The Winona State University Outreach and Continuing Education Department will offer “Trauma and Brain Development in Young Children: A Lifelong Impact,” a class that discusses the effects of trauma on young children’s brain development, Oct. 12-13, in Coffman Center, WSU Rochester.

The course discusses the lifelong effects of trauma (such as abuse, neglect, malnutrition, etc.) on brain development of a young child. The course also discusses the implications for parents, teachers, daycare providers, counselors, social workers and other adults who work with children affected by trauma.

The Instructor is Jo Hittner, an Assistant professor of counselor education at WSU, and a practicing therapist for more than 40 years. Hittner has extensive background in elementary education and counseling. She has presented at state conferences and facilitated workshops on children’s mental health for the past five years. Dr. Hittner has a passion for helping others understand the connection between trauma and brain development as a foundation for understanding behavior issues in children.

The two-session course will be held 4-10 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday, on the WSU-Rochester Campus, Coffman Center. Tuition is $175.

Registered participants can earn one credit or 1.3 Continuing Education Credits (CEU’s). Register at http://winona.augusoft.net or call 507-457-5080 for information on how to take the course for credit.