Understanding Moral Injury to Better Support System-Involved Youth

Briana Moore

Training Description

This training provides participants with knowledge and skills to understand moral injury as the invisible harm that occurs when system-involved youth (SIY) and those who serve/support them experience repeated violations of values, fairness, trust, or choice. Participants will be able to recognize moral injury versus trauma, understanding how powerlessness and systemic constraints shape behavior, and identifying signs such as shame, anger, withdrawal, or distrust of authority. Participants will learn techniques that emphasize reflective practice, values-based discussion, case scenarios, and regulation-focused strategies that support accountability without reinforcing blame or shame. Participants will be equipped to respond to youth involved in multiple systems with greater empathy, curiosity, and ethical clarity—strengthening relationships, reducing conflict, and promoting dignity-centered healing within complex systems.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and distinguish at least 4 core features of moral injury from trauma and burnout in system-involved youth and service/support providers, including value violation, powerlessness, shame,…