Released December 14, 2010
AMES, Iowa -- Professionals who work with families can register now for two online trainings from Iowa State University Extension. Family Development Certification Training begins in January, while Nurturing Strengths in Diverse Families begins in March.
“These trainings focus on working directly with families and helping them build upon what is going well in their lives, and set goals to improve areas that aren’t going so well,” said Kimberly Greder, ISU Extension family life specialist and associate professor in human development and family studies.
Both trainings will involve live online chat sessions, discussion boards, videostreams, individual and virtual small group activities and online readings. The trainings are designed so participants can set their own schedule.
“However, participants are expected to log into the training website every day or every other day to respond to postings by other participants and work through the content,” Greder said. She stressed that discussions are an important way that participants can learn from each other. Throughout the training there will be chat sessions in which participants interact with each other online in real time. Parents serve as guests to share their experiences and perspectives regarding interacting with professionals who serve families.
Family Development Certification Training will be offered completely online from Jan. 10 to May 13, 2011. Topics covered include building mutually respectful relationships with families and effective communication, as well as home visiting, ongoing assessment and goal setting, advocacy and community collaboration.
Register online at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/fdct/home.html. The cost is $600. Iowa teacher licensure renewal credits will be available pending approval. Those who wish to earn three ISU undergraduate or graduate credits will be billed for ISU tuition, and pay a reduced registration fee of $350.
Nurturing Strengths in Diverse Families will be available online from March 21 to April 29, 2011. Participants will learn strategies for identifying and building on family strengths to assist families of diverse socioeconomic status, culture or family structure or who have family members with disabilities. The training will cover how cultural background influences values, attitudes and expectations regarding family functioning and parenting, as well as expectations of the parent-professional relationship.
Register online at http://www.ucs.iastate.edu/mnet/pwp/home.html. The cost is $150. Iowa teacher licensure renewal credits will be available (pending approval). Those who wish to earn one ISU undergraduate or graduate credit will be billed for ISU tuition, and pay the $150 registration fee.
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Iowa State University, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2010/dec/121401.htm
Source: Kimberly Greder, 515-294-5906, kgreder@iastate.edu
Writer: Laura Sternweis, 515-294-0775, lsternwe@iastate.edu
