Trauma Informed Educational Practices for Children and Adolescents Certificate

Program Director: Tammy Wynard

People who have experienced childhood trauma events may be more prone to physical and behavioral health challenges. In addition, they may experience significant stress related to family, school and work. The trauma-informed education received in North Central College’s certification program will help you impact children and adolescents by creating responsive systems focused on strengths and healing. The program’s mission is to prepare theoretically and practically equipped, caring, committed and competent trauma-informed educators, leaders and service providers. In addition, it builds knowledge and skills for those working with youth in which complex trauma events may be a part of their stories. Centered on a foundation of public health concepts, it provides a concrete understanding of the potential influence of toxic stress on brain development, learning and health.

In this certificate program, you will learn to be part of the solution to create positive change to support children and families in your work and community. You will have the ability to advocate for creating communities that embody safety, trust and health-promoting services. As a practitioner, you will develop programming that educates others on the latest childhood trauma research and trauma-informed practices.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate the impacts of childhood trauma on the physical, social, emotional and neurological development of youth and on the broader community.
• Assess a child’s regulatory state through a trauma-informed lens and respond with appropriate evidenced based strategies.
• Synthesize program knowledge and skills to design an effective trauma-informed practices seminar.