By Quinn O’Hara

The Clay Counts Coalition, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have partnered to host a PAX Tools for Human Services training at the CCEMS building in Clay Center on June 24.

According to PAX Tools website, the tools are a collection of research-based, trauma-informed strategies that help youth develop self-regulation skills with the support of caring adults. PAX Tools training provides human service professionals, behavioral health professionals, and youth development workers with strategies shown to reduce conflict between young people and adults, improve relationships, create nurturing environments where youth can thrive, reduce symptoms of depression in young people, and improve job satisfaction.

The training will consist of six hours of learning where participants will be taught to implement eleven evidence-based strategies in their professional practice during normal interactions with young people.

The training is limited to 25 seats and those interested can register online. PAX Tools said 9 out of 10 participants of their training report less conflict in their setting, and a Washington State University study reported that children exposed to PAX Tools have demonstrated fewer symptoms of depression.