Applying Harm Reduction with At-Risk Youth and Young Adults

Nola Kesia Brantley

Training Description

Foster youth are at high risk of unsafe/unhealthy behaviors, so it is necessary for those who support them to learn how to most effectively do so. Harm reduction is being identified as a best practice for reducing harm and increasing safety. This training will provide an overview of harm reduction and how apply it with at-risk system-involved youth. The trainer will focus on applying harm reduction principles in alignment with the Stages of Change model with system involved youth. The trainer will also touch on risk identification and safety planning.

Learning Objectives

· Participants will be able to explain the concept of harm reduction.

· Participants will be able to apply at least 1 harm reduction principle with system involved youth.

· Participants will acquire at least 3 harm reduction strategies they can utilize with system involved youth who have engaged or are engaging in unsafe behaviors.

Agenda

1:00-1:15pm  Welcome and introductions

1:15-1:30pm  Defining Harm Reduction

1:30-1:45pm  How Harm Reduction Applies to Us

1:45-2:00pm  Harm reduction fundamentals

2:00-2:15pm  The Harm Reduction Continuum

2:15-2:30pm  Rescuing Victims

2:30-2:45pm  Harm Reduction and At-Risk Youth

2:45-3:00pm  Applying Harm Reduction Principles

3:00-3:15pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

3:15-3:35pm  Harm Reduction: Drug Use

3:35-3:50pm  Harm Reduction: Risky Sexual Behavior

3:50-4:05pm  Harm Reduction: Street Exposure

4:05-4:20pm  Stages of Change

4:20-4:35pm  Safety Planning

4:35-4:50pm  Vignettes

4:50-5:00pm  Wrap Up

Meet Our Trainer

Nola Kesia Brantley, CEO & Founder of Nola Brantley Speaks has become nationally recognized as a powerful Survivor voice for the issue of child sex trafficking through her moving and information packed public speaking. Her hard work and perpetual vigilance has brought both focus and concrete resources to this chronically underserved and largely unrecognized population of victimized youth. Nola’s approach aims to be holistic!

This course meets the qualifications for (3.75) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.