Elementary Education Services
Trauma experienced early in life can have a significant impact on a child’s development, interfering with self-regulation, coping with stress, learning, and developing positive relationships. By integrating trauma-informed approaches in Elementary Education, we aim to create safe, empathetic spaces where every child feels valued, understood, and capable of reaching their full potential.
All Staff Foundational Training
Our Trauma-Informed Futures© Elementary Education K-5 All Staff Training is specifically designed for professionals working with elementary-aged students, encompassing all members of your K-5 school community, including educators, administrators, long-term substitutes, and support staff. It is an ideal training for participants new to trauma-informed practices or seeking a refresher.
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Facilitated by Resilient Futures Executive Trainers, the training series focuses on increasing capacity and sustainability for integrating trauma-informed practices that meet the unique needs of K-5 learners.
Participants will gain immediate access to knowledge and resources that can be seamlessly integrated into elementary, middle, and high school settings, ensuring the continuity of trauma-informed services. We employ our proprietary Trauma-Informed framework to address trauma in today’s world - influenced by the evidenced-informed Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) conceptual framework (Dorado et al., 2016).
Rooted in neuroscience and resilience research, trauma-informed practices are flexible, adaptable, and designed to create nurturing, supportive, and inclusive environments for young children. Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on Adult Wellness, equipping participants with skills to address burnout and secondary trauma commonly experienced in K-5 settings.
By integrating essential concepts for trauma-informed educators and leveraging our trauma-informed framework, participants will leave the training equipped with the knowledge and tools to foster safer, more supportive learning environments for all K-5 students and school community members.
This training can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of K through 5 educators and support staff, and we offer adapted versions for different specialties, including teaching assistants, mental health professionals, speech and language specialists, and special education staff.
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This training can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of Elementary School staff, and we offer adapted versions for different specialties, including teaching assistants, mental health professionals, speech and language specialists, and special education staff.
Duration: 10 hours conducted over 3 to 4 in-person sessions for optimal engagement and retention.
All Staff Foundational Trainings are typically facilitated during Year 1 of a multi-year partnership.
Elementary Education Implementation Team Collaborative
Our Trauma-Informed Futures© Implementation Team Collaborative employs the principles of implementation science to empower diverse cohorts within the Elementary Education sector with the knowledge and skills essential for effectively implementing and sustaining trauma-informed practices over a multi-year partnership. This program fosters the capacity for participants to champion resilience within their Elementary Education communities. Individuals are carefully selected based on their steadfast commitment to upholding trauma-informed practices throughout their partnership with Resilient Futures, ensuring continuity and a comprehensive approach to implementation.
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Program Overview:
Bringing together a diverse group of Elementary Education leaders, Mental Health providers, Classroom Teachers, and representatives from various roles across the school community, this collaborative initiative works alongside our Resilient Futures Executive Trainers. Together, they identify existing school practices and policies that can be strengthened through the implementation of trauma-informed strategies.
Key Components:
Collaborative Leadership: Participants engage in collaborative decision-making, leveraging their collective knowledge and understanding of Elementary Education contextual factors to drive effective implementation and sustainability of trauma-informed practices.
Progressive Training Model: Our model progresses systematically, building upon cumulative knowledge and skills to ensure a thorough understanding of trauma-informed principles and practices. Through contextual case studies, role-playing exercises, proprietary tools, and other interactive methods, participants deepen their understanding of trauma-informed practices.
Internal Resource Establishment: As the Implementation Team advances, they become an internal resource for fellow educators, offering trauma-informed solutions to address challenges encountered in Elementary Education settings. By actively embodying trauma-informed mindsets and behaviors, they cultivate empathy and understanding in interactions with all students and staff, fostering inclusivity and addressing diverse needs within the Elementary Education community.
Program Evaluation Outcome Approach: Utilizing a mixed-method design, we employ a program evaluation outcome approach with measurement tools to assess program effectiveness, training appropriateness, and outcomes. Evaluation findings inform ongoing optimization and adaptations to the program.
The Trauma-Informed Futures© Implementation Team is equipped to successfully implement, embed, and sustain trauma-informed, equity-focused practices, playing a pivotal role in supporting the entire Elementary Education community.
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While fully customizable, our Implementation Team Collaborative is an ongoing program that typically spans the school year and evolves across a multi-year partnership.
Elementary Train the Trainers (TTT) Program
Our Trauma-Informed Futures© Train the Trainers Series (TTT) for Elementary Environments is an interactive program tailored for selected members of elementary school environments, empowering them to effectively facilitate our Trauma-Informed Futures© Foundational Training within their setting.
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Through engaging methods such as personal storytelling, reflective exercises, and group discussions, participants will learn how to deliver our foundational training in a trauma-informed manner, addressing the unique needs of elementary school-aged children.
We provide comprehensive resources, including lesson PowerPoints, robust learning tools, activities, case study examples, and a facilitation manual, ensuring that trainers are fully equipped to lead impactful sessions in elementary school settings. Ideal candidates for this program are individuals with experience in trauma-informed practices, a willingness to provide professional development within their elementary school, and a commitment to supporting the well-being of young learners.
This training builds upon and reinforces foundational trauma-informed knowledge, grounded in the Resilient Futures framework, which draws from the evidenced-informed Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) conceptual framework (Dorado et al., 2016). It covers essential topics such as Understanding Trauma and Stress, promoting Cultural Humility, and fostering Resilience through the 3C’s of Connection, Coping, and Competence, all tailored to the elementary school environment.
Elementary TTT collaboration objectives include:
• Applying the 4 R’s of trauma-informed practices in the context of elementary-age children.
• Recognizing and assessing behavior manifestations in elementary-age children and staff according to the physiological stress response continuum.
• Understanding the prevalence of trauma and its effects on learning and behavior in elementary-age children while challenging a deficit lens.
• Prioritizing Cultural Humility, and emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed practices in K-5th grade education.
• Practicing skills to foster resilience for young children and staff based on the ARC model, focusing on building connection, coping skills, and competence within Elementary education settings.
• Understanding secondary trauma and burnout specific to Elementary school, and implementing practices to enhance individual and community wellness.
• Through self-reflection and practice, assessing facilitation skills to effectively deliver sensitive content and mitigate potential re-traumatization of participants in Elementary education environments.
Upon completion, participants are equipped to lead trauma-informed training sessions for Elementary teachers and staff with confidence. They will also have the opportunity to explore their role as trainers, addressing potential challenges and emotional aspects of the content they will deliver.
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Participants must complete the entire training to receive a certificate of completion and access to the training materials tailored for Elementary education contexts.
TTT Programs are typically facilitated during the first year of a multi-year partnership.
Elementary Education Transformative Leadership Training
Our Trauma-Informed Futures© Transformative Leadership Training Series is crafted to empower leaders in elementary education, particularly those working with students from Kindergarten to 5th grade, with a nuanced understanding of trauma-informed practices and a strong commitment to Cultural Humility in leadership positions.
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This intensive two-day training program is meticulously designed for Principals, Assistant Principals, and individuals in supervisory roles within elementary school settings who aspire to elevate their leadership capacity by embracing trauma-informed approaches tailored to the needs of K-5 students
Throughout the training, participants will immerse themselves in the fundamental tenets of trauma-informed care, learning how to seamlessly integrate these principles into their everyday leadership practices within elementary education environments. Led by our expert facilitators, engaging sessions will focus on communication strategies, relationship-building techniques, and the cultivation of a supportive organizational culture specific to the unique needs of elementary school-aged children.
Key highlights of the training include:
Communication: Delve into effective communication strategies tailored to foster trust, empathy, and collaboration within elementary school communities. Through interactive role-playing exercises and real-world scenarios, leaders will refine their skills in active listening, conflict resolution, and trauma-sensitive communication techniques adapted for K-5 students.
Relationship Building: Equip leaders with practical tools and strategies for nurturing meaningful connections, promoting a sense of belonging, and fostering a culture of mutual respect, safety, and inclusivity within elementary school settings.
Self-Reflection and Growth: Leadership in elementary education begins with self-awareness. Participants will engage in reflective practices aimed at challenging engrained patterns of behavior and fostering personal growth. By examining their own leadership styles through a trauma-informed lens, leaders will gain insights into how they can create more equitable and compassionate learning environments for K-5 students.
Cultural Humility in Leadership: Cultural Humility is a guiding principle that should inform every decision and action of an elementary school leader. Through case studies, group discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will learn strategies for dismantling systemic barriers and addressing disparities within elementary school settings serving K-5 students.
Action Planning and Implementation: Armed with new knowledge and skills, participants will develop action plans tailored to the unique needs of their elementary school contexts. Facilitators will provide ongoing support and guidance as leaders work to implement trauma-informed practices within their schools, fostering a supportive environment conducive to the growth and success of K-5 students.
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The training spans 16 hours across two full-day sessions or 4 half-day sessions, allowing for in-depth exploration and practical application of concepts within the elementary education landscape serving K-5 students.
Transformative Leadership Trainings are typically facilitated during Year 1 and 2 of a multi-year partnership.
Professional Development Deep Dives
Our Trauma-Informed Futures© Professional Development Deep Dive Series offers ongoing professional learning opportunities tailored specifically for Elementary School Educators, building upon the foundational knowledge gained from our Trauma-Informed Futures© Foundational Training. These sessions are designed to meet the unique needs of elementary school environments.
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Dive deep into essential topics such as Cultural, Pedagogy, and Trauma-Informed Teaching practices, all tailored to the elementary school context. Our sessions move beyond surface-level discussions, focusing on practical strategies and techniques relevant to working with elementary-aged children. From promoting a positive classroom culture to supporting students' emotional well-being, we ensure a comprehensive and progressive training experience for our Elementary School Educators.
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While fully customizable, our Professional Development Deep Dives typically range from 2 to 8 hours per school year, starting from Year 2.
These sessions complement our All Staff Foundational Training, providing continuous growth and development for Elementary School Educators and Staff.
Professional Deep Dives are typically facilitated during Year 2 and beyond of a long-term partnership.
Elementary Education Reflective Consultations
Reflective Consultation supports Elementary Educators in increasing their self-awareness, exploring their work with students and caregivers, and cultivates opportunities to engage in collective learning in groups or individually.
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Through reflection and group discussion you'll gain strategies to deepen your understanding and connection with others to cope with the stressors of being an educator and to experience the joy of being an educator.
In Reflective Consultation (RC), we will explore your role and relationships at work and develop self-awareness to deepen your understanding and connection with others, including families/children/colleagues you work with. We will work to create a safe place for you to process, reflect, and grow. The approach is relational, reflective, and supportive.
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This series is for individuals and groups and meets monthly - virtually or in person.
Strengthening Family Coping Resources Training Series (SFCR) for Caregivers of Elementary-aged Children
Rooted in the understanding that families are pivotal in supporting children's growth and development during their formative years, the SFCR-P2P Series offers a peer-driven caregiver education and support program specifically tailored for elementary school settings. Our program is designed to nurture coping resources and cultivate a sense of safety, stability, and connection within Elementary School communities.
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The comprehensive SFCR curriculum focuses on five key areas: Family, Traditions, Routines, Safety, and Connections.
Highlights of the training series include:
Building Resilience: Participants will learn practical strategies for enhancing resilience in both children and adult caregivers. Through interactive workshops and peer-led discussions, caregivers will gain insights into creating a supportive family environment that fosters emotional well-being and adaptive coping skills for elementary school-aged children.
Enhancing Communication: Effective communication is essential for building strong family relationships and supporting children's development. Our training equips caregivers with tools and techniques for improving communication dynamics within their families, fostering open dialogue, and strengthening bonds of trust and understanding, which are crucial for elementary school students.
Promoting Safety and Stability: Caregivers will explore strategies for establishing routines, rituals, and traditions that promote a sense of security and predictability, vital elements for elementary school children's healthy development, even in the face of challenges.
Cultivating Connections: Learn how to nurture supportive networks within families and school communities, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support among caregivers, students, and educators.
Peer-to-Peer Support: Central to the SFCR-P2P model is the power of peer support. Caregivers will have the opportunity to connect with and learn from others who share similar experiences, creating a supportive community within the elementary school environment.
Upon completion, participants will emerge with enhanced coping resources and a deeper understanding of family dynamics, affording them the opportunity to become Certified Facilitators within elementary school settings. Equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead future programs, these caregivers will play a vital role in fostering the growth and well-being of elementary school students and their families.
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SFCR is facilitated across 4 to 10 sessions
Offered in both English and Spanish, with translation services available in additional languages, our training series welcomes caregivers from diverse backgrounds and communities.
The SFCR Program has been widely studied and recognized as one of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s best practices for promoting family resilience and well-being in Elementary education environments.