Training of trainers in the trauma-informed approach
12. dubna 2023
In the spring of 2023, we trained 58 trainers from all over the Czech Republic in the area of trauma-responsive approach, who will train more than a thousand teaching staff of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, social workers and social service workers from June to the end of 2023. The training of trainers took place in Prague and Brno to be easily accessible from all regions of the Czech Republic, the training of target participants took place across the Czech Republic.
The project does not focus only on our republic. The main ideas and principles of the trauma-responsive approach will also be conveyed to professionals from the V4 countries, i.e. Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. In these countries we will also hold a training called TRAUMA RESPECTIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HARMFUL BEHAVIOR.
As several pilot training sessions have already been held in primary school classrooms, we have some initial feedback to help us finalise the course. Participants are very positive about the booklet, worksheets and infographics they received during the 16-hour training. These can support them in further implementing a trauma-informed approach in their classrooms. The presentations that trainers use, which include audio quotes from peer collaborators and videos from the school setting, are also highly rated. All of the aforementioned support materials help participants better understand the possible causes of challenging behaviors in children or young adults. The content and layout of the course, including the individual activities, further enhances the knowledge and skills that participants can then use in their daily interactions with children or young adults, while better setting up the preventative measures needed to build a supportive environment.
We believe that by disseminating a trauma-responsive approach, we are creating more suitable conditions for children with traumatic experiences to receive support in schools and other institutions to help mitigate the effects of negative experiences. A trauma-informed approach also improves communication, support, and relationships between staff and those children and young adults who have not experienced or are not experiencing negative experiences.
In fact, this approach is beneficial for all of us.