Youth involved in exploitation and child welfare often carry layers of trauma, instability, and systemic harm that make them uniquely vulnerable to exploitation—and uniquely challenging for multidisciplinary professionals trying to support them. Youth, along with their families and case workers, must navigate complex systems of care to receive the services most needed—facing barriers and challenges at each step. Panelists will discuss how trauma, disrupted attachments, and survival-based behaviors shape engagement, disclosure, and trust. The conversation will cover various aspects such as substance use, peer recruitment, placements, trauma bonding, interpersonal conflicts, mental health, boundaries, caseworker capacity, burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Through candid conversation and practical insight, they will highlight actions and responses that can unintentionally deepen harm as well as practices that promote healing. Register here.

Moderator: Elizabeth Scaife

Panelists: Kathy Givens, Courtney Oliphant, Aja Houle