SP007A A Better Bad Choices: Harm Reduction in Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Strategies for Support 4 CEUs TIVE06-202640

Instead of imposing rigid behavioral expectations, participants will examine how to support youth in making safer, self-determined choices within the context of trauma, neurodivergence, and survival strategies. Drawing on a strengths-based and culturally aware approach, participants will practice re-framing “risky behavior” into a developmental and contextual understanding. Emphasis will be placed on redefining success, building trust, and cocreating realistic behavior agreements using harm reduction tools. Class Objectives:  Analyze how harm reduction can be applied to emotional and behavioral choices in systeminvolved youth  Distinguish between punitive responses and strengths-based scaffolding of safer, developmentally appropriate alternatives  Apply harm-reduction frameworks to real-world professional situations, using language and strategies that are identity-affirming and culturally relevant