Testament of the impact of Dr. Yackley's training/consultation:
This learning community has been a life-changing experience for me professionally. I came into it thinking I would get a "bag of tricks" or specific strategies. Once I allowed myself to go with the flow and take in the information, I realized it was not about specific strategies, but about a way of thinking. Shifting my thinking and increasing my ability to be reflective has allowed me to meet each child or parent where they are when the come into our care. I have served children with significant trauma throughout my career. I wish I had the knowledge this experience has given me when I first started. That said, this month, we took into our care a young woman with multiple disabilities who recently witnessed a murder in her family home. This is by far the most significant and immediate trauma through which I have supported a young person.
Knowing I had this group to help support my team in this young woman's care has been an incredible comfort. I am thankful to Cassie and to
NCES for creating this experience and am hungry for more!

- Gretchen M. Cook, M.Ed., Director of Residential and Educational Services at Easterseals