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Children and War:
Understanding and Supporting Young Lives
The Lasting Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
Children are among the most vulnerable populations in times of war and armed conflict. Exposure to violence, displacement, and instability can have profound and lasting effects on their mental health and development. However, with the right tools and knowledge, caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals can help mitigate these effects and foster resilience in young children.
On March 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM (PT), CalAIMH invites you to a crucial discussion on this topic in our upcoming virtual event, “Children and War.”
What You’ll Learn
This session, led by Dr. Joshua Feder, MD, DFAACAP, will cover:
✅ The impact of armed conflict on young children – How war and displacement affect early childhood development.
✅ Evidence-based approaches to address trauma – Strategies backed by research to support children in conflict-affected environments.
✅ Techniques to help families cope – Practical ways to assist children and families, including those no longer living in conflict zones but still experiencing the effects of war.
Dr. Feder brings decades of experience working with children and families affected by violence, armed conflict, and climate disasters. His expertise spans research, policy development, and advocacy at both national and international levels.
Who Should Attend?
This event is open to mental health professionals, educators, caregivers, social workers, and anyone passionate about supporting young children impacted by conflict. Whether you work directly with children or want to deepen your understanding of trauma-informed care, this session will provide valuable insights.
Registration & CEUs
For those seeking Continuing Education Units (CEUs), certification will be available for an additional fee at the time of registration.
🎟️ CalAIMH Members: Free (CEUs optional for $30) REGISTER HERE
🎟️ Non-Members: $25 (CEUs optional for $30) REGISTER HERE
📢 Total with CEUs:
💳 Members: $30 REGISTER HERE
💳 Non-Members: $55 REGISTER HERE
Help Children Understand Fire Safety Through Storytelling!
“Let’s Talk About Fires” is a thoughtful story and conversation guide designed to to help grown-ups and young children discuss the impact of the recent wildfires together. Through engaging storytelling and guided discussions, this book provides a gentle approach to an important topic.
Download your free copy today and start the conversation!
In response to the California wildfires, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help children, families, and communities navigate what they are seeing and hearing, acknowledge their feelings, and find ways to cope together. Resources include:
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires (En Español)
- Wildfires: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (En Español)
- Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
- Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire – e-book for young children. (En Español)
- Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)
- Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)
- Creating Supportive Environments: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)
- After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (En Español)
- Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (En Español)
- Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
- Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
- Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
- Once I Was Very Very Scared (En Español) – children’s book for young children
- Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders)
Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery
The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid (PFA; En Español). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. The PFA Wallet Card (En Español) provides a quick reminder of the core actions. The PFA online training (En Español) course is also available on the NCTSN Learning Center. PFA Handouts include:
- Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (En Español)
- Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (En Español)
- Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (En Español)
- Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (En Español)
- Tips for Adults (En Español)
For community and mental health providers who plan to continue working with affected communities long-term, review Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR; En Español) and take the SPR Online course.
Resources to Support Firefighters:
The Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health has resources for firefighters, providers supporting them, and their friends and family, including the Helping Heroes web-based training.
Mobile Apps:
- Help Kids Cope·
- PFA Mobile
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response App
- Supporting Firefighter Families
- Bounce Back Now (En Español)
Available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University and other partners:
- Sustaining the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers While Caring for Disaster Victims
- Safety, Recovery and Hope after Disaster: Helping Communities and Families Recover
- Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events
- Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash
Resources for After the Wildfire:
Disaster Helpline
SAMHSA has a Disaster Distress Helpline – call or text 1-800-985-5990 (for Spanish, press “2”) to be connected to a trained counselor 24/7/365.
Additional Resources:
For those that are needing technical assistance or additional resources, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Melissa Brymer at [email protected].
Our hearts and sympathies go out to our southern California community during these January wildfire and public safety power shutoff events. This time of crisis, living in fear of losing our homes, our communities, and potentially our loved ones, takes a toll on young children. Please be aware of steps you can take to be ready if you need to evacuate or shelter in place, possibly without electricity.
- In the case of a wildfire near your home, please listen to local authorities. If told to leave, Don’t Wait, Evacuate. Check fire.ca.gov for updates and resources for new and ongoing incidents.
- If you are in Los Angeles County, visit lacounty.gov/emergency for the most up-to-date information.
- Shelters are open in Los Angeles County:
Emergency Evacuation Centers
Westwood Recreation Center
The center is open for evacuees for shelter. Thankfully, they accept domestic family pets, but they must be in a travel carrier or pet crate. And it will allow residents to remain overnight.
📍 Location: 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd 90025
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
📍 Location: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd
El Camino Real Charter High School
📍 Location: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Pasadena Civic Center
📍 Location: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
Arcadia Community Center
📍 Location: 375 Campus Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007
- Get alerts directly to your phone by signing up for local emergency alerts.
Share this information with your friends and other people you know to prepare and stay safe.
HOPE: Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
Healthy Outcomes for Positive Experiences Please join us to learn more about making a positive difference in the lives of children and families After attending this workshop, attendees will: Be able to name the 7 crucial PCEs Label the 4 building blocks of HOPE Identify 1 thing you can change in your parenting/teaching/practice to promote access to each building block.
HOPE: Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
Join Us for an Inspiring Workshop with Aisha Pope, MSW, LCSW
Discover how to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families by fostering healthy outcomes through positive experiences. This workshop will empower parents, educators, and professionals with actionable insights to promote emotional well-being and resilience.
What You’ll Learn:
After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
Identify the 7 Crucial Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs).
Understand the 4 Building Blocks of HOPE.
Implement one practical change in their parenting, teaching, or professional practice to enhance access to each building block.
Presenter:
Aisha Pope, MSW, LCSW
Director of Foster Care Services, San Diego Center for Children
Aisha Pope is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an experienced leader in child and family mental health. She oversees clinical operations at the Foster Family Agency Stabilization and Treatment (FFAST) and San Pasqual Outpatient Treatment (SPOT) Programs. As a Certified HOPE Champion and Faculty Trainer, Aisha brings expertise in Positive Discipline and is a co-author of the Positive Discipline Tools for Kids Social Emotional Learning program. She is a board member of both the Positive Discipline Association and CalAIMH and co-chairs the Birth of Brilliance Conference, which promotes racial equity in children’s behavioral health services.
Event Details:
Date: January 16, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM Pacific Time
Location: Online via Zoom
Register here
