Child Specialist Role
Support children and youth during tense or traumatic situations.
Child Specialist Role
The Child Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the emotional and physical well-being of children who are present during enforcement actions, community disruptions, or traumatic events.
Info
This role requires a calm presence, a trauma-informed mindset, and a strong commitment to child safety. It is often emotionally demanding and should only be taken on by prepared and supported individuals.
Important
📊 Studies show that over 25% of children who witness ICE raids show symptoms of PTSD. This role helps mitigate lasting harm.
Info
This training prepares you to provide short-term crisis support, not long-term therapy or child welfare services.
Purpose of the Role
Children may be:
- Witnesses to ICE arrests or police actions
- Present at rallies or protests
- Left behind after a caregiver is detained
- Experiencing trauma from displacement or fear
Your role is to ensure they feel seen, safe, and supported in the moment—and are connected to care afterward.
Core Principles
- Do No Harm – Avoid adding confusion, fear, or physical risk.
- Presence Over Performance – You don’t need to entertain—just be steady.
- Consent & Agency – Offer choices, ask permission, respect boundaries.
- Trust the Child’s Pace – Don’t rush explanations or comfort.
- Support, Don’t Substitute – You're not replacing caregivers—you're assisting.
What to Carry
| Item | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Snacks / water | Comfort and grounding |
| Small toys / sensory objects | Emotional regulation, focus |
| Soft blanket / towel | Physical containment |
| Child-focused KYR materials | Info for older youth |
| Flashcards / crayons | Expression, distraction, familiarity |
| Religious/cultural items | Affirmation of identity, spiritual grounding |
Warning
Never offer anything edible, religious, or physical without guardian consent or a team-approved protocol.
How to Talk to Kids in Crisis
Keep language short, warm, and simple.
I’m here to help.”
“You’re safe right now.”
“You can talk or be quiet—either is okay.”
“Would you like to sit or stand?
Avoid:
- Legal explanations
- False reassurances
- Pressuring questions
Focus on:
- Grounding with the senses
- Breathing slowly together
- Noticing surroundings
Trauma Responses by Age
Warning
⚠️ Never force eye contact or touch. Let the child guide physical or verbal contact.
Toddlers
- Crying, hiding, regression (e.g., bedwetting)
School-age
- Freezing, clinging, repetitive questions
Teens
- Anger, sarcasm, shutdown, risk-taking
Your role is to validate, not analyze. Reflect calm. Stay available.
Supporting Youth & Teens
Teens may feel:
- Angry or embarrassed
- Suspicious or shut down
- Protective of family
What helps:
- Respecting autonomy
- Being clear and direct
- Offering trusted connections (legal aid, older peers, advocates)
Situational Scenarios
1. ICE Raid at a Home
- A caregiver is detained. Two kids (ages 6 and 10) are left with an aunt.
- One child is non-verbal and curled under a blanket.
📝 Your steps:
- Gently announce yourself
- Check in with the caregiver
- Offer sensory comfort (if consented)
- Stay until care handoff
🔁 Debrief: What cultural norms might influence the child's comfort?
2. Protest with Police Aggression
- A youth group scatters as police advance. A few minors are left behind.
📝 Your steps:
- Signal clearly: “I’m with safety support.”
- Get them to physical safety
- Ground emotionally afterward
- Document and alert dispatch if separated
🔁 Debrief: How can we better prepare youth ahead of protests?
3. Language Barrier at a Checkpoint
- A 7-year-old speaks only Mixtec. Parent is detained. They stare and grip a doll.
📝 Your steps:
- Use gestures, calm posture
- Avoid overwhelming them
- Request a bilingual team member or visual aid
🔁 Debrief: What universal tools bridge language gaps with children?
Grounding & Recovery Techniques
- Ask them to press their feet into the ground
- Name 5 things they can see
- Offer a soft item to hold
- Breathe together with bubbles or hands
- Color or scribble freely
Collaborating with Others
Work with:
- De-escalators – protect space and lower tension
- Legal Observers – document child presence for legal record
- Rideshare & Logistics – arrange safe transport
- Care Team – ensure follow-up and decompression
Maintain clear, calm handoffs.
Legal & Ethical Boundaries
- ❌ Never transport a child alone
- ❌ Never speak to law enforcement about a child
- ❌ Never record a child without explicit guardian consent
- ✅ Only share info with your designated team lead
Sample Consent Snippet
Child Support Consent
I, [Guardian Name], allow [Team Name] to:
▢ Offer sensory items
▢ Share info with follow-up care partners
▢ Document child presence (without photos)
Signed: ___________
Date: ___________
Checklist: Are You Ready for This Role?
- ✅ I’ve completed trauma-informed care training
- ✅ I understand child development & cultural diversity
- ✅ I know how to communicate across language/age barriers
- ✅ I have grounding tools & consent cards ready
- ✅ I’m prepared to debrief and seek support post-shift
Final Reminders
- You are not here to fix the crisis. You are here to bear witness and support.
- Stay calm. Stay close. Stay honest.
- Always work as part of a team.
Success
Ready to Certify?
If you’ve reviewed this material carefully and are prepared to hold this role, you may now proceed to the certification test.
📘 Knowledge Check
What is your core responsibility as a Child Specialist during a crisis?
You should always offer a snack or blanket to comfort a child without asking.
Which of the following are appropriate trauma responses in children?
What is one way to help a child feel grounded during a panic response?
When supporting a teen who witnessed family separation, your tone should be:
You may speak to law enforcement about a child if you are trying to help.
Which of the following should you avoid as a Child Specialist?
What’s a safe and supportive phrase you might say to a child in crisis?
If a non-verbal child is curled up and unresponsive during a raid, what is your first step?
It is important to never be alone with a child during field support to protect both the child and yourself.
How might you adjust support for a Muslim child during Ramadan?
A 3-year-old is crying uncontrollably. What’s a trauma-informed first response?
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