Cindy Ciocco, MPA, CTC-S
TLC Certified Trainer

Cindy is a TLC certified Trauma Consultant-Supervisor and has over 19 years of experience working with preschool aged children in the public and private sector. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership along with N.J. State Principal Certification. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-School through Grade Eight Early Childhood/Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. She has additional backgrounds in Special Education and Early Childhood Curriculum. Her experience includes positions such as Director of Early Childhood for a Major University, Master Teacher and Director of Schools. In addition she served as an adjunct professor at a local Community College and has earned TLC’s National Trauma Consultant of the Year Award for 2008.  She currently works as a Behavior/Trauma Specialist in a public school setting and owns a private Child Care Center for young children.

Cindy presents the following courses:

Positive Behavioral Support

One of Cindy's specialized presentations is The Power of Positive Behavioral Support (PBS). PBS is a process for identifying the problem behaviors of a child, developing an understanding of their purpose or function, and developing supports that are implemented by everyone significant in the child's life. Research indicates that children with challenging behaviors are more likely to be rejected by their peers, receive less positive feedback, do worse in school and are less likely to be successful in their daily lives, so Positive Behavioral Support was born! This approach is based on humanistic values and research. It allows teacher sand staff to develop an understanding of WHY a child has challenging behavior and determine the purpose or the FUNCTION of that specific behavior. PBS also focuses on teaching new "replacement" skills that ultimately change the child's behavior. Suggested strategies include"Tucker," one terrific turtle and the "Super Friend" technique that teaches young children how to problem solve and resolve conflicts. Many examples of social stories and visual supports are part of the program that are evidenced-based effective strategies that teachers/staff can implement and put to immediate use. Participants will discuss the correlation between trauma/grief and challenging behaviors and will be able to describe the importance of relationship building, supportive environments, social-emotional development, and emotional literacy. They will also learn individualized intensive interventions for trauma, behavioral difficulties and challenges.

What Color Is Your Hurt: Returning Balance Between Left and Right Brain Functions in Traumatized Preschoolers

Given all that has been learned the past five years about early trauma and the developing brain, TLC’s What Color Is Your Hurt? program was revised. The new program contains sensori-motor and Positive Behavior Support activities to help create a balance between left and right brain functioning in traumatized children 3-6 years old. Following several trainings, presentations and outcome information, The Early Childhood Education Department in New Jersey pursued and were awarded stimulus funds to train several school districts in the state on the use of What Color Is Your Hurt?. Ms. Ciocco will actively involve participants in the new program activities to gain firsthand experience of their benefits for the children.