Strategies for working with children impacted by race-based traumatic stress

This session provides a clear and practical pathway for supporting students impacted by race-based traumatic stress. Participants will be introduced to a groundbreaking, evidence-informed tool: the racial trauma module for the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS). Developed to address a critical gap in school mental health, this module offers a structured, safe, and culturally responsive framework to help students process their experiences, build critical coping skills, and develop a positive sense of their own identity and future. Throughout this interactive and empowering workshop, attendees will engage directly with the material. Participants will define the specific manifestations of race-based trauma in a school setting, explore the module’s core therapeutic goals and components, and apply several of its key strategies through case discussions and practical examples. The session will conclude with a discussion on practical considerations for implementing these sensitive but essential conversations, ensuring you leave with the confidence and a concrete tool to foster healing and resilience in your school community. Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to identify covert and overt forms of racism youth experience and identify the potential impact. 2. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies to work with children who are impacted by race-based traumatic stress, and opportunities will be available in-session for participants to put the skills in practice. 3. Participants will be able to identify concrete strategies on how to have conversations with youth about race, racism, and its’ impact and help youth identify strategies to address the specific impact of racism on their overall well-being.

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