Trauma-Informed Care Conference

8:55 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Trauma-informed care among internally displaced persons and refugees

Itunu Ilesanmi, Ph.D.

The recent events of natural disasters, violence, and conflict globally have increased the growing trends of internal displacement. These experiences expose them to traumatic material that makes resettlement and reintegration more difficult ultimately. Professionals working with displaced populations often encounter individuals and families who have endured severe trauma, including violence, loss, and disruption of their livelihoods. This workshop will equip service providers, humanitarian aid workers, mental health professionals, and community leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster resilience and promote healing among these vulnerable groups in society's various sectors. 

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Uncovering the Relationship between ACEs, Developmental Trauma, and Negative Health Outcomes. Can an integrative approach bring individual and community safety and well-being?

Sarah Fischer, Ph.D. (c), MSW, MAHS

Sarah Fischer, a holistic, trauma-specialized survival behavioralist and leader in relationships, community, and family development, will discuss the connection between interpersonal violence, substance use, and trauma as it relates to biological, psychological, social, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health. Sarah will examine power and control dynamics within oppressive systems, why conflict matters, and domains of violence as they relate to personal and cultural identity. She will also share insights on brain health, consciousness, self-identity, and self-expression pertaining to human development and systems of care, and some integrative methods that can lead to resiliency, post-traumatic growth, and human security.

12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Lunch on your own

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

Postpartum Mental Health and Motherhood Expectations? 

Kylie Russell, LISW, EMDR Certified

This training will provide a comprehensive overview of research and best-practices when working with those struggling with postpartum anxiety, depression, rage, intrusive thoughts, and loss of identity. It will also examine how societal expectations of “motherhood” can exacerbate these issues, and potentially affect mother and child bonding and attachment. Through both professional research and understanding as well as personal knowledge, this training will help to provide a better understanding of the postpartum mental health of women and how to support them using a person-centered trauma-informed perspective.

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Queer Safer Schools: Best practices for supporting primary and secondary students

R. Lane Forsman, PhD, LISW, CNP

Research has shown that LGBTQ+ students in primary and secondary education are more likely to experience trauma related to their identity and the stress from that trauma leads to poorer outcomes for these students including lower GPAs, higher dropout rates, and increased levels of mental and behavioral health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality. In this workshop we'll learn best practices for supporting LGBTQ+ students including how to navigate support within the current standards and practices of Iowa public schools.