Training and Professional Development

TWI has been involved in the design and presentation of a number of different training programs. Some training programs are delivered directly by TWI whilst others are provided in conjunction with other Agencies or Educational Institutions. In recent years TWI partners have included the Residential Child Care Project of the Cornell University Family Life Development Center , University of Canberra, School of Education, Reclaiming Youth International and the Centre for Community Welfare Training in Sydney.

Internationally Accredited Training

The Director of TWI provides training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) for direct care practitioners across Australia. At present she is the only Cornell accredited professional trainer in Australia. TWI runs a Train-the-Trainer course in TCI in collaboration with Cornell University across Australia. Some of the Train-the-Trainer courses are sponsored by individual agencies and some are open to all participants. Download TCI General Train-the-Trainer Information

Response Ability Pathways (RAP) is a two-three day training program developed by Dr Larry Brendtro of Reclaiming Youth International. Based on Dr Brendtro’s years of experience as president of a multi-state residential treatment program in the USA and as a professor of education, RAP provides a set of insights and skills to empower participants in their work with young people. RAP is based on the 'Circle of Courage' (incorporating the four pillars of Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity) and provides a set of insights and skills to empower participants in their work with young people. The course is soundly strength-based and draws on contemporary research on resilience and neurodevelopment. TWI is the Australian training institute for Reclaiming Youth International.

Download Response Ability Pathways Overview Flyer

Download Response Ability Pathways Workshop Flyer

Download Circle of Courage Publications List

Download Circle of Courage Publications Order Form

The Developmental Audit is a new 'Circle of Courage' two or three day training program also developed by Dr. Larry Brendtro of Reclaiming Youth International. It provides a roadmap for assessment and planning with students whose problem behaviours place them at risk for being excluded from school, home and the community. Applications include functional assessment in schools, intervention decisions by courts and treatment team case planning for youth development. Informed by recent neurological research explorint the effects of trauma on the developing brain, the course provides a restorative framework for case planning for very troubled youth. The first day of the course covers the brain and development and can be taught in a stand-alone module. The course was introduced to a large audience of child welfare and education professionals in Western Australia in 2009 and was very well received.

The Life Space Crisis Intervention program, designed to provide advanced counselling skills, is offered on a periodic basis to senior teachers, counsellors and other working with young people who have challenging behaviours. This course has been enthusiastically received across the USA and now in Australian school systems. It has recently been nominated by the U.S. Social Workers' Association as an accredited professional development. Download LSCI Flyer

Courses and Workshops Designed by TWI Staff

Transforming Care: The meaning and practice of trauma-informed care. This two-day course (a one day introductory program is also available) is designed for those caring directly for children and young people who have been affected by relationship trauma – most of those in the child welfare care system. It looks at trauma theory, the relevant research on brain development, and how the process of traumatisation leads to the development of problematic behaviour. From this foundation a trauma-sensitive approach to out-of-home care is outlined which includes a set of practice skills for those interacting with these young people in foster homes or residential care. Download Flyer for Transforming Care Workshop

Looking at the Collaborative Problem Solving Model (Ross Green and Stuart Ablon).
This is based on the premise that children would do better if they could. It provides a framework for understanding young people with explosive patterns of behaviour and of responding through teaching them their lagging cognitive skills. This course has been particularly useful for staff in schools.

Disability Sector Training

TWI staff offer an extensive calendar of short workshops and longer skill building courses to provide core skills for those working in the disability sector. The content can be adjusted to meet the needs of a specific agency or program.

Caring Crisis Management Caring Crisis Management – Disability Services, CCM-D. TWI has developed and successfully presented a crisis management training course for workers in the intellectual disability Sector.This training program can be provided directly for practitioners (two to three days) or in a four day format for trainers. This course has been widely embraced as core training for new workers in the sector.

TWI has recently commenced a set of half day courses for persons working in the Disability Sector. Available now is a schedule of the courses offered in June, July and August of 2010. Download Disability Sector Training Course Schedule for June, July, August 2010

Other Workshops That Have Been Offered by TWI Staff Include:

Autism Spectrum Disorders and challenging behaviours
Asperger Syndrome and sexually problematic behaviour
Responding to young people with sexually problematic behaviour in out-of-home care
Advanced skills for teachers who work with young people with challenging behaviours
Conflict in the classroom -- how conflict cycles develop and how to avoid them
Difficult Conversations with parents, staff ...

Other workshops and seminars can be tailored to meet the needs of practitioners in a variety of settings. Over the past four years tailored professional development programs have been provided for schools, treatment programs, juvenile justice facilities, and child welfare services.

Another professional development activity of TWI is the organisation of national tours and other speaking engagements for international specialists in working in areas such as residential treatment, foster care, youth services, crisis management, and the treatment of abused children and youth. Over the past year, tours and/or speaking engagements have been arranged for Dr Larry Brendtro from Reclaiming Youth International and for Ms Martha Holden from the Cornell Residential Childcare Project.