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 8 hours of 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 - NRCAC
Tony DeVincenzo, Training Specialist - NRCAC
Lydia Johnson Grady, Program Manager, MDT Development - SRCAC
Joyce Prusak, Training Specialist - WRCAC
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 six weeks before the training begins and remain open for two weeks.
Important! Please note the specific start and end times for your time zone.
February 2025 Training | Applications open January 7, 2025
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)
Applicants will be notified by January 29, 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)
Applicants will be notified by July 24, 2025.
Accepted applicants must complete the following items as part of their required pre-work in order 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
Please treat this virtual two day training as you would an in-person training. We understand that two days at five hours each day is a long time. We also recognize that oftentimes the training participant may hold multiple roles. We ask that every training participant do the following:
- Make sure no other activities are scheduled during training hours.
- Be in a space that is free from distractions and other people for confidentiality purposes.
- Have a working video camera and microphone.
- Participate via chat or using the microphone during the training.
- Refrain from answering calls and emails during the virtual training.
- Make sure to have a good wi-fi connection.
- Do not participate while driving.
Please note that if a participant misses more than three hours of the training combined, they will not receive a certificate of completion. Participants who miss up to three hours will get a modified certificate.
Sign up for your Regional CAC's mailing list to be notified when applications open:
- Midwest: https://mrcac.tfaforms.net/f/rcac22a
- Northeast: http://eepurl.com/c4eHH5
- Southern: https://www.srcac.org/contact-us/
- Western: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/5987901/WRCAC-General-Mailing-List-Form
Contact your Regional CAC representative:
- Midwest: Sara Lee
- Northeast: Sue Ascione; Tony DeVincenzo
- Southern: Greg Flett; Lydia Johnson Grady
- Western: Joyce Prusak