The purpose of the Training of Trainer, Trauma-Responsive Institute for Authorization (ToT-TRIA) is to help individuals from diverse professional disciplines to become authorized in one or more of the COBI Trauma-Responsive and Resilience-Building Modules. Authorization begins with the Core Module 100, but apprentices may become authorized in modules beyond the Core 100. Once accepted, apprentices are guided to learn and develop in 3 key areas:  

As an apprentice trainer, there are three key competencies that are gained to become authorized:

1. Content Knowledge

• Neurobiology of trauma and the difference between a challenging behavior and a trauma trigger

• The science behind the brain and behavior

• Resilience, neuroplasticity and the hope for healing across the lifespan

• Key trauma-responsive practices that promote resilience 

• Understanding the diffference between SEL and Trauma Training

2. Trauma-Responsive Trainer Strategies to Promote Safety

• Create safety for participants

• Build nurturing responsive relationships during the training

• Provide predictable and safe environments for learning

• Promote regulation, mindfulness and grounding strategies

• Keeping participants in the "Window of Tolerance" or "Optimal Zone of Arousal"

• Learn virtual and in-person training techniques to promote engagement

• Practice strategies for when a participant becomes emotionally triggered

 3. Communication of the Content Knowledge in Training

• Answering content questions

• Articulating a concept for clarity

• Learning through engagement

• The art of storytelling to engage listeners

• Facilitating small and large group discussions

• Connecting to the conceptual underpinning of the slide content

Apprentices participate in: 

-Training of Trainer (ToT) Meetings: During ToT meetings, apprentices observe a mentor level trainer, learn targeted content, and practice facilitating the content in a training format called Observe, Learn and Practice

-Community of Practice (CoP) Meetings:  During CoP meetings, apprentices are pre-assigned reading and come prepared to have reflective conversations about the reading assignments and the application of the concepts to practice.  The CoP is also designed to go deeper in understanding trauma.

-Observing the mentor train in the module in which they are becoming authorized

-Train on the module they are becoming authorized

-Submission of a portfolio

-Read selected readings and submit reading reflection forms

-Attend practice and planning sessions for the find presentation

If I am authorized in a module, what are the benefits?

*Going deeper in my understanding of trauma and resilience for educators

*I can train in my community

*I have access to all handouts, the PowerPoint and materials associated with the training

*I will be provided a video and written trainer guide

*I become a part of the national authorized trainers for the COBI community

*I have access to unlimited technical support from COBI after authorization

*Giving every child a voice who has experience trauma

What are the three potential certifications I can receive from attending the ToT-TRIA?

• Certificate of Authorization - You are authorized to train or coach on the Module in your community. 

• Certificate of Completion - You have completed all the necessary requirements of the ToT-TRIA but are not authorized yet to coach/train.  You may be eligible to work with the Center for Optimal Brain Integration® to develop a plan to achieve authorization.

• Certificate of Participation - You completed a certain number of hours of the program but are not able to train or coach. You may be eligible to work with the Center for Optimal Brain Integration® to develop a plan to achieve authorization.

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Testimonials

"As we reflect on our work during 2020/2021, we are grateful for the collaboration and deep, impactful work we have been blessed to create with you. Global social justice issues, civil unrest, a historical pandemic, and social distancing leading to distance everything inspired you, our visionary leaders, to rise and think innovatively to meet unique challenges. It was an honor to walk with you during this time and link, leverage, and lift each other. Thank you for always being a champion for children and families" - Sonja Robinson, Los Angeles County Office of Education

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"I can't end this email without letting you know what a profound difference your trauma-informed approach to teaching and training us means to me. I am deeply appreciative of your awareness and application of the practices - they would be meaningful to anyone, but for someone like me with a trauma history, they feel life-changing. You are an amazing human being and I feel so lucky to have you in my life. - Lisa Katzman, Oakland CA

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"Julie, you are a gift and a blessing. After completing the Training of Trainer with you, I am now a part of a larger system of trauma informed care and it really has changed my life. There is some short video of one of my panel responses coming out through the ACEs Convening Network. I was the only one on the panel that wasn't an MD, and they chose my responses to broadcast for the Thrive website. I enjoy being a part of our Trauma Informed Leadership Team for East County. I have gotten so many offers for jobs and to speak since meeting you. It is a great feeling that anyone would even want to hear what I have to say. It is like a really big surprise that my name is floating around as a person to utilize in trauma informed and healing engaged care. So, it is you who has helped me find ways to integrate this work personally and professionally. I am always singing your praises for you are a remarkable and phenomenal spirit." - LaKrisha Dillard, California

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