T4T Overview
The Training Process
Sources of Strength is intentional in our approach to training Certified Trainers. Given the highly interactive and comprehensive nature of the Sources of Strength program, we take training those implementing our program very seriously. As such, we ask that if you are not a Local Certified Trainer and have not attended the Sources of Strength Train-the-Trainer Advanced Skills Session, that you consult with Sources of Strength about becoming a Provisional Trainer before registering or leading a Sources of Strength training.
The Sources of Strength Train-the-Trainer program is a multi-step process that begins with a 4-day Train-the-Trainer Advanced Skills Session (T4T). Note that simply attending a Train-the-Trainer Advanced Skills Session does not automatically qualify an individual to be a Certified Trainer. Below are general guidelines for the registration process, costs, training timeline, certification process, and certification requirements. Please reach out to the Sources of Strength National Team with any questions.
Registration
Let us know you are interested in becoming a Sources of Strength Trainer and the training dates that would work best for you. Once registered, someone from the Sources of Strength team will reach out to you to confirm details about upcoming training opportunities.
Review the Certification Process before registering for a Train-the-Trainer Skills Session.
Training Costs
Below are initial costs associated with the Sources of Strength Train-the-Trainer process. Prior to attending a T4T, you will need to provide Sources of Strength with invoicing information for your registration fees.
Cost per person to register for a 4-day Train-the-Trainer session.
Cost for a previously trained attendee to register for a 4-day T4T or for a 2-day Booster Train-the-Trainer session. Required every three years to maintain certification.
Hosting a local T4T allows you to invite 30 participants. Sources of Strength reserves the right to invite ten additional Trainers from other regions.
These sessions are for attendees who have previously attended a T4T. Hosting a local BT4T allows you to invite 30 participants. Sources of Strength reserves the right to invite ten additional Trainers from other regions.
Certification Process
The following details are intended to guide you through the step-by-step process of becoming a Sources of Strength Provisional and then Certified Trainer. Note that simply attending a Train-the-Trainer Skills Session does not automatically qualify an individual to be a Certified Trainer. Upon completion of the Train-the-Trainer Skills Session training, you will become a Provisional Trainer, and be tasked to carry out the following activities before receiving full certification as a Certified Local Trainer:
Trainer Certification Checklist
Please use the following Train the Trainer (T4T) Certification Process and Checklist to track your progress toward certification as a Sources of Strength Local Trainer.
Watch all training videos for the Adult Advisor and Peer Leader trainings (virtual and in-person) after attending the Train-the-Trainer Skills Session.
Facilitate four Practice Trainings:
- Practice Training is a 30-minute to one hour training session, where a Provisional Trainer facilitates a portion of the Sources of Strength training, with the goal of developing confidence and competence with various sections of the training.
- Practice Training can be with any group a Provisional Trainer has access to, including:
- Pitching the program to a group of administrators or school staff;
- Introducing Sources practices to your family, friends, or book club.
- Introducing the program to a group of students;
- Provisional Trainers will use the Trainer Feedback Tool to self measure fidelity to the Sources of Strength Trainer Manual.
- Provisional Trainers will provide feedback on each Practice Training through the Sources of Strength Training Log.
Facilitate four Co-Trainings with a National Trainer:
- Provisional Trainers are required to facilitate portions of two Adult Advisor trainings and two Peer Leader trainings to complete this step.
- Provisional Trainers will provide feedback on each Co-Training through the Sources of Strength Training Log.
- National Trainers will use the Trainer Feedback Tool to provide Provisional of Local Trainers with coaching, feedback, and guidance on the certification process.
Participate in an ongoing Community of Learning for Trainers by engaging on our Slack channel, watching all the training videos, connecting with the Sources National team with questions or concerns, and participating in our National Professional Development Webinars.
Participation in the Trainer Certification Process will help Provisional Trainers gain experience delivering Sources of Strength Adult Advisor trainings and Peer Leader trainings in accordance with Sources of Strength protocols. Practice Trainings can be conducted on your own or with a colleague, while Co-Trainings must be conducted with a National Trainer, or specially certified State Trainer, or Regional Trainer. During this process, we ask that you maintain continued communication with the Sources of Strength National office to evaluate your progress. As you complete each stage of the Trainer Certification Process, please log your trainings under the Training Log page of the website. The Training Log helps to keep a record of your progress as a Provisional Trainer and certified Local Trainer.
Timeline for Certified Trainer Status!
The length of the Local Trainer certification process is dependent upon the schedule of the Provisional Trainer and the availability of local co-training opportunities with National Trainers. We require Provisional Trainers to complete the certification process within 24 months of attending a T4T. However, the certification process can be completed in as little as three to four weeks. Recertification is required three years after a Certified Trainer's last participation in a T4T.
Trainer Certification Review and Approval
Once the Trainer Certification Checklist has been completed, the Provisional Trainer must contact the National Sources of Strength team to verify that all Practice Trainings and Co-Trainings have been logged and they are ready for their Certification Review to begin. To move forward with review and approval the Provisional Trainer needs to have:
Completed a Train-the-Trainer Skills Session training:
Facilitated four Practice Trainings:
Facilitated four Co-Trainings: two Adult Advisor trainings and two Peer Leader trainings:
Submitted eight Training Logs (four practices trainings and four co-trainings)
Commitment of ongoing participation in Sources of Strength Community of Learning
The Certification Review with the National Team will include the following:
• Review of all Training Logs for previous Practice Trainings and Co-Trainings, as well as Training Feedback Tools for past trainings.
• Check to confirm all training materials, including the Trainer Manual, training videos, and other training resources have been read, watched, and studied.
• A phone call to confirm all the necessary steps have been completed and a Provisional Trainer has displayed confidence, competence, and a high degree of fidelity to the Sources of Strength Adult Advisor and Peer Leader training. We also hope to answer any questions or concerns a Provisional Trainer may still have regarding moving forward with facilitating a Sources of Strength training.
In the Certification Review, the Provisional Trainer will be asked "are you feeling confident and competent in delivering the Sources of Strength training with fidelity?"
If Yes
A Provisional Trainer will be certified as a Local Trainer for a geographical region for a three-year period (starting from the date of your last completed T4T)
If No
A Provisional Trainer will be asked to facilitate further Co-Trainings and/or Practice Trainings to gain further confidence and competency in the training before being certified to Local Trainer status.
Once Certified
Once certification is completed, Certified Local Trainers are asked to renew their certification every three years, by attending a Train-the-Trainer Skills Session or Train-the-Trainer Booster Session. Certified Trainers:
- Are certified for a specific geographic region (county, tribal area, school system, etc.) as previously agreed upon with Sources of Strength:
- Agree to submit brief online Trainer Logs for each individual training (both mini and co-trainings).
- Commit to providing training with fidelity to Sources of Strength and ensure that schools being trained are up-to-date on paying their yearly licensing fees.
- Will consult with the National Sources of Strength team regarding any adaptation of program implementation.
- Will remain certified and in good standing as a Sources of Strength Certified Trainer if they provide at least 1-2 trainings per year containing Sources of Strength modules and attend a recertification course through Sources of Strength every three years.
- Will only offer Sources of Strength training outside of the agreed upon geographic region if granted permission by the Sources of Strength National team.
Becoming a Sources of Strength Regional, National, or Contract Trainer is a more rigorous process that involves skills in starting, developing, and mentoring new regions.