Generational Trauma & Healing Pathways for System-Involved Youth and Families

Nola Kesia Brantley

Training Description

This training equips participants with an understanding of how trauma can affect system-involved youth and families across generations through psychological, relational, and biological pathways. Participants will learn how generational patterns may influence caregiving practices, communication, stress responses, and health outcomes. The training then shifts to healing pathways by focusing on practical, trauma-informed approaches that support safety, stability, culture, and repair within youth, families and service systems. Through guided discussion and scenario-based learning, participants will practice engagement strategies that reduce harm while strengthening protective factors and long-term wellbeing for system-involved youth.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to define generational/intergenerational trauma and explain at least two common mechanisms.

• Participants will be able to identify at least one way in which trauma histories can influence present-day behaviors, parenting practices, and help-seeking among system-involved youth and their families.