Foster Care Training

This training will focus on managing withdrawal from friends and activities, low energy or lack of motivation for everyday activities and excessive self-criticism using social and emotional learning competency domains: self-awareness, self-management and relationship skills.

Embark on a journey of understanding and empowerment with Shoshana Phoenixx in this four-hour virtual training session. Explore the intricate connection between child development stages and the grief process, gaining insights into how to effectively support system-involved youth. Learn to apply creative and artistic activities that facilitate emotional expression and communication, fostering healing and connection.

System-Involved youth of incarcerated parents often fall through the cracks of traditional philanthropic resources and societal support systems. This interactive training will assist participants with enhancing the life outcomes and well-being of CIP by educating participants on ways to create emotionally and physically safe environments where system-involved youth can find community, self-discovery, and vital life and leadership skills. To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

This Anger Management and Conflict Resolution Skills for System-Involved Youth training equips probation officers, caregivers and all other support/service providers of system-involved youth with trauma-informed strategies to recognize, de-escalate, and respond effectively to anger and conflict behaviors. Participants will explore the underlying causes of anger, including trauma, shame, and unmet needs, while learning how to model emotional regulation and teach constructive coping skills. Through interactive discussions and role-play, participants will practice communication techniques that foster trust, accountability, and resilience. The training emphasizes a healing-centered and relational approach, helping adults guide youth toward positive decision-making and emotional growth.

This 4.5 hour course is designed for staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s when working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults who experience anger toward youth and families with self-help tools and techniques when participating in trauma-informed work.

This course will focus on the importance of developing self-care practices for youth in care through exploring the social-emotional competencies of self-awareness and self-management. We will define and examine self-care as a practice for health and well-being, and explore how our emotional vocabulary helps build our capacity to understand ourselves, appreciate the impermanence of feelings, and enhance self-care skills. Through didactic, collaborative, and interactive learning, participants will explore why self-care is an essential practice for children/youth who have been traumatized, grieving, or distressed. Participants will learn how creative arts-based tools can foster self-compassion, deepen insight and connection with ourselves, and strengthen our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

This course will discuss the two major reasons that professionals working with youth and families don’t always live up to our preferred self: crisis and burnout. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss prevention plans for both barriers, including developing a self-control plan for times of crisis and a self-care plan during times of burnout.

In the first segment of this training, we will discuss the concept of ‘preferred self’, a concept from Narrative Therapy also known as how we express our values around caring for youth and families while we are at work. This course will discuss the two major reasons that professionals working with youth and families don’t always live up to our preferred self: crisis and burnout. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss prevention plans for both barriers, including developing a self-control plan for times of crisis and a self-care plan during times of burnout.

This training focuses on how child welfare staff must work together with other staff, the youth and family, outside professionals, extended family, and friends, as well others in order to provide coordinated support for youth in out-of-home care and their extended network.

This training presents the agency’s model for understanding the experience of children presenting severely dangerous or disruptive behaviors. This training focuses on the importance of recognizing the underlying needs that drive crisis behavior and recognizing how developmental level plays into crisis response. This training also explores the how relational disruption impacts foster youth/youth in care. Didactic presentation, group discussion and small group exercises are utilized.

This training is especially relevant for professionals working with youth and families in the foster care and probation systems, where transgender and gender-diverse children often face heightened vulnerability and marginalization. By developing skills in gender-affirming play therapy, participants can better support these youth’s emotional well-being, identity development, and sense of safety. The training equips providers to create inclusive, trauma-informed environments that promote trust, resilience, and positive connections within complex systems of care.

SPECIAL LOGISTICS, PLEASE READ: This course is hybrid. Pre-requisite solo online work [1.5hrs] followed by live instructor-led course via Zoom [9a-4:30p]. Instructors will email you in advance of the course date with additional details to complete pre-requisites online prior to live course date. This course is co-facilitated by Stella Sheldon and Angelina Jimenez, Certified Mental Health First Aid Certification Instructors Mental Health First Aid is a certification course that teaches you how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a […]

[This course is split into two days, 9a-1p] This is a live instructor-led remote course, with pre-requisites to complete before the course date. Instructors will email you in advance of the course date with additional details to complete pre-work online. Mental Health First Aid is a certification course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The content is applicable for supporting any person, however special […]

Trainees will gain knowledge and ability to implement a client-centered discussion collaboratively with a child, youth or adult that leads them toward their own motivations for positive change by exercising OARS: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summarizing. Register Here

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer; the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR prepares you to know what to do if you suspect someone is contemplating suicide. Participants will know how to persuade someone to not commit suicide and how to refer this person to professionals that can begin treatment.  Register Here

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to intentional self-inflicted injury to oneself without suicidal intention. NSSI if often seen in system-involved individuals for a variety of reasons, including a history of trauma/traumatic experiences. Through didactic lecture, large and small group discussion and case examples, participants will understand who, how, and why people self-harm. Participants will list ways that youth and adults self-injure. Short and Long-term effects will be discussed at length, and treatment options will be shared and practiced.

This training will discuss brain development and the biological origins of risk taking and species survival. We will discuss how childhood attachment impacts teen brain development and behaviors and how we can understand teen brain development through the lenses of trauma and juvenile justice. Participants will learn how to use harm reduction to mitigate the impact of system-involved teen and young adult risk taking behaviors. To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

We are far from the “”simple”” parenting challenges of the 2Oth century. These days, the 21st-century family must confront a complex array of problematic dangers stemming from digital and mobile technologies that include online pornography and social media, as well as excessive information and communication technology (ICT) use. ICT includes sexting, cyberbullying, and other inappropriate and harmful uses of can’t-live-without-it tech. Family Play service providers are increasingly seeking to assist families in managing these issues and balancing the positives technology can offer. This workshop will provide an overview of technology-related behaviors that can increase the risk of victimization, conflict, and overuse issues, utilizing an Attachment Play-based approach. Participants will learn […]

This course is designed to provide professionals working with system-involved youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the transition to independence in adulthood. The course will focus on transition planning and developing essential independent living skills to empower youth to navigate the challenges of adulthood successfully. Participants will explore best practices in transition planning, learn about resources available to support youth in their journey towards independence, and engage in interactive activities to enhance their ability to guide system-involved youth towards self-sufficiency.

This mandated reporter training is designed to strengthen child welfare practices by ensuring participants understand the latest updates to reporting laws and definitions of general neglect. The session emphasizes prevention strategies through community-based support, aiming to reduce risk factors before they escalate into child maltreatment. Additionally, the training addresses specific challenges faced in Solano County, equipping professionals with localized knowledge to better protect children and support families in crisis.

Part 3 of the series, join us in learning the crucial stages of communication and language development in children from birth to age five. You will learn about key language milestones, the brain’s role in language growth, and effective strategies for supporting early communication skills, especially in children who may have experienced trauma or instability. We will explore the unique needs of foster and system-involved youth, and how to create supportive environments, including bilingual settings, that foster healthy communication development. Gain practical tools and strategies to nurture young children’s language skills and promote healthy brain development through everyday communication, with a focus on overcoming barriers to learning for these vulnerable […]

Cultural competency training was the focus of many providers who were serving increasingly more diverse population, with the idea that if they could become more culturally sensitive or competent, that they could provide better care for their patients. While the intention was a good one, the dynamic it often set up was that they were still the expert, the client was “the other,” and ultimately that the providers knew better than the clients and what the clients’ experience was and needs were. Through a process of self-reflection, identifying our different locations of identity, which parts have been historically excluded and which parts of our identity have been historically included, participants […]

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

Learning systems can be intimidating. It can be a challenge for caregivers to navigate. So, we want to equip you with the knowledge and skills to better advocate for at-risk and system-involved youth. The training will provide a description of scholar and caregiver rights; common challenges caregivers face and how we can overcome those challenges. We will discuss services and care plans available. This is a 2-day training. Register Here

Black and brown students are disproportionately pushed out of the public learning systems and funneled into the criminal justice system. System-involved youth are at particular risk. It is essential for social service providers to learn about this topic to advocate and support youth and families impacted by this issue. Register Here

This training is geared towards anyone who serves and/or supports system-involved youth and families (case managers, family partners, therapists, community workers, supervisors, etc.) and will support training participants in understanding family relationships which can improve the support provided for system-involved youth/families using a strength-based lens with the PITH (Pain in the Heart) questions. Training participants will learn and gain awareness about traumatic attachment ruptures that system-involved youth and families have experienced and enhance their understanding of structural and attachment-based theories which can enable service and support providers to more effectively help system-involved youth who have experienced multiple serious traumas in their lives. We will explore the link between past trauma, […]

This training equips participants with practical strategies to engage disengaged, system-involved youth and their families. Participants will explore systemic and relational barriers to engagement, practice trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, and learn tools to strengthen collaboration with both youth and caregivers. Through case scenarios, role-play, and group activities, providers will gain hands-on experience applying these strategies. By the end of the training, participants will leave with actionable skills to foster trust, promote youth-centered practices, and build sustainable connections across systems of care.

Although familial sex trafficking has been a known pathway of entry into commercial sexual exploitation, it is often overlooked. This is problematic as many youth enter the sex trade this way. As more entities are learning about trafficking, familial trafficking is becoming a more prevalent point of discussion. This training will provide an overview of current data about familial trafficking, examples of it, warning signs and impact of familial trafficking. The training will end with a discussion of strategies to support individuals who have been trafficked by a family member. Register Here

This training is targeted to those who support system-involved youth and their families within community settings such as in the schools and homes. We will focus on understanding unhealthy family relationship patterns and traumatic attachment ruptures via the use of the Pain in the Heart Theory (PITH). For youth in the continuum of care, their lives are very disrupted by these ruptures due to removal from home, losing placements, deportation and incarceration, to mention a few. Once we are able to understand the pain, we will be ready to know where the healing needs to occur so that our youth can start experiencing positive outcomes in all of their settings […]

Shame often accompanies trauma and can delay one’s ability to disclose their abuse which can delay one’s healing journey as well as create barriers to utilizing one’s support system. It is crucial for social service providers to understand the connection between shame and trauma. In this training, we will talk about how shame presents in services and what we can do to combat shame. One of the strategies that will be highlighted is self-compassion. Register Here

During this session participants will explore the common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. participants will also engage in discussions on how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited.

During this session participants will explore the common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. participants will also engage in discussions on how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited.

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 specialized training is designed for professionals who provide care and support to individuals whom exhibit challenging or potentially assaultive behavior. Participants will gain essential skills and strategies for effectively managing high-stress situations and preventing violent behavior. The course covers recognizing early signs of escalation, employing de-escalation techniques, and maintaining control through clear, assertive communication. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe environment for both the system involved youth and the caregiver while fostering mutual respect. Through interactive exercises, role-playing, and real-world case studies, participants will develop practical skills to safely navigate difficult situations, reducing the risk of conflict and ensuring the well-being of all involved. Participants will leave this […]

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.

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

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

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

This training is designed to prepare resource families to work with youth in the foster care system. Participants will receive a better understanding of the foster care system structure and explore how to provide a well-planned, safe, and secure environment designed to meet children’s individual and unique needs, and how to create an environment that promotes children’s social emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Participants will continue to review; Interim Licensing Standard, Child Growth and Development, Medication Guidelines, Discipline, Working with Biological Families and understanding the Effects of Trauma.

This training is designed to prepare resource families to work with youth in the foster care system. Participants will receive a better understanding of the foster care system structure and explore how to provide a well-planned, safe, and secure environment designed to meet children’s individual and unique needs, and how to create an environment that promotes children’s social emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Participants will continue to review; Interim Licensing Standard, Child Growth and Development, Medication Guidelines, Discipline, Working with Biological Families and understanding the Effects of Trauma.

Learning systems can be intimidating. It can be a challenge for caregivers to navigate. So, we want to equip you with the knowledge and skills to better advocate for at-risk and system-involved youth. The training will provide a description of scholar and caregiver rights; common challenges caregivers face and how we can overcome those challenges. We will discuss services and care plans available. This is a 2-day training. Register Here

Unfortunately, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and moral distress are common in the social services and behavioral health fields. When individuals don’t intentionally care for themselves, it can lead to burnout, premature departure from an organization and more. It is crucial for providers to recognize these warning signs and are equipped with strategies to address them. This training will provide an overview of vicarious trauma, moral distress and compassion fatigue. We will discuss strategies to mitigate these by creating self-care plans to be more resilient and compassionate. It’s essential for social service providers to prioritize our overall well-being so we can model it to the youth and families we work with. […]

Many girls and young women struggle with self-esteem. Whether the low self-esteem is related to a history of trauma, depression, comparing oneself to others on social media, etc., it’s important to understand the challenges girls and young women face with self-esteem. In this training you’ll also learn some strategies to help them increase their self-esteem and self-worth. Register Here

This training will discuss the challenges LGBTQ+ youth experience in out of home placement; Multiple placements due to gender identity or sexual orientation, suicidality, and the risk of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Guidance in affirming and respecting one’s gender identity, as well as the importance of using proper pronouns will be addressed.  Register Here

Trauma impacts many aspects of one’s life. One of those areas is a scholar’s learning path. It’s crucial to understand how trauma impacts youth in care’s emotional and behavioral health and learning performance. The better we understand how trauma presents, the better we can support caregivers and staff to implement trauma-informed learning environments. Register Here

Shame often accompanies trauma and can delay one’s ability to disclose their abuse which can delay one’s healing journey as well as create barriers to utilizing one’s support system. It is crucial for social service providers to understand the connection between shame and trauma. In this training, we will talk about how shame presents in services and what we can do to combat shame. One of the strategies that will be highlighted is self-compassion. Register Here

Attendees will learn about assisting clients who have dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid understanding of how to recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs without significant problems. The following sources, Larimer, Palmer, and Marlatt (1999), Srebnik et al. (2013), and Miller and Rollnick (2013), will be used in this training to support best practices and improve outcomes for foster youth and families.

Attendees will learn about assisting clients who have dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid understanding of how to recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs without significant problems. The following sources, Larimer, Palmer, and Marlatt (1999), Srebnik et al. (2013), and Miller and Rollnick (2013), will be used in this training to support best practices and improve outcomes for foster youth and families.

Topics will include the range of different forms of risk that clinicians need to be alert for, the importance of adjusting supervisory oversight with clinicians who have different levels of experience using the evidence based framework called contextualized reflective practice which has been shown to support clinicians with reaching a higher level of competence and minimizing errors in their roles, specific strategies for eliciting material related to risk, specific strategies for safely managing various forms of risk, and the problem of boundary crossings in the context of high risk settings and behaviors.

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.

In this training, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities in safety planning with youth & families in the community. The class will review key principles and best practices, and then have an opportunity to apply those to vignettes in small groups, with feedback from the trainer.

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based course developed by the National Council for Mental Wellness that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training will give participants skills needed to provide initial support to any system-involved youth or their family members who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis and connect them with the professional support they need for recovery and long-term wellness. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, and self-reflection. To increase participant engagement and content retention, presenter will also utilize the chat box, reaction […]

Domestic violence/interpersonal violence (DV/IPV) is a growing concern so it’s essential for those who support system-involved youth to understand what it is, how to recognize warning signs and how to support individuals in a violent relationship. This training will provide an overview of domestic violence/interpersonal violence including a history of it in the United States and an overview of groups at heightened risk for domestic violence/interpersonal violence. Participants will learn how to conduct a risk assessment and safety plan for a system-involved youth or caregiver in an abusive relationship and how to support them whether they are still in an abusive relationship or have recently gotten out of one.

Unfortunately, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and moral distress are common in the social services and behavioral health fields. When individuals don’t intentionally care for themselves, it can lead to burnout, premature departure from an organization and more. It is crucial for providers to recognize these warning signs and are equipped with strategies to address them. This training will provide an overview of vicarious trauma, moral distress and compassion fatigue. We will discuss strategies to mitigate these by creating self-care plans to be more resilient and compassionate. It’s essential for social service providers to prioritize our overall well-being so we can model it to the youth and families we work with. […]

Many girls and young women struggle with self-esteem. Whether the low self-esteem is related to a history of trauma, depression, comparing oneself to others on social media, etc., it’s important to understand the challenges girls and young women face with self-esteem. In this training you’ll also learn some strategies to help them increase their self-esteem and self-worth. Register Here

When considering the trauma system-involved youth are exposed to, it’s crucial to not only consider individual traumas but it’s also important to consider community violence. Join us as we talk about different types of community violence, its effects on system-involved families and strategies to support them. Without this knowledge, it’s hard to support system-involved youth and families. Register Here

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 will focus on content themes such as early warning sign recognition, effective crisis response protocols, and fostering a positive school climate. Through engaging training techniques, participants will learn to identify behavioral indicators of potential violence, implement crisis response procedures, and cultivate a supportive school environment. Attending this training is highly relevant to supporting foster youth or system-involved youth as they may face additional challenges in school settings. By recognizing early warning signs, attendees can offer timely support to system-involved youth experiencing trauma or emotional distress. Learning effective crisis response protocols will enable them to act swiftly and protect vulnerable youth during critical incidents. Additionally, fostering a positive school […]

Trauma impacts many aspects of one’s life. One of those areas is a scholar’s learning path. It’s crucial to understand how trauma impacts youth in care’s emotional and behavioral health and learning performance. The better we understand how trauma presents, the better we can support caregivers and staff to implement trauma-informed learning environments. Register Here

As more providers are learning about trauma and becoming trauma-informed, it’s crucial to not only focus on trauma but equally as important to focus on resilience. Resilience impacts how individuals respond and recover from trauma. This training will provide an overview on resilience as well as ways to identify and foster resilience with system-involved youth, their families and their communities. The training will also provide strategies to better understand generational resilience. Register Here

During this session participants will explore the common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. participants will also engage in discussions on how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited.

Examine the reasons why you chose to work in this field. They can be a “double-edged sword”- by being both the very things that make us excellent at our work and that can also lead to compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Explore how our own “stuff” impacts our work with system-involved youth (SIY) and their families and, if you are a supervisor, how to support those you supervise with all of this. Discuss self-disclosure with system-involved youth and families, explore ourselves and countertransference, identify how we know when we are over-involved with those we support, and review ways to address this.

Topics will include: distinguishing “normal” aging changes in intellectual, cognitive and memory functioning from those which are a consequence of disease; introduction to the biopsychosocial model of assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment of older adults; and issues involved when working with the elderly and their families when they confront long-term care. You will also have a chance to challenge assumptions about your own aging and potentially look at issues that may impact how you plan for your life as a senior. It is hoped that you will exit this 2-day training knowing more about how to age well.

Topics will include: distinguishing “normal” aging changes in intellectual, cognitive and memory functioning from those which are a consequence of disease; introduction to the biopsychosocial model of assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment of older adults; and issues involved when working with the elderly and their families when they confront long-term care. You will also have a chance to challenge assumptions about your own aging and potentially look at issues that may impact how you plan for your life as a senior. It is hoped that you will exit this 2-day training knowing more about how to age well.

This series explores best practices for new clinicians working with youth and families in community based, school-based, or residential programs in a cohesive, cohort-based training program. The Unconditional Care Model has been used at Seneca Family of Agencies for over 30 years and outlined in “Unconditional Care: Relationship-Based, Behavioral Intervention with Vulnerable Children and Families” and “Unconditional Care in Context: Engaging with Ecological Adversity” by John Sprinson with Ken Berrick.

This training will support participants to strengthen their communication skills and cultural competence while developing common language and frameworks for navigating challenging conversations, practicing accountability, and building a culture of trust on their teams and in their programs.

A well-planned outing can be a gateway to joy, connection, and learning—but for autistic and intellectually disabled system-involved youth (SIY), it can quickly become a truly unsafe experience without thoughtful preparation. This training equips participants with the tools to assess, modify, and prepare for outings that meet the needs of the youth they support. Participants will develop emergency contingency plans, practice neuro-inclusive location assessments, and apply a structured discernment process using a grid system to determine which outings best fit a youth’s needs. Using real-world examples—including the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, Pretend City Children’s Museum, playgrounds, skateparks, and franchise coffee and restaurants with consistent layouts and designs—this […]

Foster youth experience many challenges while navigating the system. One of the most impactful ones is relational permanence. It makes a world of difference if foster youth/transitional age youth have a support system when they exit the foster care system. This training will discuss challenges to establish relational permanence as well as strategies to help foster youth/transitional age youth address these challenges.

This training will discuss the implications of fathers of children in the system being deprived parental rights and involvement through the child welfare, juvenile justice and education systems. Paternal figures have been historically disenfranchised by systems of care. This trend has lasting impacts on youth development and eventual outcomes.

The Tree of Life (TOL) was created as a way to safely engage young people around the trauma they have experienced. The exercise is designed to invite youth to share multiple facets of themselves allowing youth care workers to hear/witness many stories about what the youth give value to.

This training supports professionals in building awareness around their biases related to body size, becoming familiar with research on weight and health among youth and the connection between Body Mass Index (BMI) and its use in health care, as well as its relationship to white supremacy and systemic discrimination. We will explore how body size-base microaggressions can impact rapport and access to appropriate resources for youth, explore the Health at Any Size model, discuss best practices, and apply our learning through roleplay.

Shame often accompanies trauma and can delay one’s ability to disclose their abuse which can delay one’s healing journey as well as create barriers to utilizing one’s support system. It is crucial for social service providers to understand the connection between shame and trauma. In this training, we will talk about how shame presents in services and what we can do to combat shame. One of the strategies that will be highlighted is self-compassion. Register Here

Youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation present with a unique set of needs, requiring a specialized approach to engagement and support. The CSEC 102 training will provide an advanced and comprehensive curriculum on best practices for serving youth that are commercially sexually exploited. In this 16-hour training, we will build on the skills and concepts learned in CSEC 101, including but not limited to: an exploration of common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. We also discuss how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited, as […]

During this session participants will explore the common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. participants will also engage in discussions on how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited.

This highly interactive training is designed to address the self-care needs of those serving children, youth and adults facing and impacted by traumatic life events. Participants are encouraged to verbalize their understanding and connectedness to the multiple aspects of compassion fatigue. By taking a self-inventory, participants will see first-hand, the levels of stress they experience. The group will look at several tools and techniques to circumvent the most challenging aspects of compassion fatigue and to be able to regain a state of neuro-physiological (mind-body) regulation, recovery and resilience.

When working with system involved youth and families receiving support from the welfare system, social workers often encounter children and families who have suffered and/or witnessed various levels of trauma and who may experience various levels of mental health needs. Often times, social workers in such situations experience a psychological burden and pressure to “fix” the child/family or meet the expectations of managed care. Social workers may experience feelings of anxiety and stress resulting in a lack of self-care and self-efficacy. As a result, their ability to manage countertransference, transference, and compassion fatigue may be compromised. This workshop supports social workers in gaining an understanding of concepts such as countertransference, […]

Trauma does not occur in isolation—it is shaped by culture, identity, and community context. This session examines how cultural beliefs, values, and historical experiences influence the way youth and families understand, express, and heal from trauma. Participants will deepen their cultural humility and learn practical tools for integrating culturally responsive, trauma-informed care when working with foster and justice-involved youth from diverse backgrounds.

Helping professionals has become increasingly aware that the effects of trauma experienced by one generation have lasting emotional and physical effects on the generations to follow. It is important to recognize the influences of both generational trauma and culture on human behavior. Generational trauma and cultural influences play a key role in understanding an individual’s actions and thought systems. Individuals who have experienced generational trauma often have higher rates of physical illness, mental health concerns, addiction disorders and family communication challenges. This course introduces helping professionals to the concepts associated with intergenerational trauma and cultural influences. This course will prepare helping professionals on how to recognize generational trauma as well […]

This training will focus on specific strategies that can be used with grieving students while noting the different types of losses which impact our youth. Information will be provided regarding how to initiate a conversation, what to say and how to check for a child’s understanding of death. The trainer will facilitate dialogue regarding the importance of cultural sensitivity and how to be culturally responsive in your grief support with a family. School specific strategies will be explored such as offering academic support proactively, preparing students to manage grief triggers and supporting transitions between grades and schools. Participants will engage in vignettes and a grief sensitive activity to deepen awareness […]

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

This training is focused on working collaboratively with system related providers on behalf of youth in care. We will facilitate a conversation with providers on how to exercise professionalism when difficult situations present themselves in the work. Further, the training will explore how to navigate difficult conversations related to providers on behalf of youth in care. This training will encourage and empower providers to explore where their biases are and how they may impact youth in care and the effectiveness of engaging youth in their services.

A suggested method for supporting system-involved youth (SIY) in transcending their negative past experiences is to effectively engage them in accessing their hereditary strengths, talents, and passions, enhanced with future envisioning, and performance coaching towards building a life that is constructive, inspires joy, is fun, and promotes success in social settings, academics, and career related activities, and brings about a feeling of security in the individual that leads to healthy engagement with community. In this interactive training, we will explore how to enhance our capacity to support SIY by exploring Strengths-based Coaching Techniques (outlined in the above paragraph) that foster the relationship with SIY and sparks motivation to get them excited about […]

Providers at the Alameda County Assessment Center work with youth to prepare them as they transition into a new placement within the foster care system. Often youth that have been in foster care will refuse to go to their placements. This training invites providers with the opportunity to open up dialogue about the challenges they encounter and reasons youth refuse placement. Providers will explore and discuss strategies for encouraging challenging youth to transition to their next placement.

Providers for foster youth are exposed to direct and indirect instances of trauma and conflict. In this training, participants will engage in activities that promote relationship-building and skills for addressing vicarious and secondary trauma reactions. Participants will learn how to build healthy relationships with caregivers, youth and service providers. This training will promote collaboration to enhance service delivery.