Learning Communities

Trauma Integration Initiative Learning Community

The Trauma Integration Initiative (TII) Learning Community is an informal space to come together to reflect on the impact that trauma work can have on us as individuals and to share support and resources. Meeting monthly over the course of the year, each LC will be a mix of presentation of a concept related to vicarious trauma and self care, and informal discussion among participants focused on skill implementation. At the end of the year, participants will have a framework for understanding vicarious trauma and a foundational skill set for managing the impact of working with trauma and trauma-impacted populations.

Meetings are held via Zoom, and are co-led by Dean Teresa Schirmer, Dean Sue Coleman and Professor Kathleen Flinton.

Please register here to get on the TII list. Zoom link will be sent the day prior to each meeting.

Examples of Past Events

Trauma-informed? What does this mean and why does it matter to social work practice?
This learning community will start with defining the term trauma-informed as it relates to both practice and the organizations in which we work, and ask questions about this construct. Is this definition enough? How do we move beyond being informed about trauma into a stance of being trauma-responsive? How does this look different for us as practitioners and in our service delivery? Using case examples, we will learn how to look beyond staff training on trauma to see the details of how systems are functioning relative to experiences of trauma, and how change can happen to transform our practices to be trauma responsive.
Facilitated by: Kathleen Flinton, Sue Coleman, and Scott Easton

The frequent and pervasive nature of colorism: implications for social work
This learning community will identify the ways in which colorism (discrimination of individuals with dark skin tone within and between ethnic groups) shows up in our lives on a personal, familial, community, and societal level. Facilitators will engage students through storytelling and use of social media to discuss how colorism is frequent and pervasive, and how it fluctuates depending on the context. Implications and examples of ways to include this framework within social work (clinical and macro-level) will also be explored.
Facilitated by: María Fernanda Piñeros and Tyrone M. Parchment

What does anti-racism and anti-oppressive social work look like for BIPOC?
This learning community will focus on exploring what anti-racist/anti-oppressive social work practice looks like for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Facilitators will also engage students through sharing their own experiences of implementing anti-racism/anti-oppressive practice. Implications for clinical and macro practice will be discussed.
Facilitated by: Samuel Bradley Jr. and Tyrone M. Parchment

Applying solution-focused practice to clinical and macro issues
This learning community will build on the Solution Focused course material and provide opportunities for students to practice Solution Focused therapy as well as the application of Solution Focused techniques and philosophy to organizational challenges. We will focus on practice and consultation during our time together
Facilitated by: Susan Tohn

LLI Learning Community
This learning community will be a space of encounter and accompaniment for LLI students as they navigate the BCSSW
Facilitated by: Rocío Calvo and Ximena Soto

Crisis leadership: navigating during COVD-19
This learning community will explore the difficulties, perils, and opportunities for leading organizations in times of crisis. We will explore decision-making during COVID-19; global social unrest due to anti-black racism; and the need to expand the scope and practice of social work to meet these challenges
Facilitated by: Gautam Yadama and Samuel Bradley Jr.

Neuroscience and social work: translating science to practice
Have you ever wanted to learn more about our fantastic elastic brains, but are especially interested in bridging research with practice (clinical and/or macro)? Well, this is the learning community for you! From the neurobiology of trauma to sleep to spirituality, we will take a journey together as we build our understanding of the brain using the person-in-environment framework. No background in neuroscience is needed.
Facilitated by: Jessica Black

Trauma Integration Initiative Learning Community
The Trauma Integration Initiative (TII) Learning Community is an informal space to come together to reflect on the impact that trauma work can have on us as individuals and to share support and resources. Meeting monthly over the course of the year, each LC will be a mix of presentations of a concept related to vicarious trauma and self-care, and informal discussion among participants focused on skill implementation. At the end of the year, participants will have a framework for understanding vicarious trauma and a foundational skill set for managing the impact of working with trauma and trauma-impacted populations.
Co-led by Dean Teresa Schirmer, Dean Sue Coleman and Professor Kathleen Flinton.