Childhood trauma expert shares strategies with area educators

Avis Smith, LSCSW, Director of St. Luke’s Crittenton Prevention and School-based services, visited Walla Walla last week to share her work on childhood trauma. Smith focused on how childhood trauma impacts emotions and behavior. She offered resiliency strategies which include positive relationships with caring adults. Smith presented during a community event and also met with area early learning educators.

“We learned about the brain and trauma response, types of trauma, and possible situations in the classroom which may trigger trauma,” said Kerri Coffman, Director of WWPS Head Start/ECEAP program. “We also learned Attunement Steps to be proactive in the classroom and the importance of routines and rituals as well as self care.”

PHOTO: Mark Brown, Kerri Coffman, Avis Smith and Teri Barila.