Professional Development
Grow as a youth worker through free professional development. Sprockets offers workshops for Saint Paul youth workers throughout the year on a wide variety of youth work topics like program planning, youth engagement, quality practices, and more.
November
Introduction to the Active-Participatory Approach -👉 Register HERE
📆Thursday, November 20th 9:30am-12:00 📍Frogtown Community Center
The Active-Participatory Approach is a set of best practice methods and strategies with a consistent focus on empowering young people to become active, engaged participants in shaping and leading their learning experiences. Youth programs can be optimized for youth needs, motivation, and engagement. The Active-Participatory Approach to youth work was designed to address these goals. This youth-centered approach is the foundation for the Youth Program Quality Pyramid.
- Participants will be able to identify the four guiding principles of the Approach.
- Participants will be able to recognize best practice behaviors.
- Participants will be able to incorporate aspects of the Approach into their planning.
Facilitator: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets
Audience: This workshop is great for direct service staff or supervisors bringing back content for direct service staff
December
Behavior management and de-escalation for youth with disabilities
📆Wednesday December 3rd 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Online webinar - 👉 Register Here
*This workshop is provided through U of M Extension Youth Development
Discover strategies to de-escalate situations and help youth work through big emotions and challenging behaviors. Participants will learn how to have proactive conversations to support the success of youth with disabilities in youth development programs, as well as explore behaviors and effective de-escalation techniques.
Presenters: Darcy Cole, Betsy Olson Minnaert and Elliott Lawrence
Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis in Schools & Afterschool - 👉 Register HERE
📆 Thursday, December 11 from 12pm to 1:30pm CST - Online webinar
*This workshop is provided through Temescal Associates, HKLF and APAF
Most indicators show that youth mental health has worsened over the past decade, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. But what can we do in our schools and afterschool programs to build the skills of youth workers and teachers to recognize early warning signs of declining mental health, speak with youth and their families and to refer youth, as needed, to mental health resources?
Notice. Talk. Act.® at School is a training designed and delivered by the American Psychiatric Association Foundation in partnership with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). This training equips all adults who work in your school—afterschool staff and school personnel: school administrators, coaches, custodial staff, food service staff, mental health staff, nurses, and teachers—with the right tools to make a difference in the mental health of your youth.
HOST & TRAINER: Kate Berg, MA, Program Director of School and Justice Initiatives, American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF)
FEE: There is no fee to register. We will send you a link to access the webinar closer to the event. Note: There will not be a recording of this webinar to access at a later date.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This training is for all adults who work in your school—afterschool staff and school personnel: school administrators, coaches, custodial staff, food service staff, mental health staff, nurses, and teachers.
February
Youth Mental Health First Aid -👉 November Registration Closed
Save the date - This session will be offered again on February 19th and 20th
📆Thursday, February 19th 9am-1 & Friday, February 20th 9am-12 (both days required)📍Frogtown Community Center
In registering, you are committing to attend the full 2 day training. Approximately thirty minutes of online pre-work and post training surveys are required to complete the Youth Mental Health First Aid certification.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Facilitator: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets
Self-regulation and staying sane in after-school programs- 👉 Register Here
📆Wednesday, February 4th 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Online webinar
*This workshop is provided through U of M Extension Youth Development
Taming tiny tornadoes and ourselves
Explore strategies for self-regulation and how to help young people move from meltdown to mindfulness. We will learn from brain science, SEL and Healing-Centered Engagement. Through interactive and experiential activities, you will leave with tools you can use right away in your programs.
April
Beyond limits: Creating impactful outdoor adventure-based experiences - 👉 Register Here
📆Wednesday, April 1st 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Online webinar
*This workshop is provided through U of M Extension Youth Development
Explore eight key components for designing transformative and engaging outdoor learning experiences for all youth. Participants will learn to create safe, supportive environments, foster social connection and offer guided nature experiences that promote exploration, challenge and social-emotional growth.
Facilitator: Nicole Pokorney
