Description:
This training will equip direct care staff with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to attachment and separation issues commonly experienced by children and teens in group home settings. By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Define attachment and identify the impact of trauma and disrupted relationships on child development and behavior.
- Recognize signs of grief and loss in children and adolescents, and understand how separation affects emotional regulation and trust.
- Apply trauma-informed strategies to build secure, supportive relationships and promote emotional healing through consistent and compassionate caregiving.
- Support children during transitions and separation moments, while documenting behaviors and concerns in a way that supports therapeutic and team-based care.
v2026.2
Ad-hoc course
Course Content
Lesson 1: Understanding Attachment and Its Impact
Lesson Content
What is attachment?
How secure vs. insecure attachment develops
How trauma, neglect, and system involvement affect attachment
Behaviors associated with attachment challenges
Lesson 2: Separation, Loss, and the Grieving Child
Lesson Content
Separation Is A Form Of Loss
Children Grieve Differently Than Adults
Common Reactions by Age
Lesson 3: Building Trust and Supporting Healthy Attachment
Lesson Content
The Caregiver’s Role in Repairing Trust
Consistency, Predictability, and Emotional Availability
Trauma-informed Responses to Difficult Behaviors
Practical Strategies (Connect Before You Correct, Emotion Coaching)
Lesson 4: Transitions, Documentation, and Goodbye Moments
Lesson Content
Preparing Youth for Transitions and Staff Changes
Rituals That Support Closure (letters, memory boxes, goodbye meetings)
Importance of Trauma-Sensitive Documentation
Communicating Attachment/Separation Concerns to the Team