About our Trainings
St. Louis CAC is widely recognized locally and nationally for the depth and quality of our training and professional development opportunities that support child-trauma professionals throughout their careers. Each year, we provide training and education to more than 3,000 students and professionals, with specialized programs for undergraduate students through our CAST program, clinical practicum students at the master’s and doctoral levels, multidisciplinary team members, educators, child trauma clinicians, and other trauma-informed professionals.
Our dynamic training team also serves as direct service providers in both forensic and clinical settings, bringing real-world expertise and practical insight into every curriculum we deliver. Through evidence-based best practices, we equip child-trauma professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively support children, youth, and families impacted by trauma.
We invite you to partner with us in this important work and encourage you to explore our upcoming training opportunities here {hyperlink to new page}.
Missouri Academy of Child Trauma Studies
Founded in 2010, the Missouri Academy of Child Trauma Studies (MoACTS), the training division of STL CAC, serves as a leading resource for child-trauma professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in trauma-informed care. Our multidisciplinary training team includes nationally certified trainers in ChildFirst, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma, Responding to Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors, the Resource Parent Curriculum, the Child Welfare Trauma Training Toolkit, the Resilience and Coping Intervention, Psychological First Aid, and Skills for Psychological Recovery.
The MoACTS team also developed and implemented the Trauma Informed Programming in Schools (TIPS) Program, providing educators with a range of professional development opportunities focused on trauma-responsive practices. In addition, we created and continue to implement the FORECAST model, a simulation-based, problem-based learning curriculum designed to strengthen trauma-informed, real-world decision-making skills.
Recognizing that child-trauma professionals work within complex systems, our training also focuses on organizational change, implementation science for integrating new practices, provider wellness, and prevention of secondary traumatic stress.
For more than 15 years, our training team has led national workforce development initiatives through SAMHSA-funded programs. Below are highlights from our most recent funding cycles.
Project ASSIST
Access, Skills and Support for Implementation Science in Trauma Training
Project ASSIST reimagines workforce development by strengthening the skills and capacity of trauma-informed trainers across child-serving systems. Through advanced training methods, mentorship, and professional community-building, Project ASSIST helps trainers expand their expertise and enhance the quality of services delivered to children and families.
Using innovative approaches such as Problem-Based Learning Simulations (PBL-S), implementation science strategies, and mentorship models, Project ASSIST creates meaningful opportunities for trainers to improve their practice, strengthen service delivery, and increase access to trauma-informed care for vulnerable communities. Learn more and get involved here: {hyperlink}.
Project FORECAST
Foundations for Outreach through Experiential Child Advocacy Studies Training
Project FORECAST is an innovative educational initiative designed to help current and future child-serving professionals make informed, trauma-responsive decisions in complex situations involving childhood trauma. Through immersive, interactive simulations based on real-world scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and practical skills that prepare them for the challenges of trauma-informed care.
