Participants will learn about how trauma affects the brain, the emotional responses to trauma, and effective strategies to respond to trauma triggers. This workshop will support participants in transforming any environment into one that is trauma informed and focused on building a stronger, more resilient and attentive community. Looking at trauma-informed care, participants will connect principles to meaningful practice. We will take a deeper dive into the learning brain versus the survival brain and how trauma and toxic stress impact everyday life. 

Participants will first learn about the history of restorative practices and how they transitioned from restorative justice to a more widespread restorative environments model. We will also explore restorative practices as a strategy to promote community, safety, healing, and empathy by setting up an effective restorative environment. We will talk about how to set up and implement restorative circles in a way that encourages participation at different levels. This workshop will give you the tools you need to start setting up a restorative environment and maintaining those practices to reach regular, consistent positive outcomes.

Participants will learn about the origins of chronic behaviors, how behaviors affect those who engage in them, and strategies for strengths-based approaches. If we can identify where behaviors originate, understand how the brain works, and separate the person from the behavior, we can support youth in repairing neural pathways interfering with positive outcomes. We will explore several examples of strengths-based approaches to transform environments resulting in academic and social success. Join us for this learning opportunity to address behaviors in a different way, rebuilding community and helping youth to heal and grow.

Participants will be provided an opportunity to look at ourselves as adults and in our positions of authority. Typically, we are the leading presence in the space we share with youth. Feeling small and insignificant is typical for youth experiencing trauma, shame, or for those who are struggling socially and academically. Sometimes the best we can do for youth and others who may be struggling to achieve positive outcomes is to “become tiny”. Young people, especially, are not always looking for adult responses. They don’t often want to be “fixed”. We can look at our role from a different light when we “become tiny” and allow others to be the big presence, and the highlight in their space. Join us to learn about becoming small to support a new environment where everyone is thriving. 

Participants will focus on our collective need for rescues from time to time, due to a variety of factors. This presentation will provide strategies and information to pinpoint why we fall and how to ensure we have the best parachute to help us land softly and with care.  We will explore the effects of toxic stress, trauma, chronic behavior, and negative messaging; all of which impact everyone's lives. Participants will be able to envision the best, personal parachute to help us fall softly by implementing strategies for success. This presentation gives everyone the validation that falling in life is commonplace, happens to everyone, and can be supported with effective, meaningful strategies.