Creative Visions Sponsors Train the Trainer Opportnity to Help Community Groups Train Mentors To Work With Children of the Incarcerated

Facilitator delivering training

Creative Visions Human Development Institute held a Train the Trainer training session for community organizations to learn the skills necessary to train mentors who work with children of incarcerated parents. The training sessions were held August 9^th and 10^th at Creative Visions and registration was open to community organizations throughout Iowa.  Seven community organizations from throughout the State participated in the two-day training which was made possible through partial funding from Pioneer and Century Link.

The training was originally planned for Creative Visions’ staff in preparation for the launching of its new youth- centered programs; however, Creative Visions’ CEO decided to open the training to other community groups who work with children of the incarcerated in order to provide affordable access to such a unique training opportunity.

 “ In these pressing times where demands are up, but financial resources are down, community organizations have to pool our resources and work together to maximize our efforts in helping our community. We are happy to be able to share training opportunities with organizations like ours who work with the nearly two million children who have one or both parents or a significant caregiver in prison ” said Creative Visions’ CEO Ako Abdul- Samad.

The training was conducted by Ann Adalist- Estris of the National Resource Center for Children and Families of the Incarcerated. Ms. Adalist- Estris, who is a noted expert on children and families of the incarcerated, has conducted over 75 special mentor training for organizations who work with children of the incarcerated throughout the country. Iowa represented the 48^th State where she has held the trainings, and the training  marks the first time that the NRCCFI has visited or worked with a community organization in Iowa.  NRCCFI/FCN is the oldest and largest organization in the U.S. focused on children and families of the incarcerated and programs that serve them.