PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A pair of upcoming workshops hosted by Family, Kinship, and Community Engagement (FKCE) will provide El Dorado County caregivers with tools to better protect and support children, addressing issues ranging from human trafficking awareness to sensory processing challenges in the home.
The first workshop, “Protecting and Caring for Our Youth: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children,” will be held virtually via Zoom in a two-part series on April 23 and April 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The training is required for caregivers of children age 10 and older in certain programs, but organizers emphasize its broader value for all parents and guardians.
According to FKCE Director Juline Aguilar, the training is designed to provide “critical awareness and practical strategies for recognizing and preventing exploitation.”
The sessions will be led by Colijia Feliz, a social worker with firsthand experience supporting victims of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Feliz has mentored survivors and served as a resource parent, bringing both professional and personal insight to the topic.
Participants will learn about trafficking dynamics, including recruitment tactics, online risks, grooming behaviors, and how to identify vulnerable youth. The course also explores prevention strategies and available resources for families.
“Understanding how traffickers operate and how children are targeted is one of the most effective ways to intervene early,” organizers said in the event materials.
Registration is available through the Los Rios Community College District Zoom portal. Attendees can join both sessions using the same meeting link or by entering Meeting ID: 863 4256 3345.
In-Person Workshop Focuses on Sensory Processing
A second FKCE workshop, “Hope and Help in the Home: An Introduction to Sensory Processing,” will be held May 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at The Exhilaration Station.
The session will be led by Robyn Chu, an occupational therapist and owner of Growing Healthy Seasons in Rescue. Chu will introduce caregivers to sensory processing concepts and how they affect children’s behavior, emotional regulation, and daily routines.
The workshop will address common sensory-related behaviors — such as aversion to clothing textures or touch, and the need for movement — and provide practical strategies for improving family dynamics.
“Parenting with sensory needs in mind can transform your home and family flow,” organizers noted.
Free childcare will be provided during the event, and the first 10 participants will receive complimentary copies of Chu’s book and journal on sensory development.
Registration is available through an online survey form.
Community Context
Workshops like these come as child welfare agencies and educators continue to highlight rising concerns around online safety, exploitation risks, and developmental challenges among youth. El Dorado County caregivers, particularly those involved in foster and kinship care, are often on the front lines of these issues.
By offering both virtual and in-person options, FKCE aims to increase accessibility and engagement across the region.
How to Register
- CSEC Training (Zoom): https://lrccd.zoom.us/meeting/register/humSdyQHRL28cxO461ztVg
- Sensory Processing Workshop: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/28KDMTF
