Do you think you'd like to become a Training Teams Trainer? Check out everything that's involved and see if you could become a member.
Training Teams Trainers are a very diverse group of individuals. Our trainers come from various backgrounds and positions from community mental health centers who have experience working in their local community with youth identified with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) and their families. Trainers work within a supportive framework of the guidelines set forth by the State of Kansas. Our commitment is a peer-to-peer model for all of our training events. Trainers work with groups helping others learn community and strengths-based interventions to accomplish specific learning objectives.
Great Training Teams Trainers possess the following qualities:
- Worked as or was significantly involved with children's case management or parent support for at least one year.
- Comfortable presenting in front of a large group, ability to think on their feet and adjust accordingly.
- Ability to stay on task and maintain focus on learning objectives.
- Great Listening skills and attention to detail.
- Commitment to preparation.
- Energetic and perceptive of the group's needs.
- Flexible in the delivery of content material to meet the needs of the group.
After assessing your skills and interests as a prospective trainer, you need a recommendation from the supervisor of your organization and approval to be away from normal duties. Please forward your resume along with the recommendation from your supervisor or director to
Stacy Rucker, State Training Coordinator.
Prospective Training Teams Event Trainers have a variety of experience and level of skill. It is the sharing, blending and application of these skills that help make the training teams successful. We recognize that prospective trainers may need assistance acquiring basic trainer skills, knowledge of the training content, or a combination of both. To help meet this need Training Teams provides two learning opportunities. Prospective trainers can participate as an apprentice and/or attend a Train-the-Trainer session.
As an apprentice, the potential trainer is teamed up with experienced trainers to learn, and practice training skills at a live training. Prospective trainers may or may not have specific tasks to do during a session other than observe, reflect on what they see, and work with other team members to answer questions and share ideas. You may also be asked to participate in a pre-plan meeting for a particular training session, where trainers clarify responsibilities, activities and other issues related to conducting the session. Train-the-Trainer is provided by Training Teams, these live event trainings are presented to update current trainers on content and curriculum changes. The process of preparing-the-trainer is individualized in recognition that prospective trainers have varying levels of skill, experience, and need.
Training Teams Trainers are part of a supportive network of individuals that work to assist kids and families. Trainers are provided materials, logistical support, and compensation for their work. Completion of the current online training is required to assure that trainers have the most up-to-date information. All trainers attend one 2-hour pre-plan meeting (usually three weeks prior to training) in which specific training material is assigned and training activities are planned. This is an opportunity for trainers to share their thoughts and discuss new training ideas.
On the first day of training, trainers arrive at the training site one hour prior to the start to help with meeting and greeting of the participants and discuss any last minute details. Our training philosophy utilizes a team approach which emphasizes the continuous involvement of each trainer during a training event. Day one of training ends around 4:30 p.m. with 30-minute debrief of the day's events. For day two trainers arrive at 7:45 a.m. to again assist with meeting and greeting and pulling together last minute details. Day two ends at 3:30 p.m. with a quick review of how the training went overall.
Training Teams is a statewide program; the formation of training teams varies with the date and location of the scheduled trainings. We believe it is highly desirable to reduce travel time to a minimum; our goal is to have training teams made-up of individuals from the region where the session is conducted. How and when you work as a trainer depends upon the training schedule, location, and availability of trainers.
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to possibly working with you as Training Teams Event Trainer.