Trauma-Informed Program Certificate of Completion

Course Descriptions

ED300 Introduction to Childhood Trauma and Its Effects

In this introductory course, the focus is on building the student's awareness around trauma, adverse childhood experiences, the impact on brain development, relationships, and learning. Being traumaaware helps change the way we interact and respond to challenging children and adolescent behaviors. This course is beneficial for anyone interested in learning more about how trauma can negatively affect an individual physically, cognitively, socio-emotionally, and neurologically. This class is important for teachers, early childhood professionals, parents, social workers, and anyone who works with or interacts with children and youth or adults who were impacted by childhood trauma.  

*It is strongly advised to take this course before or at the same time of any of the other courses offered.  *No textbook or course materials are required

ED301 Trauma-Informed Practices & Strategies

The implementation of a trauma-informed approach requires a profound paradigm shift that deepens and unfolds over time and influences the practices and strategies one uses when working with individuals impacted by trauma. This course will explore trauma-responsive practices and strategies and is an overview of how trauma looks in the classroom.  Students will acquire foundation skills and will learn how to look beyond the behavior to find and treat the stressor instead of using traditional methods and practices.  Students will apply trauma-responsive practices to classroom scenarios and case studies as well as their own classrooms to improve discipline practices and policies, student resilience, and educational outcomes.

ED302 The Trauma-Informed Classroom 

This course answers the essential question, "What is a trauma-informed classroom?" Students will explore a comprehensive set of components and criteria to help schools create, sustain, and assess trauma-informed classrooms. The rationale, research, and 5 domains of a trauma-informed classroom are explored in depth. These domains provide an organizing system of where to start and how to continually create and sustain an effective classroom designed to meet the needs of all students, especially those who have been impacted by trauma.

*ED 301 should be taken before or while taking ED 302. 

*Textbook Required: Classroom 180 by Heather Forbes -This can be purchases or checked out through the CCC Library. 

ED303 A Culture of Caring: Student Mental Health, Suicide, and Loss & Grief

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 19. Because students spend so much time in the school, either in person or virtually, teachers and staff are on the front lines of supporting youth’s mental health and suicide prevention. This course explores the basics in suicide prevention, intervention, postvention and beyond for school personnel. Students will learn how to strengthen protective factors by creating a culture of caring. They will also learn to identify risk factors, recognize warning signs, and know what action to take.

ED304 Trauma-Informed Perspectives and Practices: The Educator as a Whole Person

Educators are important people doing important work. Unfortunately, in times of stress educators can find themselves feeling like they are not important and their work isn’t making a difference.  The Educator as a Whole Person explores the unique complexities of being an educator and empowers educators to feel their best and function at their highest capacity.

ED305 Special Topic: Intentional Neuroplasticity

This course is a deep dive into the transformative book, "Intentional Neuroplasticity," which explores the remarkable adaptability of the human brain and nervous system. By delving into the effects of adversity and trauma on a student's developing nervous system and how it shapes behavior, we provide a comprehensive framework for cultivating an optimal learning environment for students while simultaneously nurturing the mental well-being of educators. This course is designed for anyone interested in understanding the power of the brain's ability to rewire itself through intentional practices and interventions.