Together, We’re Better learning series
Creating a community of welcome, support, and belonging for newcomer students and families requires a holistic approach that considers the strengths and expertise of all stakeholders including: refugee families and students, teachers, administrators, scholars, community organization experts and staff, resettlement agencies, and state staff.
Join us in our 2025 Pennsylvania Refugee Education Program Learning series to deepen your understanding of best practices in serving newcomer youth and families in your schools and communities.
There is no cost to attend. Act 48 credit available.
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Supporting Refugee Youth and Families by Understanding Forced Displacement, Trauma and Mental Health
[Recorded February 20, 2025] Learn the stages of displacement, flight, and refuge, with an emphasis on the stressors experienced at each stage and their impact on mental health across the lifespan. Explore culturally appropriate, strengths-based, and person-centered approaches in addressing displaced and newcomer populations, and gain an introduction to trauma-informed care practices.
Trauma-informed Engagement for Newcomer Youth who have Experienced Forced Displacement
Thursday, March 20, 3:00-4:00 PM ET
Join us for part two of our two-part series led by Jessica Dalpe from the Center for Adjustment, Resilience and Recovery (CARRE), an affiliate of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). In part one, we learned about the common pathways to displacement and refuge, the impacts these journeys can have on newcomers’ well-being, and the importance of engaging newcomers from a trauma-informed, asset-based approach.
In this module, build on your learning from part one by deepening your understanding of trauma and trauma-informed care and identify ways in which we might apply strategies for reducing client stress during service delivery using trauma-informed principles. Examine the effects of trauma and toxic stress on clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, particularly the impacts on children and families.
Explore key strategies for mitigating stress, such as setting boundaries and realistic expectations, using empathic communication, and incorporating trauma-informed approaches in educational settings. Focus on the role of trauma-informed educators in fostering supportive environments for those affected by trauma.
Meet Our Instructor
Jessica Dalpe, Project Manager and Co-investigator, CARRE (Center for Adjustment, Resilience and Recovery)
Jessica Dalpe is a licensed social worker who has worked in the international social work field for over a decade. Jessica’s work focuses on generating and integrating evidence-based practices related to gender-based violence and mental health and psychosocial support for refugees, asylum-seekers, and other immigrants in the U.S. who have faced forced displacement. She currently works as the senior technical advisor for safety and wellness at IRC. CARRE supports practitioners to prevent and mitigate the impact of traumatic stress on forcibly displaced children, youth and families.