Trainer of Trainers Institute for Authorization (ToT-IA)

The purpose of the Training of Trainer Institute for Authorization (ToT-IA) 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 authorized trainer there are three key competencies that are required to become authorized by COBI:

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 strategies to promote resilience 

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 self-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

  • Practice training on the 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

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

  • Train on the module they are becoming authorized

  • Submit a portfolio

  • Read selected readings and submit reading reflection forms

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

  • 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

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Testimonial

"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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