Understanding trauma, strengthening families - Free training returns to Durant

Understanding how trauma affects behavior and relationships can help caregivers and professionals better support children and families who have experienced adversity. A free, two-day training returning to Durant in November will provide practical strategies for meeting those needs.

The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) and Fostering Grace will offer Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) training Nov. 17-18. The event follows a Sept. 15-16 session that attracted participants from across Oklahoma.

Developed by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University, TBRI is a trauma-informed approach that focuses on building trust, strengthening relationships and creating safe environments. Participants will learn strategies to recognize the effects of trauma, respond to challenging behaviors and support individuals who have experienced adversity.

The training is intended for educators, child welfare professionals, foster and adoptive parents, social service providers, mental health professionals and others who work with children and families. The strategies can be applied in homes, classrooms and other settings where children and families receive support.

The training will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library, 1515 W. Main St., Durant. Attendance is free, and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Registration is open statewide. Click here to register.

For questions or additional information, contact Mike Peercy, executive director of Fostering Grace, at mike@FosteringGrace.org.

Photo description: Amoreena Killough, community planner at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, speaks to participants during a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) training held Sept. 15-16 in Durant, Okla.