PARAÑAQUE CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) MIMAROPA conducted the first in a series of Trauma-Informed Care Training sessions from November 7 to 10, 2023, at the Sequoia Hotel.

This training was attended by 22 Local Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs) and their representatives from Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Marinduque with the primary goal of enhancing support for individuals and communities dealing with adversity, hardship, and trauma.

DSWD MIMAROPA Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso, CESO III underscored the importance of recognizing the complex socio-economic, environmental, and personal factors that often underlie the challenges faced by beneficiaries and clients. Many individuals and communities have endured adversity, hardship, and trauma in their lives, making it crucial for social workers, public servants, and partners to understand and respond to trauma-related issues in a sensitive and empowering way.

Trauma-Informed Care is an approach that prioritizes understanding the effects of trauma on individuals and communities, recognizing the signs of trauma, and creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and recovery.

Further, the training program included a comprehensive curriculum covering the principles of Trauma-Informed Care, the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, trauma-sensitive interventions, and best practices in working with trauma survivors. Participants engaged in practical exercises, group discussions, and case studies to enhance their understanding and application of these concepts.

The training also included participation from MIMAROPA SWAD Team leaders and representatives from the MIMAROPA Youth Center (MYC), a residential care facility.

The next training sessions, to be attended by LSWDOs from Oriental Mindoro and Palawan provinces, along with Pantawid Pamilya case managers, will take place from November 14 to 24, 2023.

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