WMU’s Children’s Trauma Assessment Center boosting its role in community trauma training

A significant offering from Western Michigan University’s Children’s Trauma Assessment Center in the Unified Clinics is trauma informed training. Not only do staff train whole organizations nationwide, CTAC is now offering training for anyone in the community who wants to learn about the impacts of childhood trauma. Training sessions are offered on campus, and topics vary. 

CTAC, which was founded by Dr. James Henry (center director and social work professor), Connie Black-Pond (clinical director), Dr. Ben Atchison (occupational therapy professor), Dr. Mark Sloane, (behavioral pediatrician) and Dr. Yvette Hyter (speech and language professor), opened its doors in early 2000. For the past 16 years the center has provided comprehensive neurodevelopmental trauma assessments for more than 3,300 children who have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences.

During their most recent training, CTAC featured a four-part series with more than 125 attendees. The topics were "Understanding Trauma and Toxic Stress," "Building Resilience and Responding to Trauma-based Behaviors," "Intergenerational Trauma and Parent-Child Attachment" and "Secondary Traumatic Stress and Self Care." Participants came from all over southwest Michigan from school systems, hospitals, intermediate school districts, departments of health and human services, area non-profits, etc.

For more information, or to schedule a training, please visit our website.