Trauma and the Brain: Understanding Neurodevelopment in System-Involved Youth

Nola Kesia Brantley

Training Description

This 3-hour training provides service and support providers of system-involved youth  with a foundational understanding of how trauma impacts brain development, behavior, and relationships in children and adolescents. Participants will explore the neurobiological effects of chronic stress, attachment disruption, and adversity, with a focus on youth involved in foster care and the juvenile justice system. Through lecture, discussion, and case-based learning, attendees will gain practical, trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation, resilience, and healing. The training emphasizes how understanding neurodevelopment enhances effective engagement and long-term outcomes for system-involved youth.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Identify three primary brain regions impacted by trauma and describe how these changes influence behavior and learning in youth.