Staff Training Opportunities

First 5 believes that to do our best supporting children 0-5, we too need to become lifelong learners. Check back often to view educational opportunities and information for grantees, community partners and others working with children 0-5 and their families.

Click here to apply for a First 5 Ventura County training scholarship

To apply for an ECE educational stipend click here (English) or here (Spanish)

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**UPDATED: January 23, 2012
 
Ventura County Community Foundation, Center for Nonprofit Leadership
Training Brochure (January - April)
 
JANUARY
 
Storytelling Best Practices  (LOCAL)
January 24, 2012, 11:30am-1:30pm
VCOE, Camarillo
Information & Registration
 
We all have a story to tell. At this month's Nonprofit Leadership Council, learn how to leverage the power of stories to inform, persuade, inspire, and engage. Find out why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools nonprofits can use, and which stories should be included in your organization's library. Get insight on how to tell stories that inspire deep connections among your donors, volunteers, and others.
 
Tools for Success: Linking Money to Mission (LOCAL)
January 26, 2012, 8:30am-12:30pm
VCOE, Camarillo
Cost: $50 one person; $75 two people same organization
Registration
The workshop is designed to encourage and support the improved financial health and long-term sustainability of organizations providing critical services and programs to the community by providing nonprofit leaders with critical financial management skills and tools. Specifically, the workshop will focus on: Best practices in creating realistic budgets. Adopting Cash Flow Planning to forecast inflows over time. Using Program Profitabilty Modeling to better understand revenue and expense dynamics for each of your organization's programs. Integrating Scenario Planning to manage and plan for unforeseen events
 
Advocating for Children with Developmental Concerns 
January 26, 2012, 9:00am-12:00pm 
Chatsworth, CA
Cost: $80
 
This training will help participants understand special education services and support parents to be an advocate for their child. Participants will learn: how children qualify for special education; the differences between a 504 Plan and an IEP; Procedural Safeguards: what are they and why are they important for parents to understand?; how to help parents prepare for an IEP meeting; and helpful strategies for parents to use if they disagree with the School District.  
 
FEBRUARY
 
Recruiting Fathers to Your Family Strengthening Team: A Protective Factors Approach to Father Engagement (NEW) (WEBINAR)
February 1, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
This webinar will explore the role of practitioners in scouting and recruiting so that appropriate fathers are on the playing field when it comes to strengthening families. With a solid team, practitioners can engage all players in building the five protective factors that serve as buffers against child abuse and neglect.
 
Family Resource Center Core Training
February 7-8, 2012
San Francisco, CA
Cost: $120
Information & Registration
 
A interactive two-day training that provides the essential tools needed for FRC vitality. This team-centered, comprehensive training guides you through the steps of developing needed resources, implementing strategies, and discovering essential ways to measure and evaluate progress. Upon completion participants will learn to: Identify and implement tools and resources for operating quality family strengthening programs and delivering quality services to individuals and families. Participate in increased local and statewide networking and peer-to-peer interaction between participating FRCs.
 
Grant Seeking and Writing Skills for Community Projects 
February 7, 2012, 9:00am-4:00pm
Pasadena, CA
Cost: $199 (before 1/24); $239 (after 1/24)
Information & Registration
 
This interactive workshop is designed to give all levels of grant writers a detailed overview of how to research and write successful grant funding requests. The tips and skills presented are applicable to federal, state, foundation, and corporate proposals and applications.
 
Exercises and discussions will include researching regional and national grantmakers, matching funder priorities to organizations’ needs, writing award-winning narrative sections for the Common Grant Application format, and understanding the grant proposal selection process of private- and public-sector grantmakers. 
 
Knowing the Best of What's Out There: Understanding and Identifying Evidence Based Practices in Child Welfare (NEW) (WEBINAR)
February 8, 2012, 9:30am - 11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
This webinar will assist participants in defining Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), understanding the process of how the The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) rates the programs on the website and increasing their ability to identify EBPs relevant to Child Welfare.
 
Creating an Inclusive Program for Young Children 
February 9, 2012, 9:00am-12:00pm
Chatsworth, CA
Cost: $70
 
This training will provide information on: What is an inclusive program? Why should programs for young children be inclusive? How can you make your program inclusive? Participants will learn: How all children benefit from an inclusive program; components of an inclusive setting; and strategies for supporting children and families.
 
Incorporating Father Friendly Practices At Your Organization (NEW) (LOCAL)
February 15, 2012, 8:30am-4:00pm
VCOE, Camarillo
Cost: $60
Information & Registration
 
Positive father involvement provides significant benefits for children and families and plays a crucial role in the prevention and early intervention of child abuse and neglect. Participants of this training will learn: to enhance an organization’s father friendliness; to develop strategies to conduct effective outreach to fathers; to use specific tools for engaging and supporting fathers; to access resources on evidence based practices such as the Cal Evidence Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
 
Storytelling for Non Profits (NEW) (WEBINAR)
February 15, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
In this training, participants will learn how to leverage the power of stories to inform, persuade, inspires and engage. This training will help you learn how to use stories as a management tool inside your organization and how to tell stories that inspire deep connections with your constituents and supporters.
 
Breastfeeding and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: What’s the Connection? (WEBINAR)
February 16, 2012, 11:30am-12:00pm
Webinar
 
Discover how: Breastfeeding can protect against early obesity in a WIC population. New research has uncovered links between breastfeeding and lower SSB intake. What does this mean and how can it help public health efforts to turn the obesity tide?
 
Promoting Positive Discipline & Handling Challenging Behaviors
February 23, 2012, 9:00am-12:00pm
Chatsworth, CA
Cost: $70
Information & Registration
 
Participants of the workshop will learn: To identify roots of challenging behaviors; develop strategies for coaching adults and children through difficult behaviors; and discover how to successfully implement limit setting & positive discipline.
 
Incorporating Father Friendly Practices at Your Organization (LOCAL)
February 25, 2012, 8:30am-4:30pm
VCOE, Camarillo
Cost: $60
 
Positive father involvement provides significant benefits for children and families and plays a crucial role in the prevention and early intervention of child abuse and neglect. Participants will learn: to enhance an organization’s father friendliness; to develop strategies to conduct effective outreach to fathers; to use specific tools for engaging and supporting fathers; and to access resources on evidence based practices such as the Cal Evidence Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.
 
MARCH
 
Strengthening Families: An Introduction to the Protective Factors 
March 6, 2012, 8:00am-4:00pm
Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $60 
 
The Five Protective Factors are a key component in the strengthening families framework that can be used by social services and other disciplines who work directly with children and families. Staff unfamiliar with this evidence-based framework will learn about the underlying link between the presence of these factors and the reduction in abuse and neglect. Staff will learn how to identify the protective factors shown to impact abuse and neglect, practical ways to incorporate them into their agency's programming, and how to inspire families and communities to find and act on their strengths.
 
Father Engagement: Honorable Fathers, Searching for Balance - A Fathers Role in Family Violence Prevention (WEBINAR)
March 7, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar 
Cost: $15
 
The presentation will explore the multitude of factors important to consider in working with men and fathers around the issue of family violence prevention. An overview of the developmental, social/cultural issues and the impact of internalized oppression on the behavior and role of fathers will be covered. The presenter will then offer effective strategies, program models and resources to cosider in working with men and boys.
 
Effective Observations of Infants & Toddlers
March 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Chatsworth, CA
Cost: $80
 
The workshop will focus on observing children to complete child assessments and help with program planning. Participants will learn: how to make objective observations of children birth to 3 years of age; the various ways to document these observations; how to use this information to help with planning activities and learning areas; and how to use this information to enhance the parent-child relationship.
 
Action to Support Breastfeeding (NEW)
March 10, 2012, 9:00am-11:00am
Chatsworth, CA
Cost: FREE
Information & Registration
 
Come learn valuable information and resources to strengthen your program in providing support to breastfeeding mothers to carry out this "Call to Action" in your facility.
 
Vision & Voice For Healthy Students 
March 12-13, 2012
Sacramento, CA
Cost: $160 (early-bird); $190 (regular)
Information & Registration
 
CSHC’s 2012 Annual Conference, Vision and Voice for Healthy Students is a statewide event this year to facilitate information sharing and networking among school health leaders across the state.
 
Conference highlights include: 18 workshops to choose from on school health practice, policy, and administration; Lunch-time table talks on timely school health topics; Exhibits featuring products and resources for school health stakeholders; The latest policy updates from Washington, D.C., and Sacramento; Visits with state policymakers to share success stories, educate and inspire.
 
Supporting Families of Children with Special Needs (NEW) (WEBINAR)
March 21, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
Families with children with special needs frequently report additional stressors detrimental to family functioning. These families can benefit from a comprehensive family resource center approach. This webinar will focus on 1) addressing the unique needs of families with children with special needs, 2) recognizing reasons for concern about a child’s development that may warrant a referral, and 3) identifying local partners and service delivery options that can be valuable resources for families with children with special needs.
 
Cuts, Revenues, and California State Budget: Where Do Things Stand? (NEW) (WEBINAR)
March 28, 2012, 9:30-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
California has faced significant budget shortfalls in recent years. In response, lawmakers have repeatedly cut spending, including deep reductions to health and human services programs that assist low-income families with children. This webinar will explain why the state faces perpetual budget crises, describe how the 2012-13 budget debate has played out as of late March 2012, and consider where the state budget is likely headed in the short- and long-term.

APRIL

The Impact Absentee Fathers Have on our Children, Families, and Communities (NEW) (WEBINAR)  
April 4, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
This workshop will explore research and supporting evidence that shows the devastating impact absentee fathers have on our children, families and communities. There will be discussion about actions we can all take to address the issue of fatherlessness. Also, discussion on the disproportionate number of families and children of color affected by this major social issue.
 
Dollars and Sense Financial Tools for Families (NEW) (WEBINAR) 
April 11, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
This webinar will provide tools, techniques and strategies to help families navigate these challenging financial times. Topics include easy budget strategies for youth and families, creative dollar-stretching ideas, saving for a purpose, avoiding the predatory lending pitfalls and discovering hidden family potential.
 
Re-Visioning Case Management (NEW) (WEBINAR)  
April 18, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
Learn the steps to building a partnership with families and communities that creates long lasting results. Participants will gather information on how to support families to discover and build on personal connections and resources in order to be more fully engaged in their community.
 
The Early Years: The Amazing & Developing Brain (NEW)
April 20-21
Riverside, CA
Cost: $280 (Non IDA Member); $225 (IDA Member)
Information & Registration
 
Join the Infant Development Association of California for the Southern California Regional Conference. The conference will focus on early childhood development and the developing brain. Scholarships may be available through IDA, please visit their website for more information.
 
Topics for Conference Workshops
Postpartum Depression, Sensory Integration, Autism, Infant Massage, Brain Development & Attachment, Music to Enhance Development, Teaching Language in the Home
 
Topics in Leadership Workshops
New California Personnel Competencies, Sustainability for Early Intervention Programs, California Services for Children Birth to Three, Evidenced-based Practices
 
Grant-Writing for Success... or, How to Be As Sure As You Can Be in an Uncertain Fundraising World  (NEW) (WEBINAR)   
April 25, 2012, 9:30am-11:00am
Webinar
Cost: $15
Information & Registration
 
This teleconference will help beginning and moderately-experienced grant writers to write tightly woven, clearly explained, and interesting-to-read grant applications to public and private funders. Learn what to focus on and how to develop a style that works best for you, your agency, and the funder. Participants should be able to clearly describe what their agency does to enhance this guided practice workshop.
 
 

 

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