Master Trainers/Coordinators Corner

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred. Candidates with equivalent professional experience in adult education, family services, or group facilitation are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on demonstrated competencies and relevant background.

• A curriculum vitae or resume
• A letter demonstrating organizational support for the program
• A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s original Master Trainer or current program supervisor

• Certified ACT facilitator with demonstrated expertise through successful completion of at least three ACT Raising Safe Kids Parent Group series, showing proficiency in program delivery, participant engagement, and adherence to program fidelity standards.
• Experience facilitating adult learning groups with strong group management skills, particularly in settings that encourage active participation and foster peer-to-peer learning among parents and caregivers.
• Proven experience in adult training program development and/or promotion, with demonstrated ability to build stakeholder support, secure organizational buy-in, and successfully launch and sustain initiatives.

• Advanced expertise in child development theory, evidence-based adult learning principles, and program evaluation methodologies, with demonstrated experience training facilitators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to facilitate group discussions, provide clear instruction, and engage effectively with diverse adult learners.
• Proven ability to gather financial and organizational support for program initiatives.

• A review of previous parent group evaluations, citing the quality of engagement and program delivery.

Roles, responsibilities, and expectations

• Ensure organizational support.
• Ensure financial support.
• Build community support.

Marketing your workshop

• Identification of the audience, development of marketing strategies and messages, highlighting of program benefits, and evaluation results.
• Review of the program's existing marketing materials and tools; development of new ones for specific groups and communities.
• Spread the word about the program in the community through media, social media, and direct contact.

Organizing your workshop

• Identify previous experiences to pull from.
• Identify potential partnering organizations and participants.
• Develop strategies for recruitment.
• Purchase materials online at a secure access account.
• Review of ACT program materials.
• Have a logistic plan for location, catering, and printing of materials.
• Review training materials and evaluation instruments.

Review The ACT Facilitator Manual content and materials

• Main points in the manual: child development, emotion regulation, anger management, positive parenting, attention to good behaviors, control of media exposure, be involved, and be present.
• Conduct more in-depth review of challenging topics such as discipline, impact of exposure to violence and abuse, and violence in the media.
• Purchasing ACT materials through the APA MyAccount system.

Review adult learning principles

• How adults learn.
• Handling group challenging behaviors.
• Motivational Interviewing principles and materials.
• Cultural competency.

Program evaluation

• Review of the ACT Evaluation Guide for instructions and instruments.
• Be prepared to explain evaluation protocols and pre-and post-questionnaires for parents.
• Make copies of the pre- and post-questionnaires.

Ensuring program fidelity

• The ACT Activity Checklist Form: Where it is, how to use it, where to send it.
• Instructions to be shared with ACT Facilitators about adaptation: What is adaptation? What can be adapted? When? Why? What additional materials can be added?
• Follow up with trained ACT Facilitators: process, materials, frequency.

Staying connected with the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program

• Certification process.
• What APA can offer: listserv; annual seminar; webinars; materials; support letter for proposals; speakers for conferences; ongoing consultation.

To be certified as an ACT Coordinator/Master Trainer, professionals need to:

• Facilitate or co-facilitate one ACT facilitator workshop within one year of the online training
• Submit an annual action plan to the ACT National Office at the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program
• Submit biannual data related to activities conducted during the year after the online training
• Submit an annual qualitative report of activities

Check list

First step

• Create the budget.
• Secure sponsor/s.
• Engage in marketing and advertising, participant registration.
• Confirm location, date, and time.

Second step

• Confirm the list of participants.
• Order ACT kits through the LMS.
• Make copies of additional materials: agenda, evaluation questionnaires, Wheel of Feelings, homework sheets, and worksheets.
• Identify and contact the caterer.

Third step

• Send a reminder to participants for registration confirmation.
• Check logistics: room, materials, audio-visuals, and catering.
• Create name badges.

The day of the workshop

• Have signs directing participants to the workshop room.
• Try out the equipment.
• Bring materials to the room: kits and others.
• Set up tables: name badges, table tents, agenda, and materials.
• Locate restrooms.
• Check catering arrangements.

Budget items sample

• Materials: One ACT kit for each workshop participant.
• Catering (optional): snacks, refreshments, lunch.
• Coordinator/Master Trainer’s fee: 16 hours at the workshop +8 hours of preparation.
• Photocopies of ACT materials for participants and marketing materials.