Cornerstone of Hope Offers Free Training for Schools to Prepare for and Recover from Traumatic Events

INDEPENDENCE, OHIO — Local educators and community leaders are being offered specialized crisis training at no cost as school districts across northeast Ohio continue to navigate a rise in safety threats and lockdowns. Cornerstone of Hope, a nonprofit bereavement center based in Independence, announced it is waiving all registration fees for an upcoming full-day seminar focused on preventing and recovering from traumatic events such as school shootings. The program, titled "Preventing, Intervening, and Recovering from School Shootings and Other Traumatic Events," is scheduled for April 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio. Located at 6393 Oak Tree Blvd., the center sits just off the Interstate 77 corridor, making it a central point for staff traveling from across the region. While the training is free, administrators noted that advance registration is required to ensure adequate materials are prepared for all participants. Julia Ellifritt, the education director at Cornerstone of Hope, said many educators are often left in a difficult position when wondering how best to handle a crisis. According to Ellifritt, the goal of the session is to provide practical, trauma-informed strategies so schools do not have to guess how to support their students and staff in the wake of a traumatic incident. The keynote speaker for the event is Jim Adams, the president of Rise 4 Solutions and a recognized figure in national violence prevention. Adams is perhaps best known in Ohio for developing the comprehensive mental health recovery plan for the Chardon community following the 2012 shooting at Chardon High School. His recovery model has since been adopted by districts nationwide to help schools build resilience and establish clear postvention policies. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Along with the instruction, those who attend will receive a training manual that includes ready-to-use procedures, policies and handouts designed for immediate implementation within a school or organization. The curriculum covers a range of critical topics, including effective crisis response, recovery support and the development of long-term resilience strategies. For professionals seeking credit, the program offers six continuing education units, or CEUs, for social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and registered nurses. Cornerstone of Hope has provided support to more than 60,000 individuals since it opened its doors in 2003. To register for the April session or for more information about the organization's grief and trauma resources, visit cornerstoneofhope.org/training. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.