Neurodevelopment and the Impact of Trauma on System-Involved Youth

Sonja Lenz-Rashid, PhD, LCSW

Training Description

The training will take a neurodevelopmental approach and highlight the impact of trauma on brain development and cognitive functioning at different stages of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. This course provides an overview of Adverse Childhood experiences (ACES), early brain development, and how complex trauma can affect the development of system involved youth. Attendees will learn about the impact of such trauma, as well as gain a deeper understanding on how it may show up in relationships and behaviors of system involved youth.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Explain at least 2 elements of typical Neurodevelopment in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence.

• Explain at least 2 potential impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence for system involved youth.

• Identify 3 techniques supporting a system involved youth in their healing from trauma in early childhood relationships.

Agenda 

9:30-9:40am  Introductions and Training Objectives 

9:40-10:15am  Section I: Overview of Typical Brain Development – Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence 

10:15-10:45am  Section II: Review of Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment 

10:45-11:15am  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) background – assessment techniques

11:15-11:45am  Section III: Impact of Trauma on Brain Structure and Activity  - recent research

11:45-12pm  Section IV: Impact of Trauma on Behavioral, Social, Emotional Functioning

12:00-12:20pm  Section V: Case Vignettes 

12:20-12:30pm  Closure and Wrap-up

Meet Our Trainer

Dr. Sonja Lenz-Rashid, LCSW, is a Professor of Social Work at San Francisco State University and a Co-founder and Faculty Research Evaluator of the SF State Guardian Scholars Program (GSP). Launched in 2005, the GSP serves over 100 current and former foster care youth on campus and has an annual budget of over $1 million (and is a non-profit on campus). Dr. Lenz-Rashid has studied the outcomes of, and best practice models for, former foster care youth at the national, state and Bay Area levels. Her research and publications have provided valuable feedback to child welfare administrators, legislators, and program developers in how best to serve these disenfranchised young people using evidence-based practice. She is also a consultant, trainer and clinical supervisor at a number of Bay Area non-profits serving children and youth being served by the foster care, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems. She has over twenty-five years serving vulnerable youth in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This course meets the qualifications for (3.0) 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.