The Trauma Informed Family Support certificate equips a broad audience

Ideally, all of the providers encountered by families would be trauma-informed. That would include primary care clinicians, mental health professionals, child care providers, educators and their staff. Faculty leadership at Oklahoma Christian University recognize the importance of trauma informed support for these providers as well as, many others in positions where they often have opportunities to interact with those facing trauma and recovery.

In the last year and a half, many of us have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sudden changes in health, family life, interpersonal relationships, work, finances to name only a few, have been traumatic and left many of our lives deeply altered. In response to this and other types of trauma, OC's College of Humanities and Bible now offers a Certificate in Trauma informed Family Support. This Certificate includes three courses designed to quickly equip students with valuable tools.

Completing the online courses in Family Trauma and Resilience, Basic Therapy Skills and Parenting and Relationship Education will demonstrate to employers and the public that certificate holders are prepared to meet the needs of those served. These courses provide training for ministers, church leaders, social service workers, community counselors, law enforcement personnel, human resource professionals and many others working with those facing trauma and recovery. The Certificate can be completed online and at one's own pace and schedule.

"As OC's College of Humanities and Bible develops the whole person for Christian faith and service, we encourage you to consider whether this certificate will benefit you or others in the church, community, or workplace," said Dean Charles Rix, Ph.D.

Schools, ministries, first responders, agencies and care providers can become trauma-informed. These trained employees and volunteers would routinely screen for trauma exposure and related symptoms to make resources available. A trauma-informed staff will engage in efforts to strengthen the resilience and protective factors of children and families impacted by trauma. These activities are rooted in an understanding that trauma-informed agencies build meaningful partnerships that address the intersections of trauma with culture, history, race, gender, location and language.

Emerging literature that measures the impact of various traumatic stressors related to COVID-19 has already led to diverse mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and other trauma- and stress-related disorders.

People in many professions, as well as personal relationships, are frequently placed in positions to interact with those experiencing trauma. Learning and preparing for the best way to listen, guide and direct hurting people can have a positive impact on their day, the outcome of a tense situation and their future.

*outside sources National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Psychiatric Times