Traumatic events involving children disturb and confuse both the children involved and the adult responders. Our children deserve the opportunity to heal from the frightening complications of childhood trauma. This class explores the developmental considerations and children's trauma response from infancy through adolescence. Preventive, intervention and recovery strategies will assist the adult responding to traumatized children. This course will provide a venue for adults to gain comfort in their capability to assist traumatized children through a discussion of crisis management principles and the necessary modifications for children. Self-care for adult caregivers who recognize the need to heal our children is emphasized.

 

Adults working with traumatized children must deal with their feelings of inadequacy as they seek to assist a child in crisis. Most adults do not feel prepared to deal with the intense reactions of children. Parents, caregivers, educators, crisis management professionals and emergency service CISM peer team members can benefit from the preventive and intervention guidelines and practical crisis management strategies offered in this class.

Program Highlights:

• Recognizing high-risk traumatized children
• Partnership opportunities within the community
• Assessment considerations with the traumatized child
• Trauma and grief symptomatology
• Developmental considerations pertinent to the traumatized child
• Correct and ethical crisis intervention sensitive to a child
• Development of crisis response plans
• Adolescent suicide deaths and appropriate crisis response
• Parental, family and community influences
• Implications on caring adults when working with traumatized children

Successful completion of the Approved Instructor Candidate Program will allow you to teach this curriculum to others. Continuing education will be required to maintain your instructor status.

Prerequisites for Participation in the Approved Instructor Candidate Program:

• Completion of the following ICISF courses as taught by ICISF or by an approved ICISF instructor. (Copies of certificates of completion are required to accompany the application.)
  • Group Crisis Intervention
  • Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
  • Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
  • Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention
  • CISM Application with Children
• An ICISF Approved Instructor in good standing in two (2) of the following programs:
  • Group Crisis Intervention
  • Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support
  • Advanced Group Crisis Intervention
• A masters degree or higher in a mental health field.
• Minimum of three years experience working with children.
• A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date that acknowledges your experience working with crisis intervention.*
• A letter of recommendation from a local, state or regional CISM team or agency / institution dated within three months of application due date that acknowledges your experience working with children.*
• A letter of endorsement from a local, state, or regional CISM coordinator or clinical director dated within three months of application due date.*

  * At least one of the letters of recommendation must attest to the instructor candidate's teaching ability. If neither of the aforementioned letters can do so, a fourth letter must be submitted.

• Active membership on a crisis intervention team.
• Current ICISF membership.
• A copy of a current CV or resume.
• Official course application form.
• A brief statement outlining:
  1. Your crisis intervention/CISM experience.
  2. Your instructional experience.
  3. Reasons for applying for ICISF Approved Instructor Training.