The DOC Training Academy piloted a revised Train the Trainer course in May. The revised course includes updated content and allows adjunct trainers to complete the course in three days. Staff trainers participate for an additional two days to complete the 40 hours of training required by the American Correctional Association (ACA).
Pilot participants included 25 employees representing SCIs Dallas and Pine Grove, various community corrections centers and the Lancaster and Perry County Prisons. Participants discussed training best practices; lecture, coaching, facilitation and team approaches to training; how to facilitate activities and training props to enhance learning; and, of course, they had plenty of hands-on practice. The participants responded favorably to the piloted content and delivered polished, professional and interesting instructional blocks using the best practices discussed during the training.
Four instructors presented the pilot: Training Academy Assistant Director Greg Young,; SCI Laurel Highlands Psychological Services Specialist Christine Mancini; SCI Mahanoy ABE Instructor Lori Turofski; and Training for Staff Trainers (TST) Program Coordinator Jennifer Wallitsch,. The Training Academy is planning supplemental training for existing TST instructors to introduce the revised curriculum.
If you have any questions about Training for Staff Trainers, please contact TST Program Coordinator Jennifer Wallitsch at jwallitsch@pa.gov.