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Leadership development made easy for nonprofits

TRAUMA-INFORMED LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

BOOK A CONSULT

ENROLL NOW FOR FALL COHORT

Leadership development made easy for nonprofits

TRAUMA-INFORMED LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

BOOK A CONSULT

ENROLL NOW FOR FALL COHORT

The Problem

You promote your top talent to supervisory and managerial roles, yet there remains a leadership development gap for the demands and pressures of the new role.

This challenge is intensified because these leaders directly oversee the largest teams and are integral to your organization's client-facing operations.

In-house training has its own challenges, and traditional corporate programs clash with your nonprofit values.

Despite the best of intentions, this exposes your organization to unnecessary risks, weakens organizational health, and limits service quality.

The Solution

Strengthen your nonprofit with the Trauma-Informed Leadership Certificate Program.

In just 10 weeks, transform your supervisors and managers with critical skills to overcome overwhelm, self-doubt, and burnout.

Focused on personal growth, collective trauma, and interpersonal skills, this program ensures your leaders are supported and primed for sustainable success.

What makes this program unique?

Human support & connection

Not another one-and-done training

Human support & connection

An empowering space to develop tools as a leader - and get the 1:1 support for advice, partnership, and coaching leaders need.

Targeted application

Not another one-and-done training

Human support & connection

Embeds trauma-informed thinking into daily leadership practices - into the relationships and conversations that shape organizational outcomes.

Not another one-and-done training

The process combines learning, collaboration, assessment, and coaching into a cohesive program designed for lasting impact.

No extended days away

Not another one-and-done training

It takes about 2 hours a week and participants report a significant time savings in their daily work as they put learning into action.

Meet your facilitator...

James Freeman is an award-winning expert on staff development with extensive experience in trauma-exposed environments. He is the founder of Training Grounds and the creator of the Trauma-Informed Leadership Certificate Program.

With 30+ years of experience in child and family serving nonprofits he has trained and mentored direct care staff and leaders around the globe.

He is an associate professional member of California Alliance and an individual member/past board member of ACRC. He has a master's in organizational leadership and is based in southern California.

FAQs

What type of organizations do you work with?

James has extensive experience in child and youth care settings (including residential care, education, afterschool, disabilities). He works regularly with community-based nonprofits including residential therapeutic programs, supportive housing, family supports, food and resource providers, foundations, and others.

How does the program work?

Participants join a facilitated cohort for 10 weeks. The time commitment is about 2 hours each week with no extended time away from role. There are four primary assets your staff get in the program:

1. Weekly structured lessons + reflective activities

Each week there is a brief reading, videos, and activity to complete. The videos average about 17 minutes in length. These are completed before each weekly session.

2. Weekly working sessions

Everyone in the cohort shows up to a weekly group session with their lessons and activities completed. This is where we examine, clarify, and explore ways to apply the material together.

3. Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI 2.0)

The SDI is integrated into the program and provides critical insights into their relational dynamics, including personal drivers, how they respond to various stages of conflict, and how they use their strengths. Participants receive a full report and a year of access to the SDI platform.

4. Personalized coaching sessions

Each participant receives a special link to book a private conversation directly with James. They can book ahead for each week of the program or as needs arise during the program. They can use this feature for a number of reasons, including: (a) for a sounding board for feedback and perspective, (b) accountability for progress toward their intentions, or (c) support during challenges or when feeling stuck.

How do I enroll my staff?

You can enroll your staff right here on this site. After they are enrolled, they receive a welcome letter which describes how to access each of the program features.

Cohorts are typically held beginning in January, April, July, and September.

If purchasing for someone other than yourself:

Click the 'enroll now' button at the top of this page and on the next page click 'Purchase as gift' on top right corner. This allows you to enter participant's name separate from billing information. You may also choose 'Continue as a guest' if you do not wish to create an account. Instant receipt will be sent via email. IRS W9 available by request.

Can I get a private cohort for my team?

Yes. If you prefer, you can book a private cohort just for your organization.

What assessment is used in the program?

The Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI 2.0) is integrated into the program and provides critical insights into relational dynamics for participants (e.g., personal drivers, how we respond to various stages of conflict, and how we use our strengths). James Freeman is a certified facilitator for the SDI 2.0 and it's based on over 50 years of research on team performance.

Can I have staff other than those enrolled in the program do the assessment?

Yes, you can have your staff teams complete the SDI 2.0 separate from the program. Teams that do usually find a significant boost in empathy and productive interactions as they apply the learning from the assessment. It involves completing the self-assessment (which takes about 30 minutes) followed by a 2-hour team debriefing to set the stage for applying the results. The investment is 349.00 per person.

What if my team is too busy?

If it already feels like you've got too much going on, it's likely that your candidate(s) for the program are already on the edge of overwhelm or burnout. Waiting longer without doing something will only make things worse. This program will accelerate the ability to get things done with balance and accountability.

What if I don't have the budget?

Every organization should have a line item for staff development that is a percentage of overall payroll. The task then is about identifying what is a priority in the budget. When you look at what current leadership practices are costing your organization, it can become clear that you'll save exponentially more than the cost of the program in improved performance.

What payment options are there?

The program is priced at a great value at $1950 USD. That's the equivalent of $195 per week and includes group sessions, one-on-one support, weekly lessons, and the assessment report.

There is an option to pay in full at time of enrollment or to pay half and the balance in 30 days.

If you have a specific invoicing or purchase order process, I can work with you on what you need.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, limited scholarships are available to support individuals who have been historically underrepresented, lack organizational support, or those for who paying the program fee would drastically limit their ability to meet basic needs.

The scholarships are offered on a pay-what-you-can format and are not intended to replace readily available organizational funds or efforts to secure funding. Candidates are asked to state the percentage of the program fee they or their organization will be able to pay.

See full details on the scholarship submission form

What are James Freeman's professional qualifications?

James Freeman, MA, CYC-P has 30+ years of experience working in Child and Youth Care, with 15 of those years as a training director in a CDSS licensed and COA accredited residential therapeutic program in California.

He has trained, consulted, or presented across the US and Canada as well as in Australia, Austria, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and South Africa.

Experience, Education & Awards

30+ years of experience in child and youth care (including residential care, education, afterschool, disabilities)
Master's in Organizational Leadership
Certified Child and Youth Care Professional
President's award from Association for Child and Youth Care Practice
Career achievement award from National Staff Development and Training Association

Contributions to the Field

Past board president of Child and Youth Care Certification Board
Co-editor of CYC Online (issues 200-250) and
Co-editor of Relational Child and Youth Care Practice (CYC-Net Press)
Past master trainer for the Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) Institute
Past trainer for Academy for Competent Youth Work
Ad hoc chair of revision committee for the Standards for Practice of North American Child and Youth Care Professionals
Author/editor of numerous publications on relational care, ethics, and leadership

Affiliations

Associate professional member of California Alliance
Individual member/past board member of Association of Children's Residential and Community Programs (ACRC)
Member/advisor of Association for Child and Youth Care Practice (ACYCP)
Member of Institute for Equity-Centered Coaching (IECC) Exchange

Leadership development made easy for nonprofits

Leadership development made easy for nonprofits

Trauma-Informed Leadership Certificate Program

Save the Dates for Fall 2024

The Problem

The Solution

What makes this program unique?

Human support & connection

Not another one-and-done training

Human support & connection

Targeted application

Not another one-and-done training

Human support & connection

Not another one-and-done training

Not another one-and-done training

Not another one-and-done training

No extended days away

Not another one-and-done training

Not another one-and-done training

Meet your facilitator...

FAQs

Have a question? Drop James a note here...