In this session, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji and Dr. Constance West will discuss the limitations of current, school-based, trauma-informed care programs to fully address the academic and socio-emotional needs of children of color. In addition, Drs. West-Olatunji and West assert that existing trauma-informed care programs lack sufficient focus on structural factors (such as race-based trauma) that often impact academic performance and socio-emotional well-being. Finally, Drs. West-Olatunji & West will identify how educators, clinicians, and parents can infuse culture-centered knowledge, skills, and interventions into school-based, trauma-informed care programs to maximize outcomes in school, home, and clinical settings.
Cirecie West-Olatunji, Ph.D. is the founding director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research at Xavier University of Louisiana. Additionally, Dr. West-Olatunji is a past president of the American Counseling Association and past president of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. She has presented numerous training programs nationally and globally on this topic.
Dr. Constance West is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20+ years of professional experience, specializing in Juvenile Forensic Psychology & Health Clinical Psychology. She has devoted her career to the development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally sensitive/appropriate, public health, clinical, and educational programs for African-Americans. Dr. West has co-authored journal articles and conducted numerous presentations on related topics. Over the course of her professional career, Dr. West has worked in government, medical, mental health, and educational settings. Currently, Dr. West serves as Co-Founder of CRESTS-Achieve; operates a private practice (Sankofa Services, LLC; located in Stone Mountain, Georgia); and serves as an Adjunct Professor at Xavier University of New Orleans.