Fostering Youth Voice: Resistance to Hurtful Labels, Prevalence of Ongoing Trauma, and Lack of Social Emotional Supports

• In Event: 35.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.078-6 - Understanding Student Perspectives Regarding Stressful Experiences

Abstract

Trauma can have an adverse effect on a student’s functioning and impact their ability to focus in a classroom. Students in the foster care system endure stressful experiences that are further compounded by school instability and lack of support. While there is research highlighting the adverse impact of childhood trauma, there is little direction to help educators cultivate school environments that foster a sense of security for foster youth. This practitioner research study used interviews, naturalistic exchanges, meeting observations, and document analysis to examine how educators can nurture hope and resilience. Analysis revealed that foster youth want to be seen as more than their trauma and be able to shape the own identity rather than have labels forced on them.

Author

• Denicia Carlay, San Francisco State University