In this webinar, viewers will meet Mr. Smith, a 27-year-old single father who works full-time as a health worker. He and his fiancé would like full custody of his 7-year-old son, Samuel. His son is under the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after Samuel’s pre-school teacher reported that he was sleeping in class and arriving to school, on numerous occasions, unkempt and hungry. The school made multiple, yet unsuccessful attempts to meet and speak with Samuel’s mother, Ms. Johnson. Mr. Smith does not understand why DCF did not contact him first instead of placing Samuel in a foster home. He is now required to meet with a social worker, Mr. Muhammad, to “learn parenting skills.”

Introduces Miguel, a 17-year-old with a history of truancy, fighting, and multiple arrests since the age of 14— around the time his mother passed away from cancer. He lives with his grandmother and siblings and occasionally sees his father, who lives out of state. Recently, during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Miguel was arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest. His previous therapist of several years has transitioned out, and he is struggling to make a real connection with his new therapist.

Features James, a 16-year-old African American youth who has been living with his maternal uncle, Patrick, since he and his two younger sisters were removed from their biological parents three years ago when James reported to a teacher that his father physically abused him. The teacher filed a report with Child Protective Services (CPS), quickly leading to the removal of James and his two younger sisters (ages seven and nine at that time) from the family home. CPS has been the legal guardian of all three children ever since. CPS gave Patrick physical custody of James, but James’ sisters were placed with a foster family. Patrick helps James enter psychotherapy with Dr. Julian Ford. During his first telehealth session , James is skeptical about whether Dr. Ford can understand what it’s like to to be a young African American man. As their session proceeds, James hesitantly opens up and share some of his deep frustrations and fears, including how James hopes that Patrick can accept and support him as he navigates these complex issues.

In this webinar, five expert trauma therapists reflect on the challenges involved in working with children and families who have experienced complex forms of developmental trauma. In addition, Dr. Rocio Chang (who also participated in the roundtable discussion) will moderate live commentary with Dr. Maureen Allwood, Dr. Ernestine Briggs-King, and Dr. Russell Jones.

Features Dr. Wizdom Powell, an artist, Director of the Health Disparities Institute, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, and Senior Consultant for the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders at UConn Health, who has worked to reduce health disparities and promote wellness by boys and men from communities of color. During this segment, Dr. Powell will describe the impact of chronic exposure to developmental trauma on young Black men and share how intergenerational trauma has affected them, and their families and communities. She will highlight creative pathways that can be considered to promote healing.

In this webinar, you will hear from Andrew Woods, a clinician with over two decades of experience working with boys and men of color. Andrew is the executive director of Hartford Communities That Care (HCTC), a nonprofit 501(c) (3) community-based organization founded in 1998, whose mission is to create a thriving, non-violent and drug free environment for youth and families. As a leader and advocate for victims of violence and trauma in underserved communities, Andrew has developed and implemented culturally appropriate, high quality, and evidence-based crisis response, mental health and supportive programs, partnerships, and policies to improve the lives of youth and adult victims of crime and their families in the Greater Hartford Area of CT.