Description:
This course equips caregivers and staff in agencies and group homes with essential skills to support children impacted by trauma. Participants will learn how trauma influences behavior and gain practical strategies for fostering trust and emotional safety. The course covers positive guidance techniques, emphasizing empathy, consistency, and natural consequences to encourage self-regulation. Learners will also understand prohibited practices under Arizona law and explore respectful, legal alternatives to discipline. Designed for professionals working with children in care, this training provides tools to manage behavior effectively while promoting growth and connection.
v2026.2
Course Content
Lesson 1: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
Lesson Content
Recognize how trauma impacts behavior in children and youth
Identify and describe core principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Identify and apply positive guidance strategies that promote emotional regulation and safety
Lesson 2: Prohibited Practices and Legal Boundaries
Lesson Content
Define prohibited behavior management practices according to Arizona DCS guidelines
Understand the ethical and developmental harm caused by punitive or shaming responses
Distinguish between discipline that corrects vs. discipline that harms
Demonstrate behaviors that uphold child safety, dignity, and rights in all interactions.
Lesson 3: Behavior Management and De-escalation
Lesson Content
Learn proactive techniques to prevent behavioral escalation
Apply calm, non-confrontational responses during moments of distress
Understand the role of post-crisis documentation and debriefing
Reconnect with children after incidents to rebuild trust and ensure emotional safety
Lesson 4: From Awareness to Action — Making It Real
Lesson Content
Identify how personal beliefs and past experiences influence behavior management responses.
Match trauma-informed values to real-life caregiving examples
Differentiate between compliance-driven and connection-centered responses in caregiving situations.