The Center for Excellence in Child Welfare in Champaign, Illinois, will host a two-day Train-the-Trainer event on June 9-10, 2023, aimed at enhancing support for youth in care with disabilities. This event, developed with support from the U.S. Department of Education’s School-Based Mental Health Grant, prioritizes school social workers, psychologists, and special education administrators, with a limit of 40 participants. Each participant will receive a $400 stipend and free Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Attendees will be trained to facilitate sessions using the newly developed “Youth in Care with Disabilities Resource Guide,” which offers strategies for collaboration between child welfare and special education systems. The guide addresses the mental health needs of youth in care, including those with complex medical needs, and prepares participants to support these youth effectively, particularly during transitions to post-secondary education. Key learning objectives include increasing knowledge about the resource guide, developing training skills, and enhancing educational supports for youth in care with disabilities.