For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – Strengthening Families for Caregivers, an eight-week program that focuses on providing strategies for adults to build positive relationships with children who have experienced trauma, well begin next month.
The free programs will be held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. from Wednesday, Sept. 29 to Wednesday, Nov. 17.
“The program uses scenarios to guide discussion, provides tangible tools to use, and provides opportunities to build skills,” a release from UW-Madison Division of Extension Lincoln County said. “Participants will learn how trauma affects children, how a child’s trauma can affect us as caregivers, how to create a safe environment, help understand and manage feelings and behaviors, develop connections and healing, and learn how to become an advocate for the children you support.”
Each session builds on the prior session, so it is important that participants attend each session if possible, Extension said, adding that they will work to keep participants caught up in the event a session is missed.
“We believe in creating a safe environment for learning and will never ask participants to speak to their own trauma or their child’s trauma,” Extension stated. “We understand that the material we share can evoke strong feelings and emotions and commit to allowing participants to take the space and time they need and will be available for participants after sessions if they need to process.”
For more information on the program, contact Casey Hanson at [email protected]; Debbie Moellendorf at [email protected] or via phone at 715-539-1077; Brenda Rasmussen at [email protected]; or Kristine Shorey at [email protected].