At the September 18, 2019 Sierra Learning Community, more than 60 representatives from across the region came together to explore Best Practices in Trauma Informed Care: Developing Programs to Support Youth Resilience. Speakers at the hub, located at the Amador County Child Abuse Prevention Center in Jackson, California, included Oscar Perez, Ph D. from Tending the Fires, and Kathryn Eustis, from Calaveras County Youth Mentoring Program.
Dr. Perez shared his wisdom on how to develop rich and meaningful relationships with youth. He also helped participants understand the importance of including youth voices in programs. Ms. Eustis shared her experience in developing a Youth Mentoring program in a rural setting. Key components included the importance of gauging the capacity of the community to host a program, and how finding a stable umbrella organization has enabled the program to continue for 17 years!
Whether at the hub, on-line at their computers, or at remote sites throughout the region, participants were able to work together to brainstorm ways to start a new or enhance existing youth mentoring programs. For more information on this, or other Sierra Learning Communities, please contact Barbara DeGraaf, Sierra Learning Community Facilitator at [email protected]
