Article Title

Youth Services Employees Host a Trauma Informed Retreat

Post Date

Rollup Image

Youth Services Employees Host a Trauma Informed Retreat

Body

On February 1, the Youth Services Department's Sanctuary-Trauma Informed Cross-Divisional Action Team held a retreat at the Palm Beach County Main Library. The retreat gave participants the chance to work one-on-one with Sanctuary consultant Aaron James, to become more familiar to the standards of the trauma informed model, seven commitments, and ground rules for creating safety practices.

Employees began the day with a community meeting where they took turns asking one another three questions: “How are you feeling? What is your goal for today? Who can you ask for help?" The community meeting is a fundamental component of Sanctuary involving emotional learning as well as remaining future focused. The questions are designed to build connections, set measurable goals, and acknowledge that individuals are not alone.

James guided a discussion on the purpose and fidelity of the community meeting, recapped Sanctuary's leading principles, and provided an overview of the team's roles within the certification process. Additionally, team members had the opportunity to work in small groups to develop “rules" around each of the seven commitments -- non-violence, emotional intelligence, social learning, democracy, open communication, social responsibility, and growth and change -- and demonstrate an understanding of how they will be implemented throughout the department.

The retreat was staff's first opportunity to come together as a core team and meet with their consultant. Valerie Messineo and Elise Powell, co-chairs of the Sanctuary - Trauma Informed Cross-Divisional Action Team agreed that it helped to improve group cohesiveness and to make sure they are on the right track with current tasks for Year One of certification.

Becoming Sanctuary-certified reinforces the department's commitment to the standards of a trauma informed care environment for clients and employees. The Sanctuary Institute will provide direct support to Youth Services by providing trauma-responsive practices across all department operations.​

Attachments