Fundamentals of Team Facilitation 1 provides a strong foundation for professionals who serve in the role of multidisciplinary team (MDT) facilitator for a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) regardless of their job title. This training will cover an overview of the MDT facilitator’s role in the CAC/MDT model, an introduction to team development and skills for building trust and safety on the team.
This virtual training is intended to fulfill the core training for MDT facilitators required in the National Standards of Accreditation for Children’s Advocacy Centers.
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This training is open nationally to individuals with a primary or shared responsibility for facilitating the success of the MDT - i.e., tending to the relationships, communication, and accountability of the MDT.
Ideal participants are new MDT facilitators, having been in the facilitator role for less than 18 months. If you have been in the MDT facilitator role for at least 18 months, we recommend you apply for Fundamentals of Team Facilitation 2: For Experienced MDT Facilitators.
Sue Ascione, MS, Training Specialist - Northeast Regional CAC
Tony DeVincenzo, Senior Training Specialist - Northeast Regional CAC
Lydia Johnson Grady, Program Manager, MDT Development - Southern Regional CAC
Joyce Prusak, Training Specialist - Western Regional CAC
This training will enable participants to:
- Identify the strengths and challenges of the CAC/MDT model.
- Understand the importance of the MDT facilitator role on MDTs.
- Identify core responsibilities of the MDT facilitator role.
- Understand the importance of safety and trust on a team.
- Apply strategies for building trust and psychological safety to their MDT.
This course comprises 2, 6-hour live Zoom sessions each day (including a 1-hour meal break), and approximately 2 hours of independent pre-work, totaling 12 hours of training credit. The 2025 training schedule is listed below. The application will go live 6 weeks before the training begins and remain open for 10 days.
Important! Please note the specific start and end times for your time zone.
February 2025 Training | Applications closed
Training dates: Tuesday, February 18; and Wednesday, February 19, 2025
- 6:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. HST (Hawaii)
- 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. AKST (Alaska)
- 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PST (Pacific)
- 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MST (Mountain)
- 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CST (Central)
- 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST (Eastern)
Applications closed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by January 28, 2025.
August 2025 Training | Applications open July 2, 2025
Training dates: Wednesday, August 13; and Thursday, August 14, 2025
- 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. HST (Hawaii)
- 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. AKDT (Alaska)
- 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PDT/MST (Pacific/Mountain Standard)
- 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. MDT (Mountain)
- 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CDT (Central)
- 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT (Eastern)
Applications will close end of day, July 12, 2025. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by July 23, 2025.
Accepted applicants must complete the following items as part of their required pre-work to participate in the training:
- *Download & Sign: You and your supervisor will need to (1) review and sign the Course Syllabus, and (2) review your Job Description; if you are the Executive Director and are accepted into this training, you will sign as both the “Participant” and “Supervisor” (Participants will be enrolled in an UMU course where this document will be available.)
- Review: RCAC Getting Started Guide - Fundamentals of Team Facilitation Checklist (Participants will be enrolled in an UMU course where this document will be available.)
- Read: Your Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Protocol or Interagency Agreement
- Read: Your MDT Orientation Manual or Guide
- Read: Your Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) Vision, Mission and Values
- Read: Field Guide for MDT Facilitators (99 min)
- Read: Beyond Case Review: The Value of the Role of Team Facilitator in the MDT/CAC Model (17 min)
- Watch: NCA's How The CAC Model Works
We invite you to embrace this virtual 2-day training with the same enthusiasm and commitment as you would an in-person session. We understand that dedicating 2 days, with sessions lasting 6 hours each, might feel like a significant commitment. We also acknowledge that many participants balance multiple responsibilities. Nevertheless, we firmly believe in the value and effectiveness of this training. Our goal is for you to fully achieve the outlined learning objectives and derive maximum benefit from the experience.
To make the most of your training experience, we kindly ask that you:
- Reserve this time exclusively for the training sessions.
- Find a quiet and private space to ensure confidentiality.
- Ensure your video camera and microphone are functional.
- Engage actively through chat or microphone participation.
- Minimize distractions by refraining from taking calls and responding to emails during sessions.
- Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection for uninterrupted participation.
- Prioritize safety by refraining from participating while driving.
Please note that if a participant misses more than 3 hours of the training, they will not receive a certificate of completion. Participants who miss up to 3 hours will get a modified certificate.
Your commitment to these guidelines will help create a positive and productive learning environment for everyone involved. Thank you for your cooperation and enthusiasm!
Sign up for your Regional CAC's mailing list to be notified when applications open:
Contact your Regional CAC representative:
- Midwest Regional CAC: Sara Lee
- Northeast Regional CAC: Sue Ascione; Tony DeVincenzo
- Southern Regional CAC: Lydia Johnson Grady
- Western Regional CAC: Joyce Prusak