Ridgewater offers First Responder seminar on childhood trauma

Ridgewater College’s Customized Training and Continuing Education department is offering a seminar for first responders helping them understand the effects of trauma on children.

The seminar, Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Situations: What First Responders Can Do, takes place in the college’s Hutchinson campus commons from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. Admission is free, thanks to the Minnesota Thrive Initiative.

Exposure to trauma is often what comes before emotional and behavioral problems which may ultimately negatively impact children and society. First Responders are in a unique position to make a positive and lasting change in the lives of troubled children and their families as they have the potential of playing a pivotal role in protecting the future of a child.

First Responders will learn about childhood trauma, identification of children exposed to trauma, strategies to reduce the traumatic impact for children of first responder interventions, and how to have a positive a influence by providing families local information to access mental health professionals or other local outreach organizations.

Session instructor Andrea Haglin has worked in psychology since 1999 as an advocate for children with mental health diagnoses. A Ridgewater College psychology instructor since 2002, she brings knowledge and experience to this topic. She has a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is working toward a PhD from Walden University. Haglin is the current co-facilitator of Parent Connection in Hutchinson.

The seminar is approved by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training for Continuing Education credits. For more information or to register for the course, call Ridgewater at (320) 222-5200.