**6 clock hours can be provided for educators**

Four part workshop:

May 12, 6:00-7:30pm: Understanding Trauma to be a Trauma-Responsive Parent & Educator

May 19, 6:00-7:30pm: Trauma, Its Impact & Why What We Bring To The Table Matters

May 26, 6:00-7:30pm: Trauma-responsive Strategies

June 2, 6:00-7:30pm: Understanding the Importance of Self Care

For more than a year we have been experiencing a collective trauma that has resurfaced unresolved traumas and created new ones. The shelter in place and lock downs meant social isolation, which resulted in increases in depression and anxiety among children and adolescents. This holds true for adults as well. It is not uncommon to downplay the impact the pandemic has had on our wellbeing. If we do not address our own traumas and develop strategies for managing the effects trauma has on our body and mind, then we run the risk of re-traumatizing our children. Being trauma-responsive is about the adult first and the child second. We cannot help our children process their trauma if we haven’t first worked on ourselves.

The Inside-Out Workshop is designed to broaden the social and emotional awareness within ourselves. When we are able to recognize how our mind and body reacts to something that triggers our trauma, we can take steps to heal it through self-awareness, self-regulation and mindfulness. With greater self-awareness we are able to recognize our own triggers so that we are able to help our children learn to do the same.

In this 4-part interactive series you will:

• Gain foundational knowledge about trauma and its effects on the mind and body. Engage in “inside-out” work to recognize your own triggers and identify areas that need healing.

• Unpack how trauma induced behavior shows up at home and in school. Recognize that what we bring to the table matters.

• Learn trauma-responsive strategies to be more skillful in your approach and develop resilience in your child or student.

• Understand the importance of self-care and create a plan for implementing self-care strategies into your daily life.

About the Facilitator

Michelle John is a trauma-responsive and equity-minded leader with a Social Work background. She grew up in the Snoqualmie Valley and is passionate about using her personal and professional experience to better the lives of valley residents, especially youth. Michelle brings thoughtfulness, care, critical inquiry, and an equity-centered approach to her role as Youth Resilience and Community Resource Coordinator with Empower Youth Network.

About the Organization

Empower Youth Network inspires and promotes youth to lead safe, healthy, and successful lives. Healthy youth and families are a priority for the Empower Youth Network, and youth suicide and substance abuse prevention are two of our highest priorities. This important work must involve all sectors of the community in collaboration to change norms and environmental conditions that influence personal health decisions. You are invited to bring your energy, passion, and care to meetings, events, and initiatives. Please visit us at www.empoweryouthnetwork.org. Together, we are creating a caring community.