CTRS-E Certification Course

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Course Introduction

In this foundation-setting course, participants will be walked, step-by-step, through the 10 steps to create a trauma-informed, resilience-focused school. 

Presented by Dr. Caelan Soma, the course content focuses on resilience and an emphasis on understanding how trauma impacts children and their school experience. It provides proactive strategies such as fostering connections, prioritizing social and emotional skills, establishing safety, and promoting play. Detailed information and concrete actions are also covered, and in a way that doesn’t just answer the “why” but also the “how” to create the best classroom and school supports for traumatized students and the school professionals who serve them. Later in the course, a strong focus on understanding the link between a student’s private logic and their academic achievement and behavior deficits in the Circle of Courage’s universal needs is addressed, as well as how to assess students and create behavior support plans for each. Strategies to collaborate with families and communities and to support staff will be presented also, as well as examples of how to collect and utilize outcome data.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Identify at least three questions to ask to promote a trauma-informed and resilience-focused mindset when working with students in the school setting.
  • Name the four main protective factors of resilient youth.
  • Describe how trauma impacts the deep and outer brain functions specifically in the school setting.
  • Recall at least five proactive strategies for every classroom.
  • Express the concept of private logic and provide at least two examples of how private logic impacts behavior in the school setting. 
  • Recognize at least three ways your school can collaborate with caregivers, family and community.
  • Recount the importance of self-care for educators and other school professionals. 
  • Report at least three evaluation strategies to use to determine your school’s level of trauma-informed and resilience-focused practices.

Academic Guidelines for Courses and Exams

Starr Commonwealth recognizes the importance of academic integrity within the academic community. Starr expects that participants in Starr courses and exams will honor this principal to protect the validity of Starr’s intellectual work. Please review the below academic guidelines.

  • All academic work will be done by the individual to whom it is assigned. 
  • Each participant is permitted to submit the exam twice. The highest grade will be saved. If at that time you do not receive a passing grade, you will be required to retake your course or repay for your exam.
  • If a participant is uncertain about an issue of academic honesty, he or she can consult a Starr faculty member to resolve any questions prior to the submission of an academic exercise.
  • Cheating, fabrication, falsification and plagiarism (intentional or unintentional) are not permitted in any academic exercise for Starr courses or exams.

About the Instructor – Dr. Caelan Soma

Dr. Caelan Soma, PsyD, LMSW, Chief Clinical Officer at Starr Commonwealth, provides trauma assessment and short-term trauma intervention for students utilizing trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, including Starr’s SITCAP® model. 

Dr. Soma has been involved in helping with the aftermath of disasters such as Sandy Hook, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 9/11, and more. She has authored several books, including, Working with Grieving and Traumatized Children and Adolescents and 10 Steps to Create a Trauma-Informed Resilient School.

She is an internationally acclaimed speaker and trainer and oversees all of Starr Commonwealth’s proven products and services. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology at California Southern University, where she received the 2013 CalSouthern President’s Award.

Course Length and Access

  • This course takes approximately 12-hours to complete each required component and we encourage you to take your time with it, completing it at whatever pace works best for you and your self-care needs.
    • We strongly encourage participants to watch all of the recommended videos, read all of the provided and recommended resources, and complete all of the provided activities – as this will help to ensure a trauma-informed, resilience-focused foundation is set for your future growth and the betterment of the students you serve.
  • Starr eLearning courses can be completed on laptops, tablets, or mobile devices – allowing the content to be accessed whenever and wherever you need it most.
  • You will have access to this course page for 1-year (365 days)

Continuing Education Credits

Starr Commonwealth awards continuing education certificates for our online courses; however, it is up to each individual to understand the licensing requirements within their jurisdiction. Participants are responsible for contacting their state licensing board to determine if credits awarded for completion of this program will be accepted.