Train the Leaders Who Guide the Youth

Professional Development Trainings for Organizations Serving Ages 14–21

Led by Carlina Shotwell, M.Ed. | Life Skills Curriculum Creator | Consultant | Former Foster Youth

Empower Your Team. Elevate Your Impact.

You’re working every day to support youth through some of life’s toughest transitions—aging out of care, re-entering school, preparing for adulthood, or navigating trauma.

But real impact doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when staff are equipped with practical, trauma-informed, culturally relevant tools that actually resonate with youth.

That’s where I come in.

Through interactive, high-value training sessions, I help organizations like yours:

Deepen staff confidence and engagement with youth
Align programming with IL/IEP goals and grant deliverables
Access evidence-based, youth-approved curriculum materials
Strengthen measurable outcomes for funding and reporting

Current Training Calendar

September 2025

A.I.M. for Trauma-Informed Communication

Learn the A.I.M. Framework to transform how your team communicates with youth. This training teaches professionals how to Acknowledge emotion, Invite safety, and Model respectful expression—all while reducing shutdowns, building trust, and encouraging real connection.

You’ll gain tools to:
✅ De-escalate tension before it escalates
✅ Foster open dialogue with disengaged youth
✅ Build stronger, more trauma-informed relationships

Ideal for youth workers, social workers, school staff, and group home teams ready to shift from reaction to intention.
Practical tools to improve trust, reduce disengagement, and strengthen youth-staff interactions.

(More trainings added monthly – check back regularly!)

9/16 12pm-1pm EST Registration Link

9/18 6pm-7pm EST Registration Link

Upcoming Professional Trainings

Our virtual trainings are designed for youth-serving professionals working with individuals ages 14–21.

Each session includes:

Interactive facilitation
Downloadable handouts + sample tools
Implementation strategies using the Empower Yourself Life Skills Curriculum
Optional purchase and licensing info

✅ Great for team leads, caseworkers, LINKS coordinators, and educators
✅ Aligns with funding requirements, IL goals, and transition planning
✅ Opportunities to ask questions, explore partnerships, and preview materials

About Your Trainer: Carlina Shotwell, M. Ed.

Carlina is more than an educator—she’s a former foster youth who turned lived experience into evidence-based transformation.

She brings:
✔ Over a decade of work in youth development, foster care, and education
✔ A licensed, trauma-informed life skills curriculum
✔ A dynamic, relatable, and professional training style
✔ Deep understanding of your daily challenges and goals

Whether you’re a social worker, program coordinator, transition specialist, or nonprofit leader—this is professional development with purpose.