Services Hanna Institute Trauma-Equipped Training

Trauma-Equipped Training

Increase your capacity to care

Strengthen Your Ability to Recognize and Respond to Behaviors Created by Trauma

Developed in collaboration with Head Start California, this certificate program equips early childhood professionals with practical tools and a trauma-responsive, healing-centered approach to help children and families thrive.

Being trauma-equipped means having the tools to recognize and respond to behaviors shaped by trauma—in yourself, in children, in caregivers, and in your peers. This training combines practical strategies from behavioral science, neuroscience, and real-world experience to help you feel supported, motivated, and ready to respond with confidence and care.

Ready to get trauma‑equipped? Sign up today!

Sign up

What to Expect

Trauma-Equipped Certificate Program

How Is This Program Structured?

This fully online, self-paced training is composed of four courses, with an optional add-on for supervisory level staff. You’ll learn through engaging videos, informative articles and stay on task with quizzes and assignments at the end of each module to measure and ensure your understanding. You can set aside a large block of time or spread it out. The average time to complete the course is 9 hours, but more or less time may be needed.

What Will I Learn?

Every 20-minute online module is packed with practical skills, expert insights, and real-world scenarios to help you sustain your energy and resilience in the face of challenges. Implement the PFCE Framework and meet Head Start Performance Standards to promote children and families’ mental health and social-emotional well-being. Build stronger relationships with children, families, and colleagues with tools you can use every day. You will walk away with more confidence, more calm, and more connection.

What Do I Get Upon Completion?

After completing this course, you will receive a certificate of completion. For staff who currently hold a LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, or LEP license, this course also earns you a credential and 8 continuing education units!

When Can I Start?

After receiving the log-in instructions, you can begin the course whenever it’s convenient for you.

Program Modules

Trauma-Equipped Certificate Program

Trauma-Responsive Practices in Early Childhood

Equip yourself to be a positive and consistent support for our most vulnerable children and families.

  • Introduction
  • Welcome from Head Start California Executive Director, Melanee Cottrill
  • Body Scan Meditation
  • Understanding Trauma and PACEs
  • Dr. Monica Noriega on the importance of Head Start
  • Trauma-responsive practices for ECE
  • Dr. Vilma Reyes on trauma in early childhood
  • Use PACEs to create safe spaces
  • Job Aid: signs of trauma
  • Quiz

Caring for the Caregiver

Learn techniques to continue your invaluable work without burning out.

  • Introduction
  • How do you care for yourself?
  • Inner Oasis Meditation
  • Understanding the importance of self-regulation
  • Trauma’s impact on the brain and body
  • Dr. Monica Noriega on reflective practices
  • Caring for the caregiver
  • Job Aid: Community and Collective Care
  • Quiz

Supporting Families & Other Caregivers

Acquire the tools to create communities of care that ripple outward from children and families.

  • Introduction
  • Trauma Check-in
  • Heart Light Meditation
  • Supporting families
  • Why Past Trauma matters
  • Dr. Monica Noriega on ancestral, racial, and immigrant trauma
  • Caring for families and other caregivers
  • Strategies to strengthen the caregiver-child connection
  • Job Aid: Identifying trauma in caregivers
  • Job Aid: Strategies to support caregivers
  • Dr. Vilma Reyes on Head Start as part of the community
  • Quiz

De-Escalation & Conflict Resolution

Gain new skills to handle the intense situations that inevitably come up.

  • Introduction
  • Conflict check-in
  • Five Senses Meditation
  • De-Escalation and Conflict Resolution overview
  • Trauma’s impact on the brain and body
  • De-Escalation and conflict resolution
  • Job Aid: breathing exercises for self-regulation
  • Job aid: Plan and implement strategies for self
  • Job Aid: Regulation plan for others
  • Dr. Vilma Reyes on de-escalation in early childhood
  • Quiz

Add-on Course for Supervisors

Add this module to learn how to build a strong, purpose-driven culture that supports your Head Start staff and the families you serve. You’ll get practical tools and fresh ideas to help create a team environment where people feel safe, supported, and motivated to stay.

Trauma-Equipped Training for Supervisors

Trauma-Equipped Training for Supervisors is a supplemental course to address the added responsibilities of supervisors and other leaders in Head Start programs. Especially now, when overwhelm, turnover, and stress are at peak levels, supervisors have a special role to play in the success and well-being of everyone in the Head Start community.

  • Introduction
  • Impact of trauma check-in
  • Leading from values meditation
  • Why Is Self-Regulation Crucial?
  • Effective Responses to Poor Staff Performance

Features

  • Hear from trauma and childhood experts and clinicians.
  • Learn self-regulation practices to create a stress buffer.
  • Gain insights on empowering and connecting more to families.
  • Develop a simple tactic for cooling down stressful situations.

Ready to Get Trauma‑Equipped? Sign Up Today!

Sign up

I have worked in trauma informed care for 15 years and there are things that I learned in this online training. It is also created in a way that keeps things interesting. Five stars!

Tina Kelly LMFT and Head Start California member, on Trauma-Equipped Training

I left feeling informed and equipped with strategies.

Early Childhood Education Student

You were able to make it fun while sharing your knowledge and expertise with us.

Teacher

Thank you for teaching me self-care and how to connect with my roots.

Early Childhood Education Student

Discover Next

Residential
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.