Trauma-Informed Learning Environments

(NRC Independence Academy PD)

Dates:  April 25 and May 16, 2018
Time:  1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Presenter: Chris Green, Trauma Speciallist, Institute for Health and Recovery (part 1 of 2)

Workshop Objectives:

• Educate participants about the impact of trauma and mental illness and develop an enhanced understanding of trauma's impact on cognitive, social and behavioral functioning in children
• Provide training and technical assistance to the audience to create trauma-informed environments and care
• Assist staff in identifying and utilizing hands-on, trauma-informed strategies within the milieu
• Assess staff's abilities concerning trauma-related incidents and motivate staff to approach incidents in a trauma-informed manner

Three general components:

1. DIDACTIC: Review and define the definition of trauma, types of trauma, the effects on the brain and body, trauma, substance use and mental illness and trauma-informed principles. (1 hour)
2. PRACTICUM: Review a scenario of a student displaying a trauma reaction at school, the basics skills to work with this student, focus on safety, calmness, self-awareness, etc.; role plays to act out similar incidents, and peer reviews to support staff to review and utilize T-I practices. 
3. COMPASSION FATIGUE/SELF-CARE: How to minimize the effects of working with high-risk students; defining CF, Secondary Trauma and Burnout; brainstorm and do activities to assess and develop strategies to “Leave work at work” and decompress and enjoy life!