Center for Adult and Continuing Studies

Course Description

This course is offered free of charge to all MDHHS child welfare and family preservation workers and supervisors, and MDHHS-contracted private agencies child welfare and family preservation workers and supervisors on a first come, first served basis.  Use coupon code DHHS12042026.

This training will equip child welfare workers with foundational knowledge and practical tools for understanding trauma, grief, and loss. Participants will explore common responses to difficult life experiences, examine the impact these experiences can have on individuals and families, and learn supportive, trauma-informed strategies for engagement and care. The training will emphasize empathy, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication to strengthen professional practice across a variety of service settings.

Objectives:

1. Identify common physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to trauma, grief, and loss.
2. Describe how trauma, grief, and loss can impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.
3. Demonstrate supportive, trauma-informed approaches when working with individuals experiencing trauma, grief and loss.