We would like to thank Jon Daily, CPA and East Baton Rouge District Attorneys Grant Administrator for speaking as our substance abuse expert for the last in-service training on April 4th. Over 40 volunteers along with CASA staff learned a lot of helpful knowledge.
In this 3-hour training we learned so much about child-hood trauma, addiction, and coping mechanisms. We saw unsettling data regarding the increasing number of over-doses in East Baton Rouge and common substances found both here and in the surrounding areas.
Many CASA volunteers are advocating for children who have been removed from their homes because of a parent’s addiction and are directly affected by the opioid epidemic our nation struggles with. CASA volunteers play a crucial role in these teens lives and by learning more about this topic they are better equipped to handle behavior issues that stem from the trauma. Helping teens “Reason, Relate and Regulate” was just one trauma informed technique that we discussed.
One quote that resonated with everyone in the training was this: “Our brains are wired for connection, but trauma rewires them for protection. That’s why healthy relationships are difficult for wounded people” Ryan North
Jon told us about several local prevention programs and resources, and even gave us his direct line if we ever need him.