By Dr. Andrea Clements & Becky Haas 

The SBI Curriculum Team decided that the first-first step toward offering training would be to video record an introductory training. This would make content available to increase visibility and provide a first continuing education credit opportunity. Becky Haas and Dr. Andi Clements, who created this training and have delivered it to thousands since 2015, presented to only the camera crew on Monday, December 7th, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The SBI will partner with the James H. Quillen College of Medicine Continuing Medical Education Office to create a continuing education module that will serve as a first step into the world of trauma responsiveness and resilience building. The presentation was titled Introduction to ACEs, Using Trauma Informed Approaches, and Fostering Resilience. This will serve as an introductory, general course. Over time, the SBI plans to develop sector-specific trainings and likely more topical trainings. 

Although Becky and Andi have delivered this training many times, they have not delivered it together in quite some time as demand has pulled them toward differing arenas. Andi has primarily been developing materials for, and presenting trainings to, members of the faith community, and Becky has been training in the police, healthcare, and education sectors as well as serving as a member of the steering committee for the National Trauma Campaign.  

In preparation for this course, they improved the original content to include updated graphics explaining the brain science and the ACEs study.  A new module on Building Resilience was added to emphasize that while ACE scores may be fact, they are not fate.  Included in this module are additional survivor story videos with inspiring examples of building resilience and a video from the Center for Disease Controls (CDC) that highlights how community protective factors can prevent ACEs.  

This four-hour course will be set up so that participants can advance through the training in blocks of approximately one hour.  Within the four blocks Andi and Becky provide content aimed at introducing participants to the basics of this topic. Foundational concepts covered include the definition of trauma, behaviors and challenges that may indicate past trauma, ACEs’ impact on brain development, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, the universal prevalence of trauma, building resilience, personal protective factors, community protective factors, key characteristics of trauma informed communities and organizations, and the SAMHSA six key principles that guide a trauma informed approach.  

This training is designed not only for professionals from any sector but the course will allow students in any discipline, faculty members, and community members to see the world through a trauma informed lens and to foster personal and community resilience. 

To inquire about the SBI's general traning individually or for your organization email Benjamin Schoenberg, the SBI's Research Services Coordinator, at schoenberg@etsu.edu.