I am a trainer and independent consultant who creates a safe space for reflection and growth. Safety makes a difference both for families exploring difficult topics as well as managers and supervisors in the helping professions. Drawing on the creative potential for change, I lead workshops, retreats,and collaborative planning efforts. I support all participants to build on the strengths of individuals, teams and communities. As helpers, over long term exposure to children and families in pain, we may experience compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma because we care. "Emotions are high when working with children and elders as the stakes are high. Some of us may have triggers from childhood and as research is showing we carry gentic memory of our own family's trauma. Enhancing a sense of wellbeing can be accomplished by building capacity through connecting mind and body in utilizing mindful techniques, developing self-care strategies in the creative arts such as music and dance, and promoting stress reduction and resiliency. I have over thirty years of experience facilitating positive outcomes with diverse communities."Lorraine's open and accepting attitude, her humor, and her story-telling enrich every experience."

Train the TrainersPositive Indian Parenting (PIP) prepares tribal and non-tribal child welfare personnel to facilitate ways to help American Indian and Alaska Native parents, using culturally specific approaches. The curriculum draws on the strengths of historic Indian child-rearing practices and blends traditional values with contemporary skills with examples from various tribal communities. There are some universal values, attitudes, or customs that may be expressed differently in local communities, which give the trainer a basis to build on. These universals include the oral tradition, storytelling, the spiritual nature of child-rearing, and the role of extended family. This curriculum is intended for parent trainers and provides information on how to train, training issues, organizing training and suggested content and structure for parent sessions. The curriculum is designed so that even someone with little experience could implement.

This course is created for both people who work in the child welfare system and also designed to build on strengths volunteers from the community. The curriculum builds on their knowledge of the tribal community, resources, and child-rearing practices. The program prepares participants with information about the basic legal requirements of ICWA. It will train participants on how to provide qualified expert witness testimony in ICWA cases. It is required upon removal of an Indian Child from his/her home as to whether or not active efforts were made to prevent placement. An expert is needed at the time of jurisdiction, at the time of removal, at any proceeding to terminate parental rights and at the establishment of any guardianship. The curriculum consists of preparing for court, practice case studies, skill development for direct examination and cross-examination tactics and composure techniques. The program also incorporates an interactive mock trial.