Resilience training Sept. 20 at North Idaho College

The North Idaho Strengthening Families Coalition will host the second Building Resilience Training from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at North Idaho College.

This event will be held to empower community members who are dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing adversity. Attendees will gain invaluable insights and practical tools to build resilience and foster healing. The training will provide an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts, connect with like-minded professionals and make a meaningful impact in the community.

The training aims to provide attendees with tools to build resilience in the individuals and families they serve, thereby supporting their efforts to heal from past adversity and better cope with future life challenges.

Individuals who work or volunteer directly with individuals or families experiencing poverty, homelessness, violence, trauma, resource insecurity, challenging behaviors, substance use disorder and/or mental health disorders are all invited to attend. This includes first responders, educators, health care workers, nonprofit volunteers, advocates, church members, board members and agency frontline workers.

"The individuals and families served by agencies and nonprofits in our community rely on vital resources from numerous organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul, Panhandle Health District, Community Action Partnership, North Idaho College, the Salvation Army Kroc Center, Heritage Health, United Way and more," KJ Brant, community resource coordinator for Idaho Children's Trust Fund, said in a July news release. "It is imperative that frontline staff and volunteers understand adversity and adopt a consistent support language. This approach will alleviate stress for everyone involved and significantly enhance engagement and outcomes.”

Registration for the training is $10 and includes lunch and a book on a topic presented.

The training is divided into two parts. The first part covers “What Happened/Is Happening.” This section addresses the adversity individuals have faced in their past or are currently facing to assist those in the helping professions in better understanding their lived experiences. Topics include resilience, poverty, ALICE (Asset Limited Income Challenge Employed) populations, child neglect and adverse childhood experiences.

The second part covers “What’s Strong” and introduces multiple strength-based, trauma-informed frameworks and techniques to build resilience in individuals who have faced or are currently facing adversity. Topics include motivational interviewing, trust-based relational intervention, Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, protective factors, stewards of children, trauma stewardship and mindfulness. The training also incorporates five practice sessions.

The 12 presenters are all subject matter experts representing a wide range of local agencies and nonprofits, including the Coeur d’Alene School District, Community Action Partnership Food Bank, Canopy Village, Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, IdahoSTARS, North Idaho College Head Start, the ICARE program of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, Mountain States Early Head Start, North Idaho College Center for New Directions and United Way of North Idaho.

Visit strengtheningfamiliesni.com to register.

Contact Brant at kj.brant@ctf.idaho.gov or 208-818-3001 for details.

The North Idaho Strengthening Families Coalition is an alliance of dozens of nonprofits and agencies collaborating to facilitate community partnerships to implement strengthening families strategies for child abuse prevention.