The Community Services Unit, in Collaboration with the Department of Probation, sponsored a one-week training course which began on Monday, February 16th and extended through Friday, February 20th. This essential training was geared particularly towards individuals who work with young people who have had past experiences of trauma in their formative years.
The sessions took place at the Raymond E. Guishard Technical Center, facilitated by Dr. Toyette Williams-James, a native of Dominica who is currently residing and working in Trinidad.
Dr. Williams-James is a highly qualified and experienced expert in the field of Mental Health, Trauma, Grief, Cognitive Behavioral Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Esteem Elevation and Addiction with a special emphasis in Sexual Addiction.
With an extensive educational background, including a PhD in Christian Addiction Counseling and an M.Ed. in International Teaching, Dr. Williams-James possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise which she is willing to impart to her trainees in an atmosphere of openness and frankness without wraps or reservation.
In addition to her academic achievements, she holds several professional certifications, including being a Certified Trauma and Resilient Specialist in Education (CTRSE) and a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C). These certifications reflect her deep commitment to helping individuals navigate through challenging emotional experiences and build resilience in the face of adversity.
This week’s training has given her the opportunity to impart some of her knowledge and professionalism to some 25 juvenile care givers, who have expressed a high degree of satisfaction from what has been assimilated from the sessions totaling 30 hours.
The Anguillian took the time to get a couple responses from the trainees: “I have found the sessions to be extremely informative and insightful. Lots of vital information crucial to situations we encounter in the workplace were shared. Dr. James is well versed on the topics she presented and she made the sessions exceptionally interactive,” remarked one avid participant.
Another trainee spoke of the knowledge gained through the facilitator’s presentation skills: “We have been exposed to some insightful training, and the experience have been tremendous. The knowledge we have gained will serve to prepare us to be better care providers. Dr. James was awesome. Her knowledge, experience, and presentation skills made the learning easy, and she has made us ready to put what we have learnt into practice.”
Overall, the general view of those trained was that the sessions were excellent in their content, and just about everyone was impressed by Dr. James charismatic style of delivery. Much insight was gained from her informative, impactful and invaluable teachings.
Commenting on her impressions of the classes in Anguilla, Dr. James said: “The sessions have been exceptionally well received. The participants were engaged, reflective, and highly participatory, creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages meaningful dialogue and practical application. It has been a pleasure working with this group of 25 professionals whose energy, openness, and commitment to growth were evident in every session. This training experience has been both impactful and deeply rewarding.”
Community Services Planner, Mrs. Hyacinth Bradley, commented on the importance of the training: “The Community Services Planning Unit is pleased to collaborate with the Department of Probation on this training programme,” she said. “It is very important that we take the opportunity to train those who offer care, and trauma-informed care is fundamentally required for our care workers.”
Mrs. Bradley expressed her gratitude for the cooperation of the Department of Probation and for the funds acquired to make the training such a success. “I am pleased that as the Community Services Planner, I was able to secure funding through my Unit while partnering with the Department of Probation to deliver this necessary training,” she said.
The certified trainees are now prepared and determined to go back to their places of employment to put into practice the professional strategies and tactics which they have acquired from Dr. James’ training.
By: James R. Harrigan
