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.
Activator Kick Off - 👉 Register Here
📆Friday, October 9th 10a.m. - 12 p.m. 📍Wellstone Center
It’s time to launch the 2026–27 M3 Continuous Program Improvement (CPI) cycle!
Join us as we kick off the planning phase to start the year strong and set the stage for meaningful engagement with data for improvement.
Whether you’re new to CPI or a seasoned veteran, this kickoff will create space to get inspired, get organized, and walk away with clear next steps for a successful cycle.
What is the Activator Cycle?
So glad you asked! The Sprockets Activator Continuous Program Improvement (CPI) Cycle is an annual process designed to strengthen the quality of youth programs and enhance the experiences of young people across Saint Paul.
2026 Partners with Youth Conference (Free)-👉 Register Here
📆Tuesday, November 17th 9AM - 3:30 PM 📍Hubert H. Humphrey School Conference Center at the University of Minnesota!
This year’s theme, Belong and Build; Pathways to Possibilities invites youth work professionals to come together to learn and share promising practices, innovative research, emerging trends, and practical strategies that strengthen programs and expand opportunities for young people around three main goals: Connecting Youth Workers and Building Partnerships, Strengthening Youth Work Practice, or Shaping the Future of Youth Work and Out‑of‑School Time.
If you have any questions, please contact Leah Defenbaugh at leah.defenbaugh@minneapolismn.gov or Sarah Schiele at sarah.schiele@minneapolismn.gov.
This conference is sponsored by the Minneapolis Health Department, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, Ignite Afterschool, Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
SEL PQA Self Assessment Training-👉 Coming this fall
📆Coming Soon
This training is geared towards those within your organization who are interested in having a deeper understanding of the SEL PQA tool and how it is used as an observation tool for continuous improvement.
The Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA) is a framework that articulates and measures staff practices that have been identified by research on positive youth development, social and emotional learning, and the science of learning and development, among others. In this workshop participants will learn the structure of the PQA, understand the components of measurable SEL quality practices, and how to use and score the instrument as well as develop observation and note-taking skills that generates anecdotal evidence for implementing and scoring the tool.
Psychological First Aid (virtual)-👉 Register Here
📆 Multiple Dates: Oct 22, 12-2; Nov 4, 2-4; Nov 18, 11-1; Dec 2, 10-12; Dec 8, 1-3 FLYER in English
📆 (en Espanol) Multiple Dates: 7 de Octubre, 5:30-7:30; 11 de Noviebre, 1-3 * Register HERE - Flyer en Espanol
*This offering is provided by Fairview Community Advancement. For more information contact: communityhealthandwellbeing@fairview.org
What is Psychological First Aid (PFA)?
PFA is an evidence-informed community model training for social service providers. Trainees will learn how to support healthy recovery in individuals following a traumatic event, public health emergency, natural disaster, or personal crisis. The curriculum integrates public health, community health, and individual psychology by drawing upon skills the trainees probably already have.
Participants will learn:
- The impact traumatic experiences can have on individuals and how compassion fatigue impacts front line staff and first responders.
- The four elements of PFA framework and how to apply them to support someone who has experienced a traumatic event.
- How to recognize when an individual should be referred to a mental health professional.
The goal of PFA is to teach trainees how to reduce distress and negative health behaviors by providing practical help and promoting resilience.
Who should attend?
Anyone can attend! This training is for community members or professionals, including community volunteers, frontline staff, nonprofit workers, direct service staff, community health workers, and other professionals.
A Creative Look at Self-Care (virtual)-👉 Register Here
📆Multiple Dates: All 12-1pm; Oct 14, Nov 10, Dec 10
*This offering is provided by Fairview Community Advancement. For more information contact: communityhealthandwellbeing@fairview.org
What is A Creative Look at Self-Care?
This workshop will help participants gain a clearer understanding of the stress response and the long-term implications for health. Participants will look at self-care as a process in time, experience, and reflection as their teacher. There will be time for personal reflection and intention setting.
Participants will expect to:
- Review and expand wellness care tools for mind, body, and spirit
- Design a personal plan for resiliency and self-care.
- Leave feeling grounded and refreshed.
Instructor, Christine Schwebel is a professional certified coach.She has been serving people for 20 years as they transition in life into new jobs, new experiences, new relationships, and new ways of being in the world. Most importantly, Christine helps individuals develop a nurturing relationship with themselves – the starting point for a life well lived. www.Tsoulnami.com