Assessment Center. When a child is taken into protective custody by Alameda County Child Protective Services or the police, s/he is brought to the Assessment Center, a child-friendly receiving center where the child can comfortably wait until placement with a relative, foster home or group home is found. This training identifies and helps to develop the skills that care providers will need to provide a safe and comfortable environment for foster youth. Participants will work together to determine needs of foster youth by modifying program culture to support these practices.

Youth in foster care may experience varying degrees of trauma exposure and response. For providers who may be new to working with foster youth, this can pose challenges for engaging and addressing youth’s needs. This training will discuss strategies to address varying levels of trauma that foster youth experience. The aim will be to help providers to understand the proper level of containment once a traumatic event has been experienced.

As participants engage youth in identifying the youth’s presenting needs, what often follows are more nuanced relational dynamics that begin to emerge. Foster youth may at times be reserved in their openness to communicate vulnerabilities and needs. However, as trauma content begins to surface between youth and providers or caregivers, those supporting youth may find themselves struggling to navigate their own emotional reactions. This training reviews areas of nuance for providers to attend to in their work with youth, where dynamics of trauma reactions, implications for secondary trauma, and the impact on relationships is reviewed.

Is a counseling method that takes into account how difficult it is to make lasting change. Using tools such as open ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries, and the importance ruler, this training teaches how to lead someone through the stages of change to lasting positive change in their life. Register Here

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. Issues specific to sexual exploitation of youth, including the difficulty in identifying youth at risk, can make the provision of appropriate services a challenge for systems that serve the youth. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

To understand how trauma shapes a child’s brain, To understand how calm parental authority fosters greater responsibility in more intense, challenging children. To learn a transformative approach beyond traditional behavior management. Register Here

Clinicians will be given the opportunity to explore the ways that unearned white privilege shows up in their clinical work. Clinicians will be encouraged to explore and discuss how this privilege impacts them in their work, their relationships with clients, and their sense of agency in creating change in an oppressive and racist society. As a group we will learn about white fragility as well as ask questions and process challenges related to our daily clinical and professional interactions. This group is for anyone who self identifies as white in any point along their journey of unlearning racism.

Given the prevalence of domestic violence with transitional age youth as well as teens, it’s crucial social service provider, foster parents and other natural supports know how to create safety plans with survivors. This training will provide an overview of safety planning within the framework of harm reduction. Learn how to safety plan for clients still in violent relationships as well as individuals who are ready to leave them or have left them. Register Here

Shame often accompanies trauma and can delay one’s ability to disclose their abuse, delay one’s healing journey and create barriers to utilizing one’s support system. We will talk about how shame presents in services and what we can do to combat shame. One of the strategies we will talk about is self-compassion.  Register Here

In this training, we will discuss the role of situational awareness as it affects neurodiverse and trauma-impacted system-involved youth. Situational awareness is being aware of one’s surroundings and any potential threats that may exist. A person who has experienced trauma and/or is neurodiverse may have altered emotional self-awareness that can turn to either hypervigilance of threat or a lack of awareness of hazards in their environment and how to respond successfully. A person who practices situational awareness successfully (as in fire alarm drills or active shooter drills) can recognize the possibility of being attacked, harmed or put in a dangerous situation and can follow instructions to be prepared to protect […]

Families across the country have been impacted by the opioid epidemic. This training will provide an overview of the epidemic. Participants will learn how to effectively support youth and families who use opioids and have been impacted by them. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strategies-to-support-youth-and-families-impacted-by-opioid-use-tickets-665670216537 Register Here

Triggers are common for individuals who have been exposed to trauma. They can show up immediately or some time after the trauma. They can be confusing and difficult to navigate without adequate support. This training will provide an overview of trauma and triggers, common types of triggers and strategies to support system-involved youth and young adults who are being triggered.

Unfortunately, bullying is becoming more common amongst youth so it’s crucial social service and health providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address it with youth and know how to support their parents/caregivers and service providers. This training will provide an overview of bullying online, in schools and in communities. Participants will learn how bullying impacts youth and strategies to support youth who are bullied. Participants will also learn how to address bystanders and risk factors for becoming a bully. Register Here

This training goes over the science of stress and how it impacts the body and mind. Attendees will learn about the General Adaptation Syndrome (Fight/Flight Response), and the many ways that long-term stress damages our physical and mental health. Register Here

Disenfranchised Grief is loss that is not openly acknowledged, socially sanctioned, or publicly mourned. Without social validation of a youth’s grief experience by families, peers, community, and helping professionals – the typical responses to loss (anger, sadness, loneliness, and guilt) are often intensified. This training will educate participants about the factors that contribute to disfranchised grief and how to support system-involved youth who are risk for this grief complication. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, supportive interventions, guided discussion, and Questions & Answers.

The Assessment Center provides a safe place for youth to stay while they await placement within the Foster Care system. Youth at the Assessment Center have the opportunity to engage in art activities, play video games, listen to music, and read a book. Since the Assessment Center has become a licensed facility, youth can stay at the Assessment Center for up to 72 hours. This training focuses on modifying program culture to promote social, emotional, and intellectual well being of foster youth while they are at the Assessment Center. Providers will contribute to supporting foster youth’s developmental needs and restoring developmentally appropriate functioning.

This training is designed to provide service and care providers with the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to effectively engage system-involved fathers. Learn about the common challenges faced by system-involved fathers, barriers to father engagement, the impact of lack of father involvement on children and effective strategies for outreach and recruitment. Learn how to build trust with fathers and families, communicate effectively with fathers, empower fathers to be involved in their children’s lives, and identify and connect fathers with resources and support. Care and success stories of effective father engagement programs will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to develop an action plan for improving father engagement in […]

Many system-involved youth experience parental separation whether it is because of divorce, parental incarceration, removal from home by child welfare, etc. Divorce and parental separation can be traumatic. This workshop will discuss the impact of parental separation and divorce on system-involved youth’s social, emotional and learning development. Participants will also learn how to support youth experiencing parental divorce or separation. Register Here

Given the large number on incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in the United States, it is important to understand mass incarceration and how it impacts youth and their families. This training will provide an overview of the historical context of mass incarceration, why mass incarceration exists, how it impacts youth and strategies to support youth who have an incarcerated parent. It is essential for providers across disciplines to understand how parental incarceration impacts youth. Many describe incarceration as a shared sentence as it affects many lives.  Register Here

Growing up in poverty can have lasting impacts on system-involved youth and their families so it’s essential for social service providers, caregivers, parents, and natural support people working with system-involved youth to understand how their socioeconomic upbringing impacts their ability to understand poverty and the challenges to get out of it. The trainers will discuss strategies for more effectively engaging individuals and families in poverty and ways to empower them. This is crucial for providers, caregivers, and natural support people to learn as many system-involved youth live in or near poverty, with some youth living in communities plagued by poverty.

Trauma impacts many aspects of one’s life. One of those areas is a student’s education. Given the amount of trauma system-involved youth experience, it’s essential for social service providers, caregivers, parents, and natural support people to support system-involved youth in the school setting. It’s crucial to understand how trauma impacts a student’s emotional and behavioral health and academic performance in school. The better we understand how trauma presents, the better we can advocate for system-involved youth and help ensure that they are getting trauma-informed education and support at school.

This training will focus on providing information and understanding related to the neurological systems which impact the overlap of trauma experiences and the attachment relationship in foster youth. Additionally, the training will review risk and resiliency factors for foster youth who experience trauma based on their attachment style and the presentation of their caregivers. Recent research will be reviewed and a group discussion will be utilized to support the integration of information into practice.

Giving the growing number of unhoused system involved youth and families, it’s imperative to understand the homelessness crisis. The training will provide an overview of the homelessness and how it impacts system-involved youth and families. Participants will also learn strategies to effectively support system-involved youth and families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.

This training provides an introductory overview of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) including: basic definitions, significant laws and legislation, and a discussion on risk factors that contribute to a child’s vulnerability to be recruited or groomed into exploitation. This training also describes how complex trauma can create vulnerabilities for youth at risk for exploitation, providing trainees the opportunity to learn about trauma informed care practices.

Given the numerous traumas system-involved youth have experienced, its crucial to understand how trauma impacts attachment. When we don’t understand trauma bonding and attachment it makes it hard to understand why someone defends the person abusing them, stays in an abusive relationship, returns to an abusive partner, etc. This workshop will provide an overview of attachment, the impact trauma has on attachment and trauma bonding. Participants will learn what trauma bonds are, what they look like and how to support individuals in a trauma bond. Register Here

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Trauma Informed Care is intended to educate those in the helping professions about the prevalence of trauma, how to recognize the signs of trauma, and how to help someone with trauma.  Register Here

Trauma Informed Care is intended to educate those in the helping professions about the prevalence of trauma, how to recognize the signs of trauma, and how to help someone with trauma.  Register Here

Trauma Informed Care is intended to educate those in the helping professions about the prevalence of trauma, how to recognize the signs of trauma, and how to help someone with trauma.  Register Here

“Parenting In OZ!” is an experiential, memorable, trauma-informed, parenting curriculum designed to help parents and staff understand and respond therapeutically to the acting-out behaviors often exhibited by children who have experienced the trauma of neglect, abuse, and loss. Utilizing the vivid imagery from “The Wizard of OZ” and the emergency room, this unique training is an entertaining, multi-sensory approach to working with trauma that both professionals and parents cannot help but remember and integrate into their work. Trauma informed parenting is a paradigm shift for many parents who have often been trained to utilize tools designed to bring external controls to address or remediate problematic behaviors within a particular environment.

Los padres y cuidadores juegan un papel crucial en la vida de los jóvenes involucrados en el sistema de justicia juvenil y de crianza y es fundamental apoyarlos para que comprendan mejor el trauma. Este entrenamiento proporcionará una descripción general del trauma para los padres que incluirá qué es el trauma, cómo el trauma afecta a los jóvenes y estrategias para apoyar a los jóvenes que están traumatizados. Este entrenamiento también abordará la resiliencia de los jóvenes traumatizados. Register Here

Grief is our natural response to loss. It is an innate process that is wired into human beings so that we can understand what we need, release emotions, and adapt to loss. However, there are multiple factors – internal and external – that complicate grief, causing this natural process to become stalled or derailed. This training will educate participants about common grief complications – with a focus on non-death (ambiguous) loss, stigma, and disenfranchisement. Instructor will teach techniques and demonstrate interventions to effectively support system-involved youth and their families experiencing complicated grief. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, self-reflection, explanation of supportive techniques, and intervention demonstration. […]

This training will explore a design of grief group that supports improved outcomes for system-involved youth. As complicated as the grief experience can be, for system involved youth who have experienced multiple losses of many kinds, the structure developed for grief groups needs to be thoughtful and have measured activities for focusing the participants, guiding them through the week-by-week process, and learning to develop trust with the facilitator and the other group members for best results.

This training is designed for School-Based Direct Service Staff, providing them with a deep understanding of how implicit bias affects their prevention roles. Through interactive activities, discussions, and self-reflection, participants will develop the skills and strategies to recognize and address bias in their interactions and decision-making processes. The training emphasizes building trust, promoting inclusivity, and fostering cultural competence to create safe and equitable environments for students. By the end of the training, participants will be equipped to mitigate the negative impact of implicit bias and contribute to positive prevention outcomes.