The Neuroscience of Engagement and Emotional Wellness in Child and Family Systems of Care (Virtual Training)

Practice and leadership in child and family serving systems of care requires skills for navigating rapidly changing environments and the deeply social nature of human services. Unfortunately, due to the way the human nervous system is wired, change is often met with a great deal of unease. When this is combined with the deleterious effects of trauma, engagement levels, health, wellness and outcomes can be profoundly impacted for youth in care, as well as caregivers and those who work in child welfare systems. Fortunately, research from modern neuroscience reveals insights important for facilitating positive change.

This interactive brain-based learning and development workshop draws on breakthroughs in modern neuroscience and psychophysiology of stress resilience and trauma, providing fresh insights into the biology of engagement and the facilitation of change, particularly in the context of trauma and loss. There will be a focus on helping practitioners use a biologically respectful approach to engagement and emotional wellness based on what neuroscience tells us drives human behavior. Participants learn a neuroscience-based framework for creating a climate of trust and collaboration, along with science-based strategies to promote well-being.

After attending this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe what drives human behavior based on discoveries in contemporary neuroscience, applying these to casework with youth in care, caregivers, families and agencies
• Define the impacts of trauma on engagement, behavior and outcomes
• Apply a brain-based framework for increasing engagement and motivation
• Understand strategies for self-regulation and well-being