Empowering Through Training
Equipping Professionals & Organizations
At SENT, Inc., we believe in equipping professionals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to build stronger communities. We offer a variety of behavioral health-related training designed to:
-
Increase awareness of behavioral health issues
-
Provide practical tools and strategies
-
Enhance professional development within the behavioral health field
Trauma-Informed Classroom Training (By Request Only)
This training aims to introduce a different way to view challenges in the classroom. When we can shift our perspective from looking at behavior problems to looking at the child, we can begin to ask, “What’s really going on here?” Looking at our classroom through a different lens will assist in creating needed changes in the classroom to assist in decreasing behavior challenges and equip teachers and staff.
The training highlights three crucial elements highlighted by Howard Bath in his article: “The Three Pillars of Trauma-Informed Care” - Felt Safety, Connection, and Coping Skills. This training introduces the role of each component and provides practical ideas of ways to incorporate each of these elements in the classroom setting.
Why Do We Need It?
“If nothing changes, nothing changes.” When traditional teaching, correcting, and parenting methods aren’t working, there might be more going on than meets the eye. When a child experiences trauma at an early age, it can disrupt typical childhood development. What this means is that the child is interacting with the world through a trauma-affected brain which can affect every area of life including learning, socializing, and managing emotions effectively. Some traditional methods of teaching, correction, and parenting can have the unintended consequence of escalating behaviors and reinforcing the traumatized brain.
Modules
Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. It can result from various events, such as abuse, neglect, loss, violence, or disasters, and has profound effects on physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. In a school classroom, trauma might manifest as difficulty concentrating, frequent absences, heightened anxiety, aggressive behavior, or withdrawal from peers. Students affected by trauma may struggle with academic performance, display inconsistent emotions, and have challenges in forming trusting relationships with teachers and classmates. Understanding these signs is crucial for educators to provide the necessary support and create a safe and nurturing learning environment.
Felt-safety means feeling safe and secure in your environment, both physically and emotionally. It involves more than just being free from danger; it includes feeling protected and cared for. In places like schools or therapy settings, creating felt-safety involves building trust, being consistent, and providing a supportive atmosphere where people feel valued and understood. This sense of safety is crucial for learning, healing, and overall well-being.
Connection is crucial when helping children in schools. Building strong, trusting relationships with teachers and peers provides a sense of security and support. This connection allows children to feel seen, heard, and valued, which is essential for their emotional and psychological healing and learning. Positive relationships also create a safe environment where children can express their feelings, build resilience, and improve their overall well-being, enabling them to better focus on learning and personal growth.
Coping strategies are essential tools we use daily to navigate life's challenges and manage heightened emotions. However, children who have experienced early trauma may not have had the opportunity to develop these coping skills through typical developmental stages and secure attachments with caregivers. It's crucial to guide these children in acquiring positive coping strategies to handle stress and emotional difficulties effectively. This support not only builds resilience and emotional regulation but also enhances their ability to thrive in social settings like school. These skills are invaluable for their lifelong well-being and success.
Training Structure
Each Module includes two short training videos (approximately 15 minutes each). The first video focuses on introducing the concept and how it affects the child. The second video focuses on providing a variety of ideas and techniques that can be used in the classroom to start making trauma-informed shifts in the classroom environment.
Participants will be provided one module (two videos) and given a time frame to watch them on their own(recommended approximately 2 weeks). After completion, participants and the presenter will meet (in-person or via Zoom) to discuss materials, brainstorm ways to implement changes, and discuss questions. At that point, the next module videos will be provided. The time frame for the training will be approximately 8 weeks (the time frame varies and is adjusted according to the agreed-upon amount of time between modules).
Trainees will also be given access via phone or email to the presenter for case consultation throughout the duration of the training.
Investment
Your investment includes 4 months of training videos (8 videos), 4 Live (in-person or Zoom) Q&A sessions for teachers between each module, and accessibility for case consultation.
Recorded Trainings
Join therapists Deana Lesher and Tricia Sublet as they discuss strategies to help parents cope with the behavioral challenges that they're facing with their kids due to stress and anxiety they may be facing in their daily lives. This training originally aired in December 2020.
Upcoming Trainings
New training will be added here as available. Check back soon!
Questions?
Contact Us at 785-783-2535, ext. 301, or Email behavioralhealth@senttopeka.com to request training or for more information.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
– Nelson Mandela
“You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over.”
– Richard Branson
“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”
– Abigail Adams
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss
"Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken."
– Warren Buffett
"As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others."
– Bill Gates