Rebuilding for Learning Summit VI

Trauma is real, and it is more prevalent than we might believe. In this engaging, relevant, and practical session, learn from childhood trauma expert Kristin Souers (lead author of Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for creating a trauma-sensitive classroom) about the importance of trauma informed practices in the community setting.  This key note will encourage participants to begin to identify ways they can come together and connect around a common language and common set of practices that can unite community members around implementation of trauma informed practices.

• Participants will collaborate to identify best practices associated with trauma-informed care that they can implement into their workplace settings. 

Kristin Souers is a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Washington. Kristin has a Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor's of Science degree from Santa Clara University. She is an assistant director at Washington State University's Child and Family Research Unit (CAFRU) in the CLEAR Trauma Center. Kristin also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Masters of Counseling Psychology Program at Gonzaga University. She is an expert in understanding the impact of trauma on individuals and families and has provided consultation and training on this topic to education and human services systems for more than 20 years. She can be reached at ksouers@comcast.net.

• Discuss drug exposure.
• How drug exposure affects children.
• How drug exposure impacts children long term. 

• Become aware of the Boys & Girls Clubs mission & philosophy
• Become aware of the vast array of Boys & Girls Club programming opportunities
• Learn and be able to apply the “Formula For Impact”
• Learn how teachers and the Boys & Girls Club can partner for positive outcomes for youth

Mike Desmond
Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse

Kemmesha Thomas
Logan High School Graduate and State of Wisconsin Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

• Learn the mission and areas of focus of the Cultural Liaison Program
• Be introduced to several culturally related resouces
• Learn about resources and programs for Native American students

Kipling Williams, PhD, is the primary researcher for Reject Film. He is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. He is most noted for his research on ostracism, and has developed unique methods to study the process and consequences. Williams has conducted research in several areas, including aggression, group processes, and close relationships. However, he has specific research topics that include ostracism, social loafing, and social compensation.  As with Kristin above, you can learn a bit more about Kip’s work via the following Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/62789770

Participants will be introduced to and provided with opportunities to reflect on information centered around the role that trauma plays in terms of its impact on the child; the power of relationships and the role they plays in the establishment and maintenance of community safety; This professional development experience will emphasize strength-based approaches to use with students, families, fellow faculty, school personnel, and community members.

Participants will deepen their understanding of the prevalence of childhood trauma and the impact of trauma and toxic stress on learning and development.

Participants will explore multiple strategies for community members to utilize with children with (known and unknown) trauma histories – helping to sustain learning-ready states. 

Participants will be exposed to partnership practices to utilize with caregivers

• Learn and explore findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study
• Gain an understanding how the experience of adversity in childhood impacts human development & well-being: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
• Explore the impact of trauma on parenting ability and intergenerational cycle of trauma
• Become an agent of change for families through simple actions

• Learn about how the Y strengthens community through use of the youth development roadmap

• Describe examples of Y programming for different developmental stages

• Learn how to refer or collaborate with the YMCA

Sarah Johnson - Mental Health Director, La Crosse Area Family YMCA
Lisa Luckey - Teen and Youth Services Director, La Crosse Area Family YMCA

• Participants will learn how adverse experiences can change how the brain works.
• Participants will learn how these changes in the brain may negatively impact academics and behavior.
• Participants will learn how schools can positively impact academics and behavior.

*Prerequisite: Participants need previous background and knowledge of ACE Study and impact of trauma. Please plan to attend the first ACEs session too!

• Define a trauma-informed care approach and implications on professional practice
• Improve professional capacity to foster resilience in youth and adults impacted by traumatic experiences
• Gain practical action steps for applying a trauma-informed approach to your professional work

Lacie Ketelhut, CHES, Program Coordinator,
Center for Effective Discipline,
Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center 

• Become familiar with ARCW and the services they provide.
• Learn about Harm Reduction.
• Identify key principles of Harm Reduction.
• Become familiar with Narcan; know how to use and when to use it.

• What is the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative? What are the goals?
• How does the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative support Northside and Southside Schools?
• Who are our target families?
• How are referrals to the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative made?

Isaac Hoffman, Northside Neighborhood Social Worker
Sara Rugg, Southside Neighborhood Social Worker

• Overvierw of CPS in La Crosse County: trends, drugs, and more
• Pick a Pathway: Alternative Response, Traditional Responce, Community Responce - What's the difference?
• Need for foster parents and respite care in La Crosse
• General foster care criteria and licensing process

• Overview of the Department of Public Instruction’s Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework

• Identify a number of Universal, Selected and Targeted Social & Emotional Supports available for children in the School District of La Crosse

  • Regular Education

  • What are Integrated Supports, and why do we need them?

  • Special Education

Regina Siegel, Director of Pupil Services
Curt Teff, Supervisor of Integrated Supports
Aimee Zabrowski, Supervisor of Special Education