Poverty’s Impact on the Brain

Promoting Positive Change in Communities by Confronting Poverty

Louisiana CASA is excited to host our third webinar series. This series is brought to you in partnership with the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund so we are required to ask participants certain demographic questions during registration. Once you register, an email will be sent to you that includes the link to join the webinar. We hope to see you there! View flyer.

This course has been approved for 1 General Social Work CEUs by Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy as authorized by the Louisiana Board of Social Work Examiners.

Session 2: Poverty's Impact on the Brain

Poverty isn’t just about financial scarcity; it profoundly shapes the way children’s brains develop. Growing up in disadvantaged environments can affect the brain cognition, structure, and overall well-being. The presentation will delve into research that reveals the short and long-term affects poverty and explore the brain's remarkable capacity for change. Join us as we bridge neuroscience and social justice, equipping participants with knowledge to create positive outcomes for vulnerable populations.

About the Speaker

Dr. David G. Weissman is a professor of psychology and the director of the Resilience, Affect, and Neurodevelopment Lab at California State University. David’s program of research focuses in particular on how exposure to violence and other forms of adversity, including childhood poverty, impact the way adolescents experience emotions in their brains, bodies, and minds, with the hope that a better understanding of this will lead to improved treatments and interventions and better mental health outcomes for youth. In addition, with the goal of identifying the most effective means of intervening to improve mental health and reduce mental health disparities, David has conducted pioneering research evaluating the impacts of structural characteristics, such as public policies, on brain development and mental health in adolescence.