Welcome the Children Community Training Teams    Click here to download print version

On behalf of the Welcome the Children Project, we appreciate the strong interest of individuals who wish to become Welcome the Children Community Trainers.  These guidelines are to describe the trainer certification process and clarify information about presenting community training sessions using the Welcome the Children materials. 

Welcome the Children Trainer Certification Process

General Requirements for Community Trainers

To be certified as a Welcome the Children (WTC) Community Trainer, an individual must meet certain requirements as listed in these guidelines.  There are three levels of trainer certification:

1.      Apprentice WTC Community Trainer (identified by the bronze-toned badge)

2.      Verified WTC Community Trainer (identified by the silver-toned badge)

3.      Certified WTC Community Trainer (identified by the gold-toned badge)

Requirements and benefits increase as trainers progress through the levels.  WTC Community Trainers begin as Apprentice Level Trainers.  Advancement to Verified and Certified Levels is based upon experience in using the training materials as well as receiving additional training.  Advancement from one level to the next may be requested through an application process and will require documentation of Welcome the Children training provided and received.

The content and format of the modules may be easily learned by individuals with previous training experience.  However, to maintain the validity and credibility of this training, it is imperative that trainers have the background knowledge and experience necessary to effectively present the modules on cultural diversity and second language development to early childhood professionals serving children from Latin America.  For this reason, we ask that Welcome the Children training sessions be presented by at least two trainers. 

Together, co-trainers must meet the following criteria:

(1)   bilingual (Spanish/English),

(2)   bicultural (family experiences / heritage from both a Latin American country and the United States, and

(3)   early childhood experience, preferably working with children in a classroom setting.

It is preferable that co-trainers attend the required WTC training sessions together.

Note:  If one trainer meets all requirements and wishes to train alone, s/he may request a waiver of the co-trainer requirement from project staff.

All Welcome the Children training sessions must be presented using language and examples that are respectful to the cultures being discussed.  This includes using “people first” language when discussing individuals with disabilities and avoiding any stereotypical images when discussing cultural and ethnic groups.   

Benefits of Certification

• There is a high demand for this training and Welcome the Children Community Trainers will be part of a relatively small group of individuals who are qualified to present the Welcome the Children modules in their communities. 

• The training necessary to become certified is presented free of charge to Arkansas early childhood professionals.

• Financial assistance is available from the Welcome the Children project for Community Trainers in Arkansas to present Welcome the Children sessions.  For details on available assistance contact Brenda Reynolds, Project Director, at reynoldsbrendak@uams.edu; 501-922-1880.

• Community Trainers receive continuing information, training and support from Welcome the Children project staff.  

• Trainers at each level also receive specific benefits within each level as listed below.

Apprentice Level WTC Community Trainer Requirements

To become an Apprentice Level WTC Community Trainer, an individual must have completed the following steps:

Step 1:

Attend the following complete full-day sessions presented by Welcome the Children staff training specialists or certified community trainers:

Welcome the Children Core Module 1: Cultural Diversity

Welcome the Children Core Module 2: Second Language Development and Working with Families

It is preferable, but not required, that the sessions be attended in order with Module 1 followed by Module 2.  Both sessions must be attended within a 12 month period.  Contact a Welcome the Children staff member for a schedule of upcoming sessions. 

Step 2:

Participate in a Welcome the Children Train-the-Trainer session presented by Welcome the Children staff training specialists.  These sessions will be held periodically throughout the year; please contact a Welcome the Children staff member for a schedule or to request training.  Maintain the certificate of completion for your trainer records.  

Step 3:

Complete the application process for the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development System Trainer Registry, if not already verified as a trainer on the Registry.  Part of this process requires that you attend the three-hour Trainer Orientation One session within 6 months of being accepted as a verified trainer with the AECPDS Registry.  A copy of your Registry card or your Registry trainer number is to be sent to Tanya Miller, Welcome the Children Community Trainer Liaison, Partners for Inclusive Communities, 2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300, North Little Rock, AR 72114 when you receive the card.  Note:  AECPDS Registry requirements must be maintained to continue your Welcome the Children Trainer Certification.  There are specific training requirements that must be met to maintain Registry verification.  Please check the Registry website at www.professionalregistry@astate.edu for details. 

Step 4:

Submit a Welcome the Children Community Trainer Application.  Send it along with a copy of your AECPDS Registry application (or card) to Welcome the Children.  Approval will be based on an evaluation of trainer qualifications and supporting documentation.

Benefits - Apprentice Level Trainers Receive:

o       Trainer’s Manuals and necessary forms;

o       Welcome the Children Apprentice Level Community Trainer Badge;

o       Free registration at the Welcome the Children Celebrating Cultural Harmony Conference;

o       Cultural Connections monthly e-bulletin, which includes information on training opportunities, articles of interest and Welcome the Children project updates;

o       Trainer Talk, monthly e-bulletin, which provides additional training tips from project staff and other community trainers; and

o       Trainers may borrow the training videos and books from the project as each session is scheduled.

Verified Level WTC Community Trainer Requirements

To become a Verified Level WTC Community Trainer, an individual must be an Apprentice Level WTC Community Trainer and have completed the following steps:

Step 1:

Attend and observe full-day sessions of Core Module1 and Core Module 2 presented by Welcome the Children staff training specialists and participate as a “friendly face,” assisting with conversations and following along in trainer’s manual.  You will be given an observation guide to follow during the sessions and will meet briefly with WTC staff training specialists to discuss and questions and concerns you may have.

Step 2:

Co-train with a Welcome the Children staff training specialist at least once on a full module.  Co-training is defined as presenting approximately 50% (or more) of the material; 

Step 3:

Present Welcome the Children module(s) while being observed by a Welcome the Children staff training specialist.  Verbal and written feedback will be provided to the trainer(s) by the Welcome the Children staff training specialist following the session.  Note: If a trainer only wishes to be certified to present one module, s/he may receive certification for that module only and these requirements would apply to that single module instead of both core modules;

As well as:

• Attend a minimum of 10 hours annually of additional training sponsored by Welcome the Children.  Options to fulfill this obligation include training sessions provided directly by Welcome the Children staff (including repeating sessions already attended), other training sessions sponsored by Welcome the Children, and the Celebrating Cultural Harmony Conference.  The conference registration fees will be waived for Welcome the Children Community Trainers within Arkansas;

•  Attend at least 3 Welcome the Children Community Trainer Forum Meeting annually, and

• Complete a Welcome the Children Trainer Certification Application requesting advancement to Verified Level Trainer status.  The application should include documentation that these requirements have been met.  Approval will be based on an evaluation of trainer qualifications and supporting documentation.

Verified Level Trainers Receive:

o       Trainer’s Manuals and necessary forms;

o       Welcome the Children Verified Level Community Trainer Badge;

o       Free registration and *mileage reimbursed to attend the Welcome the Children Celebrating Cultural Harmony Conference (*mileage reimbursement not available to Certified Community Trainers located outside Arkansas);

o       Cultural Connections monthly e-bulletin, which includes information on training opportunities, articles of interest and Welcome the Children project updates;

o       Trainer Talk, monthly e-bulletin, which provides additional training tips from project staff and other community trainers;

o       Welcome the Children Starter Trainer Kit; and

o       Trainers may borrow the videos and books from the project as each session is scheduled.

Certified Level Community Trainer Requirements

To become a Certified Level WTC Community Trainer, an individual must be a Verified Level WTC Community Trainer and have completed the following steps:

• Present a total of 35 hours (or more) of Welcome the Children training (this includes co-presentations);

• Attend a minimum of 10 hours annually of additional training sponsored by Welcome the Children.  Options to fulfill this obligation include training provided directly by Welcome the Children staff, other training sessions sponsored by Welcome the Children, and the Celebrating Cultural Harmony Conference.  The conference registration fees will be waived for Welcome the Children Certified Community Trainers in Arkansas;

• Attend at least 3 Welcome the Children Community Trainer Forum Meeting annually, and  

• Complete a Welcome the Children Trainer Certification Application requesting advancement to Gold Level Trainer status.  The application should include documentation that the requirements have been met.  Approval will be based on an evaluation of trainer qualifications and supporting documentation.

Certified Level Trainers Receive:

o       Trainer’s Manuals and necessary forms;

o       Welcome the Children Certified Level Community Trainer Badge;

o       Free registration, *mileage and *meals reimbursed to attend the Welcome the Children Celebrating Cultural Harmony Conference (*mileage and meal reimbursement not available to Certified Community Trainers located outside Arkansas);

o       Cultural Connections monthly e-bulletin, which includes information on training opportunities, articles of interest and Welcome the Children project updates;

o       Trainer Talk, monthly e-bulletin, which provides additional training tips from project staff and other community trainers; and

o       Welcome the Children complete Trainer Kit, which includes one set of videotapes and children’s books used in the Welcome the Children modules for each community training team (other trainers may borrow the videos and books at no cost from the project as each session is scheduled).

Requirements for All Arkansas Welcome the Children Certified Community Trainers

1. Notify Welcome the Children staff of any sessions that you have scheduled and other ways in which you have used the training materials such as inserting Welcome the Children materials into other training sessions or sharing them while providing technical assistance. 

2. Provide and collect evaluation forms for each session you present. 

The following forms are required and must be sent to Welcome the Children, Partners for Inclusive Communities, 2001 Pershing Circle, Suite 300, North Little Rock, AR 72114 within 10 days following each completed session.  (Please keep copies of the evaluation forms and sign-in sheet for your own records.)

1. Individual Attendance forms;

2. Session evaluation form (two-sided form with the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development Evaluation form on the front and additional questions on the back);

3. Pre- and Post-test (keeping copies of the pre/post-tests for your own records is optional); and

4. Sign-in sheet.

Participants are not allowed to take the pre or post-tests with them; they must be completed in the presence of the trainers.  This is to ensure the accuracy of the evaluation for the project evaluation team.  

The following forms must be sent to the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development System Training Registry within 10 days following each completed session.

a.      Individual Attendance forms and

b.      Session evaluation form (side one)

3. Present each training session in the order and format provided in the trainer’s manuals.  Changes to the training materials or format require prior approval by the Project Director (Brenda Reynolds, reynoldsbrendak@uams.edu).  Please note that some activities in the manual are already noted as “optional.”  Using or deleting optional activities is not considered a change in the format.

4. Trainers are responsible for tracking the hours of attendance by their participants and for completing a certificate of completion for each participant.  Blank certificates may be obtained from project staff.  A full session typically lasts seven hours.  Participants attending less than the full session are to be given credit for the number of hours they actually attended. 

5. Training sessions sponsored by Welcome the Children are to be provided free of cost to participants.  (Training sessions are considered to be “sponsored by Welcome the Children” if the manuals and training materials are provided by Welcome the Children and/or if financial support if provided by WTC.) 

6. This training is targeted to child care providers and early childhood educators.  Other individuals who work with children age 12 and younger who speak Spanish may also be included in the sessions.  Participants may include other staff of the child care centers, therapists, clergy, kindergarten teachers, workers at after school and summer programs, etc.  Note: The training materials were developed for participants who work in a Pre-K setting. 

7. Participants’ manuals will be provided by project staff for each approved session presented by Arkansas Welcome the Children Community Trainers.  When scheduling a training session, you are to notify project staff of the upcoming session.  Please request manuals and forms at least two weeks prior to the session to allow time for them to be sent and received.  Requests are to be sent to Tanya Miller at millertanyas@uams.edu, phone 501-682-9900; 800-342-2923 (V/TDD); 501-682-9901 (Fax).

As an Arkansas Welcome the Children trainer, additional training information will be sent to you when you schedule your first training session.  This includes the videos that are to be shown during the session(s).  If you will be conducting additional sessions within 90 days, please keep the videos and additional materials for use with the future sessions.  If you have extra participants’ manuals, contact the project staff to determine whether the extra manuals should be returned or if you should keep them for upcoming sessions.

8. Training sessions should be provided in accessible locations.  If participants require the materials in an accessible format (large print, computer disk, etc.) or require an interpreter for the deaf; Welcome the Children staff can assist with these accommodations.  Please provide at least a week, preferably longer, advance notice when requesting assistance to ensure that appropriate accommodations can be provided.

9. To maintain their current level, WTC Community Trainers must attend at least two quarterly WTC Community Trainer Forums per year.

Additional Information

Financial Assistance may be available from the Welcome the Children project for Certified Welcome the Children Community Trainers in Arkansas to present Welcome the Children sessions.  For details on available assistance please contact Brenda Reynolds, Project Director, at reynoldsbrendak@uams.edu; 501-922-1880.

Out-of-State Trainers

Individuals from outside Arkansas who wish to become Welcome the Children Community Trainers should contact Tanya Miller, Community Trainer Liaison, for additional information and to register for the appropriate sessions in Arkansas or to arrange training sessions in their states.  Fees charged will be based on the location and number of individuals to be trained.  Contact Tanya at millertanyas@uams.edu; 501-682-9900 (V); 800-342-2923 (V/TDD).