- Comment from a Training Participant:
- “The training gave me information about the children and families that we deal with daily. I appreciate the hands-on knowledge that the instructors offered. It felt like they had been in my shoes working with my kids.”
- Comments about Online Training:
- “I have to say I am so impressed with the online training. You do a superb job working out all of the technical difficulties and keeping everyone engaged throughout the sessions.”
- - Jane Vasta
- Preschool Teacher
- Maynard, Massachusetts
- “With travel budgets tight at our agency, I opted to participate in the online Al’s Pals training. I can honestly say this was one of the best trainings in which I have participated! The variety of means to communicate with the trainers -- pass the microphone, chat boxes, white board -- created a dynamic interactive atmosphere. I also enjoyed the variety of media employed from workbooks to video clips, music and webcam. Great use of our training money!”
- - Wendy Morgan
- Prevention Coordinator
- Lexington, Virginia
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Training Options
- Al’s Pals Core Curriculum Training
- Al’s Pals Refresher and Advanced Training
- Here, Now and Down the Road Training
- Al’s Caring Pals Training
- Planning Your Training Budget
Al's Pals Core Curriculum Training
The Al’s Pals core training is offered in two formats: 1) face-to-face training conducted over two days or 2) live, online training consisting of seven sessions, each lasting approximately two hours, scheduled over a period of several weeks. Both options are available for individuals and groups. National Outreach Specialists are available to discuss training options most suitable for your setting.
Face-to-Face Training:
Face-to-face two-day training sessions are available for individuals as well as large groups.
- Open enrollment two-day training sessions are held in centralized locations arranged by Wingspan for which individuals and very small groups may register. Click here to download the training registration form.
- On-site two-day training for groups of 24 or 33 people can be arranged to accommodate local needs and schedules. Click here for hosting responsibilities.
Live, online training allows schools and organizations to obtain Al’s Pals training for individuals or small groups.
- Open enrollment online training sessions consist of a group of participants from locations nationwide.
- Private online training can be arranged for a school or center that has its own group of 12 –15 people.
Each participant needs access to a computer with stable internet access. Wingspan provides each participant with a headset or a desktop microphone, allowing them to converse with the trainer and other participants, and ask and respond to questions. The interactive sessions involve structured learning activities using white board, chat, discussion, music and video. Participants are asked to complete short assignments between training sessions to support the learning process. Contact Wingspan for more information.
Al's Pals Refresher and Advanced Training
Three-hour workshops are available for educators who have previously completed the core Al's Pals training and currently use Al's Pals. Click here for workshop descriptions. Contact us to schedule training.
Here, Now and Down the Road Training
The two-day Here, Now and Down the Road training is offered either regionally or on-site by Wingspan. Parent educators are required to attend training in order to receive curricula materials. A group of parent educators who have previously participated in Al's Pals training can make special arrangements for a one-day, on-site Here, Now and Down the Road training. Contact an Outreach Specialist to discuss this option.
Local Al’s Caring Pals facilitators participate in a two-day training to prepare them to conduct educational sessions with home-based child care providers. The training is offered either regionally or on-site by Wingspan. Al’s Caring Pals materials are distributed to the facilitators upon completion of the required training.Contact Wingspan for more information.
Training costs vary depending on whether you host an on-site training, travel to attend an open training already scheduled, or participate in an online training. We encourage you to contact Wingspan to discuss your plans and receive an accurate budget estimate before you submit a proposal to your funding source.