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Link to Recording: (Recording No Longer Available)
Links to Handouts: PowerPoint , Resource List, Harm Reduction Series Flyer
Although harm reduction is often viewed as a best-practice engagement strategy for youth experiencing active exploitation, its core principles makes it a powerful framework for engaging all system-involved youth. This two-hour webinar reframes and broadens the field's understanding by grounding participants in the foundations of the harm reduction model and revealing why universal application matters. Through practice-based examples, participants will learn to match strategies to the specific risks a youth is experiencing, while also recognizing how harm reduction can be universally integrated into everyday interactions, regardless of a youth's behavior, history, or readiness for change.
Participants will be able to:
- Define harm reduction and describe the harm reduction model.
- Discuss the principles or "the keys" of harm reduction.
- Navigate and utilize harm reduction strategies based on specific risks your youth is experiencing.
- Understand how universal harm reduction practices strengthen safety, trust, and engagement with all youth.
Presenters
Dawn Blacker, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and director of training and operations at the UC Davis CAARE Center at UC Davis Children's Hospital. For more than 25 years, Blacker has focused her clinical research work on abuse, neglect and trauma in family systems, along with training clinicians in evidence-based practices. She provides therapy and evaluation services across diverse communities and oversees Sacramento County contracts supporting sexually exploited youth and their caregivers. She co-developed web courses and a caregiver skills curriculum on sexual exploitation and serves as co-chair of the NCTSN Child Trafficking Workgroup.
Brandi Liles, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist working at the UC Davis Children's Hospital CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Liles is the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy coordinator and has been nationally recognized as a master trainer since 2016. Her work centers on trauma-informed care for system involved and sexually exploited youth, including training for probation and child protective services staff. She provides evidence-based treatment for youth ages 3-21 and their families.