Supporting the Work of So Many
Every day, prevention specialists and prevention providers across America dedicate their lives to supporting those struggling with substance misuse. Prevention First works directly with those preventionists or providers, supporting their work with the tools, training, and resources needed to change lives and build healthy communities.
Since 1985, Prevention First has been Illinois’ preferred provider of training and technical assistance. We train an average of 1,300 people annually and deliver 55 training sessions.
We employ many different approaches to most effectively disseminate this information, including live events (classroom-based, virtual, and webinars), on-demand options (online self-study and recorded webinar events), one-on-one technical assistance, coaching services, and web-based resources. All of which are rooted in evidence-based prevention approaches.
The result: Our training and technical assistance services provide professionals and volunteers the training and information they need to effectively impact substance misuse in their communities so they can, in turn, spend their time directly impacting their communities rather than spending valuable time researching appropriate prevention methodology.
Training Options
Classroom-based (instructor-led) training offers a guided, interactive learning experience where participants and facilitators can discuss new information and practice new skills.
Virtual classroom (instructor-led, online) training offers participants a guided, interactive learning experience outside the Prevention First classroom.
Webinar (instructor-led, online) events offer participants a structured learning experience that is less interactive and often has a shorter time frame.
Self-paced training (online) allows participants to complete the material independently.
Social Determinants of Health
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
The conditions in which we are born, live, learn, play, and age exercise a powerful influence on the health of individuals and communities. By critically examining the role of neighborhood conditions, education, income/wealth, and the socio-political climate, this training will strengthen participants’ understanding of the social determinants of health and their role in shaping the health outcomes of diverse populations.
Training Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Define the social determinants of health.
- Explain how inequities in neighborhood conditions, education, income and wealth, and socio-political climate affect health outcomes and health disparities.
- Understand how differential access to wealth-building policies and structures (beyond income) create unequal conditions for good health in communities across the United States
- Identify examples of effective local, regional, and national strategies for improving systems and policies that affect the social determinants of health.
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Tuesday, May 27 - Wednesday, May 28, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Wednesday, May 28 - Thursday, May 29, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
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Inclusive Classrooms: Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Health Classes for Educators
Friday, May 30, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Online
Description
This webinar will examine the research on why it is important, now more than ever, for health education to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth. Participants will learn key terminology, with the understanding that identity terms mean different things to different populations, and that language is always evolving. Key statistics around LGBTQ+ mental health will be covered, as it relates to inclusivity in schools and classrooms. Overall, participants will learn how to be safe, supportive, and inclusive educators and providers for the young people they work with.
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Monday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 3, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Monday, June 2 - Tuesday, June 3, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
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CSUPS/SUPS Provider Spring Networking Events 2025
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Heartland Community College - Normal, IL
Description
This in-person networking event is open to IDHS Substance Use Prevention Program Services (SUPS) and Chicago Substance Use Prevention Program Services (CSUPS) professionals. The day will consist of structured discussions and activities that will allow attendees to share their knowledge, successes, and lessons learned with other prevention professionals.
We are excited to partner with the Youth Prevention Resource Center for a segment of this year's networking events. Participants should come prepared to learn best practices for recruiting youth participants and walk away with new ideas for engaging and retaining youth in their YAC programs.
SUPS/CSUPS professionals are encouraged to attend whichever event is most convenient. Additional details to follow.
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Effective Group Facilitation with Adolescents: A Two-Part Series for Counseling/Clinical Staff
Tuesday, June 3 - Wednesday, June 4, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
Event Description:
The peer group is most important to adolescents. Group counseling allows adolescents to heal and transform their lives with peer support. Topics covered in this presentation include: how to prepare adolescents for group counseling, how to build group cohesion, stages of adolescent group development and the role of the group leader, how to avoid having your ‘buttons pushed’ when facilitating adolescent groups, managing group conflict, intervention strategies with challenging group members, the effective use of activities in adolescent groups.
By the end of this two-part workshop, you will be able to:
- Prepare adolescents for group counseling.
- Build group cohesion.
- Manage group conflict.
- Have effective intervention strategies with challenging group members.
- Utilize groups to help adolescents make positive life changes.
This is a two-day training. To receive a certificate of completion and CEUs, training participants must attend and adhere to the attendance policy both days.
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Self-Care for Health Educators who teach pregnancy prevention
Tuesday, June 03, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
As educators, many times our focus is on caring for our students and others. Too often, we put ourselves on the back burner, and forget that we can never pour from an empty cup. This webinar will provide participants the space to process what barriers get in the way of their own self care. We will also discuss community care options as well as how to build out a concrete self care “tool box”. In this webinar participants will learn what is true self care, deeper than what we see on social media. Lastly, this webinar will provide a time to engage in a self care activity to leave educators feeling supported, cared for, and calm.
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CSUPS/SUPS Provider Spring Networking Events 2025
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Doubletree by Hilton Mt. Vernon - Mt. Vernon, IL
Description
This in-person networking event is open to IDHS Substance Use Prevention Program Services (SUPS) and Chicago Substance Use Prevention Program Services (CSUPS) professionals. The day will consist of structured discussions and activities that will allow attendees to share their knowledge, successes, and lessons learned with other prevention professionals.
We are excited to partner with the Youth Prevention Resource Center for a segment of this year's networking events. Participants should come prepared to learn best practices for recruiting youth participants and walk away with new ideas for engaging and retaining youth in their YAC programs.
SUPS/CSUPS professionals are encouraged to attend whichever event is most convenient. Additional details to follow.
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Fresh Perspectives in Suicide Prevention 2025
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
As we enter the second half of the decade, the world we live and work in is different now than it was five years ago. In a time of rapid social change, it is of the utmost importance that providers, advocates, and those in caring fields take the time to analyze how our evolving social, political, and environmental landscape impacts the experiences of marginalized communities when it comes to mental health and suicide. Join us in exploring emerging research, best practices, and lived experiences at this year’s Fresh Perspectives and Suicide Prevention Virtual Summit.
Presentations Include:
- Filling in the Gaps: Providing Behavioral Healthcare in Under-resourced Settings with Dr. Rebekah Fenton, MD, MPH
- From Compassion Fatigue to Compassionate Culture: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Suicide Prevention with Felicia Houston, MA, LCPC
- Men and Suicide Prevention - Advancing from Data to Action with Andrew Lerch, DPT, PT
- Equity in Action: Engaging Communities to Save Lives with Corbin J. Standley, PhD
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Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Thursday, June 5 - Friday, June 6, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
Read More
Two-Day ASAM Criteria 4th Edition Skill Building
Monday, June 9 - Tuesday, June 10, 2025
08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Online
Description
This two-day, application-focused training will provide participants with an in-depth look at some of the significant changes and improvements in the Fourth Edition. Participants will have opportunities to apply and practice key components of the Criteria, including but not limited to; the six dimensions, level of care assessment, application of Risk Ratings to each of the Five Dimensions, Dimensional Admission Criteria Decision Rules, shared decision-making and an overview of Service Characteristic Standards, Discharge and Transition Criteria.
All participants receive an in-depth electronic training journal to guide the training experience and as a resource for continuing skill application, as part of the training.
Books are not required, but highly recommended.
The Illinois Department of Human Services funds this training and is only open to license-funded treatment professionals in the state of Illinois.
Read More
CSUPS/SUPS Provider Spring Networking Events 2025
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle Naperville - Lisle, IL
Description
This in-person networking event is open to IDHS Substance Use Prevention Program Services (SUPS) and Chicago Substance Use Prevention Program Services (CSUPS) professionals. The day will consist of structured discussions and activities that will allow attendees to share their knowledge, successes, and lessons learned with other prevention professionals.
We are excited to partner with the Youth Prevention Resource Center for a segment of this year's networking events. Participants should come prepared to learn best practices for recruiting youth participants and walk away with new ideas for engaging and retaining youth in their YAC programs.
SUPS/CSUPS professionals are encouraged to attend whichever event is most convenient. Additional details to follow.
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Self-Care for Providers
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Online
Description
Self-care for Providers is a dynamic, interactive workshop that addresses the healing and self-care needs of providers, supervisors, and others who are of vital assistance to individuals, children, and families navigating substance use and mental health challenges. Topics include secondary traumatic stress, burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and building resilience on the individual and organizational level.
Objectives:
- Understand and define the elements of compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and stress
- Understand and define burnout and how it relates to organizational characteristics
- Describe and prepare strategies to build emotional resilience at an individual and organizational level
- Define the process by which individuals and organizations can move from reactivity to resilience through the use of assessment, prevention, and intervention
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The 5 P’s of Coalition Building
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Online
Description
This session will cover how effective prevention requires intentional and informed efforts. Through the Five Ps in effective prevention, participants will have the opportunity to discuss tools, strategies, and techniques relevant to primary prevention. Evidence-based strategies will be discussed, and how to utilize each Pillar to keep prevention moving forward, impactfully, and sustainably.
Training Objectives
1. Describe the five key strategies grantees could use to be effective.
2. Identify 5 pillars: Passion, Prestige, Presence, Powerbase, Process
3. Identify actionable strategies to strengthen each of the Five P’s—People, Process, Planning, Partnerships, and Policy—to build resilient, effective, and sustainable prevention initiatives.
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CSUPS/SUPS Provider Spring Networking Events 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Prevention First's Chicago Office (Branch Office) - Chicago, IL
Description
This in-person networking event is open to IDHS Substance Use Prevention Program Services (SUPS) and Chicago Substance Use Prevention Program Services (CSUPS) professionals. The day will consist of structured discussions and activities that will allow attendees to share their knowledge, successes, and lessons learned with other prevention professionals.
We are excited to partner with the Youth Prevention Resource Center for a segment of this year's networking events. Participants should come prepared to learn best practices for recruiting youth participants and walk away with new ideas for engaging and retaining youth in their YAC programs.
SUPS/CSUPS professionals are encouraged to attend whichever event is most convenient. Additional details to follow.
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Exploring Best Practices in Groupwork for patients in substance use disorder treatment settings
Thursday, June 12, 2025
09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Online
Description
Group therapy and group work is a common way to deliver SUD treatment interventions in various types of treatment settings. Participants enrolled in this training will develop professional knowledge and skill for group work services to and for diverse persons affected by mental health issues, substance use disorders, and other behavioral addictions. The phases of group development and intervention during the various group work stages provide a conceptual framework for the training experience. Participants will compare and contrast the group dynamics of a mutual aid framework and the eleven therapeutic factors that lead to positive outcomes in group therapy. This training is highly experiential, and participants will engage in a parallel process of being group members and examining the roles of group leadership during this training. Training participants will demonstrate how to navigate discord, member testing, mandated patients and conflict in group settings using a mutual aid framework of group work.
Objectives:
- Recognize the benefits of developing group norms using a mutual aid framework to establish group safety and increase trust in the early stages of group.
- Compare and contrast the group dynamics using a mutual aid framework and the eleven therapeutic factors that lead to positive outcomes in substance use disorder groups.
- Identify the different stages of group development, and short term, long term, open and closed groups and specific interventions to foster safety, universality, and group cohesion.
- Practice responding to conflict, discord, and responding and working with mandated patients in a group setting.
- Discuss strategies for clinically appropriate group endings, and transitions.
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Motivational Interviewing: An Introduction Training
Friday, June 13, 2025
09:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Online
Description
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is defined as “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment” (Miller & Rollnick, 2023, p. 3). MI is designed to evoke and enhance the individual’s own motivation to change, using strategies that are empathetic and non-confrontational. While it has long been recognized as an effective way to promote behavior change within individuals in substance use treatment, MI has a wide range of applications beyond the clinician-client interaction. MI is designed to help draw out the individual’s own strengths and resources to help them make the behavioral changes needed to reach their goals. In this introductory training, participants will learn about spirit of MI and its basic skills and strategies, and will have the opportunity to apply and practice those core skills in an experiential skill-development training.
Objectives:
- Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as its relation to the transtheoretical model and the importance of effective engagement
- Describe the core skills of motivational interviewing, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries
- Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to draw out and highlight the individual’s own desire, ability, reasons, and need to change
- Demonstrate application of concept as well as use of core motivational interviewing skills in practice activities
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June Power Hour: Pride and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month
Monday, June 16, 2025
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Online
Description
Join Prevention First's Mental Health Training & Technical Assistance Team for a Power Hour Session during Pride and Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. In this session, we will have an interactive discussion on ways to support LGBTQIA+ people and men in the unique struggles those populations face with their mental health.
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Foundations of Positive Youth Development Series: Everyone's an Asset Builder and Sharing the Asset Message - RYD
Tuesday, June 17 - Wednesday, June 18, 2025
09:30 AM - 02:15 PM
Prevention First's Springfield Office (Headquarters) - Springfield, IL
Description
During this foundational course, you will learn how to engage and support young people in your life and involve the family and community members of the youth connected to your work as a youth development professional.
Everyone’s an Asset Builder (Part I)
Developmental assets are prevention-focused and associated with all Reimagine Youth Development Services. These include improving academic performance, life skills education, recreation, sports, cultural/artistic activities, positive adult role models, service learning, and STEM Learning. The first day of the two-day training introduces the Developmental Assets® framework and the powerful role of individual asset builders in the lives of youth.
This two-day workshop will help participants:
- Identify the characteristics of effective asset builders and their own personal strengths and challenges
- Understand “circles of influence” and identify those circles in which there is potential for asset building
- Make and share a personal commitment to asset-building action
Sharing the Asset Message (Part II)
The second day of the training will prepare community members and groups to deliver various asset-building messages to multiple audiences. This workshop will help participants:
- Discuss how the assets relate to other positive youth development efforts
- Develop engaging presentation strategies to meet the unique needs of any audience
- Download free curriculum materials to use in their program presentations
* Note: This is a two-day training; to receive credit, participants must attend both days of the training.
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Foundations of Positive Youth Development Series: Everyone's an Asset Builder and Sharing the Asset Message - TPP
Tuesday, June 17 - Wednesday, June 18, 2025
09:30 AM - 02:15 PM
Prevention First's Springfield Office (Headquarters) - Springfield, IL
Description
During this foundational course, you will learn how to engage and support young people in your life and involve the family and community members of the youth connected to your work as a youth development professional.
Everyone’s an Asset Builder (Part I)
Developmental assets are prevention-focused and associated with all Reimagine Youth Development Services. These include improving academic performance, life skills education, recreation, sports, cultural/artistic activities, positive adult role models, service learning, and STEM Learning. The first day of the two-day training introduces the Developmental Assets® framework and the powerful role of individual asset builders in the lives of youth.
This two-day workshop will help participants:
- Identify the characteristics of effective asset builders and their own personal strengths and challenges
- Understand “circles of influence” and identify those circles in which there is potential for asset building
- Make and share a personal commitment to asset-building action
Sharing the Asset Message (Part II)
The second day of the training will prepare community members and groups to deliver various asset-building messages to multiple audiences. This workshop will help participants:
- Discuss how the assets relate to other positive youth development efforts
- Develop engaging presentation strategies to meet the unique needs of any audience
- Download free curriculum materials to use in their program presentations
* Note: This is a two-day training; to receive credit, participants must attend both days of the training.
Read More
Motivational Interviewing: Beyond the Basics Training
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
09:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Online
Description
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is defined as “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment” (Miller & Rollnick, 2023, p. 3). MI is designed to evoke and enhance the individual’s own motivation to change, using strategies that are empathetic and non-confrontational. While it has long been recognized as an effective way to promote behavior change within individuals in substance use treatment, MI has a wide range of applications beyond the clinician-client interaction. MI’s guiding helping style draws out the individual’s own strengths and desires to help them make the behavioral changes needed to reach their goals. Participants will learn about the guiding spirit of MI and the four tasks, and will have the opportunity to practice core skills and appropriately respond to challenges in an experiential skill-development training.
Objectives:
- Describe key aspects of the spirit of motivational interviewing as well as the four tasks and the importance of effective engagement
- Describe common traps and communication barriers (e.g. the persuasion trap, the wandering trap) which can arise and contribute to potential discord
- Generate effective responses consistent with motivational interviewing to elicit change talk and to help clients explore and resolve ambivalence
- Demonstrate use of core motivational interviewing skills, as well as the ability to identify and appropriately respond to sustain talk and discord
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Working with Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Online
Description
This CIP session covers the Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC) program, an evidence-based intervention that employs cognitive behavioral approaches to support successful reentry and reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated parents. Participants will explore the collaborative framework between correctional institutions and community organizations that provides continuous support throughout the reintegration process. Drawing on over a decade of documented success, this session emphasizes how the Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative has effectively reduced substance misuse and recidivism through both institutional implementation and community-based continuation of services. Grantees will gain practical insights into evidence-based practices and sustainability strategies relevant to prevention professionals, affected families, service providers, and policymakers.
Training Objectives
- Grantees will learn family strengthening strategies that enhance resilience and recovery.
- Grantee will learn protective factors that build and promote ongoing engagement.
- Grantees will be able to explore how to establish stable relationships between children and supportive adults.
- Grantees will identify how to facilitate open communication about experiences related to incarceration.
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Restorative Justice: Beyond the Buzz Word
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online
Description
Restorative justice has become a widely used term in education and youth advocacy, but how often is it truly understood? Too often, it is reduced to a checklist, a series of scripted conversations, or an alternative to discipline—without addressing the deeper work it requires. This workshop challenges the misconceptions surrounding restorative justice and exposes the hidden barriers that prevent it from being effective.
Training Objectives
Participants will examine:
- The difference between true accountability and a punitive mindset disguised as restoration
- Why authority without relationships leads to resistance, not respect
- How compliance-based systems undermine the very foundation of restorative justice
- The role of implicit bias and cultural competency in making, or breaking, these practices
- Why adult self-work is a necessary first step before expecting youth to change
Restorative justice is not about control, compliance, or surface-level solutions. It is about transformation. And transformation cannot happen without a willingness to rethink, unlearn, and rebuild.
This is not just a regular workshop—it is an invitation to step beyond the buzzword and into the real work.
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