CSEC TRAINING
WestCoast Children’s Clinic offers training to support those caring for and working with youth who are at risk of or experiencing commercial sexual exploitation. Our trainings are grounded in both clinical expertise and lived experience, and are designed to provide tools for healing, connection, and systemic change.
CSEC PROVIDER TRAINING
Youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation have unique needs and deserve care that is trauma-informed, identity-affirming, and grounded in a deep understanding of their lived experience. WestCoast has developed a series of trainings to help service providers better support youth impacted by exploitation and to strengthen early identification and intervention efforts.
The CSE-IT (Commercial Sexual Exploitation–Identification Tool) is a validated screening tool developed by WestCoast to improve early identification of trafficked youth. Our CSE-IT training introduces the structure and philosophy behind the tool, provides a framework for engaging youth who have experienced exploitation, and offers strategies for having supportive and appropriate conversations with youth. For those who have used the tool consistently for at least six months, we also offer Train-the-Trainer (T3) certification. Interested participants can complete a CSE-IT Inquiry Form to learn more about training options for individual users or agencies.
We also offer CSEC 102, a 16-hour advanced training funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). This course is designed for California county employees and community partners who have completed CSEC 101 and are seeking to deepen their understanding and skills. The training addresses how the trauma of exploitation impacts youth behavior and health, risk factors that increase vulnerability, and the stages of healing and recovery. Participants also learn how to apply trauma-informed care principles and explore frameworks that support youth who are disproportionately impacted by exploitation, including youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and Native youth.
CSEC 102 is free to California-based providers in fields such as child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, healthcare, and education. The training is offered over multiple days, and all modules must be taken in order.
ADVANCED TRAINING FOR CAREGIVERS
Funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), our Advanced Caregiver training offers comprehensive curriculum and training on best practices for supporting and parenting youth that are commercially sexually exploited. During this 16-hour training, caregivers will explore common dynamics when supporting commercially sexually exploited youth and how these patterns impact parenting and care. Other topics covered include how complex trauma of exploitation impacts behavior and health, how to implement trauma-informed care (TIC) principles in caretaking, and the stages of change and healing for youth impacted by sexual exploitation.
Please note this training is for California caregivers and occurs over 4 days. Modules must be taken in order.
This training is intended for biological parents, resource families, relative caregivers and residential treatment staff.
We also host a monthly online community space for caregivers who have completed our 16-hour CSEC training. This Learning Community provides connection and ongoing support.
FROM OUR CAREGIVERS...
"Excellent course on CSEC and the impact Trauma has caused on youth and caregivers. I have learned so much not only from the Training companion but [also] hearing others' perspectives (breakout rooms). Listening to this vast amount of knowledge has really opened my eyes to things I have not thought about before."
- Caregiver Training Attendee
OTHER TRAININGS & EVENTS
WestCoast offers a range of training options on working with youth at risk of or experiencing exploitation, including customized training, as well as free training for Alameda County caregivers through Title IV-E. We also offer User Trainings for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation-Identification Tool (the CSE-IT). Please see our list of trainings or contact our Training team to get started.