The Lincoln County Department of Social Services is offering a free eight-week program, Strengthening Families for Caregivers, beginning March 28, 2023. The workshop will focus on providing strategies for caregivers to build positive relationships with children who have experienced trauma. In addition to caregivers, the shared strategies are applicable for anyone who provides support to children, organizers say.
The program will use scenarios to guide discussion, provide tangible tools to use, and offer participants opportunities to build their skills. Participants will learn how trauma affects children, how a child’s trauma can affect caregivers, how to create a safe environment, and how to be an advocate for children who have experienced trauma. In addition, participants will learn how to help children develop connections, as well as understand and manage their feelings and behaviors. Each session of the program builds on the prior session. For those who miss a session, the presenters say they will help participants to get caught up.
“We BELIEVE in creating a safe environment for learning and will never ask participants to speak to their own trauma or their child’s trauma,” the presenters say. “We UNDERSTAND that the material we share can evoke strong feelings and emotions and COMMIT to allowing participants to take the space and time they need and WILL be available for participants after sessions if they need to process.”
The program will take place in person on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Lincoln County Service Center beginning on March 28 and concluding on May 16. To register and for additional information, contact Brenda Rasmussen at [email protected] or Kristine Shorey at [email protected].