Foster Care Training

This training explores the use of the social and emotional learning (SEL) framework to support youth in care to develop self-awareness, self-management and interpersonal skills. Participants will gain insights into how these skills help youth in care build resilience and establish healthier relationships. This training introduces creative arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being. Through discussion, reflection and hands-on activities, participants will learn how SEL principles can be integrated into everyday practices to support physical and emotional regulation. The course will provide practical methods to calm the mind and body, with a focus on the role of creativity in physical and emotional regulation. Participants will be guided through creative exercises that can […]

This training explores the use of the social and emotional learning framework to support youth in care to develop self-awareness, self-management, and interpersonal skills. Participants will gain insights into how these skills help youth in care build resilience and establish healthier relationships. This training introduces creative arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being. Through discussion, reflection, and hands-on activities, participants will learn how SEL principles can be integrated into everyday practices to support physical and emotional regulation. The course will provide practical methods to calm the mind and body, with a focus on the role of creativity in physical and emotional regulation.

This training is designed to assist professionals working with foster youth to connect to stories of themselves within the work that are fulfilling and sustaining. Because this work requires us to spend time in situations that tend to deplete us or contribute to ‘burnout’, it is vital that we are able to engage with versions of ourselves that demonstrate the ways that we stay connected to what we give value to. Participants will discuss some of the ideas that frame what stories are available to be told and to find ways to challenge these ideas in order to discover alternative stories. A particular story about a professional in the field […]

Supervisors of Youth Professionals are responsible not only for oversight of services to youth and families, but also for supporting the professional development of supervisees to enhance their skills with youth.

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 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 […]

Children and youth who suffer from serious neurological impairment and are cognitively inflexible may not respond to standard behavior management measures of rewards and consequences, given their vulnerability, volatility, inflexibility, inadequate communication skills, and underdeveloped social skills, not to mention other inherent mental health challenges. In order to guide these children and youth to “fit in socially”, a suggested approach would be to utilize Developmentally Informed Strategies. In this interactive training, we will explore how to enhance our capacity to support system-involved youth (SIY) by exploring the use of Developmentally Informed Strategies for Responding to Behavioral Challenges that foster the relationship building and strengths approaches with SIY that can motivate […]

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.

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.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is at the forefront of the majority of evidence-based protocols for a variety of youth mental health problems and across youth and family populations, including in child welfare and juvenile justice contexts Understanding the core components of CBT helps clinicians to utilize cognitive-behavioral modalities across problem areas/targets and formats. Cognitive-behavioral case conceptualization, treatment ‘non-specifics,’ and general process strategies (e.g., Socratic questioning) are critical features in implementing any CBT protocol effectively. In addition, research demonstrates that there are practices that occur most frequently within evidence-based treatments for specific targets, as well as across them. Part of utilizing a CBT framework effectively includes being familiar with the common […]

Youth in care who have engaged in harmful acts are often met with a punitive response from systems using traditional punishment-oriented responses. This can lead to shame, ostracizing, or isolation of the youth from their communities, families, and peers. A more useful response to harm or transgressions can help to maintain relationships, as is discussed from a Restorative Practices framework. This training will explore how Restorative Practice concepts may be used in systems serving youth to improve relationships, and improve engagement.

This workshop will focus on Macro Motivational Interviewing skills that support a deeper understanding of the client within the context of their experience of historical and current marginalization and community resiliency. The trainers will discuss how this knowledge can be used to increase client safety, broker connection to community change agents, and identify policy level change areas. Workshop participants will examine Macro MI specific applications of the Spirit of MI, the Four Tasks, and OARS. Workshop participants will explore the ways which open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries can be used to both support provider understanding of Macro MI needs and consolidate client motivation to work towards their Macro MI […]

[This course is from 9AM-4:30PM] 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 emphasis will be […]

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

Many system-involved youth and transitional age youth struggle to make sense of their emotions and regulate them in an adaptive manner. Without this knowledge, it can hinder goals and aspirations youth have. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively support system-involved kids and teens in increasing their emotional regulation skills. Additionally, many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions and can dwell on self-defeating thoughts. Mindfulness is a helpful skill to help those that support system-involved youth to be present and engaged with them as well as a great skill to teach youth to practice so they don’t get lost in their thoughts and emotions. […]

Anxiety is a common reason for students to be referred for school-based mental health support, particularly during the middle school years when developmental, social, and academic demands intensify. This interactive six-hour training (broken into two parts) equips school-based mental health providers with the knowledge and tools to recognize how anxiety presents in adolescents, understand its impact on learning and behavior, and respond with effective, school-friendly strategies. Participants will explore topics such as recognizing anxiety, understanding the roots of anxiety, developing intervention strategies, collaborating with teachers and parents, and how to create a supportive educational environment.

Anxiety is a common reason for students to be referred for school-based mental health support, particularly during the middle school years when developmental, social, and academic demands intensify. This interactive six-hour training (broken into two parts) equips school-based mental health providers with the knowledge and tools to recognize how anxiety presents in adolescents, understand its impact on learning and behavior, and respond with effective, school-friendly strategies. Participants will explore topics such as recognizing anxiety, understanding the roots of anxiety, developing intervention strategies, collaborating with teachers and parents, and how to create a supportive educational environment.

In this training, participants will learn how to enhance their capacity to support system-involved youth (SIY) by exploring how using Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques to support engagement during all phases of cognitive change facilitates receptivity to coaching and can redirect energy towards emotional development and wellbeing, as well as foster resilience and healing from traumatic events. Practicing and sharing the methods outlined by this workshop will allow participants to deepen their effectiveness with system-involved youth and families through helping them avoid risky behaviors and supporting them towards healthier lifestyles.

TBD

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 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 behaviors of […]

This 4 hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s the skills to enhance behavior strategies for staff working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults working with severe emotional disturbance figure out possible prognosis and healing strategies. Participants will discuss effective tools and techniques for case plan.

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.

Unfortunately, bullying is becoming more common amongst system-involved youth so it’s crucial social service providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address it with youth and know how to support their parents/caregivers. This training will provide an overview of bullying online, in schools/learning environments and in communities. Register Here

Disordered eating and eating disorders are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disorders, available treatments, and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have one with one and at risk of one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with an eating disruption. Register Here

Given that alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst adults and youth, it’s important for social service providers to understand the potential harms associated with alcohol misuse as it can impact relationships, learning performance, work and even prenatal development. This training will provide an overview of alcohol misuse amongst youth and adults and strategies to consume alcohol responsibly. Additionally, the training will discuss fetal alcohol syndrome, including discussions about what it is, risk factors, screening and how to support someone with it. Register Here

Peer pressure impacts many at-risk youths. Developmentally, teens are seeking approval from their peers, placing them at heightened risk for succumbing to social influence. Join us as we provide an overview of adolescent development and the impact of social influence on teens. This training will equip participants to have conversations with youth about peer pressure as well as strategies to teach them for how to navigate peer pressure. We’ll also talk about running away and how that relates to adolescent development and social influences. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/relationship-between-social-influence-adolescent-development-tickets-1657507211689?aff=oddtdtcreator

Shame is a demonized emotion – it has been used to categorize certain people or ourselves as “bad.” Shame can also be a barrier to accountability – the stories we tell ourselves and our bodily responses when experiencing shame can keep us away from returning to moving with integrity. How do we bring shame out of the shadows in order to heal it and work with it? How do we use it to support being in accountable relationships with others, break cycles of harm, and help us build a world that does not binarize people as “good” or “bad” and instead allows for seeing each other in fullness, which includes […]

Providing services to families that have experienced generations of trauma can be challenging as well as impactful for both the families and providers. Prior to family services taking place, families may have experienced much trauma in their lives, services that may have not been accessible or poorly delivered, and families may be surviving in a current crisis state. Most often, to be able to be effective with families that have experienced such trauma, loss, and other bio-psychosocial challenges, it is important to prioritize engagement to build trust and work towards providing healing experiences and connections for families. This training focuses on building a foundation in learning effective ways to understand […]

During this introductory training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, participants will have an overview of depression as it relates to youth. The training will provide a brief overview on the causes of depression and what possible symptoms are for youth. Participants will gain practical skills to assess, respond to, and support a youth who is experiencing depressive episodes. By attending this training, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion regarding common services and support for caregivers of youth who are experiencing depressive episodes. This training will support service providers with an understanding of how depression may show up for a youth as it relates to their mood, physically and cognitively. The […]

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 client’s 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 will […]

Supervisors play a critical role in shaping the quality of care provided to system-involved youth and families. In this training, the facilitator will lead discussions about how implicit bias shows up in clinical supervision, provide information on strategies for addressing bias when it arises, and guide participants through activities that strengthen equity-centered supervision skills. The trainer will use case examples, reflective exercises, and group discussion to illustrate the impact of implicit bias in supervisory relationships and demonstrate practical tools for creating more responsive care for system-involved youth and families. This training is for clinical supervisors who support system-involved youth and families in school-based and counseling enriched programs.

This training is designed to equip participants with the tools and strategies needed to recognize and mitigate implicit biases in their interactions with system impacted youth. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, participants will enhance their understanding of the unique challenges faced by system-impaired youth and their families by fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to provide equitable services that empower system-impacted youth and promote positive outcomes.

This training is designed to equip participants with the tools and strategies needed to recognize and mitigate implicit biases in their interactions with system impacted youth. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, participants will enhance their understanding of the unique challenges faced by system-impaired youth and their families by fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. By the end of the session, participants will be prepared to provide equitable services that empower system-impacted youth and promote positive outcomes.

Given the importance of working with parents of system-involved youth, this training will discuss best practices in working with them. Specially, we’ll focus on best practices for partnering with caregivers. The training will also provide an overview of strategies to educate and support caregivers in their caregiving in a nonjudgmental manner. This training is in Spanish and English. THIS IS A 2-DAY TRAINING Register Here

This 4-hour virtual workshop explores how children at different developmental stages understand and express grief, and how adults can respond with skill, sensitivity, and structure. Participants will deepen their understanding of the grief process through a developmental lens, gaining tools to recognize trauma responses, normalize emotional expression, and support age-appropriate coping strategies.

Disordered eating and eating disorders are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disorders, available treatments, and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have one with one and at risk of one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with an eating disruption. Register Here

This training teaches how to understand family dynamics from a relational perspective that supports the development of plans for system-involved youth using a strength-based lens with the Pain in the Heart (PITH) healing questions. These questions were developed to utilize evidence-based elements from structural & attachment-based family theories in an applied way for youth who have experienced multiple serious trauma & attachment ruptures. We will explore the link between past trauma, current feelings about the past trauma, & fear of what might happen in the future. Since system-involved youth can act out traumas in their behavioral symptoms, it is important to be able to understand these from their perspective so […]

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

Many social service providers provide workshops and groups for at-risk youth, and many have not been formally taught how to facilitate groups. This training will provide an overview of best practices of group facilitation. Participants will also learn how to navigate challenging situations in groups such as redirecting a youth, a youth monopolizing the conversation, etc. Register Here

When caring for and supporting foster youth you can often face challenges of crises, placement instability, or system pressures. These can lead to quick decisions or unintended consequences for youth and families, especially when the needs and strengths of youth are not maintained as a guiding force. This training focuses on the importance of self-reflection, humility and self-care as a means of building capacity to deliver care for foster youth who experience trauma.

This two-part (3-hours) training explores legal and ethical issues for licensed professionals and associates working in youth and family services and child welfare. Topics include an overview and updates to California laws and ethics in accordance with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Laws and ethics specific to youth and family services will be reviewed including consent, confidentiality and mandated reporting.

This two-part (3-hours) training explores legal and ethical issues for licensed professionals and associates working in youth and family services and child welfare. Topics include an overview and updates to California laws and ethics in accordance with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Laws and ethics specific to youth and family services will be reviewed including consent, confidentiality and mandated reporting.

Without an effective care plan, it’s difficult to know how to best support system-involved youth and families and what their goals are. So, join us as we talk about the basics of putting together a care plan. This training will provide an overview of care planning and how to partner with system-involved youth and families to create a care plan. Register Here

Many parents feel concern about their child’s development. It can be difficult to know if your child’s behavior is reflective of typical development, or something to be concerned about. This training covers some of the famous psychological theories and theorists in the field of childhood development, such as Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Sigmund Freud. Participants will learn typical developmental milestones for each age group from birth to 18 years of age. It will cover a few of the most common causes of developmental delays in childhood and how to recognize the signs, as well as the impact of trauma on child development. 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 explores the use of the social and emotional learning (SEL) framework to support youth in care to develop self-awareness, self-management and interpersonal skills. Participants will gain insights into how these skills help youth in care build resilience and establish healthier relationships. This training introduces creative arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being. Through discussion, reflection and hands-on activities, participants will learn how SEL principles can be integrated into everyday practices to support physical and emotional regulation. The course will provide practical methods to calm the mind and body, with a focus on the role of creativity in physical and emotional regulation. Participants will be guided through creative exercises that can […]

Crisis Prevention Interventions focuses on early intervention and non-physical methods for managing disruptive and aggressive behaviors. Trainers will explore effective communication techniques and the physiological responses that occur during moments of aggression, along with the core philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security, which underpins the training. Human service professionals worldwide have participated in CPI programs to learn proven strategies for safely managing situations involving anxious, hostile, or violent behavior, all while preserving therapeutic relationships with those under their care.

This refresher training revisits key strategies from Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), focusing on early identification, de-escalation techniques, and non-physical approaches to managing escalating behaviors. Participants will review effective communication skills, physiological responses during crisis, and the guiding framework of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security. Designed for human service professionals, this session reinforces proven methods for safely navigating crisis situations while maintaining supportive, therapeutic relationships.

During this introductory training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, participants will have an overview of depression as it relates to youth. The training will provide a brief overview on the causes of depression and what possible symptoms are for youth. Participants will gain practical skills to assess, respond to, and support a youth who is experiencing depressive episodes. By attending this training, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion regarding common services and support for caregivers of youth who are experiencing depressive episodes. This training will support service providers with an understanding of how depression may show up for a youth as it relates to their mood, physically and cognitively. The […]

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.

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. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

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. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

With a growing awareness of generational trauma, there’s a growing awareness that many caregivers of system-involved youth have experienced their own trauma. These unhealed wounds can pop up at unexpected times and can make caregiving more difficult. This training will provide an overview of trauma triggers that can arise in caregivers and strategies to address them. Register Here

Trauma can impact one’s understanding and experience of intimacy, and given the high rates of sexual abuse amongst system-involved youth and young adults, it’s important that social service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to talk about relationships, dating and sex after sexual abuse. Despite how common this can be amongst sexual abuse survivors; it is often not addressed in services. In this training, the trainer will discuss how trauma impacts one’s relationship with sex and how to support transitional age youth in developing a healthier understanding and experience of sex. Register Here

This session explores grief as a natural and personal response to loss, emphasizing that it affects everyone differently based on individual factors like personality, life experience, and the nature of the loss. Participants will review the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and discuss how grief impacts children in foster care. Even in stable placements, these children often face significant losses, including family, home, routines, and personal belongings. Understanding this grief is essential to providing empathetic, trauma-informed support.

This session explores grief as a natural and personal response to loss, emphasizing that it affects everyone differently based on individual factors like personality, life experience, and the nature of the loss. Participants will review the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and discuss how grief impacts children in foster care. Even in stable placements, these children often face significant losses, including family, home, routines, and personal belongings. Understanding this grief is essential to providing empathetic, trauma-informed support.

This session explores grief as a natural and personal response to loss, emphasizing that it affects everyone differently based on individual factors like personality, life experience, and the nature of the loss. Participants will review the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and discuss how grief impacts children in foster care. Even in stable placements, these children often face significant losses, including family, home, routines, and personal belongings. Understanding this grief is essential to providing empathetic, trauma-informed support.

It’s important for social service providers to be able to conduct a thorough state of mind assessment. This allows us to assess the client’s baseline functioning as well as to gauge changes in their condition. This training will provide an in depth look at what goes into a state of mind examination and how to complete one. Register Here

A disproportionate number of children with disabilities are represented in the foster care system. This training will teach participants the different types of disabilities and the most common disabilities of each type with a focus on acceptance and inclusion. It also covers such necessary topics as why a disabled child might exhibit challenging behaviors and techniques for handling some of those behaviors. Lastly, the training will cover the most common types of assistive devices, lifting and transfer techniques, and additional resources for participants to find more information. 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.

Relapse prevention planning is helpful with youth and young adults struggling with a variety of issues from substance use, self-harm, engagement in the commercial sex industry, etc. This training will provide an overview of relapse prevention planning to help you teach youth and young adults about relapse prevention and create a relapse prevention plan. 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.

Given the importance of working with parents of system-involved youth, this training will discuss best practices in working with them. Specially, we’ll focus on best practices for partnering with caregivers. The training will also provide an overview of strategies to educate and support caregivers in their caregiving in a nonjudgmental manner. This training is in Spanish and English. THIS IS A 2-DAY TRAINING Register Here

System-involved youth experience a significant amount of loss whether it’s from removal from their families of origin, deaths of loved ones and friends, and loss of connection to their culture. So, it’s crucial for social service providers to understand the grief process and know how to support system-involved youth in the midst of loss. Register Here

Unfortunately, bullying is becoming more common amongst system-involved youth so it’s crucial social service providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address it with youth and know how to support their parents/caregivers. This training will provide an overview of bullying online, in schools/learning environments and in communities. Register Here

Disordered eating and eating disorders are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disorders, available treatments, and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have one with one and at risk of one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with an eating disruption. Register Here

Many system-involved youth and transitional age youth struggle to make sense of their emotions and regulate them in an adaptive manner. Without this knowledge, it can hinder goals and aspirations youth have. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively support system-involved kids and teens in increasing their emotional regulation skills. Additionally, many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions and can dwell on self-defeating thoughts. Mindfulness is a helpful skill to help those that support system-involved youth to be present and engaged with them as well as a great skill to teach youth to practice so they don’t get lost in their thoughts and emotions. […]

Caregiving is tough and there can be added challenges when caregiving system-involved youth given the trauma and adversity they’ve experienced. This training will discuss common caregiving challenges caregivers of system-involved youth encounter. The training will also discuss strategies to support caregivers overcome these challenges. Register Here

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 that alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst adults and youth, it’s important for social service providers to understand the potential harms associated with alcohol misuse as it can impact relationships, learning performance, work and even prenatal development. This training will provide an overview of alcohol misuse amongst youth and adults and strategies to consume alcohol responsibly. Additionally, the training will discuss fetal alcohol syndrome, including discussions about what it is, risk factors, screening and how to support someone with it. Register Here

This training equips resource families and foster parents with essential knowledge and skills to foster healthy relationships and secure attachments with system-involved youth (SIY) in their care. By exploring attachment theory, different attachment styles, and the concepts of pro-dependency and codependency, caregivers can better support SIY with trauma histories while maintaining their own well-being. By focusing on attachment and adopting a pro-dependency mindset, caregivers can help youth thrive emotionally and relationally, even after experiencing adversity.

It’s crucial for social service providers to recognize and understand adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the youth and families they work with. Research has shown that ACEs are linked to negative health outcomes throughout one’s lifespan including shortening one’s life expectancy. So, it’s crucial for social service providers to screen for ACEs, try to prevent ACEs and mediate when ACEs are identified. Register Here

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 training will provide an overview of attachment, the impact trauma has on attachment and trauma bonding with those impacted by sex trafficking and domestic violence. Register Here

Clients who have Substance Use Disorders are in every part of our system. This 2-day 15-hour in-depth pre-licensure class on the assessment of substance-related disorders was developed for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs. It is also appropriate for anyone else in the behavioral health field who wants simply to learn more about this important issue.

This ten-hour course will cover topics in aging and long-term care for the LCSW, MFT and Psychologist pre-license education requirement in CA. This course is only for those who entered a degree program on or after 1/1/2004; for all others this is not a pre-licensure requirement. Some myths and stereotypes of aging will be explored, which may influence your ability to effectively assess and treat the elderly, and their children and grandchildren who may be struggling to assist them with a myriad of physical, psychological and social needs.

Clients who have Substance Use Disorders are in every part of our system. This 2-day 15-hour in-depth pre-licensure class on the assessment of substance-related disorders was developed for ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs. It is also appropriate for anyone else in the behavioral health field who wants simply to learn more about this important issue.

Many social service providers provide workshops and groups for at-risk youth, and many have not been formally taught how to facilitate groups. This training will provide an overview of best practices of group facilitation. Participants will also learn how to navigate challenging situations in groups such as redirecting a youth, a youth monopolizing the conversation, etc. 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.

The CSEC101/CSE-IT training provides foundational knowledge including an understanding of commercial sexual exploitation, an understanding of trauma, and a review of helpful approaches and engagement skills for children and youth who have experienced sexual exploitation.

This training explores the use of the social and emotional learning (SEL) framework to support youth in care to develop self-awareness, self-management and interpersonal skills. Participants will gain insights into how these skills help youth in care build resilience and establish healthier relationships. This training introduces creative arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being. Through discussion, reflection and hands-on activities, participants will learn how SEL principles can be integrated into everyday practices to support physical and emotional regulation. The course will provide practical methods to calm the mind and body, with a focus on the role of creativity in physical and emotional regulation. Participants will be guided through creative exercises that can […]

During this introductory training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, participants will have an overview of depression as it relates to youth. The training will provide a brief overview on the causes of depression and what possible symptoms are for youth. Participants will gain practical skills to assess, respond to, and support a youth who is experiencing depressive episodes. By attending this training, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion regarding common services and support for caregivers of youth who are experiencing depressive episodes. This training will support service providers with an understanding of how depression may show up for a youth as it relates to their mood, physically and cognitively. The […]

This training will focus on interactions with first responders while caring for youth or families. Participants will explore reasons key situations such as psychiatric emergencies, interactions with law enforcement, and medical emergencies, including why a provider might initiate those services and how to navigate and collaborate with first responders.

With a growing awareness of generational trauma, there’s a growing awareness that many caregivers of system-involved youth have experienced their own trauma. These unhealed wounds can pop up at unexpected times and can make caregiving more difficult. This training will provide an overview of trauma triggers that can arise in caregivers and strategies to address them. Register Here

Trauma can impact one’s understanding and experience of intimacy, and given the high rates of sexual abuse amongst system-involved youth and young adults, it’s important that social service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to talk about relationships, dating and sex after sexual abuse. Despite how common this can be amongst sexual abuse survivors; it is often not addressed in services. In this training, the trainer will discuss how trauma impacts one’s relationship with sex and how to support transitional age youth in developing a healthier understanding and experience of sex. Register Here

This training is for child welfare professionals and will build confidence around connecting with a youth exhibiting sexualized behavior, acknowledging connection to social support is essential in promoting prosocial behavior, boundaries, harm reduction, and building safety for the youth.

This Human Sexuality training provides those who support system-involved youth with a comprehensive exploration of the physiological, psychological, and social factors that influence sexual development. Through a blend of didactic instruction, reflective exercises, and case studies participants will strengthen their competence in working with diverse youth. Special emphasis is placed on ethical practice, trauma-informed care, and affirming approaches that support the unique experiences of foster youth and system-involved youth. Attendees will leave with practical tools to assess and address sexuality-related issues in a way that promotes safety, dignity, and healing for the young people they serve.

“With the rise in opioid-related deaths across the nation, an informed community response is needed now more than ever. This training will cover the essential components of opioid overdose care and intranasal naloxone (NARCAN) administration in youth. During an interactive presentation, attendees will learn about what causes opioid overdose through a medical lens as well as how to identify and treat overdose victims as community bystanders as well as while working with youth and families.5 CAMFT/RN CEUs) “

Relapse prevention planning is helpful with youth and young adults struggling with a variety of issues from substance use, self-harm, engagement in the commercial sex industry, etc. This training will provide an overview of relapse prevention planning to help you teach youth and young adults about relapse prevention and create a relapse prevention plan. Register Here

This training will support staff in understanding the history and definition of the Lanterman-Petris Short Act and how the 5150/5585 process works in youth care. The course will provide staff with the opportunity to review the process, evaluate their internal processes and discuss strategies to safely support youth while in crisis.

This training session is designed to equip service/support providers working with system-involved youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to address substance abuse issues effectively. The training will focus on understanding the root causes of substance abuse among youth in the system, exploring prevention strategies, and identifying evidence-based strategies for addressing substance abuse. Participants will engage in interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises to enhance their ability to support system-involved youth in making healthy choices and overcoming substance abuse challenges.

Unfortunately, bullying is becoming more common amongst system-involved youth so it’s crucial social service providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address it with youth and know how to support their parents/caregivers. This training will provide an overview of bullying online, in schools/learning environments and in communities. Register Here

Disordered eating and eating disorders are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disorders, available treatments, and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have one with one and at risk of one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with an eating disruption. Register Here

Many system-involved youth and transitional age youth struggle to make sense of their emotions and regulate them in an adaptive manner. Without this knowledge, it can hinder goals and aspirations youth have. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively support system-involved kids and teens in increasing their emotional regulation skills. Additionally, many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions and can dwell on self-defeating thoughts. Mindfulness is a helpful skill to help those that support system-involved youth to be present and engaged with them as well as a great skill to teach youth to practice so they don’t get lost in their thoughts and emotions. […]

This workshop is geared toward providers, professionals, caregivers, and others working with youth at risk for suicide. The workshop uses a combination of teaching methods including didactic work, lecture, and discussion. The workshop will encourage participants to explore their own reactions towards suicide and suicidal youth. It will address common myths and perceptions about suicide and suicidal behavior. The workshop will cover suicide statistics, trauma, and suicide theory with an emphasis on Thomas Joiners model: The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Risk factors, warning signs and protective factors will be introduced and reviewed. Participants will learn methods of suicide risk assessment and will be introduced to screening tools that aid in […]

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.

Given that alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst adults and youth, it’s important for social service providers to understand the potential harms associated with alcohol misuse as it can impact relationships, learning performance, work and even prenatal development. This training will provide an overview of alcohol misuse amongst youth and adults and strategies to consume alcohol responsibly. Additionally, the training will discuss fetal alcohol syndrome, including discussions about what it is, risk factors, screening and how to support someone with it. Register Here

Peer pressure impacts many at-risk youths. Developmentally, teens are seeking approval from their peers, placing them at heightened risk for succumbing to social influence. Join us as we provide an overview of adolescent development and the impact of social influence on teens. This training will equip participants to have conversations with youth about peer pressure as well as strategies to teach them for how to navigate peer pressure. We’ll also talk about running away and how that relates to adolescent development and social influences. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/relationship-between-social-influence-adolescent-development-tickets-1657507211689?aff=oddtdtcreator

Trainees will learn about the neurodiversity model and how to apply this model to ADHD. Topics covered will include the strengths and differences model, neurobiological impact of ADHD and the “”ADHD brain””, giving feedback, and understanding the importance of identifying ADHD symptoms. Trainees will incorporate examples into understanding of their work with foster youth in this two week training.

In this class participants will learn: 1) California Telehealth legal codes and Telehealth professional codes of ethics including: informed consent, privacy, working with people out of state, preparing for crisis, and handling technology failure; 2) Research on Telehealth and 3) Best practicing when providing online services.

This ten-hour course will cover topics in aging and long-term care for the LCSW, MFT and Psychologist pre-license education requirement in CA. This course is only for those who entered a degree program on or after 1/1/2004; for all others this is not a pre-licensure requirement. Some myths and stereotypes of aging will be explored, which may influence your ability to effectively assess and treat the elderly, and their children and grandchildren who may be struggling to assist them with a myriad of physical, psychological and social needs.

If you are a supervisor and are supervising unlicensed support providers who are working with system-involved youth and their families, this is an important training for you. We will focus on issues in supervision and also on some legal issues of supervision. Learning will include ethical boundaries in supervision and how this parallels boundaries that support providers need to establish and maintain in their relationships with system-involved youth and their families. We will also describe and review the relevance of countertransference in the supervisory relationship and how to help supervisees identify this in order to stay focused on, and most effectively address, the needs of system-involved youth and their families. […]

Meeting ethical and legal standards is foundational for the provision of competent services and support for system involved youth. Many dimensions of these standards are clear and have remained constant over the years. Yet others continue to evolve, and mental health and social services professionals routinely confront complex and ambiguous ethical and legal situations. The purpose of this course is to give those who serve and support system involved youth an opportunity to renew and sharpen their ability to engage in knowledgeable and effective ethical decision-making, and understand and apply ethical and legal standards to challenges inherent within efforts to serve and support children, adolescents and families. The course also […]

This training describes the need for contextualized assessment in working with foster youth and community systems. The origin of psychological assessment at WestCoast Children’s Clinic required a unique framework for assessment that was different from a traditional model that originated in a standardization sample that did not reflect youth and families in the community. The assessment model in this training is characterized by: a historical and contextualized approach, transparency of the process, collaboration between provider and client, and therapeutic intervention. The history of psychological assessment in the last 35 years will be presented as crucial to working systemically.

As professionals we are often invited to slip into conversations about the people who consult us when they are not present. This training will focus on the real and possible effects of these second, or dual, dialogues.

“This engaging training introduces the theory of emotional intelligence to participants and gives those who are involved in efforts which support system-involved youth an opportunity to explore and better understand emotions to enhance communication, foster empathy, and create a more collaborative and supportive environment. Participants will leave with knowledge and skills that will help them become more effective in the development of emotional intelligence and help them develop a deeper understanding of their own emotions and the emotions of others involved in efforts which support system-involved youth and families. “

This training will support participants to develop common language and frameworks for navigating challenging conversations, practicing accountability, and building a culture of trust on their teams and in their programs. In this session there will be an opportunity for participants to practice preparing for courageous conversations, having courageous conversations, and practice concrete next steps that allows for safe to fail opportunities to deepen their skills to navigate conflict and communicate more effectively.

When helping people who have experienced trauma in their lives we tend to focus only on the effects of the trauma. Although this can be important work, it can also trap people in a story of how they have been victimized. This training is designed to assist participants in paying attention to how youth have responded to traumatic experiences and what this might indicate about what they hold as important.

This 4 hour course reviews Law and Regulations for Short-Term Residential Treatment Program. It includes a review of Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 1, & Subchapter 4.6 as well as the Interim Licensing Standards Version 4.0.

Meeting ethical and legal standards is foundational in the provision of competent mental health and recovery service. Many dimensions of these standards are clear and have remained constant over the years. Yet others continue to evolve, and social workers and mental health professionals (MHPs) routinely confront complex and ambiguous ethical and legal situations. The purpose of this course is to give MHPs an opportunity to renew and sharpen their ability to engage in knowledgeable and effective ethical decision-making, and to understand and apply ethical and legal standards to challenges inherent in clinical work. The course also has the goal of assisting participants in better managing the risks of clinical practice. […]

In work with system involved youth and families there are numerous legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind. In this class participants will learn: 1) California telehealth legal codes and telehealth professional codes of ethics including: informed consent, privacy, working with people out of state, preparing for crisis, and handling technology failure; 2) research on telemental health; 3) best practicing when providing online health and mental services; 4) general consent for treatment requirements; 5) privacy issue including in the use of technology; and 6) required mandatory reporting. This class meets the 3 hour, one time requirement for a telemental health course for all registrants and licensed mental health providers, […]

This presentation introduces participants to the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (D.I.R.) model and its uses for working with children with neuro-developmental variations. The training will underscore the sensory, motor, and communication challenges that may compromise a child’s ability to be engaged. The training will also introduce participants to the foundations to D.I.R. as a framework for helping children engage. Last, we will illustrate the power of affect to mobilize a child’s capacities, especially via telehealth modalities. Special attention will be paid to engaging youth where there may be both a neuro-developmental variation and complex trauma.

Dive deep into the world of neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorders with this dynamic training opportunity tailored for professionals working with system-involved youth. Through interactive sessions and engaging discussions, participants will uncover the intersection of disability movements, communication challenges, and environmental influences on the well-being of neurodiverse individuals. Armed with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of respectful language and advocacy, attendees will leave empowered to support the holistic needs of the youth they serve.

This training invokes effective narrative practices to improve and deepen engagement. More specifically, it speaks to the identification and utilization of “Intentional Strengths” as a foundational piece of the engagement and relationship building process. This training speaks to the differentiation between the identification of internal strengths and intentional strengths and identifies the additional benefits of determining the intentional aspects of strengths while providing guidance as to process of enriching strengths discussions.

This training orients participants to the child welfare systems in the United States, and the pathways that bring children/youth to foster care or adoption. The training covers issues related to child maltreatment. Child welfare services, foster care placement and various permanency options. This training serves as an overview for caregivers, child welfare professionals, and service providers to understand how the child welfare system operates in the United States and how it responds to vulnerable children and families, and ways that children in the Bay Area, and specifically Alameda County enter the system. Participants will become acquainted with the following concepts: child maltreatment reporting requirements and responses, differential response, child welfare […]

*This fifteen-hour training is required for those who are becoming supervisors for ACSWs, AMFTs, APCCs, and Psych interns.* Clinical Supervision is an important tool used to enrich the relationship between providers and clients in child welfare. This fifteen-hour training shows providers supporting youth in foster care how clinical supervision is performed, and how that performance directly effects clients in care. It discusses how clinical supervision courses are required every two years for those supervising MFTis, LPCCis and Psych interns. Topics covered will include effects of paperwork in supervision, exploration of supervisory styles and choices, as well as challenges and obstacles encountered in supervision. Time will be allowed for questions, cases […]

*This fifteen-hour training is required for those who are becoming supervisors for ACSWs, AMFTs, APCCs, and Psych interns.* Clinical Supervision is an important tool used to enrich the relationship between providers and clients in child welfare. This fifteen-hour training shows providers supporting youth in foster care how clinical supervision is performed, and how that performance directly effects clients in care. It discusses how clinical supervision courses are required every two years for those supervising MFTis, LPCCis and Psych interns. Topics covered will include effects of paperwork in supervision, exploration of supervisory styles and choices, as well as challenges and obstacles encountered in supervision. Time will be allowed for questions, cases […]

Service providers working with system involved children, youth, and families are held to many local, state, and federal expectations. Among these expectations include adhering to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), privacy practices (including confidentiality), and mandated reporting. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of HIPAA, protected health information (PHI), confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements for service providers. Due to the ever changing nature of how we communicate with children, families, and other services this training will include how to ensure electronic communications adhere to the requirements as well. Mandated reporting will cover child and elder abuse reporting practices. This course has been customized for ABW staff and […]

Trainees will learn about the neurodiversity model and how to apply this model to ADHD. Topics covered will include the strengths and differences model, neurobiological impact of ADHD and the “”ADHD brain””, giving feedback, and understanding the importance of identifying ADHD symptoms. Trainees will incorporate examples into understanding of their work with foster youth in this two week training.

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.

For individuals who have experienced trauma, healthcare settings can be intimidating and even triggering. It’s important to learn how to support and advocate for trauma survivors to ensure they stay on top of their health. This training will be provided in English and Spanish. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bilingual-advocating-for-sexual-abuse-survivors-in-healthcare-settings-tickets-1595760896799?aff=oddtdtcreator Register Here

This 4-hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s the skills to enhance behavior strategies for staff working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults with an understanding of who the youth are, where they come from and why they do what they do, through an exploration of multiple forms of abuse often suffered by the youth. Participants will examine issues such as mandated reporting (to CPS or Police), developmental effects of abuses and the cycle of violence as it pertains to both parents and children.

System-Involved Youth (SIY) continually face the challenge of processing non-death losses that lack clarity, definition, and finality. These Ambiguous Losses also lack official or social verification, and often complicate grief for SIY and their caregivers. This training will educate participants about ambiguous loss and provide education on how to effectively support system-involved youth and their families living with the pain and uncertainty of non-death loss. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, self-reflection, learning activities, coping strategies, break out room sharing, guided participant discussion, and Questions & Answers.

There is a growing awareness of youth and young adults being exploited in the commercial sex industry and many system-involved youth can find themselves caught up in it. This training will provide an overview of commercial sexual exploitation that includes prevalence, risk factors, pathways of entry, recruitment and ways to support trafficked youth. This training will be provided in English and Spanish. This is a TWO DAY TRAINING Register Here

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 training will provide an overview of attachment, the impact trauma has on attachment and trauma bonding with those impacted by sex trafficking and domestic violence. Register Here

When caring for and supporting foster youth you can often face challenges of crises, placement instability, or system pressures. These can lead to quick decisions or unintended consequences for youth and families, especially when the needs and strengths of youth are not maintained as a guiding force. This training focuses on the importance of self-reflection, humility and self-care as a means of building capacity to deliver care for foster youth who experience trauma.

Service providers working with youth at times learn of information that impacts the family and house environment. This training will explore ways to provide feedback in a way that resonates with caregivers. Participants will identify different levels of feedback, underlying principles in the process of giving difficult feedback, and ways to support caregivers in the moment when hearing challenging feedback. This training will include case examples and small group discussion and activities.

During this introductory training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, participants will have an overview of depression as it relates to youth. The training will provide a brief overview on the causes of depression and what possible symptoms are for youth. Participants will gain practical skills to assess, respond to, and support a youth who is experiencing depressive episodes. By attending this training, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion regarding common services and support for caregivers of youth who are experiencing depressive episodes. This training will support service providers with an understanding of how depression may show up for a youth as it relates to their mood, physically and cognitively. The […]

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. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

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. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

This training is meant to offer providers helpful suggestions on how to best support system-impacted youth and families experiencing grief and loss. The training will include an overview of how grief is experienced in children and adolescents at different developmental stages, how children show their grief, the impact of grief on learning and grief triggers. There will be discussion of several types of losses including primary, secondary and cumulative and how this may affect the grieving process. This training will include books on the topic of grief as well as hands-on activities that can be used with system-impacted youth and families to normalize their experience and provide psychoeducation.

With a growing awareness of generational trauma, there’s a growing awareness that many caregivers of system-involved youth have experienced their own trauma. These unhealed wounds can pop up at unexpected times and can make caregiving more difficult. This training will provide an overview of trauma triggers that can arise in caregivers and strategies to address them. Register Here

Trauma can impact one’s understanding and experience of intimacy, and given the high rates of sexual abuse amongst system-involved youth and young adults, it’s important that social service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to talk about relationships, dating and sex after sexual abuse. Despite how common this can be amongst sexual abuse survivors; it is often not addressed in services. In this training, the trainer will discuss how trauma impacts one’s relationship with sex and how to support transitional age youth in developing a healthier understanding and experience of sex. Register Here

Youth in care who have engaged in harmful acts are often met with a punitive response from systems using traditional punishment-oriented responses. This can lead to shame, ostracizing, or isolation of the youth from their communities, families, and peers. A more useful response to harm or transgressions can help to maintain relationships, as is discussed from a Restorative Practices framework. This training will explore how Restorative Practice concepts may be used in systems serving youth to improve relationships, and improve engagement.

Youth in care who have engaged in harmful acts are often met with a punitive response from systems using traditional punishment-oriented responses. This can lead to shame, ostracizing, or isolation of the youth from their communities, families, and peers. A more useful response to harm or transgressions can help to maintain relationships, as is discussed from a Restorative Practices framework. This training will explore how Restorative Practice concepts may be used in systems serving youth to improve relationships, and improve engagement.

This presentation introduces participants to the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (D.I.R.) model and its uses for working with children with neuro-developmental variations. The training will underscore the sensory, motor, and communication challenges that may compromise a child’s ability to be engaged. The training will also introduce participants to the foundations to D.I.R. as a framework for helping children engage. Last, we will illustrate the power of affect to mobilize a child’s capacities, especially via telehealth modalities. Special attention will be paid to engaging youth where there may be both a neuro-developmental variation and complex trauma.

This training provides an overview of STAT. STAT is a screening and assessment program for youth in the CWS who have recently changed placements. This training will review the basic care and supervision of children who come to the Alameda Co. Assessment Center after being removed from their family due to abuse or neglect. The screening/assessment procedures of children who come to Alameda County Assessment Center will be reviewed. This training will also cover how to assist children’s transition to and stabilization in the foster home, group home, or placement with relative after they leave the Assessment Center.