If you are a youth serving organization
and wish to request a training contact drbarbbrady@inspiringdreamsnetwork.org
MENTAL HEALTH 101: UNDERSTANDING AND
TAKING CHARGE OF MENTAL HEALTH
Date: January 27, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm
Trainer: Dr. Barb Brady
Location: Zoom
Description: This training supports youth-serving
adults in leading safe, nonthreatening discussions to help youth understand the
components of mental health based on the CDC and WHO definitions. This training
empowers adults to discuss what good mental health looks like and what we can do
to take charge of and improve mental health. Additionally, participants will be able to
access their own mental health and employ strategies to enhance their own
wellbeing, capacity to overcome life stresses, and better prepare themselves to
engage with others in healthier ways that contribute to positive mental health. This
training provides mental health resources to improve mental health and identifies
some basic coping skills, resiliency traits, and habits that anyone can develop to
lead to positive mental health outcomes.
Objectives:
Review the WHO and CDC definitions of mental health
Understand the components of good mental health
Access one’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to mental health
Identify best-practice strategies to improve mental health, including building
resiliency, coping skills, and self-care practices
*STARS credit, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Addictions CEUs
offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS
Portal www.wvstars.org
IDN is partnering with Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance
Center (MUSHTAC) to offer continuing education units (CEUs) for Alcohol and
Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC).
FEBRUARY ACEs TRAINING SERIES
ACEs 101: Understanding ACEs
Date: February 4, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
ACEs 102: Preventing ACEs
Date: February 11, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
ACEs 103: Overcoming ACEs
Date: February 18, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
Trainers: Corey Beahm & John Barton
Location: Zoom
Description: The youth you work with may struggle with the traumatic effects of
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We invite you to learn about ACEs and
the impact ACEs have on brain development and behavior. ACEs often interfere with
school success and can negatively impact participation in activities, events,
school, relationships, overall wellness, and life outcomes. This ACEs training series
in intended to help caregivers and adults who serve youth better understand the
impact of ACEs and to learn some best-practice strategies to help youth and
families overcome and prevent the future occurrence of ACEs, changing lives in a
positive direction. This training series is brought to you through funding provided by
the Milan Puskar Foundation, Benedum, and TGKVF.
*STARS credit, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Addictions CEUs
offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS
Portal www.wvstars.org
IDN is partnering with Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance
Center (MUSHTAC) to offer continuing education units (CEUs) for Alcohol and
Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC).
LEAN ON ME: SUPPORTIVE PRACTICES FOR
FAMILIES TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Date: February 20, 2026 | 11:00am-1:00pm
Trainer: Paula Kerner
Location: Zoom
Description: This is a follow-up to Mandated Reporting to help families with
supportive practices. Parenting is hard and imperfect. Everyone needs help
sometimes. LEAN on Me WV is an initiative to promote child well-being by
supporting families with listening, empathy, affirmation, and nonjudgment. The goal
of LEAN on Me is to promote community responsibility to support families, rather
than solely report families to CPS. All of us can use the LEAN on Me approach to
support families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Techniques practiced in this
training will better equip providers including school personnel in making the decision
of what resources are needed and if mandatory reporting is utilized.
Objectives:
Discerning needs vs. neglect
Building Protective factors
Child Protective Services – processes, capabilities, and difficulties
Bias in decision making
Community resources
*STARS credit and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) CEUs offered! If
you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS Portal
HUNTINGTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
STAFF TRAININGS
March 2, 2026
ACEs 101 - Trainer: Dr. Barb Brady
Connections Matter - Trainer: Dr. Barb Brady
March 10, 2026
Peaceful Conflict Resolution - Trainers: Tiffany Pittman & Dr. Barb Brady
Intro to Neurodiversity - Trainer: John Barton
DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT AUTISM
Date: April 30, 2026 | 12:00-1:00pm
Trainer: John Barton
Location: Zoom
Description: Autism is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. In the US, 1 in every 44 children is diagnosed with Autism. This workshop will focus on explaining autism in everyday language and dispelling common myths about autism including causes, characteristics and impact. Participants will also learn about treatment options, resources, and best practices in behavior management and positive learning supports.
Objectives: Participants will...
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Be able to identify common myths about autism
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Review effective teaching strategies to support children with autism
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Be able to discuss specific caregiver / provider concerns related to autism and seek input from the presenter.
*STARS credit & Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS Portal www.wvstars.org
*Addictions CEUs Pending*
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
When: May 1st OR 2nd. Sign up for one only.
Time: 8:30-4:30 with breaks and lunch provided.
Where: St. John’s Episcopal Hunter Hall, 1105 Quarrier St, Charleston.
When: May 6th
Time: 8:30-4:30 with breaks and lunch provided.
Where: WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, 959 Hartman Run Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
When: May 8th
Time: 8:30-4:30 with breaks and lunch provided.
Where: Horseshoe Heaven on Smith Farms/Itty Bitty Therapy Horses, Inc; 121 Banjo Lane, Scott Depot, WV
When: May 16th
Time: 8:30-4:30 with breaks and lunch provided.
Where: Clay County High School
You will receive directions regarding pre-session preparation & college credit. Lead Instructors: Paula Kerner, Fairness WV, Dr. Barb Brady, IDN, assisted by Laren Iezzi, IDN
Sponsored by: Inspiring Dreams Network, Fairness WV, Southern Education Services Cooperative, and United Way of Central WV.
Funded in part by: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation & The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Graduate Credit offered through Concord University. 6 Hours available. $99 Course 1 = 3 hours graduate credit and $99 Course 2 = 3 hours graduate credit (Social work, Nursing, and Addictions CEUs pending.)
All participants will receive certification as a “Youth Mental Health First Aider.” If you completed the training more than 3 yrs ago, this can be used to renew your certification.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER
Date: May 6, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm
Trainer: Dr. Barb Brady
Location: Zoom
Description: Summer can be a difficult and challenging time for youth, or it can be filled with fun, inspiration, and growth. Counselors can play a key role in identifying strategies and resources for utilization over the summer, as well as, in educating and supporting parents and community members to support student success during the summer.
Objectives: Participants will...
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review best practice summer activities for youth (Grades PK - 23)
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learn about resources that are fun, safe, and engaging for summer learning and growth
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discuss and share online safety resources
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Sharing additional best practices and resources to support student safety and success.
*STARS credit & Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS Portal www.wvstars.org
*Addictions CEUs Pending*
KEEP THEM SAFE: Suicide Safety Planning
& Lethal Means Accessibility Conversations
Date: May 12, 2026| 9:00am-12:00pm
Trainer: Michelle Toman, Brother Up
Location: Zoom
Description: Safe, honest and meaningful conversations about suicide are crucial when helping
individuals keep themselves safe from the risk of an attempt to potentially end their own life. Safety plans add a protective layer and are utilized as a guide when suicidal ideation may be present and the threat to life exists. What is doable for one individual isn’t necessarily achievable for all and safety plans are meant to be personalized and actionable strategies designed to reduce the risk of suicide while helping someone with thoughts, feelings, urges and behaviors.
Understanding the conditions of which suicide attempts occur, comprehension of each
of the components of a safety plan and being able to help guide the individual through
creating one that is achievable for them requires patience, skill and much intentionality.
Essential to increasing safety from suicide requires us as a helper to create the
opportunity of a safe and supportive space for this specific conversation to occur;
listening to understand and responding with empathy through our words, tones, and
signals can often challenge our own assumptions and personal biases while helping
someone create a plan for safety. Also critical to safety planning is the ability and
willingness to be able to discuss any/all lethal means, as removal and restriction of
access can be the difference between life and death.
This Keep Them Safe training provides parameters for having this life and death
conversation, while utilizing language that fosters psychological safety, trust and
connection to reduce isolation and increase a person’s willingness to stay safe.
This interactive session equips participants to assist someone in developing a plan of
safety, while helping them recognize the contributing circumstances and in identifying
measures to increase their personal safety through coping mechanisms, limiting access
to lethal means and with connection to others.
Safety planning and discussions on access to lethal means is an evidence-based and practice-based skill vital to saving lives and preventing death. This training is rooted in research and personal experiences and based on best practices methods.
Objectives: Participants will...
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Learn to collaboratively develop an individualized safety plan for individuals at-risk for suicide.
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Be introduced to effective communication techniques for initiating and navigating conversations about access to lethal means.
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Learn techniques of applying best practices for safety planning and reducing accessibility to lethal means when suicide risk is present.
*STARS credit & Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS Portal www.wvstars.org
*Addictions CEUs Pending*
MAY ACEs TRAINING SERIES
ACEs 101: Understanding ACEs
Date: May 13th, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
ACEs 102: Preventing ACEs
Date: May 20th, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
ACEs 103: Overcoming ACEs
Date: May 27th, 2026 | 2:00-3:30pm
Trainers: Corey Beahm & John Barton
Location: Zoom
Description: The youth you work with may struggle with the traumatic effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). We invite you to learn about ACEs and the impact ACEs have on brain development and behavior. ACEs often interfere with school success and can negatively impact participation in activities, events, school, relationships, overall wellness, and life outcomes. This ACEs training series in intended to help caregivers and adults who serve youth better understand the impact of ACEs and to learn some best-practice strategies to help youth and families overcome and prevent the future occurrence of ACEs, changing lives in a positive direction. This training series is brought to you through funding provided by the Milan Puskar Foundation, Benedum, and TGKVF.
*STARS credit, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Addictions CEUs offered! If you wish to receive STARS credit, please register on the STARS Portal www.wvstars.org
IDN is partnering with Marshall University School Health Technical Assistance Center (MUSHTAC) to offer continuing education units (CEUs) for Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) and Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC).
SHACK NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Upcoming Staff Trainings
School & community partners who support Shack Neighborhood House youth are Invited to participate on an availability basis.
Location for all trainings: Shack Neighborhood House, 537 Blue Horizon Dr, Pursglove, WV 26546
JUNE 2ND TRAININGS
MANDATED REPORTING
9:00am-11:00am • Trainer: Sara Robinson
LEAN ON ME (Part 1)
11:15am-12:15pm • Trainer: Paula Kerner
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER
2:15pm-3:30pm • Trainers: Dr. Barb Brady & Nick Larson
JUNE 3RD TRAININGS
ALL SESSIONS TRAINED BY: Dr. Barb Brady & Nick Larson
CALMING VOLCANIC EMOTIONS
9:00am-11:00am
PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION (Part I)
11:15am-2:15pm
LUNCH - 12:15pm-1pm
PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION (Part II)
1pm-3pm
SALVATION ARMY AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM & SUMMER CAMP
Staff Training Series
Location for all trainings: The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center, 301 Tennessee Ave,
Charleston, WV 25302
JUNE 8th TRAININGS
TOXIC STRESS: Supporting Youth to Overcome Trauma
10:00am-1pm
LUNCH: 12pm-1pm
CALMING VOLCANIC EMOTIONS
1pm-3pm
JUNE 9th TRAININGS
PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTIONS
10:00am-12pm
LUNCH: 12pm-1pm
CYBER SAFETY
1pm-4pm
Itty Bitty Therapy Horses at Horseshoe Heaven on Smith Farm
Educational Mini-Sessions
Location for all trainings: 121 Banjo Lane, Scott Depot, WV, 25560
MAY 16th
ACEs and PCEs: Understanding ACEs and the Importance of PCEs
2pm-2:30pm
JUNE 5th
Building Relationships & Resilience: Supporting Youth to Thrive
5:30pm-6pm
JULY 24th
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
5:30pm-6pm
AUGUST 14th
Supporting Youth & Families with Neurodiversity Struggles
5:30pm-6pm
