Free Trauma Training Series 2025-2026
WCHD has teamed up with ICOY to sponsor and provide FREE Trauma Informed Care training sessions to community members of Winnebago County to understand the impact of trauma and ways to build resiliency.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Building A Trauma Informed Organization
Training Description:
Creating a trauma-informed organization does not have a one-size fits all approach. This training serves as a guide for organizations in developing and growing trauma-informed care within its organizational structures. Organizations will learn how to develop strategies to create and enhance their trauma-informed practices in teams, programs, and overall agency systems. We will discuss policy and procedure revisions and offer approaches in developing and building a trauma-informed organization. Participants should leave the training feeling empowered to respond empathically, develop realistic goals, and resist re-traumatization.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Training Certificate Information:
Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for Social Work and Professional Counseling License participants. If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation sent after completing this training.
Training Certificates are only granted to those who attend the training topic and complete the training evaluation.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Fostering Effective Relationships with Family
Training Description:
This training is designed to support service providers in building stronger connections with youth and families. Participants will explore current barriers to engagement, understand the importance of connection in supporting youth success, and learn practical strategies for fostering meaningful relationships with families and communities. The training also highlights the role of collective care and healing in creating supportive, resilient community systems that uplift and empower all.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Training Certificate Information:
Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for Social Work and Professional Counseling License participants. If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation sent after completing this training.
Training Certificates are only granted to those who attend the training topic and complete the training evaluation.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Empowering Youth
Training Description:
In this training we will discuss and explore what makes for meaningful youth engagement. To do this, we will unpack the impact of systemic barriers and reframe our understanding of what engagement really means. Through a framework of power-sharing, we will practice skills to increase youth trust and enhance sustainable youth buy-in.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Training Certificate Information:
Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for Social Work and Professional Counseling License participants. If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation sent after completing this training.
Training Certificates are only granted to those who attend the training topic and complete the training evaluation.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Community Trauma and Resiliency
Training Description:
This session is designed to provide a deeper understanding of community trauma and the systems that cause and perpetuate harm. Participants will identify risk factors driving community violence and its impacts on communities, providers, and respective work they do. Participants can expect to leave the training session with knowledge and tools to address community trauma and build resilient communities.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Training Certificate Information:
Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for Social Work and Professional Counseling License participants. If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation sent after completing this training.
Training Certificates are only granted to those who attend the training topic and complete the training evaluation.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Proactive Approaches to Escalated Individuals
Training Description:
This training will present an overview of the factors that can escalate a situation and/or individual. Together we will go through the escalation cycle and responses to each phase, work to understand how to identify our own and others’ conflict styles, trauma responses, and triggers. We will learn practical de-escalation principles and skills to support individuals in ways to engage in a trauma informed framework when facing escalation. Additionally, attendees will learn how to apply a trauma informed care lens to prioritize minimizing re-traumatization and additional harm.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) & Training Certificate Information:
Two continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for Social Work and Professional Counseling License participants. If you would like to request CEUs, you may do so in the evaluation sent after completing this training.
Training Certificates are only granted to those who attend the training topic and complete the training evaluation.
Past 2024-2025 Training sessions
WCHD & ICOY In-Person Event: Trauma Informed De-Escalation
Training Description:
This training provided an overview of the factors that can escalate a situation and/or individual. Together we will go through the escalation cycle and responses to each phase, work to understand how to identify our own and others’ conflict styles, trauma responses, and triggers. We learned practical de-escalation principles and skills to support individuals in ways to engage in a trauma informed framework when facing escalation. Additionally, attendees learned how to apply a trauma informed care lens to prioritize minimizing re-traumatization and additional harm.
Trauma 101
Training Description:
This training provided individuals with comprehensive knowledge on trauma and its effects, and what a trauma informed approach is. Participants learned about the different types of trauma and how to approach other individuals who may have experience traumatic events in the past. Lastly, participants learned an overview of resiliency and actions that promote resiliency among the community.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Trauma Informed Supervision for Supervisors
Training Description:
Designed for anyone who operates in a leadership/management capacity, this training helped professionals learn how to effectively manage and relate to the individuals they supervise. Participants learned to provide trauma- informed supervision by understanding how trauma can impact staff and recognizing signs of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Trauma & LGBTQ+ Identity
Training Description:
This training aimed to provide a foundational understanding of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and trauma. By delving into historical disenfranchisement, defining identities under the umbrella of “Queer”, exploring the differences between gender and sexuality, and addressing the unique risks and stigmas faced by this community, participants gained insight into the relationship between trauma and identity experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and communally. Finally, participants learned about the practices of intracommunal and intergenerational care, protection, and resilience, to examine their own role as providers and allies.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Suicide Prevention
Training Description:
During this session we explored ways to support youth through a trauma informed lens, while also processing strategies to strengthen the protective factors of youth considering suicide. We identified unique characteristics of youth and the relevance to suicidal and self-harm behavior, risk factors, and warning signs.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Trauma Informed Conference
Training Description:
Conflict is a natural part of team dynamics, but understanding why it happens and how to address it is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. In this training, we explored the following objectives through a trauma-informed lens: understand the common causes and triggers of conflict and promoting open and honest communication within teams. Participants left with trauma-informed strategies to engage in conflict resolution conversations.
Past 2023-2024 Training sessions
WCHD & ICOY In-Person Event: Trauma Informed Conference
Training Description:
The conference agenda featured 3 sessions designed to empower individuals and communities. From understanding historical trauma to enhancing youth engagement, we explored strategies for healing and fostering strong bonds within families and communities.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Culture and Trauma
Training Description:
Trauma has context. That context often times has cultural and historical roots. This training explored the relationship between trauma and culture by looking specifically at populations who are at high risk for experiencing trauma and traumatic stress at the hands of the systems and society exist in. Additionally, participants gained understanding about the ways power and oppression impact individuals, communities, and access to resources. Lastly, participants learned about the resilience and protective factors these communities have built to cope with trauma, historically and presently.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Trauma Informed Conflict Engagement and Resolution In Teams
Training Description:
Conflict is a natural part of team dynamics, but understanding why it happens and how to address it is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. In this training, we explored the following objectives through a trauma-informed lens: the common causes and triggers of conflict and promoting open and honest communication within teams. Participants left with trauma-informed strategies to engage in conflict resolution conversations.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: LGBTQIA2S+ Identity and Trauma
Training Description:
This training aimed to provide a foundational understanding of LGBTQIA2S+ youth and trauma. By delving into historical disenfranchisement, defining identities under the umbrella of “Queer”, exploring the differences between gender and sexuality, and addressing the unique risks and stigmas faced by this community, participants gained insight into the relationship between trauma and identity experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and communally. Finally, participants learned about the practices of intracommunal and intergenerational care, protection, and resilience, to examine their own role as providers and allies.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Trauma and Attachment
Training Description:
In this session, we explored the influence of traumatic experiences and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the development of attachment styles and relationships. We discussed attachment styles and key milestones in bonding, gaining insights into understanding and navigating relational dynamics.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Community Trauma and Resiliency: April 30, 2024 – 1-3 PM
Training Description:
This training session provided a deeper understanding of community trauma and equipped participants with the knowledge and tools to promote well-being, resiliency, and community healing. Additionally, participants discussed the impact of community trauma in their work and respective communities they serve.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Responding to Trauma After Community Violence
Training Description:
This training session explored personal and collective responses to community traumas. Together, we discussed the impact of community violence and critical incidents. Using a Trauma Informed framework, we delved into strategies for community building, organizational support, and self + collective care.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Suicide Prevention: February 21, 2024 – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm CST
Training Description:
During this training session we explored ways to support youth through a trauma informed lens, while also processing strategies to strengthen the protective factors of youth considering suicide. We identified unique characteristics of youth and the relevance to suicidal and self-harm behavior, risk factors, and warning signs.
WCHD & ICOY Virtual Event: Self Care & Coping Strategies: February 6, 2024 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm CST
Training Description:
During this training session we explored profound and lasting effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being post a traumatic experience. We processed physical recovery, emotional regulation, empowerment and econtrol. Participants gained an understanding of improving self-esteem, creating safe spaces, and long term mental health supports.
Trauma Informed Care Mini Conference: January 24, 2024 – 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Training Description:
During this training we learned basic de-escalation principles to support individuals to identify and engage in this practice. Additionally, attendees learned how to apply a trauma informed care lens to minimize re-traumatization while minimizing harm.
Disenfranchised & Complex Grief (Virtual Training): December 5, 2023 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Training Description:
During this training we explored what it means for grief to be ungrievable. We discussed different types of grief, as well as the risk and protective factors that can inform the grieving process. Participants were taught strength-based tools and language for validating loss in different forms in ourselves and others and ability to identify unique characteristics of grief and the relevance to how it impacts our views of self, others, and how we move through and experience the world.
Trauma Informed Supervision (Virtual Training): November 3, 2023 – 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Training Description:
During this training, professionals learned how to effectively manage and relate to the individuals they supervise. Participants learned to provide trauma- informed supervision by understanding how trauma can impact staff and recognizing signs of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
Impact Of Trauma (Virtual Training): October 12, 2023
Training Description:
During this training, we explored the impact of trauma on youth and clients. We learned about ACEs, brain development, and common childhood trauma responses and behaviors. We discussed trauma-informed care response strategies to build resilient youth, families, and staff
Vicarious Trauma (Virtual Training): October 11, 2023
Training Description:
During this training session we reviewed the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of vicarious trauma. Participants explored stress responses that can be experienced and the best ways to support services providers. Participants gained increased awareness and understanding of the potential impact of secondary trauma, while also gaining positive responses to vicarious trauma exposure.
