The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on System Involved Youth

Dr. Laura S. Anderson

Training Description

Reports indicate that intimate partner violence has increased during the COVID pandemic. There is a lot of misinformation in the broader public about what contributes to patterns of violence in families. Many youth who are in the child welfare system have witnessed violence between adult caregivers, and they carry the emotional scars and behavioral symptoms of having been impacted. In this training we will explore ways participants can support children who have witnessed violence at home. The training will briefly review common trauma responses in children. Intimate partner violence (IPV) can have a distinct impact on youth and it can also be a particularly difficult thing to discuss with youth. As part of the training, concrete scripts for working with children and teens will be explored. We will also practice having hard conversations with parents about the impact of intimate partner violence on children. We will also review the latest research regarding how to promote resiliency and recovery for children who have been affected by caregiver domestic violence. Prevention tools and resources to address teen dating violence will also be discussed. This on-line class will include some information given and plenty of opportunities for interaction and practice.

Learning Objectives

· List 3 ways that exposure to domestic violence impacts youth at different ages

· Practice important conversations with youth to help build resilience

· Identify 3 ways to talk to parents about intimate partner violence and its impact on youth

· Identify tools to help with prevention of teen dating violence that often occurs with teens raised in homes with intimate partner violence

· Review case examples and discuss strategies to help families experiencing intimate partner violence

Agenda 

9:00-9:30am Explore the ways IPV impact is different from other traumatic impacts on children and teens

9:30-10:30am  Focus on using developmentally appropriate language to talk to kids and teens about IPV

10:30-11:00am  Supporting parents in understanding harm of IPV & ways to repair harm without shame

11:00-11:15am  Break (CEUs will not be offered for this time)

11:15am-12:00pm  Focusing on prevention of IPV for teens who have experienced it

12:00--12:45pm Case examples and safety planning

2:45-1:15pm  Summary and evaluations

Meet Our Trainer

Dr. Laura S. Anderson is a clinical child and family psychologist who is licensed in Hawaii and California, and she has worked with youth and families for over twenty years. Dr. Anderson is currently based primarily in Hawaii. Her areas of expertise include school-based behavioral health, assessment, support for adoptive families, support for gender expansive youth and their families, foster care consultation, and the provision of cross-culturally sensitive care. She is lucky to have had wonderful clinical mentors and enjoys teaching others things she has learned “in the trenches” of direct service to children, adolescents, families, schools, and various other agencies. Dr. Anderson enjoys working with kids, families, and systems as they overcome barriers, build on their strengths, and thrive.

This course meets the qualifications for (4) BBS CEUs 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.