Training Descriptions
The Invisible Backpack
Audience:
Youth ages 12–17 with lived experience in foster care, group homes, or similar systems.
Overview:
This empowering, youth-centered workshop is designed to help young people begin the healing process by unpacking the emotional burdens they often carry—quietly and invisibly. Through guided reflection, interactive activities, and group discussions, youth explore how trauma has impacted their behavior, identity, and relationships. The training provides practical coping tools, emotional regulation strategies, and a supportive space to foster growth, hope, and self-advocacy.
Ideal for:
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Understand the effects of trauma on the brain and behavior
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Identify and express emotions in a healthy, constructive way
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Build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence
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Explore identity, belonging, and the impact of loss
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Set goals and envision a hopeful, empowered future
The Invisible Briefcase
Audience:
Social workers, educators, counselors, and professionals who serve youth in care.
Overview:
This dynamic training addresses the emotional weight professionals carry while working in high-impact roles with vulnerable youth. Participants will explore their own “invisible briefcase” of stress, compassion fatigue, and bias while learning practical strategies to build trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and healing-centered care environments. The goal: restore the professional while equipping them to serve with empathy, clarity, and resilience.
Ideal for:
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Recognize trauma and reenactment behaviors in youth
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Navigate secondary traumatic stress and professional burnout
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Use trauma-informed language and communication techniques
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Reflect on personal bias and embrace cultural humility
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Create emotionally safe, supportive spaces for youth to heal
The Invisible Suitcase
Audience:
Biological parents, foster parents, and youth aging out of care.
Overview:
This training helps caregivers and transitioning youth address the “invisible suitcase” filled with grief, fear, and unmet needs stemming from past trauma and system involvement. By fostering open dialogue and shared understanding, this session builds bridges between caregivers and youth while providing tools for emotional healing, connection, and preparing for independence.
Ideal for:
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Understand the emotional weight youth carry into relationships and new environments
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Respond to challenging behaviors with empathy and trust-building approaches
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Develop mutual respect and stronger family connections
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Prepare youth for adult life with realistic, supportive expectations
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Create a healing-centered family dynamic built on communication and safety