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
JUSTICE AND HEALING: Confronting Moral Injury and Criminalization in Youth Care
Both moral injury and forced criminality deepen trauma and perpetuate systemic harm. When professionals fail to understand these dynamics, youth are often misidentified as “offenders” rather than victims—leading to punitive responses instead of healing interventions.
This training emphasizes the transformative power of Restorative Justice Principles over criminalization and labeling. Restorative Justice offers a framework to repair harm, restore dignity, and rebuild trust, shifting responses from punishment to healing-centered engagement. Designed for social workers, child welfare professionals, and allied service providers, this dynamic session provides a deeper understanding of moral injury and forced criminality within the context of CSEC and trauma-impacted foster youth. Participants will leave equipped with practical strategies to promote resilience and empowerment.
Registration Link
BUILDING STRONGER RAPPORT with CSEC and Trauma-Impacted Youth
Join us for a three-hour interactive training led by former foster youth and TCA Ambassador, Lily Couts, who brings a powerful, lived perspective on creating trust and meaningful connections within child welfare and court-involved environments. This session will cover practical strategies for engaging youth and families, fostering collaboration, and navigating systemic challenges with empathy and respect. Following the presentation, we’ll have some time for Q&A, allowing you to ask tough questions and brainstorm solutions for the youth you work with. Learning objectives will include:
- Understand the importance of rapport-building in child welfare and court-involved systems.
- Identify barriers to trust and engagement for youth and families.
- Apply practical strategies to foster collaboration and empathy in challenging environments.
- Explore real-world examples and solutions through interactive discussion and Q&A.
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.