Riverside Trauma Center (RTC) provided a two-day training session on psychological first aid and post traumatic stress management for staff from a number of schools and agencies involved in the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI) programs in Fall River on May 20 and 21, 2013, at the Fall River Boys and Girls Club. Regional Coordinator Jennifer Cabral introduced RTC Co-founder and Director Larry Berkowitz and Riverside Program Coordinator Waheeda Saif who took the group of about 75 counselors through two days of training. The goal of the training was to reduce the long-term psychological effects of trauma on those who witness violence, incuding disasters, suicides, homicides or the untimely death of a student. The session also included training in personal stress management for responders. For more information, contact Fall River SSYI Program Coordinator and Fall River Youth Services Coordinator Christian McCloskey at 508-982-4297.

(Top row) Boys and Girls Club Program Mimi Larrivee, left, and Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director Michelle Loranger, right, listen as Riverside Program Coordinator Waheeda Saif welcomes the group. (Row two) Co-founder and Riverside Trauma Center Director Larry Berkowitz introduces some break-out sessions as B.M.C. Durfee High School counselors Paul Leite and Michaela Hetzler listen. (Row three) Groups work through an exercise in trauma response under the direction of Riverside Trauma Center Regional Coordinator Jennifer Cabral, right. (Bottom row, left) Terry Giza of Solid Ground Psychotherapy, Melissa Carlson, and Karlie Cesarini discuss their stategy with SSTAR clinician Gail Fernandes as Michaela Hetzler looks on. (Bottom row, center) Elaine LeBlanc poses questions during the wrap-up session.