As leaders in their chosen fields dedicated to providing a brighter future for those in need, Carinity staff strive to better themselves through professional development.
Sixteen Carinity employees, including therapists and school staff from Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Yeppoon, recently attended the International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne.
Attendees at the conference, hosted by the Australian Childhood Foundation, heard from world experts on neuroscience, trauma, and therapeutic intervention.
These experts work with people affected by trauma caused by abuse, violence and relational disruption - mirroring the experiences of many clients who are assisted by Carinity's counselling services.
Natasha Livings, Carinity's Disabilities, Youth and Communities Manager, said important learnings obtained at the conference will enable Carinity therapists to "better address the variety of issues facing families and young people".
"Our therapists and counsellors welcome opportunities for professional development. It helps them to become better equipped to support young people and families across Queensland who are facing difficulty," Natasha said.
"Our professional support helps people develop coping skills, strengthen their self-esteem, and understand the behaviours and symptoms relating to their trauma."
Principals and teaching staff from four Carinity Education schools, which support some young people who have faced barriers to education such as abuse and mental health issues, also attended the International Childhood Trauma Conference.
As well as attending the conference in Melbourne, Carinity Education Shalom Principal, Sharyn Ive, travelled to Brisbane in July to present at the Griffith University Creating Futures Summit.
Sharyn presented on how her school in Townsville maintained connection and quality education for students and supported First Nations families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Remote learning for students without access to technology or the internet looks very different and requires an innovative and individual approach," Sharyn said.
"A wide range of solutions were created, from designing and producing individualised learning packs, to finding ways to package and deliver the resources and how to maintain the vital sense of connection and belonging."
Dave McNair, Program Manager of the Carinity Orana youth homelessness service in Brisbane, attended the National Homelessness Conference in Canberra in August.
The conference brought together policy makers, practitioners, researchers and those with lived experience of homelessness from across Australia.
The event explored key issues faced by homelessness service providers including workforce capacity, the impacts of COVID-19 and climate change on the homelessness crisis, and closing the gap on housing outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Staff from Carinity's counselling and youth support services in the Rockhampton area will attend the Trauma-Aware Schooling Conference in Brisbane in September.
