We're so grateful that CDSS has sponsored The Cool Aunt Series, monthly trainings and youth mentorship for four awesome years! Unfortunately, that funding ends June 2026. To encourage counties to continue partnering with The Cool Aunt, CDSS has pre-approved The Cool Aunt as an eligible service for Complex Care Funding (over $34M awarded across CA). To learn more, please email [email protected] or click the button to schedule a meeting!
Some Uncool News:
The Cool Aunt's CDSS Sponsorship for all CA Counties ends June 30, 2026. BUT!! Here's the cool news... Counties can keep TCA services active for under $10K!
Training/Event Descriptions
BUILDING STRONGER RAPPORT with CSEC and Trauma-Impacted Youth
Join the TCA Training team as we dive into practical, trauma-informed skills to build authentic rapport with CSEC and foster youth. Participants learn how trauma, culture, power, and survival strategies influence behavior and communication. Using frameworks such as the Drama Triangle, the Community Circle of Trust, and the Iceberg of Culture, attendees shift from reacting to behavior to understanding the needs underneath. They gain concrete, role‑appropriate strategies to replace punitive responses with relational, regulated, youth‑centered approaches that honor agency and build trust. Because at the heart of it all, building real rapport isn’t a soft skill — it’s a safety skill.
WHEN STRENGTH HURTS: Understanding and Addressing Resilience Fatigue in CSEC and Trauma-Impacted Youth
Resilience is often celebrated as a strength, but for youth impacted by severe abuse, neglect, and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC), it can come at a high cost. This comprehensive training introduces the concept of resilience fatigue—the emotional, physical, and psychological exhaustion that results from the constant expectation to “be strong.” Participants will explore how resilience fatigue affects recovery, decision-making, and overall well-being, drawing on trauma theory, stress adaptation models, and emerging research.
The session will examine systemic and situational factors that perpetuate this cycle and highlight the neurobiological mechanisms that transform resilience from an asset into a liability. Through interactive discussions, case examples, and practical exercises, attendees will learn trauma-informed strategies to support sustainable healing and reduce systemic pressures. Emphasis will be placed on cross-disciplinary collaboration among social workers, educators, advocates, medical professionals, and law enforcement to create environments that prioritize safety, empowerment, and long-term recovery over mere survival.
BEYOND EXPLOITATION: Viewing Grief Through the Lens of Trauma in CSEC and Trauma-Impacted Youth
Grief is often an unseen companion to trauma, especially for youth impacted by Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC). This training empowers social workers, therapists, and court advocates to uncover the hidden layers of grief within complex trauma. Participants will explore how grief manifests uniquely in exploited and trauma-impacted youth, its profound influence on healing, and practical strategies for integrating grief-informed care into advocacy and clinical practice. By reframing grief through a trauma lens, we can foster resilience, restore dignity, and create pathways toward holistic recovery. By the end of this training, participants will:
- Identify the intersection of grief and trauma in CSEC and trauma-impacted youth.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of grief that often go unnoticed in exploitation cases.
- Understand the neurobiological and emotional impact of grief on healing and resilience.
- Apply grief-informed approaches in therapeutic and advocacy settings.
- Develop strategies to support youth in navigating loss while building safety and trust.