The experience of childhood trauma has wide implications for behavior, physical health, and mental health. These events can increase the likelihood of everything from juvenile justice involvement for a 14-year-old to Alzheimer’s at the age of 80. Trauma impacts both the children involved in domestic relations cases and the child welfare system as well as the adults who surround them. Understanding what trauma is, how it impacts neurodevelopment, and the opportunities lawyers have to look through a trauma-informed lens will help lawyers to support the resilience of those youth they encounter in the critical moments of their lives. Trauma is not an excuse for behavior; it is an explanation.NOTE: You will not receive credit for this online course if you attended the live program. The MCLE Department of the Virginia State Bar requires that all distance learning courses are to be done in an educational setting, free from distractions.