FAQs

It is vital to use a culture-centered approach when working with Black youth because it acknowledges the profound impact that African/African-American culture has on the experiences of these youth (rather than using the default of a Eurocentric perspective when working with these youth, their families, and communities. This culture-centered approach to trauma-informed care is unique, the only program of its kind in the U.S.

The overwhelming majority of the training and other services offered through CRESTSprogram are aimed at equipping educators, parents/caregivers, and mental health professionals to work more effectively with youth of color.

CRESTSprogram offers pre-recorded and customized (live virtual or in-person) training programs for whole teams and organizations. Please reach out to ceo@crestsprogram.com. We would love to hear from you!

Yes! CRESTSprogram offers a variety of resources specifically focusing on parents. Please visit our training platform to view these resources.

CRESTS is an acronym for Culturally Responsive, Evidence-Based Strategies for Traumatic Stress

Yes! Several of CRESTSprogram’s training programs specifically apply to preschool-age children (ages 0-5 years). Please visit our training platform to view culture-centered, trauma-informed training programs.

Absolutely! CRESTSprogram’s approaches and techniques can be applied to other children of color. Our culture-centered, trauma-informed approach to working with Black children is as effective with other youth of color.

All of CRESTSprogram’s training programs are grounded in research from peer-reviewed academic journals. Citations are provided in all trainings and presentations. We encourage you to explore the research that is provided. Additionally, CRESTSprogram engages in its own research to provide evidence of the effectiveness of our approach.

For full-time students, CRESTSprogram offers discounts on the credential programs. Additionally, we periodically offer discounts to our subscribers for various training videos and credential programs. Of course, we also regularly provide free webinars and other resources, including concept papers, podcasts, newsletters, blogs, and fact sheets.

Yes! CRESTSprogram can benefit students. Our discussion of race-based stress can be quite informative and liberating for students. We also design developmentally appropriate resources for students at the K-12 level.

Yes! After the live training has been offered, all registrants receive a code that will allow them to access the training free of charge for a limited time on our training platform. After that time has elapsed, the course will be available at as affordable price.

Yes! CRESTSprogram currently offers two certificate programs, CREST-Liberate and CREST-Achieve. Please visit our training platform to enroll in these certificate programs. In addition, after completing a certificate program, you can earn an internationally recognized Badge.

Currently, CRESTSprogram does not offer CEU’s.

Thank you for engaging in one of our programs. A certificate of attendance can be provided upon request. Contact us at ceo@crestsprogram.com.

Periodically, CRESTSprogram seeks applicants for various positions. Please visit our website for our position announcements.

The CRESTSprogram logo symbolizes Black excellence, inspired by the West African Adinkra symbol, osrane. This symbol connotes the moon. However, the general meaning of osrane is, “It takes the moon some time to go around the nation.” We believe that it will take the sincere effort of committed individuals coming together to transform the lives of Black children collectively. We must be diligent and deliberate. We must achieve.​

CRESTSprogram is a business that offers training, other services, merchandise, and free resources aimed at promoting culture-centered and trauma- informed practices in education, parenting, mental health, juvenile justice, and research.

CRESTS-Achieve and CRESTS-Liberate are the first two credential programs that are offered through CRESTSprogram, LLC.

CRESTSprogram, LLC is headquartered in New Orleans, LA. However, the CRESTSprogram team members are in various states in the U.S.A. and Toronto, Canada.

Absolutely! Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, Dr. Constance West, and the other members of the CRESTSprogram team are available for a wide variety of services. Contact us at: ceo@crestsprogram.com.

Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji is the Founder and CEO of CRESTSprogram, LLC.

Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji & Dr. Constance West are the Co-Founders of CRESTS-Achieve.

Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji is the Founder of CRESTS-Liberate.

UPLIFT is CRESTSprogram’s quarterly newsletter. You can subscribe to UPLIFT and access current and past issues of the newsletter via our website.

Dr. Constance West and Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji are the primary writers of the articles included in UPLIFT. However, all team members contribute to our quarterly issues. Our Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) typically designs the newsletter and updates the standard components of this publication.