Strengthening Families Training
Idaho AEYC is a national leader in creating and delivering training based on the Strengthening Families Framework. The toolbox training is designed to make Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education accessible to child care providers, by using a curriculum that turns abstract research into concrete, day-to-day, practice.
History
In 2007, in collaboration with the Idaho Children's Trust Fund, the first version of the Strengthening Families Toolbox Training was developed and piloted throughout the state. Jane Zink and Maureen Durning of Idaho AEYC and Margaret Hower of Idaho CTF were the primary authors of the curriculum. This original training was six modules, 13 hours. Seven trainers delivered the trainings to 22 pilot sites.
In 2008, the training toolbox was expanded to its current 8-module, 17 hour format and 8 additional trainers were trained. In 2010, another 15 trainers were trained, bringing the Idaho training team total to 30.
As the training became recognized at the national level, other states requested train the trainer events. To date, there are Strengthening Families Toolbox Trainers in New Jersey, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas. In 2010, the Strengthening Families National Network of Toolbox Trainers (NNTT) was created to recognize those trainers who are certified to deliver the toolbox training.
In 2010, additional intermediate and advanced level trainings were developed by certified Idaho Strengthening Families trainers, to delve more deeply into some of the topics introduced in the basic toolbox trainings. These new trainings, along with a portfolio, are part of the Strengthening Families Specialization process being offered to child care providers: a broad, deep, and personal exploration of the Strengthening Families framework.
Training Levels
