Training & Professional Development

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.

January

SEL PQA Deep Dive with SQUAD-👉 Registration Opens 1/5/2026

📆Wednesdays, January 14th, February 18th, and March 11th 10:30-12:00📍North End Community Center

Sprockets Quality & Assessment Dream-team (SQUAD) is a cohort of youth workers trained as reliable external assessors. Whether you’re interested in strengthening your skills to eventually become an external assessor or simply want to deepen your understanding of the tool’s scales - and what high-quality practice looks and sounds like - you’re invited to join our Winter 2026 SQUAD Sessions.

Come for one session or join us for all three as we take a focused dive into specific scales of the tool!

Wednesday, January 14th — Emotion Coaching & Cultivating Empathy
Wednesday, February 18th — Fostering Teamwork & Promoting Responsibility
Wednesday, March 11th — Furthering Learning & Supporting Plans & Goals

Facilitators:: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets

February

Youth Mental Health First Aid -👉 Registration Opens 1/5/2026

📆Thursday, February 19th 9am-12:30 & Friday, February 20th 9am-1 (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.

March

Building Skills for Future Youth Work Careers: Quality Coaching -👉 Registration Opens 1/5/2026

The Quality Coaching Series is part of our Passion to Profession: Building Skills for Future Youthwork Careers offerings.

📆Fridays, March 13th, 20th, and 27th 9:30-12:00 (all days required) 📍North End Community Center

Build confidence in your role as a supervisor or coach during this three-session, hands-on training series. You’ll learn practical coaching tools to strengthen communication, give effective feedback, and support staff growth. Through real scenarios and guided practice, you’ll leave with simple, reliable strategies you can use right away to improve performance and foster a positive team culture.

Ideal for: New supervisors, team leads, and coordinators.

Gain skills in: Coaching conversations, feedback, improvement planning, conflict navigation, and decision-making.

Facilitators:: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets and Tabitha Mitchell, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation

Building Skills for Future Youth Work Careers: Facilitator Training Series -👉 Registration Opens 1/5/2026

Facilitator Training Series is part of our Passion to Profession: Building Skills for Future Youthwork Careers offerings.

📆Wednesdays, March 25th, April 1st, and April 29th 9:30-12:00 (all days required) 📍Frogtown Community Center

This three-part training series equips new and experienced facilitators with the mindset, skills, and practical tools needed to lead engaging, inclusive, and meaningful sessions. Across three interactive 2.5 -hour modules, participants will explore facilitation fundamentals, practice core techniques, and apply their learning to real-world scenarios. Whether you’re facilitating workshops, team meetings, or community conversations, this series builds confidence and strengthens your facilitation presence.

By the end of the series, participants will be able to:
•    Plan and facilitate sessions that are inclusive, engaging, and purpose-driven
•    Use a variety of facilitation tools confidently
•    Navigate challenging group moments with resilience and skill
•    Reflect on their identity and style to facilitate with authenticity
•    Build stronger connection, participation, and learning in any group they lead

Facilitator:: Jocelyn Wiedow, Sprockets

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

Network Gatherings

Network gatherings provide opportunities to stay connected with the Saint Paul youth worker community to share best practices and connect with peers. Events happen quarterly and include both structured and unstructured networking along with focused discussions around a theme.

December: Celebrating Identities & Navigating Personal Boundaries

Friday, December 5th 10am-12:30 at PALACE RECREATION CENTER * NOTE LOCATION CHANGE- 👉 RSVP HERE

Be a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer
Ever feel like young people know exactly how to get a reaction out of you? You’re not alone! Join us for the next Sprockets Network Gathering as we unpack how our identities and experiences show up in our work - and how to keep our cool when things heat up. We’ll explore “thermostat” strategies for staying grounded, setting boundaries, and turning tricky moments into chances for connection.

Network partners Christine Bright and Kianni Bemus will lead interactive discussions designed to spark meaningful conversations and connections with youth work colleagues from across the city.

Quick Guide Videos

Throughout the year Sprockets provides a variety of in person training for youth workers across Saint Paul. But what happens if you can't attend a training but still want to build your skills? Sprockets and our network partners have come together to create a library of "Quick Guides" that provide video briefs and reflective handouts that introduce a variety of topics that support strong programs. These videos can introduce specific topics and provide reflective prompts for viewers to make meaning of the content and how it applies to their work. These guides also provide supervisors with conversations starters to use in staff meetings or coaching sessions.

We know that 10-30 minutes does not provide a deep dive into the topics, but we hope that it provides a great starting point for reflection, discussion, and application for your program!

Supporting PD for your staff. This video shares how you can support your staff’s professional development through these video supports that introduce specific topics along with reflective prompts for viewers to make meaning of the content and how it applies to their work. We also break down ways you can use these guides as conversations starters in staff meetings or coaching sessions. Download "Supporting PD for your Summer Staff" Handout
Mandated Reporting. Working with young people comes with many different responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is the legal requirement to report suspected or known maltreatment. This overview shares the basics of what you need to know as a mandated reporter. You can also access Mandated Reporter training through the MN Child Welfare Training Academy and more information about Ramsey County mandated reporters. Download "Mandated Reporting" Handout
SEL PQA. The SEL Youth Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA) is a revised version of the YPQA designed by the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. This tool provides a framework of staff practices that include specific activities that support social and emotional learning. This video provides a brief history of the PQA tools, some of the changes from the previous tools, an overview of the 4 domains, and how you might consider it as a tool for program quality improvement with your staff team. Download "What is the SEL PQA" Handout
YPQA. The Youth Program Quality Assessment (YPQA) is a validated instrument designed by the Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality. This video provides a brief overview of what the tool is all about, how the form is laid out, and how you might consider it as a tool for program quality improvement with your staff team. Download "What is the YPQA" Handout
Group Expectations. Having shared agreements on group expectations is an important foundation for youth programs to ensure a safe environment that increases a sense of belonging and participation. Understanding expectations from the beginning allows participants to know what is expected from them, and what they can expect from others. Download "Group Expectations" Handout
De-escalation. What can staff do to prevent and respond to disruptive behaviors? This video addresses things to consider around supporting positive behaviors and how to support young people when they are exhibiting disruptive behaviors. Download "De-escalation" Handout
The Hand Model of the Brain. *(Video 1 of the Behavior Management series) The Hand Model of the Brain, by Dr. Segal, is a simplified model to understand and build awareness of what is happening in the brain and how strong emotions can cause us to "flip our lids". When you understand the functions of the different parts of the brain, you learn to give attention to what is happening, make sense of what is going on, and increase your ability to self-regulate (or co-regulate with others). Download "The Hand Model of the Brain" Handout
Co-Regulation. *(Video 2 of the Behavior Management series) The ability for a young person to understand and effectively manage and respond to emotional experiences is an important skill to develop. This video is informed by the work of Dr. Bruce Perry and shares how staff can use the 3 Rs of Emotional Regulation to support young people through co-regulation. Download "Co-Regulation" Handout
Self-Awareness & Regulation Practices. *(Video 3 of the Behavior Management series) For young people to be able to learn to self-regulate, they need to learn and practice skills that support them being aware of how they are feeling, and strategies to regulate themselves when they are experiencing big emotions. This video shares a variety of strategies you can consider for your program. Download "Self-Awareness & Regulation Practices" Handout
Building Community. Out of school time programs are known for being spaces where young people feel a sense of belonging. But it doesn’t just happen, it takes intentionality. This workshop examines different ways you can intentionally build community that both create a space where people can show up as their full selves and develop positive relationships with peers and adults. Download "Building Community" Handout
Reflection. Including intentional reflection opportunities is a great way to make meaning of the different experiences young people have in your program. Intentional doesn’t mean it has to be time consuming. This video includes a variety of simple suggestions that can be used as quick reflection strategies or can create space to go deeper. Download "Reflection" Handout
The DADA Method. How you structure your time with young people can directly impact the experiences of both young people and staff. The DADA method is a simple way for staff to plan for what happens before and after an activity and provides an easy framework that naturally embeds multiple aspects of quality including skill building and reflection. Download "The DADA Method" Handout
Asking Powerful Questions. What is the most powerful tool in your youth worker toolbelt? Powerful questions help you build relationships, deepen learning, build investment with youth and create space for youth input. This video provides examples of how to leverage questions in your program. Download "Asking Powerful Questions" Handout and Download "Powerful Questions for Arts and Craft Activities" Handout
Positive Guardian Communication. Good communication with parents helps support a partnership in the success of your participants and your program. This video includes examples of how you can build rapport and navigate difficult conversations with parents. Download "Positive Guardian Communication" Handout
Getting Youth Outdoors. The outdoors is not only a great way to increase your program space but also provides additional benefits to young people and your program. This video shares tips that prepare you in bringing your participants outdoors and some tangible activity ideas and resources to start venturing outdoors. Download "Getting Youth Outdoors" Handout
Pronouns. Using someone’s correct pronouns affirms a person’s gender identity and creates a safe and inclusive environment for your program. This video introduces the Gender Unicorn diagram as a resource to understanding gender identity and expression and gives ideas on how you can support all young people and adults who connect with your program in a variety of ways, including when you make mistakes. Download "Pronouns" Handout
Land Acknowledgements. Recognizing indigenous communities is an important step in acknowledging the truth and recognizing the original inhabitants of the land. This video shares why land acknowledgements are important and what you can consider if you or young people in your program are interested in creating a land acknowledgement. Download "Land Acknowledgements" Handout

Regional Training Partners

Looking to enhance your skills and knowledge in youth development and out-of-school-time programming? Whether you’re new to the field or looking to deepen your expertise, these resources and programs offer valuable insights and practical tools to support your work. Explore these statewide initiatives and free online courses tailored for youth workers:

Center for Youth and Development at the University of Minnesota

These self-guided online courses from the Center for Youth Development at the University of Minnesota are a great onboarding resource. Each course offers 3-6 hours of individual online learning with unlimited 24-hour access. While the courses are free, registration is required:

Social and Emotional Learning + Wellbeing: Provides a guided introduction to the Social and Emotional Learning in Practice toolkit.
Youth Work Matters: Learn about foundational research and theories of positive youth development.
Dilemmas in Youth Work: Gain practical resources for incorporating reflection and discussion of dilemmas in your work.

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