Buffalo Commons: Connecting Cultural Competency and Trauma Informed Care Approaches with CoNECT

This workshop is geared toward professionals and frontline workers in education, healthcare, human and community services.

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified disparities in health, education, housing and more; and created individual, family and community trauma. This workshop will tackle our current reality, share best practices, and allow for interactive learning to help participants understand and support healing from trauma and promoting resiliency in a community and culturally responsive way.

Gain knowledge and learn best practices related to integrating cultural competency and trauma-informed approaches in your work. Hear experts on these subjects CoNECT- Community Network for Engagement, Connection and Transformation, and voices from diverse communities weighing in with their perspectives. Develop ideas to collaborate with others to help you understand their needs and build on their strengths.

Cultural competence allows systems and organizations to provide care and services for those with diverse social, cultural, and linguistic needs, values, behaviors and beliefs.

Trauma-informed approaches help providers and practitioners identify and understand the nature and pervasiveness of individual, family, community and historical trauma; and to better support healing and recovery.

Meet the Trainers:
Jessica Bauer Walker, B.A., CHW. Jessica is the Executive Director of the CoNECT, where she works as a Community Health Worker, trainer, and facilitator of collaborative projects. Jessica has worked in community-building and civic engagement in local, national, and international contexts. She has served in AmeriCorps and the U.S. Peace Corps, as an organizer in two Presidential campaigns and director of operations for Rock the Vote, and as a project manager for several agencies.

Sherman Webb-Middlebrooks, B.A., CHW. Sherman completed his fellowship with the Open Society Foundation and has created the WIN initiative, which is focused on youth engagement/leadership. He is an experienced CHW who has worked with CHWNB for years, first as a student CHW conducting school health work, and then assisting with training and advocacy work. He has worked at many other organizations including Leaving Our Legacy, Gateway-Longview, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, and Boys and Girls Clubs.

Renee Cadzow, Ph.D. Renee holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and is an Assistant Professor of Health Services Administration. She is the Co-Director of the Center for Research on Physical Activity, Sport, and Health at D’Youville College. Her research and evaluation efforts focus on maternal and child health and include both health care practice-based research as well as community based participatory research. Renee is active in public health advocacy and is also a board member of numerous agencies.

Nicolalita Rodriguez, B.A., LMSW. Founder and Executive Director of Little People’s Victory, Nicolalita, also known as Niki, with over ten years experience as a social worker, therapist, organizer and support professional in the fields of mental and behavioral health, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice, community organizing and public school systems. She also holds a B.A. in Dance and Spanish with over a decade worth of experience as a dance educator and Zumba(r) Instructor and is currently continuing training and education in Trauma Sensitive Trauma Centered Yoga. Nicolalita is very active in her community and enjoys utilizing the arts to build inclusive spaces for expression and healing.