Join the GPS Facilitator Training and learn how to run trauma-informed, evidence-based, and community-tested support groups.
About this Event
You could be eligible to receive a reduced rate or full scholarship to join the GPS Facilitator Training if you work in the Massachussets recovery field and are associated with BSAS funded programs. CLICK HERE
Join the GPS Facilitator Training

GPS Group Peer Support provides you with a map to support people in your community. GPS is a perfect tool for diverse communities facing unique challenges. Whether you are supporting parents, frontline healthcare workers, students, faith communities, refugees and immigrants, communities striving for solidarity, those struggling because of COVID, those in recovery, or dealing with grief, GPS is an effective and impactful approach to support connection, resilience, and participant’s ability to act on behalf of themselves, their families and their communities.

GPS is a nationally-recognized group model that is being successfully implemented in state, local, and community settings, in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.

Bring GPS to your community:

GPS for Academic Success - for your school community
GPS for Faith - Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, and spiritual communities
GPS for Health - addressing chronic and acute health conditions
GPS for Healthcare Workers - bringing support in the midst of COVID-19
GPS for Parents - for parents at all stages of parenting
GPS for Recovery - for those struggling with addiction and in recovery
GPS for Solidarity - addressing racism, white supremacy, and inequity
GPS for Work - equity issues, job burnout, mental health concerns, and other workplace conditions

“The GPS Training not only gave me the skills and techniques to facilitate a support group, it also allowed me to recognize my own strength and ability to be a better version of myself.”

~ Maria Jose Mojardin Lopez, Maternal Mental Health Task Force, Tucson, AZ

IN THIS TRAINING YOU WILL LEARN:

A trauma-informed, culturally responsive support group model that is easy to learn and implement in diverse settings, with diverse populations, and in multiple languages.
How to address the intersection of trauma, racism, poverty, disparities, cultural and gender identity, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, with compassion, transparency, and skill.
Unique trauma-informed skills to create environments of mutual respect, non-judgement, compassion, and safety.
How to incorporate evidence-based approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction in groups.
A strengths-based group approach that ensures an accessible, welcoming, and transformational group experience for all.
How to run groups that support, empower and benefit not only the individuals and communities being served, but the group facilitators as well.

THIS TRAINING IS FOR YOU!

Whether you are experienced or are a first-time group leader, you will learn skills that will change the way that you run support groups and gain the confidence to lead consistently impactful groups for your community.

Activists, organizers, and equity leaders
Business leaders
Clergy and lay leaders
Mental health and medical professionals
Peer specialists
People with lived experience
Supervisors and administrative leaders
Teachers and education leaders
Volunteer leaders

* Social Work CEUs are available. Inquire about other continuing educational credits at [email protected].

TRAINING SCHEDULE
LIVE attendance to 1 opening and 1 closing practicum is REQUIRED

OPENING PRACTICUM OPTIONS: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET*

October 15 Opening Practicum
October 16 Opening Practicum
October 17 Opening Practicum

TRAINING MODULES: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET* -- recordings of all modules will be available to registered participants --

October 22 Module 1: Introduction to GPS and Power of Groups
October 23 Module 2: Mindfulness Rest Stop
October 24 Module 3: Guidelines

October 29 Module 4: Realities & Principles
October 30 Module 5: Check-In & GPS Reflective Listening
October 31 Module 6: Reflective Listening, Weaving, Grounding & Closing

CLOSING PRACTICUM OPTIONS: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET*

November 5 Closing Practicum
November 6 Closing Practicum
November 7 Closing Practicum

* All times listed are Eastern Time (ET)

TRAINING FORMAT

Opening Practicum - Live attendance is required. Please choose a date/time option in your registration
Training Modules - 6 LIVE sessions which will also be recorded so they can be viewed in lieu of live attendance
Closing Practicum - Live attendance is required. Please attend at least 5 Practicum sessions

HOW TO ACCESS TRAINING AFTER REGISTERING

Access to training materials, live sessions, recorded sessions, and evaluations will be via the Eventbrite online event page after you register. You must have an Eventbrite account to register and then be logged in with that same account in order to view the online event page content. Click here for more guidance.

SCHOLARSHIP IS AVAILABLE

We are committed to ensuring that GPS is in the hands of those who need it and who have been historically disenfranchised from resources and support. If you have barriers to being able to attend the GPS training and can commit to running groups in your community, please reach out to us.

Apply for Scholarship HERE

MEET AND GREET WITH GPS TEAM

Sign up for an individual meet and greet with GPS Founder Annette Friedman and Programs Director Nelly Willis. This will be an opportunity to share your goals for attending the training, ask any questions you may have, and think together about how we can further collaborate and support your unique community.

You can message [email protected] to schedule a meeting.