Power of Story is committed to providing training rooted in youth-centered best practices, and advocating for increased awareness and quality implementation of life histories.
Contact us to learn about future training opportunities.
A lot of personal first hand perspective.
I loved the step-by-step details that were given.
This training is a must.
What IS Life History?? And Why Does it Matter?
Life History is personal history including a person’s history, stories, photos, and medical information, from before a persons birth until after their death. Intentional Life History work provides information and space for those with a complex history to finish the statement, “Hello, I am…” with clarity and conviction. The “answer” to “who am I” is forms our identity, our all-encompassing system of memories, experiences, feelings, thoughts, relationships, and values that define each of us. When there is missing information, gaps or intentional secrecy, defining self is fuzzy and has life alterning impacts. We will review the research behind Life History and how we can all do better for youth in foster care and those who were adopted.
Adoptive Parents: Life History Conduits
In addition to taking care of the child on a daily basis, adoptive parents receive information about thier life history at the time of placement. The child’s unfolding understanding of their story takes time as they grow into adults and gain independence. Adoptive parents have a huge responsibility to preserve and share this history at an appropriate time, but they are rarely trained in how to do so. This training helps adoptive parents manage the information they have, so that they can avoid secrecy or overwhelm, and share in a healing and therapeutic way.
Foster Caregivers: A Life History Bridge
Providing a bridge between a child’s first family and his or her adoptive family, foster caregivers hold critical information about a child’s foster care experience and thier birth family. However, children’s foster caregivers are often not provided with the tools, and tips they need to help them understand their history. This traing prepares foster caregivers to communicate with kids about their birth parents, explore their past, and preserve their stories and photos for the future.
Residential Staff and Administration’s Role in Life History and Its Impacts on Youth Mental Health
Children and youth spend an average of eight months in residential placements. What will they remember about those months of their lives, and does it really matter? In this engaging keynote, attendees will learn the impact life history has on youth mental health, how to increase the importance of life history at their facilities, and how to increase access for young people. Attendees will learn how to bridge the gap between the information they have as residential care staff, and the information that is available to the young person when they process their life.
Power of Story 