Breaking the Cycle: Trauma, ACEs, and Intergenerational Healing in Families

Session Description

Many parents involved with child welfare have experienced adverse childhood experiences, grief, violence, poverty, discrimination, or other forms of trauma themselves. This session focuses on how trauma can shape stress responses, emotional regulation, relationships, discipline, and trust in helping systems. Participants will explore trauma-informed approaches that promote healing, reduce shame, strengthen parent-child relationships, and interrupt intergenerational cycles of abuse and neglect.

Learning Objectives

• Describe long-term effects of ACEs and trauma.

• Explain how trauma histories affect parenting.

• Recognize ways to interrupt cycles of maltreatment.

• Apply trauma-informed principles that support healing.

2026 - 2027 Louisiana CASA Webinar Series: Healthy Minds, Safe Children: Preventing Child Abuse Through Mental Health Awareness and Support

This eight-part webinar series explores how mental health awareness, early intervention, trauma-informed support, and strong community partnerships can help prevent child abuse and neglect. Participants will examine how caregiver wellness, childhood trauma, adolescent mental health, and family stress influence child safety while learning practical ways to recognize concerns early, strengthen protective factors, and connect families to support before crises occur.