Resource parents are all too familiar with the impact of trauma on the children in your care. Unfortunately, over recent years the collective trauma of climate-change driven disasters have increasingly added to the risks, and increased the vulnerability, of the children you serve. This workshop will address the impact of climate change on child mental health, including the trauma of local disaster events, and the climate anxiety and distress increasingly experienced by children as they age. We will explore the intersection of climate distress with other vulnerability factors for children in care. We will provide tools for speaking with children of all ages about climate change and climate mental health, and activities for promoting child and family resilience in the face of these stressors. This workshop will also address the impact of climate change on parent and caregiver well being, and will include multiple opportunities to develop and practice our own resilience-building skills.

Speaker Bio:
Jenni Silverstein, LCSW, is a California endorsed Infant Family Mental Health Specialist and Reflective Practice Facilitator. She has over 20 years of experience fostering early childhood and parental mental health. She specializes in providing nature-based therapy for children with developmental trauma histories, and has extensive experience supporting children and families in the Child Welfare System. Jenni serves on the Executive Committee of the Climate Psychology Alliance-North America, and works at the intersection of climate justice and early childhood mental health. She promotes climate resilience in children, parents, and communities through educational workshops, public speaking engagements, and written materials. Jenni is committed to engaging in collaborative efforts to strengthen service systems and co-create resilient communities, in which every child can experience a sense of belonging and develop the skills needed to thrive in this changing world.