C-SC to be host of one-day conference on Dec. 13 about trauma-informed expertise

CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College (C-SC) will host a one-day conference, “Navigating Complex Trauma: Responsive Interventions for the Helping Professions,” on Friday, Dec. 13, at the Mabee Center.

The conference is presented in partnership with the Missouri Complex Trauma Training Consortium (CTTC), part of a national initiative to build trauma-informed expertise across the United States. Supported by the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the CTTC empowers professionals with the latest knowledge and tools for addressing complex trauma.

This conference will provide mental health professionals, educators and other human service-helping professionals an opportunity to deepen their understanding of complex trauma and explore practical, evidence-based interventions. Attendees will gain insight into the neurological, physiological and psychological effects of trauma and learn how to apply strategies for supporting those impacted by trauma — especially vulnerable populations such as immigrants, refugees and people experiencing systemic trauma.

The event will feature a keynote address by Angel Knoverek, Culver-Stockton College’s director of counselor education, on the impact of complex trauma, followed by three rounds of breakout sessions led by experts in the field — Lindsey Knochel and Karen C. Simms, director of Trauma and Resilience Initiative, Inc.

Session topics are:

• Complex Trauma and Neurobiology
• Evidence-Based Strategies to Support Parents
• Complex Trauma in Immigrant and Refugee Families
• Complex Trauma
• Schools and Learning
• Supporting Parents Who Experienced Intergenerational or Systemic Trauma
• Complex Trauma and Substance Use
• Complex Trauma and LGBTQ+ Youth and Provider Bias
• Implicit Racism
• White Privilege

The day will conclude with a session titled “When Hurts Heal: A Message of Hope and Resilience,” presented by Simms.

Knoverek is the director for complex trauma training consortiums at Culver-Stockton College and Mindshift Center in Quincy, Ill.

In a press release, Knoverek said, “It’s a great resource to have this level of expertise in our local tri-state community, especially to develop our helping professionals’ knowledge and best practices to work with individuals who have experienced complex trauma.”

Registration for the event is at bit.ly/cts_2024. The event is $45 per general registration. General registration includes lunch and a certificate of attendance. Registration is free for C-SC students.

For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/cts_2024 or contact Melissa Holt at mholt@culver.edu or 573-228-6417.