Supporting Mental Health and Wellness for System Involved Youth and Families

Rafael Avendaño

Training Description

The class aims to support clinicians, caretakers and educators by offering them knowledge about physical and mental behaviors that exist, and hinder system involved youth and their families. In this training we will learn about becoming aware of how environment affects family health and how it is a key indicator to best assist family wellness. In this training we will cover the importance of time, health, resources and community. Join us to learn methods to support mental health and wellness for families to achieve greater success at home and in their surrounding community. We will learn about family wellness planning and go into scientific evidence that shows that improving the quality and the longevity of family life is all about choice. This course offers a framework for youth practitioners of all experience levels to get current data on mental and physical health and also creates a space to exchange ideas, experiences and resources to further their development.

Learning Objective

• Participants will learn about family health and wellness planning and current data on family health hindering system involved youth and families
• Participants will learn about the importance of community involvement and how that assists positive family outcomes with emotional and physical health
• Participants will learn methods to strengthen cross collaboration resource sharing to support family health
• Participants will take time to learn more about system involved youth and family development and creating empathy

Agenda 

9:00am - 9:20am-Introductions

9:20am - 9:30am-Icebreaker

9:30am - 10:00am-Mental health and Wellness in Schools, Communities and Societies

10:00am - 10:15am-What health and wellness programs are in your community that you know of?

10:15am - 10:45am-For overall wellness get the caregiver, get the kid!

10:45am - 11:00am-Break (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

11:00am - 11:40am-Wellness For Greater Family Success for System Involved Youth and Families

11:40am - 11:50am-Groupshare

11:50am - 12:00pm- Evaluation

Meet Our Trainer

Rafael has over a decade of experience in nonprofit management. He is currently the director of the Siena Youth Center the community center specializes in education, art and self-expression, advocacy and health and wellness. Rafael Joined the St. Francis Center in January of 2012 and was hired to help start the youth and community programs for Siena Youth Center. Prior to his tenure at the center he was the program director of programs at the San Leandro Boys and Girls Club for five years.  Rafael knows firsthand what the impact of not having anything to do after school can mean as youth programs helped him when he was a youth. He brings enthusiasm, charisma, and passion to his work of creating quality sports programs and enrichment programs for youth and adults. Rafael believes that with the support of the community, youth, and local county government families can achieve their dreams.

Rafael’s drive, unique teaching ability and belief in the power of mentorship have helped him inspire children and adults to find the confidence they need. Rafael currently holds his Bachelor’s in Science degree in public management with a specialization in human resources degree from Colorado State University and has earned his Masters in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco. On his free time Rafael loves to spend time with his wife and family, go to church, support programs that advocate towards injustice and spend time outdoors with friends and the Trips For Kids Bulldog Riders around the peninsula.

Rafael is continuing to add community facing activities for parents and youth.  He is working with Friends for Youth, PAL, Star Vista, and PCRC on various programs that introduce new concepts to the community.

This course meets the qualifications for (2.75) BBS CEUs for LCSWs and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.