Heart-Centered Connections
(HCC)™ Program
For Educators, Community Leaders, Caregivers, and Therapeutic Support Providers
Learn to cultivate inclusive learning environments.
More than a set of strategies, this program is a foundational shift in how we see children – and ourselves.
The Heart-Centered Connections (HCC) Practitioners Certificate (Level 1) empowers adults in building capacity to cultivate trauma-informed neuroinclusive learning environments. These environments, grounded in adult social-emotional wellness, create positive benefits for emotional resilience and academic success among neurodiverse youth. At the heart of the program is the understanding that meaningful connection precedes effective learning. By exploring the intricate links between the often fragmented fields of applied educational neuroscience, neurodiversity, trauma-informed teaching, and social-emotional learning, participants gain practical tools to connect with youth on a brain and nervous system level. Through this integrated holistic lens, participants learn to foster environments that ensure all learners—especially those impacted by neurodiversity, mental health challenges, trauma, or foster care—can thrive.
Riverside County Office of Education
The HCC program is a 37.5-hour certificate training*.
The program begins with a two-day immersion retreat introducing core foundational knowledge and mind-body practices. The immersion retreat is in-person connection that sets the stage for the remainder of the training.
Topics include:
- Setting group agreements to establish a culture of safety and trust
- Learning the foundations of interpersonal neurobiology
- Building a model nervous system
- Exploring polyvagal theory and the science of felt-safety
- Understanding the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Practicing trauma-informed mindfulness, breathwork and other mind-body practices to increase personal well-being and professional capacity
The immersion retreat is followed by eight live virtual learning sessions.
*The certificate program is delivered in partnership with the University of San Diego, Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity.
This training supported me in learning the scientific background to concepts I’ve been intuitively engaged in. It is a game-changer to have scientific knowledge alongside tactile strategies that support my personal wellbeing. I can now step in as a more effective co-regulator for others.
Our Heart-Centered Connections™ curriculum delivers transformational experiences in 7 Pillars:
Pillar #1: Self-Awareness:
In this pillar, you will:
- review the foundational elements of the autonomic nervous system
- review the science of the nervous system’s survival responses
- explore the importance of nervous system state for adults serving neurodiverse children
- prepare to launch a 21-Day Vagus Nerve Challenge to build adult nervous system capacity
Pillar #2: Interpersonal Awareness:
In this pillar, you will:
- learn how to help children access the ventral vagal state, a nervous system state that is key for social engagement
- gain knowledge of how different nervous system states produce different behavioral responses and consider how and when these behaviors appear in children
- explore the impact of implicit bias on the nervous system and behavior responses
Pillar #3: Neuroinclusive Spaces:
In this pillar, you will:
- learn how elements of environmental design and sensory stimulation in the classroom impact the nervous system
- explore how to meet the sensory needs of neurodiverse learners from a trauma-informed perspective
- discuss how connections to familiar places, colors, sounds, nature, etc., impact learning and behavior
- reflect on their own environmental design and consider modifications based on the information presented in this pillar
Pillar #4: Activated Genius:
In this pillar, you will:
- recognize an expanded idea of genius and ways to cultivate it in all children
- discuss the emerging connection between neurodiversity and creativity
- understand current research about theta/beta brainwaves and how it impacts neurodiverse learners
- create a plan to include more opportunities for open mode thinking in lesson plans
Pillar #5: Engaged Learning:
In this pillar, you will:
- explore how learning differences, trauma, and cultural connections impact how the brain learns
- understand the power of mnemonic instruction, and learn the different types
- discover why direct instruction in executive functions is critical for effective inclusive education
- connect psychological safety through rituals and routines to enhanced student learning for neurodiverse learners
Pillar #6: Mindful Communication:
In this pillar, you will:
- learn the 3 principles of heart-centered communication
- explore the power of storytelling and narrative empathy to enhance social connections with youth
- elevate student’s hope, choice, and agency through compassionate right action
- identify a child and create a plan to improve communication and connection
Pillar #7: Heart-Centered Repair:
In this pillar, you will:
- establish an operating definition of felt-safety and embodied equity in the learning environment
- create a survey that invites children and families to evaluate their felt sense of safety and connectedness in the learning environment
- learn how to engage in cycles of continuous feedback and improvement to build trust with children and families by demonstrating vulnerability to learn and grow alongside them
- review the science on the impact of formal apology and repair on adults’ ability to sustain heart-centered connections with youth.
As a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, I never connected my nervous system state to my students’ behavior. I used to consistently send students out of my classroom for poor behavior, without recognizing my own behavior. Now that I support my nervous system and come to class each day in a ventral vagal state, I very rarely send children out of the classroom. My students’ behaviors have improved drastically simply by me changing how I show up for them. I also understand how to prepare their nervous systems for learning.
Berryessa Union School District
Organizations & Schools that have trusted HCC & MLP
San Bernardino City Unified School District
Pasadena Unified School District
Riverside County Office of Education