CASA Calendar

Presented by Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE)
Instructor: Rhonda Carlson and Clarissa Campos Alvarado
This August, join us for a drop in film series on Trauma Through the Lens of Children. Through short films, this series will give participants the opportunity to witness background depictions into the experiences children and youth may encounter in Foster Care. After each film, you will have the opportunity to process and dissect these videos through a trauma-informed discussion led by the Foster & Kinship Care Education Program team.
By engaging with these short stories told on screen, you will gain a well-rounded insight into the varying perspectives in foster care, including children, biological families, foster families, and more, to enable you to reflect upon, understand and care for children and youth from foster care.
Please consider attending one or all of the following dates:
Thursday, August 13, 2026: ReMoved, Part 1 & 2 - ReMoved follows the emotional story through the eyes of a young girl taken from her home and placed into foster care.
Thursday, August 20, 2026: ReMoved, Part 3 - Little Kevi is torn from the only life he has ever known and struggles to make sense of how he fits between two worlds and two mothers.
Thursday, August 27, 2026: Remembering Trauma, Part 1 & 2 - Highlighting the life of a traumatized youth from his early childhood into older adolescence, this film illustrates the impact of complex trauma and the potential for misdiagnosis across various service systems.
Disclaimer: This film series shows the various ways that trauma can impact youth. Some of these films may include sensitive scenes, including adult language, violence, assault, neglect, and other traumatic experiences which may be upsetting to watch. Viewer discretion is advised.
Rhonda Carlson is the Program Director for the Foster & Kinship Care Education Program. Rhonda brings her degree in Psychology from UCLA, a lifetime of professional experience working in the foster care field as well as lived experience of being a mother to a (now grown) daughter who came to her by way of foster care. Rhonda is also a certified Trainer in the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) Technology of Participation (ToP) discussion methods, which will be used as the basis of guided conversations about the films in the series.

Clarissa Campos Alvarado has served as FKCE's Program Assistant for over three years, bringing a degree in Anthropology from UCLA and experience supporting historically disadvantaged women of color through non-profit work. Drawing on her trauma-informed experience from FKCE and her grounding in the diversity of human relationships, Clarissa approaches trainings with openness and insight, helping resource families build the healthy bonds children need to thrive.

CE Hours: 1 (each session)