Title: How Can I Connect? Building Culturally Aware Engagements & Environments with Families
Date: September 12, 2024
Time: 9am CST/ 10am EST
Description: Cultural sensitivity is a topic of high need in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health field, as without it, the inherant need of belonging in a child and individual is stifled and can lead to unintentional trauma. This training will target how professionals can strengthen their awareness and understanding when working with families and children of various ethnicities and cultures. The presenter will identify how culture and origin of birth stories are woven into each of us, impacting children and families is a large way. The training will target questions that professionals often ask themselves: what should I do when cultural connection and engagement with the child and/or family needs to be strengthened? How can I aid in incorporating a child's culture in the foster home, classroom, etc? What do I need to keep in mind when I am in a home of another culture or teaching individuals with a lens unlike my own?
Presenter(s): Christina Williams MS, LMFT
Christina Williams, MS, LMFT, has been working with children and families for over 20 years. Coming from a culturally diverse background herself and having grown up in a military family, she grew up traveling across continents until settling in the United States. Christina's work is a tapestry of experience, combining perspectives from direct service work in the foster system, juvenile and adult court system, child welfare programs, and intensive behavioral management intervention. Upon moving to TN in 2016, Christina pursued and completed her Marriage and Family Therapist license, where she continued working with diverse populations and helping others to work with them as well. Christina currently owns and operates her own private practice in Cookeville TN, where she creates a space of belonging and opportunity to culturally diverse populations and individuals where resources and education are scarce due to rural developments. Christina is working hard every day in her community through her voice, career, and the Impact Leadership Program for Middle Tennessee, where she holds a place facilitating leadership courses, striving to see diversity, belonging, and inclusion continue to grow.