Training and Education
This training and education hub was created to help Edmontonians come together to support one another in living happier, more meaningful lives. Whether you're caring for family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers, we all play a role in looking out for each other.
These courses are designed to support your growth—whether you're a peer, a service provider, or someone just trying to help. Topics include mental health and addictions, suicide prevention, peer support, poverty and housing, parenting, and more. All trainings emphasize approaches that are fair, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and rooted in community values. See a calendar view of upcoming locally offered training →
Fostering Resilience I: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences – The Family Centre
In part one of our "Fostering Resilience" workshop series, participants will gain valuable insights into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their profound impact on healthy brain development and body functioning.
Discover how ACEs can have lasting effects on health, well-being, and development, leading to challenges such as chronic health issues, mental illness, or substance abuse in adulthood.
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:
Develop a clearer understanding of ACEs and their implications
Learn about the crucial role of addressing ACEs in fostering resilience and recovery
Gain practical strategies for supporting service users affected by ACEs
Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to make a positive difference in the lives of those impacted by childhood adversity.
To register: TFC – Staff Skill Development
Fostering Resilience II: Building Navigation & Negotiation Skills – The Family Centre
In part two of our "Fostering Resilience" workshop series, we dive into resilience theory and practical strategies for building resilience.
Discover how to apply a Science X Design approach (developed by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University) to identify effective strategies for supporting service users in reducing stress, developing new skills, and enhancing connections with others.
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:
Explore the principles of resilience theory and its application in practice
Learn evidence-based techniques for fostering resilience in themselves and others
Gain insight into using a Science by Design approach to tailor interventions for maximum effectiveness
Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of resilience and equip your staff with actionable tools to make a meaningful impact in their work with others.
To register: TFC – Staff Skill Development
Managing Vicarious Trauma: Strategies for Resilience and Well-Being – The Family Centre
Participants will learn:
Practical strategies for personal and professional self-care
How to engage in interactive exercises designed to understand trauma responses
To identify and implement strategies to foster a healthier work-life balance
Join us as we help your staff build a supportive network, develop essential coping skills, and ensure sustainable success in their roles.
To register: TFC – Staff Skill Development
Providing Trauma-Informed Care – The Family Centre
Elevate your understanding and skills with our workshop on providing trauma-informed care.
In this 2-hour workshop, we will review:
Trauma 101: understand the basics of trauma, including its prevalence, types, and effects
Neurobiology of trauma: learn how trauma impacts brain development and functioning
Recovery and healing: explore the various paths to recovery and healing for those who have experienced trauma
Trauma-informed care: understand the definitions, values, principles, and practices that form the foundation of trauma-informed care
Participants will gain the ability to:
Describe what trauma-informed care entails
Identify and apply the core principles, values, and practices of trauma-informed care
Recognize and reflect on their specific roles in implementing trauma-informed approaches within their work
Join this workshop to become proficient in trauma-informed care and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have experienced trauma.
The content presented in this workshop is based on the Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care model (CCTIC) developed by Community Connections.
Trauma-Informed Approach to De-Escalation – The Family Centre
This workshop is designed to equip service providers with essential skills for managing crisis situations through a trauma-informed approach.
This workshop does not cover physical restraint procedures and promotes a “no physical contact” approach to de-escalation.
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:
Gain a deep understanding of the anatomy of a crisis
Learn practical strategies to identify, prevent, and de-escalate crises effectively
Learn valuable debriefing techniques to help service providers process and reflect on crisis incidents
Throughout the workshop, attendees will be introduced to a variety of techniques for supporting individuals in crisis through verbal and nonverbal communication. By mastering these skills, participants will be able to set effective boundaries and guide interactions toward positive outcomes. This workshop emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, ensuring that all interventions are grounded in empathy and respect.
After attending this workshop, participants will be better prepared to successfully handle future crises with resilience and confidence.
Trauma-Informed, Objective Writing Skills – The Family Centre
Master the art of clear, compassionate, and unbiased documentation with our 1-hour workshop on trauma-informed, objective writing skills.
Designed for professionals who handle sensitive information, this course provides essential techniques for writing that respects and acknowledges trauma experiences while maintaining objectivity.
Participants will learn how to:
Avoid re-traumatizing and oppressive language through careful word choice, structure, and tone
Enhance their writing skills to create supportive and accurate documentation
This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to improve their written communication skills so they can better support their service users and uphold professional standards in their writing.
Building Effective Leaders – The Family Centre
This course consists of four individual 3-hour workshops. In this introductory leadership course, participants will learn that effective leadership begins with an understanding of yourself.
These sessions will give participants the skillset to grow into strong leaders, mentors, and coaches within their organization. This course is designed with a clear purpose: to increase the expertise needed to lead effectively, no matter the participant’s place in the organization. Leadership is not just for those with fancy titles—it's for anyone looking to step up and make a difference.
We believe that becoming a great leader starts with a better understanding of yourself. Participants will use resources such as Discover Your Strengths/Clifton’s Strengths Finder 2.0, the Emotional Intelligence Skills Inventory, 16 Personalities, and the Enneagram Personality Test to develop their own unique leadership style and vision.
To register: TFC – Leadership Development
Building Trust and Resilience Through Relationship-Based Supervision – The Family Centre
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will acquire the tools and skill sets necessary to become effective leaders within their organizations.
By embracing trauma-informed values and adopting relationship-based supervision models, they will cultivate environments of trust, empathy, and support. Acknowledging the diverse past experiences of their staff members, participants will gain insight into how these experiences may influence their work with their service users. Participants will be equipped to intervene proactively to avoid burnout, fostering a culture of well-being and resilience.
Participants will develop essential skills to ensure that their teams can thrive in even the most challenging circumstances. Through this comprehensive approach, participants will not only enhance their leadership capabilities but also contribute to supporting their agency’s service users through an effective supervision model.
To register: TFC – Leadership Development
Principles of Trauma-Informed Supervision – The Family Centre
In this 3-hour workshop, participants will engage in an in-depth exploration of the five values of trauma-informed care, examining their critical role in fostering safe and effective supervision practices.
Through this workshop, attendees will gain an understanding of how these components intersect with and enhance the supervisory process. Participants will develop a proficiency in nurturing the growth and development of their staff. Additionally, they will learn to assess their supervisees' quality of life in relation to their work, ensuring a holistic approach to staff well-being and professional growth.
By nurturing qualities such as humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence, participants will foster cohesive, high-performing teams.
The content presented in this workshop is based on the Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care model (CCTIC) developed by Community Connections.
To register: TFC – Leadership Development
Empowering Parents – KARA Family Resource Centre
Join us for an inspiring session designed to boost your confidence, calm, and connection.
Discover practical, uplifting tips on positive parenting, building confident children, and caring for yourself along the way. These supportive sessions are here to empower you on your parenting journey.
To register: KARA – Programs
Parenting After Separation (PAS) – Government of Alberta
PAS is an e-Course to help parents and guardians make positive choices about how they will continue to parent their children after separation.
PAS provides parents with information about the separation and divorce process, the effects of separation and divorce on children, techniques for communication and legal information that affects parents and children.
PAS and PASHC e-Courses are available in English and French at no cost.
To register: GoA – PAS
Parenting After Separation High Conflict (PASHC) - Government of Alberta
PASHC is an e-Course available to all parents and guardians who have completed the PAS course and are experiencing more intense, long-lasting conflict during their separation.
PASHC provides information and strategies to help reduce the level of conflict between separated parents and help minimize the negative impacts of parental conflict on children.
PAS and PASHC e-Courses are available in English and French at no cost.
To register: GoA – PASHC
Best Beginning Program - Alberta Health Services
Best Beginning is a free supportive health service for pregnant women who are facing challenges.
This program is designed for women who:
Need information to make healthy choices during pregnancy
Feel alone and isolated
Face language or cultural barriers
Are living on a low income
We offer:
Support from social workers, nurses, dietitians, and outreach workers
Group health education and peer support
Children's programming (1-6 yrs)
Healthy snacks and time to connect with other pregnant women
Community and Health Resources
To register: AHS - BBP
Exploring Family Literacy – Centre for Family Literacy
This workshop takes a closer look at what family literacy is and shares ideas on how parents can enhance and build on their child’s emergent literacy and language skills.
Parents and primary caregivers hold the key to early literacy skills for their children.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Science and Literacy – Centre for Family Literacy
Learn about the role science plays in family literacy.
Parents and primary caregivers hold the key to early literacy skills for their children. This workshop takes a closer look at what family literacy is, with the focus on science, and shares ideas on how parents can enhance and build on their child’s emergent literacy and language skills.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Skills for Learning – Centre for Family Literacy
Learn essential skills for your child’s development.
Do you know what the 9 essential skills are and why they have been deemed as skills everyone needs to have to be successful? We use them at work and at home and you may be surprised to learn how often you use them. These are skills that can help your child navigate in their world. The workshop will look at new ways to help you enhance these skills for your child in fun and creative ways.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Numbers are Everywhere – Centre for Family Literacy
This workshop is full of fun and easy ideas and activities to help your little one discover a love of numbers.
Do you need help sorting the socks, measuring for a recipe or finding Family Day on the calendar? Your toddler can help as they learn and understand numbers.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Building Blocks to Literacy – Centre for Family Literacy
This workshop will look at the stages children go through before they become readers and writers.
Can parents and caregivers help their children get ready for literacy? Parents and caregivers will be able to identify the stage their child is in and participate in fun hands-on activities with their child.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Technology and the Early Years – Centre for Family Literacy
This workshop looks at what research says about young children and using technology.
Are children and technology a good combination? We also look at how much time children spend with technology every day and explore what technology is out there for young children and how it is being used.
To register: CFL - Workshops
Bringing Stories to Life – Centre for Family Literacy
Learn how to build your storytelling skills.
Do you read a book or share a story and what is the difference? This workshop explores the strategies parents and caregivers can use to lift the written words off the pages of a book and truly bring the book to life! Participants will be provided with a variety of resources, tools and strategies to take story time to the next level.
To register: CFL - Workshops