The University of Kentucky Center on Trauma and Children

04/21/2026

Check out this webinar through the Texas Workforce Commission on May 6, 2026 at 10:00 am ET! The session will be focused on supporting foster care alumni after trauma through Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), developing resilience and a deeper appreciation for life. You can register for this webinar and others in the month of May here: https://loom.ly/gnaAzqc

04/20/2026

Next up in CTAC Connections, say ‘hi’ to Jessica Eslinger, PhD, LCSW!

Jessica is an Assistant Professor who first began at as a research assistant in 2008 while she went back to school for her doctorate. Jessica is “proud of the quality of the services that we have provided children and their families, our efforts to help implement and support the use of evidence-based practices, and our work to address secondary traumatic stress in workplaces across the country.”

In her personal life, Jessica shared that the most interesting place she has ever visited is the town where her mother grew up in Germany. “We were able to visit the house and talk with neighbors who had been there for generations, many of whom remembered Mom’s family. They were so welcoming; it was a lovely reminder of how connections endure overtime.”
Thank you, Jessica for everything you do at ! Now we want to know: where would you go to feel connected to your heritage?

04/17/2026

Trauma-Informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Learning Session
This training is designed for school teams working to enhance their MTSS implementation through a trauma-informed lens. If you're looking to strengthen your universal supports, targeted interventions, and intensive services to address trauma's impact on learning and behavior—this session is for you! Tues. 4/21/26, 1:00 - 3:30 pm (EST)
Register at https://ctac.uky.edu/tipe2026

04/15/2026

A new executive order “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families” aims to modernize the U.S. foster care system. Key goals include: 1) upgrade child welfare data reporting, access and utilization 2) create a digital hub for housing, employment, healthcare and other resources for youth 3) expand faith-based & private sector partnerships 4) increase flexibility for education vouchers. Check out the order here: https://loom.ly/KFUB-T4

04/10/2026

Check out our resource for Psychological First Aid! https://loom.ly/ki7D8dw

04/08/2026

CTAC partners with other violence prevention researchers to prevent child s*x trafficking, Read about these efforts here https://loom.ly/y2omQJM

04/06/2026

Check out our resources for leaders, supervisors, and organizations! Click here to explore: https://loom.ly/uu3tZOs

Increasing Teachers’ Effectiveness – Without Causing Burnout: An elementary school principle explains how he prioritized professional development for teachers by embedding it in the master schedule.

04/01/2026

Foster care systems in the U.S. need support now more than ever. This critical system provides more than just a place to stay—it provides a place for healing. Read this article for research on creating trauma-informed systems that support everyone. ➡️https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4743163

03/27/2026

The latest Well@Work Podcast is out now! https://loom.ly/NQY8K94

03/25/2026

CTAC understands the important role that caregivers play in a child's healing following trauma. Check-out our trauma-informed parenting intervention for resource parents!
You can make a referral through our website: https://loom.ly/N3crteQ

03/23/2026

Introducing CTAC Connections! Our new series highlighting each of our hardworking team members. In celebration of , meet Adrienne O’Rourke, MSW, LCSW!

Adrienne is a Team Leader and clinician in our CATS Clinic who first began at CTAC as a practicum student, prior to being hired in November 2015. “Seeing a case through from beginning to end and knowing that our input contributed to securing permanency for a child in a safe and stable home” is what Adrienne finds the most meaningful part of her work.

Outside of work, Adrienne shared that the most interesting place she’s ever visited is Portugal, while on her honeymoon. “The slow pace of life, local cuisine in tiny, family-owned restaurants and friendly residents in these small towns and villages was refreshing. They seemed experts on enjoying life and making the most of little moments, like sharing a meal while watching the sun set over a vineyard.”

Thank you, Adrienne, for all of the meaningful work you do at !

03/20/2026

This week Dr. Stephanie Gusler was able to attend and present at the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (BIRCWH) Annual Meeting at the National Institutes of Health! She shared her work pilot testing a digital single-session growth mindset intervention for mothers involved with child welfare.