F.A.Q.

How long is the training program, and when do we meet?

The training program is pre-recorded, and you can go through the training at your own pace.

We will meet at least once or twice a month for optional Zoom Help Sessions so that you can ask questions and get ideas from the Director or a program expert.

The program will open for enrollment in November, 2024 and the course portal will be up and running for you to begin going through the course by January 14, 2025.

Help Sessions will be listed inside the course, but in general we will meet either at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US/Canada) or 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.

If you have questions but cannot attend a live help session, you are welcome to submit your question in advance. Instructions will be given inside the course.

Do I have to be a certified educational trainer or certified parent coach to take this course?

No, not at all! Anyone who has a strong desire to teach classes or group workshops is welcome to apply.

We have found that some of the very best instructors are those with lived experience as parents of children with trauma and/or neurodivergence, or those who have worked closely with them as teachers and have experience developing relationships built on trust, autonomy, and reciprocity.

Those who are already coaches and trainers will find this program a practical, effective and ready-made addition to their tools and offerings. The lessons can also be used in private parent coaching sessions or group trainings as a stand-along course or supplement to your own training materials.

Can I mix and match other materials that I already been using in my parent or teacher course or parent coaching business? Or do I have to follow the exact lesson plans in the order provided?

You are welcome to choose any or all of the lesson plans and activities that are provided, but you can also use this training program as a supplement or foundation to other materials that you are using to support parents and teachers.

You may select individual modules or lessons and are not required to teach the entire curriculum; however, we do recommend that you choose materials that will have the most impact and provide the best educational support in the time that you have to work with parents, teachers, and youth providers.

How will I use the video lessons in the course?

There are two kinds of lessons: Instructor Training Lessons and Course Content Lessons.

The Instructor Training Lessons are for your use only and should not be used in a class that you are teaching to others.

The Course Content Lessons can be used two ways – either as a demo lesson for you to watch as you practice presenting the material yourself, or as a video that you can show to your class during a live session with you (project on a screen or share screen on Zoom).

It’s recommended that if you plan to show videos to your class that you don’t do this for all of the lessons but instead do a combination of presenting some lessons yourself and showing some of the pre-recorded lessons.

You should never give students access to your password to sign-in to your course portal or send them downloads of the videos. These are to be used only for demonstration for you or for you to show during a live class.

Can I teach parents and teachers together, or should they be in separate groups?

You may choose to set up your course any way you like, as long as the participants are all parenting or working with children who are struggling and are interested in learning how to support them.

Sometimes parents or teachers feel more comfortable in separate training groups; however, we have been running our certification programs with both parents and teachers in the same group for several. years and it is a wonderful way to build more awareness around the similarities and differences of how challenges can be addressed at home and in classrooms.

You may also use the materials to do trainings for other types of educators, service providers, medical professionals, etc. Any caring adults who works with children and wants to learn a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming approach will benefit!

How long will I have access to the course? Is there a license fee?

As a new Certified Instructor, you will have a License to use the materials for three years. Your initial license is a complimetary bonus and is included along with your certification as an instructor.

After your first three years, you will need to renew your license by doing a refresher training and assessment to ensure that you are keeping up-to-date with new and updated modules. The cost of license renewal is currently $250.

You will continue to have access as long as your license is in good standing, for as long as the program is available to the public. If we make changes to this program or change platforms, we will give you information on how to access materials.

As a Certified Instructor, I will have a license to use the HSI materials in the Heart-Strong Changemakers for Children Course. What does my instructor license allow me to do?

As a Certified, Licensed Instructor, you may use the materials for any local class or workshop that you plan to do with parents, teachers, or youth services leaders.

You may also select individual modules to supplement other materials that you are using to educate parents and teachers.

You will need to make it clear when you are sharing HSI materials, as our philosophy and approach may be different from other materials you are using. It is best practice to look for or create your own complementary approaches and training practices that align with the Heart-Strong Model™.

Can I change the logo to my own logo or make my own video to sell online following the HSI materials?

You will need to give credit to HSI and Sandi Lerman as the creator of the Heart-Strong Changemakers for Children materials. Please do not modify or change the slides, videos, or other materials. The HSI logo and/or website should be used to make it clear that these are materials from HSI. However, you are welcome to select only those modules you wish to use from the program and combine them with other training materials that you or others have created.

What if I am an HSI Certified Trauma-Informed Specialist, Certified Parent Coach, or Certified Educational Trainer? Is there a discount for graduates of these programs?

There is a special limited-time offer for our graduates who wish to add the Certified Instructor credential to another HSI credential. There will be an information session on November 19, 2024. If you are unable to attend the information session, reach out to Sandi Lerman for more information.