Get Training

Are you a qualified trainer?  Click here to log onto the password protected trainers section to access resources to support a specific training you are delivering.

If you are interested in accessing training it is available on a variety of topics that increase the capacity of early childhood program staff in building the protective factors that keep families strong.  Strengthening Families Illinois has developed training sequence for staff working with young children and their families. 

For programs interested in implementing the Strengthening Families approach, Strengthening Families Illinois (SFI) recommends the following core topics which were rolled out in each of SFI’s learning network communities .  Topics developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support were done so in response to Illinois’ implementation plan.  Click on any topic to learn more:

• Stronger Together: Family Support and Early Childhood Programs
  Developed by Parent Services Project, Inc.
• 6 Protective Factors that Keep Families Strong
  Developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support
• Recognizing and Responding to Signs of Family Stress
  Developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support
• Communicating with Families
  Developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support
• Developing Collaborative Relationships (Early Childhood and Child Welfare Staff)
  Developed by the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support
• Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
  Developed by Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, Delivered through StarNet

Training on the Protective Factors is available through Illinois’ Child Care Nurse Consultants located at each of the states Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (Click here to find the closest one to your program). 

Training on the Protective Factors and Recognizing and Responding to Signs of Family Stress is available through Caregiver Connections Mental Health Consultants (Click here to find the closest Mental Health Consultant). 

You can access any SFI topic developed in Illinois by contacting the Midwest Learning Center for Family Support or Strengthening Families Illinois directly. to learn more. 

Become a Trainer

Qualified Strengthening Families Illinois trainers must:

• Have experience in the fields of early childhood, family support, and child abuse and neglect
• Understand the Strengthening Families framework and be able to explain it
• Have two years’ training experience (recommended) or comparable experience
• Have experience with and a strong belief in interactive, experiential learning
• Understand the principles of adult learning and demonstrate the ability to meet audiences’ needs

Becoming a Qualified Strengthening Families Illinois trainer, includes:

• Completing a Strengthening Families Trainer Application
• Participating in a training of trainers (including observation) on the topic(s) on which you wish to train
• Providing training no more than six months after completing training of trainers
• Participating in an annual refresher course

To learn more about becoming a trainer, .