Fostering a Sense of Safety

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals

Recognize the key elements of physical safety in schools, and how commonly utilized practices (e.g., fire drills, lockdowns) can be trauma-informed.
Review school “hot spots,” and develop strategies to ensure physical safety in those areas (e.g., active supervision).
Define psychological safety, and the key elements that contribute to a learning environment that allows individuals to express their thoughts, ideas and concerns without fear of judgment.
Learn strategies that promote regulation and relationships in service of building safe learning communities.

harnessing resilience through peer support

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals

Define and describe SAMHSA’s concept of trauma as it relates to peer support.
Describe how peer support can be an effective means of fostering resilience in individuals who have experienced trauma.
Identify strategies and techniques that increase opportunities for peer support for all stakeholders (e.g., students, caregivers and staff).
Identify and implement strategies to increase the capacity for supporting individuals who are providing support to their peers.

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals:

Define empowerment, voice and choice as it relates to trauma-informed care
Understand the importance of developing input and feedback mechanisms for children, families, staff and communities.
Explore the benefits and challenges associated with creating opportunities for voice and choice.
Identify specific practices that include a diversity of voices in decision-making at the building level.

Audience: Multidisciplinary Team

Goals

Understand the concepts of trust and transparency in the context of educational institutions, and differentiate between trust-building behaviors, transparent communication and barriers.
Understand how trauma impacts attachment, and how fostering positive relationships among students, teachers, families, and administrators builds trust.
Identify strategies that build trusting relationships and a positive classroom culture, including transparent communication, reciprocity and shared responsibility to address power differentials.
Investigate the role of transparency in school policies, decision-making processes, and resource allocation.

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals:

Understand the role that collaboration and mutuality play in reducing power differentials.
Describe how collaboration and mutuality can increase student, staff and caregiver engagement in educational decisions/activities.
Learn strategies that promote collaboration and mutuality in supporting academic and social growth in multiple arenas.
Increase awareness of external mental health agencies and trusted organizations available in the community.

Audience: ALL district staff

Goals:

Identify key attributes of cultural humility.
Understand the impact of historical trauma and its effects on specific populations.
Recognize and understand issues in education related to gender.
Learn and apply culturally responsive teaching strategies.