During this training, participants will explore the two ways young people can experience harm that can impact their mental health and well-being. The role of out-school time staff in supporting young people heal from harm starts with understanding importance of recognizing young people’s culture and understanding the types of power that impact youth and staff. From this point, staff can begin to support young people and themselves with healing, which starts with creating space for self-care.

During this training, participants will review the principles of Healing Centered Engagement from Dr. Shawn Ginwright and identify the initial steps in beginning to integrate these practices into their work with youth. Intentionally incorporating practices rooted in Healing Centered Engagement principles engages staff in playing an active role in supporting young people heal from harm they may have experienced.

During this training, participants will explore a definition of youth Agency and place youth Agency in a spectrum of youth participation to youth agency. They will identify challenges and obstacles to creating a space for authentic youth agency and crowdsource responses to those challenges