Become a Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network Educator

Becoming a Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network Educator is an opportunity to strengthen Louisiana’s communities by helping others understand, prevent, and respond to childhood adversity. Volunteer educators play a vital role in expanding access to trauma‑informed approaches and resilience-building strategies across the state by delivering no‑cost presentations created by the Bureau of Family Health.

Through specialized training, ongoing support, and a structured micro‑certification system, volunteer educators gain the skills and confidence to deliver high‑quality presentations that empower families, schools, organizations, and communities. A key feature of the program is the accessibility of information. Volunteer educators may not accept speakers’ fees or charge for presentations. All presentations are offered at no cost to the public.

Requests for presentations come from many different agencies, providers, and systems. Volunteer educators will be asked to both identify presentation opportunities and respond to presentation requests.

Apply to Become a Volunteer Educator

Volunteer educators represent a diverse network of community advocates, service providers, and leaders from sectors such as health care, education, juvenile justice, and family support sectors and more. Through trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches, they help empower communities across Louisiana to create safe spaces where children learn, grow, and thrive. Joining the Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network opens the door to making a meaningful, lasting impact for families affected by adversity and trauma across Louisiana.

Interested in becoming part of the Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network as a certified volunteer educator?

Apply Today!

Cohort Trainings

Participate in the 2026 Cohort Training Series to become a certified volunteer educator with the Louisiana Childhood Adversity Resilience Education (LA CARE) Network! Each cohort, which includes up to 25 participants, completes a two-day in-person training that covers a specific training module. Participants must complete the introductory module, Understanding Adversity and Building Resilience, first. To become a certified volunteer educator, you must be able to be fully present in training sessions.

The selection of cohort training participants is driven by geographic need, system and community representation, and program strategy and goals. We can accept up to 25 participants per cohort training session. Participants receive training and materials at no cost. We cannot provide or reimburse for lodging, travel, or meals.

2026 Training Series

The dates and locations of the trainings are subject to change. Exact locations, dates, and times of the trainings will be shared after applications are received and participants are accepted to participate.

Module: Understanding Adversity and Building Resilience

Explore evidence-based research on childhood adversity, its impact on development, and practical strategies to foster resilience in children and families.

• January 14–15 | New Orleans
• March 23–24 | Lafayette
• May 19–20 | Alexandria

Module: Trauma-Informed Care

Deepen your skills with advanced training on trauma-informed approaches and gain tools to create safe, supportive environments that promote healing and empowerment.

• July 17 | Baton Rouge

All Modules: Full Childhood Adversity Resilience Education Training

A comprehensive, multi-day training covering all modules. Ideal for participants seeking complete certification in one session.

• November 17–20 | New Orleans

Partnering with Local Organizations

For many trainings, we partner with a local organization to ensure local stakeholder involvement. If your organization would like to partner with the Louisiana Childhood Adversity Resilience Education Network for a cohort training, please contact CARE@la.gov.

Contact us at CARE@la.gov to learn more about our upcoming regional cohort training schedule.

Certification Standards

Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network volunteer educators are required to meet specific certification standards through a micro-certification system. The system, organized by tracks, allows educators to advance at their own pace and tailor their learning to their personal and professional goals. Cohort trainings are offered multiple times per year, providing volunteer educators with the preparation and support needed to meet program certification standards and advance through the micro-certification system.

Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network Track Options

Volunteer educators can specialize in one of three tracks based on their background, interests, and the audiences they serve.

School Track

The School Track is designed for individuals working in school or learning environments, including teachers, school counselors, administrators, and other education professionals. This track focuses on understanding adversity in the classroom and building trauma‑informed learning environments that support student success.

Modules include:

• Understanding Adversity and Building Resilience
• Trauma-Informed Education
• Parent-Child Relationship as a Space for Healing

Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Track

The Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Track offers a deeper exploration of childhood adversity and resilience. This track involves learning about trauma and its various impacts through the lens of brain development science. It is ideal for professionals in healthcare, nonprofits, business sectors, and government agencies who want to integrate trauma‑informed approaches into their work with children and families.

Modules include:

• Understanding Adversity and Building Resilience
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Parent-Child Relationship as a Space for Healing

Community Track

The Community Track is designed for peer‑to‑peer groups, parent organizations, community advocates, youth‑focused programs, and others who support families outside of school or clinical settings. This track emphasizes building strong relationships and community‑based resilience.

Modules include:

• Understanding Adversity and Building Resilience
• Parent-Child Relationship as a Space for Healing

Micro Certification Levels

Within each track described above, volunteer educators can advance through a three‑level micro‑certification system that recognizes their growing expertise and contributions to the Louisiana Childhood Adversity and Resilience Education Network. All educators begin at Level One and, as they deliver presentations, participate in trainings, and support the Network, they can progress to higher levels. Each level is represented by a digital badge (examples shown next to each level below) that signifies an educator’s accomplishments within their chosen track. This structure allows educators to be acknowledged for their efforts while advancing at their own pace.