St. Joseph School District social worker Jean West will be one of the keynote speakers at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). West will give her keynote speech on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the conference.

“Jean West is an extraordinary asset to the students and staff in the St. Joseph School District. Her expertise in trauma, the tools and ways she connects with our homeless students and families are critical for their success,” said Dr. Fred Czerwonka, Superintendent of Schools.

“We are thrilled she can share her stories, assessments and training with other districts and professionals from across the nation,” Czerwonka added.

West’s keynote presentation is titled, “Out of the frying pan and the fire: the importance of effective assessment of trauma when working with homeless children & youth.”

Presentation points will include:
• What is trauma and situations that can potentially be traumatizing
• Research showing the connection between homelessness and trauma
• Impact of trauma on brain development, behavior, and the ability to learn
• Assessment of trauma: clinical tools that can be used
• Group 1-3 sensory based assessment techniques that can also be used as interventions
• Why assessment of trauma is critical

West received her B.S.in Psychology from Missouri Western State University and her M.S.W. from the University of Kansas. In 2011, West received the Certified Trauma Consultant of the Year award from The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. In 2009 she was awarded SJSD Support Person of the Year.