In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Family & Community Services, training events are offered to enhance the skills, abilities, and knowledge of funded adolescent pregnancy prevention grantees. Training is designed to assist the grantees in effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating appropriate evidence-based strategies to address local Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention issues.

Training Events

Our training events (in person and virtually) are offered throughout the fiscal year. To find the next scheduled event, search below. Training on demand (self-paced) can be found via search or browsing through the online training and recorded webinar descriptions below. 

Training Series

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations

The Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations virtual classroom training series introduces participants to foundational strategies for convening and facilitating collaborative prevention groups, including community coalitions and advisory boards/groups (primarily comprised of adults or adults and youth, but not youth-only groups). The three courses in the series include:

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 1: Collaborative Purpose and Participation Search below for upcoming dates.

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 2: Structuring for Success Search below for upcoming dates.

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 3: Productive Group Processes and Facilitation Search below for upcoming dates.

Live Training: Classroom (In Person or Virtual) and Webinars

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 1: Collaborative Purpose and Participation

During this course, participants will discuss how to establish the function and purpose of community coalitions and collaborations, and identify strategies for recruiting a diverse group of stakeholders. Participants should have a specific collaboration in mind when completing training activities to maximize learning opportunities.

*This course is 3 hours; an additional 30 minutes of prework is required.*

Search below for upcoming dates.

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 2: Structuring for Success

During this course, participants will discuss how to structure and organize a community coalition or collaboration for success and infuse cultural respect and responsiveness into their processes. Participants should have a specific collaboration in mind when completing training activities to maximize learning opportunities.

*This course is 3 hours; an additional 30 minutes of prework is required.*

Search below for upcoming dates.

Convening Coalitions and Community Collaborations 3: Productive Group Processes and Facilitation

During this course, participants will discuss best practices for coordinating and facilitating community coalition or collaboration meetings, keeping stakeholders engaged, and evaluating the group’s effectiveness in making improvements. To maximize learning opportunities, participants should have a specific collaboration in mind when completing training activities.

*This course is 3 hours; an additional 30 minutes of prework is required.*

Search below for upcoming dates.

Effective Group Facilitation

The ability to lead groups is essential to various positions within the prevention field. This two-day training builds basic facilitation skills of individuals working with youth and/or adult groups. By the end of the training, participants will understand the stages of group development and the major issues associated with them, as well as how to identify and use interventions that will influence group behavior. This is an interactive training that will incorporate theory into discussions, group interaction, role-playing and practice, and applied learning.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Establishing and Leading a Youth Advisory Committee

In this one-day training, participants will learn how to establish and lead a youth advisory committee to support local substance use prevention efforts. Participants will learn best practices for engaging youth in advisory roles, how to establish an advisory committee structure, and strategies for recruiting and retaining youth advisors. Participants will also learn appropriate roles for youth committee members in substance use prevention activities.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Foundations of Prevention Ethics

During this course, participants will explore the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics. Participants will then learn and use an ethical decision-making process to apply the Prevention Code of Ethics to various realistic ethical examples that substance use prevention professionals may encounter.

This course was developed by the SAMHSA Center for Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT) and will be facilitated by Prevention First’s Substance Use Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Specialists. A certificate for six (6) training hours is provided upon completion. This ethics training has been endorsed by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and meets the IC&RC’s prevention ethics education requirement for prevention specialist credentialing.

Search below for upcoming dates. 

Foundations of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education

Foundations of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education provides a basic understanding of the components and best practices related to implementing any TPPE program. This training will increase participants’ knowledge and skills related to planning, managing, facilitating, and evaluating Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Foundations of Positive Youth Development Series: Everyone's an Asset Builder and Sharing the Asset Message

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.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Inclusive Classrooms: Creating LGBTQ+ Inclusive Health Classes for Educators

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.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Self-Care for Health Educators who Teach Pregnancy Prevention

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.

Search below for upcoming dates.

Online Training

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Strategies for Trauma-Informed Care

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact a child’s immediate and lifelong health as well as the well-being of their families, communities, and even society. Thankfully, ACEs are preventable, and with the right support, children can develop the resilience necessary to heal from the ACEs they’ve endured. This online training will not only help you understand and recognize ACEs but will also provide useful strategies for trauma-informed care. Get the insights you need to create positive childhood experiences for kids today, leading to bright futures for adults tomorrow.

Register

Authentic Youth Engagement

Youth are critical partners in developing and implementing programs and strategies that impact them. This course gives learners the knowledge and skills to authentically engage youth in prevention and youth development programs. Topics include adolescent development, the advantages of youth involvement, phases of authentic engagement, combating stereotypes and discrimination, adultism's impact, and effective youth recruitment and retention strategies. Participants will explore the importance of equitable power-sharing, recognize misconceptions, and understand how to engage youth effectively while navigating complexities in engagement practices.

Register

 Collaborating with Key Stakeholders

This online course will increase participants’ knowledge and skills in building relationships and collaborating with key community stakeholders. Participants will learn strategies for identifying and engaging key stakeholders, building relationships, getting stakeholders on board, and convening local coalitions.

Register

The Dynamic Adolescent Brain

This online training will increase participants’ knowledge of how the teen brain develops, how adolescent brain development differs throughout various stages, and how adolescent brain development influences adolescent thinking and behavior. The impact of early life trauma and racism will also be explored. Participants will examine their beliefs and attitudes about adolescence and how they affect their work with youth. This training will also highlight the value of authentically partnering with young people.

Register

Facilitating Prevention Education Curricula

This course will assist prevention education facilitators in strengthening their facilitation and classroom management skills. The course is designed for facilitators who implement prevention programs in schools, but who are not school staff. Participants will learn to identify and address facilitation-related challenges via three key strategies: building strong partnerships with classroom teachers, making minor curriculum adjustments to increase engagement and relevance to the audience, and applying effective facilitation techniques. Participants will also hear real-life tips from experienced classroom facilitators.

Register

Health Equity in Prevention

This online course is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of health equity, emphasizing the urgent need for preventative measures in healthcare. Learners are invited to embark on a transformative journey from foundational knowledge to actionable strategies, ensuring that health equity is not just conceptualized but integrated into daily practices and organizational policies. Modules include: Health Equity 101, Health Equity 102, Exploring the Social Determinants of Health, Addressing Inequities, and Health Equity in Action. 

Register

Introduction to Engaging Youth in Prevention

This online training will provide an overview of youth engagement and best practices for working with youth committees/councils. Participants will learn about the benefits of engaging youth, levels of youth participation, strategies for addressing barriers to youth engagement, and best practices for youth/adult partnerships.

Register

Promote Your Prevention Efforts and Build Support 

This course will provide you with tips for promoting your prevention efforts to increase awareness and support for prevention and the prevention services you provide your community. Estimated completion time is 1 hour.

Register

Recorded Webinars

Adult Recruiting and Retention in Youth Programs

This recorded webinar provides participants with an overview of best practices for recruiting adult volunteers into the Youth Champion program.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the benefits to the program
  • Identify recruitment planning steps and practices
  • Recognize components in recruitment strategy
  • Identify the importance of diversity and barriers to specific populations
  • Recognize best practices in screening
  • Recognize the importance of orientation and training
  • Recognize retention and recognition strategies

View Recording

Youth Champion Recruitment and Retention Training

This webinar provides participants an overview of meaningful youth engagement, strategies to recruit and retain youth in programs, and steps to evaluate recruitment efforts. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other through group discussions and be provided the tools necessary to recruit youth for the Youth Champion program and other meaningful youth leadership opportunities.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  • Define meaningful engagement
  • Recognize the Spectrum of Adult Attitudes
  • Define recruitment
  • Recognize barriers, benefits, and competition to youth engagement
  • Identify steps for recruitment
  • Define retention
  • Recognize principles of retention

View Recording

Live Webinar

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.

Read More
Live Webinar

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.

Read More
Classroom

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
Online

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Strategies for Trauma-Informed Care

Online
Description

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact a child’s immediate and lifelong health as well as the well-being of their families, communities, and even society. Thankfully, ACEs are preventable, and with the right support, children can develop the resilience necessary to heal from the ACEs they’ve endured. This online training will not only help you understand and recognize ACEs but will also provide useful strategies for trauma-informed care. Get the insights you need to create positive childhood experiences for kids today that will lead to bright futures for adults tomorrow.

Read More
Online

Authentic Youth Engagement Online Course

Online
Description

Youth are critical partners in the development and implementation of programs and strategies that impact them. This course provides learners with the knowledge and skills to authentically engage youth in prevention and youth development programs. Topics include: adolescent development, the advantages of youth involvement, phases of authentic engagement, combating stereotypes and discrimination, adultism's impact, and effective youth recruitment and retention strategies. Participants will explore the importance of equitable power-sharing, recognize misconceptions, and understand how to engage youth effectively while navigating complexities in engagement practices.

Read More
Online

Collaborating with Key Stakeholders

Online
Description

This online course will increase participants’ knowledge and skills related to building relationships and collaborating with key community stakeholders. Participants will learn strategies for identifying and engaging key stakeholders, building relationships and getting stakeholders on board, and convening local coalitions.

Read More
Online

Facilitating Prevention Education Curricula

Online
Description

This course will assist prevention education facilitators in strengthening their facilitation and classroom management skills. The course is designed for facilitators who implement prevention programs in schools, but who are not school staff. Participants will learn to identify and address facilitation-related challenges via three key strategies: building strong partnerships with classroom teachers, making minor curriculum adjustments to increase engagement and relevance to the audience, and applying effective facilitation techniques. Participants will also hear real-life tips from experienced classroom facilitators.

Read More
Online

Health Equity in Prevention

Online
Description

This online course is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of health equity, emphasizing the urgent need for preventative measures in healthcare. Learners are invited to embark on a transformative journey from foundational knowledge to actionable strategies, ensuring that health equity is not just conceptualized but integrated into daily practices and organizational policies. Modules include: Health Equity 101, Health Equity 102, Exploring the Social Determinants of Health, Empowering Action, and Health Equity in Action. 

Read More
Online

Introduction to Engaging Youth in Prevention

Online
Description

This online training provides an overview of youth engagement and best practices for working with youth committees/councils. Participants will learn about the benefits of engaging youth, levels of youth participation, strategies for addressing barriers to youth engagement, and best practices for youth/adult partnerships.

Read More
Online

Promote Your Prevention Efforts and Build Support

Online
Description

This course will provide you with tips for promoting your prevention efforts to increase awareness and support for prevention and the prevention services you provide your community. Estimated completion time is 1 hour.

Read More
Online

The Dynamic Adolescent Brain

Online
Description

This online training will increase participants' knowledge of how the teen brain develops, how adolescent brain development differs throughout various stages, and how adolescent brain development influences adolescent thinking and behavior. The impact of early life trauma and racism will also be explored. Participants will examine their beliefs and attitudes about adolescence and how they affect their work with youth. This training will also highlight the value of authentically partnering with young people.

Read More
Recorded Webinar

Adult Recruiting and Retention in Youth Programs

Online
Description

This recorded webinar provides participants with an overview of best practices for recruiting adult volunteers into the Youth Champion program.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the benefits to the program
  • Identify recruitment planning steps and practices
  • Recognize components in recruitment strategy
  • Identify the importance of diversity and barriers to specific populations
  • Recognize best practices in screening
  • Recognize the importance of orientation and training
  • Recognize retention and recognition strategies

View the recording

Participant Guide

Read More
Recorded Webinar

Youth Champion Recruitment and Retention Training

Online
Description

This webinar provides participants with an overview of meaningful youth engagement, strategies to recruit and retain youth in programs, and steps to evaluate recruitment efforts. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other through group discussions and be provided the tools necessary to recruit youth for the Youth Champion program and other meaningful youth leadership opportunities.

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  • Define meaningful engagement
  • Recognize the Spectrum of Adult Attitudes
  • Define recruitment
  • Recognize barriers, benefits, and competition to youth engagement
  • Identify steps for recruitment
  • Define retention
  • Recognize principles of retention

View Recording

Participant Guide 

 

Read More