IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YWCA PROMOTORAS ROMPIENDO CADENAS: CULTURALLY TAILORED TRAUMA SENSITIVITY TRAINING CIRRICULUM

Abstract

Promotoras Rompiendo Cadenas isa program that exists at the Youth Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) which is a nonprofit in the local area of Tucson. This program is a training for becoming and responding as a promoter. A promotora provides health education and assistance in the Hispanic/Latinx community through compassion and a will to help others. It was recognized that there needed be more of a focus on sensitivity to trauma when these women work with individuals or families. To begin, more knowledge of the areas of trauma that are most prevalent in this demographic of Tucson needed to be sought out. The development of a survey was the start to investigating what particular topics of trauma might go unnoticed or are stigmatized. A focus group was conducted which allowed for further evaluation of possible adversities that needed to be addressed as well. Upon review of the survey data of 22 participants and the collective focus group responses, a curriculum was then structured. Curriculum topics for two workshops were presented to four interviewers whose background ranged from a psychologist, a counselor, and two current promotoras. Suggestions were implemented and the drafting process of the deliverables began. Curriculum for five, three hour, culturally tailored trauma sensitivity trainings have been developed. However, I have chosen to only include my three most valued workshops. These workshops focus on emotional evaluation, trauma over the course of a lifetime, and empathy and compassion. The final two workshops focus on suicide prevention and mental health, which was an area of need expressed through surveyed data, along with practical role playing to prepare for outreach in the community. The goal of this curriculumis to provide an extended education about how to support those who have endured trauma in their life through additional workshops incorporated into the original Promotora Rompiendo Cadenas program.