Prevention

Training

The Front Porch Project provides community leaders with new tools and methods to more safely, confidently, appropriately, and frequently intervene when encountering a situation in which the treatment of a child makes them uncomfortable. To reach this goal, the project consists of two training phases.

Phase I is a two-day community training in which participants receive ideas and methods for intervention, as well as an opportunity (and expectation) to plan for how to take action in their own neighborhoods and communities. Phase II is a Train-the-Trainers session for participants who are interested and capable of providing Front Porch training themselves. This two-phase model allows The Front Porch Project to be sustained in communities long after the initial project is completed.

Phase I is comprised of two full days of training, scheduled approximately four weeks apart. The time frame between training days is necessary for participants to encounter opportunities to practice their new intervention skills, so that upon returning for the second day, their experiences may be processed and analyzed by the group. Participants must commit to attend both training days, with the training being delivered and facilitated by American Humane staff. Additionally, semi-annual follow-up information regarding participants' actions and interventions will be requested and gathered via American Humane's website.

The Train-the-Trainers session immediately follows Phase I and consists of two full days of training, taking place on two consecutive days. During and after the training, participants, together with the American Humane facilitator, will assess their capacity to deliver The Front Porch Project curriculum. The goal is to identify and support competent and effective trainers who can sustain The Front Porch Project in their communities.

Training Topics and Activities

Phase I: Community Training

Day 1

Identify and utilize:

• problem-solving strategies
• positive parenting strategies
• definitions and dynamics of child abuse and neglect
• effective intervention and personal safety strategies
• workings of the public child welfare and court systems
• methods of discipline and basic child care practice that may make children more vulnerable to maltreatment
• possible interventions through modeling and role-playing
• personal action plans

Training Day 2

• process trainee action plans and interventions
• discuss barriers to interventions and methods to circumvent these challenges
• discuss the impact of cultural and gender issues on intervention
• explore the need for prevention and the fostering of resiliency
• model and role-play possible interventions
• discuss with trainees the follow-up support and assistance that may be available
  

Phase II: Train-the-Trainers

Day 1

• positive training experiences
• setting up a training
• detailed review of the curriculum from a trainer's perspective
• successful and skillful training techniques
• personal weaknesses and fears regarding training
• preparation to practice training on Day #2

Day 2

• practice training with constructive feedback from fellow participants and facilitators
• process practice experiences, including feedback
• discuss next steps for new trainers to conduct trainings themselves
• final recognition activity and evaluation

If you would like to learn more about the Front Porch Project, please contact us.