School Box of Trainings
Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) advocates steadfastly for school-based practices that support young people’s holistic health and well-being. We work full-time in schools to remove barriers outside the classroom by building one-on-one relationships that empower students to stay in school and succeed in life. In addition to campus-based services, CIS-SA offers customized professional development in various topics.
CIS-SA’s School Box of Training Services provides school staff, administrators, students, parents, and professionals with tools to help them grow and support their well-being. All courses are taught by skilled professionals who are experts within their field.
“The presenter articulated the content exceptionally well and had great energy throughout the ENTIRE presentation, which kept me engaged. I feel very well informed. Thank you!”
“This workshop taught me how to react to crisis situations, approach situations that are difficult to talk about and be more aware of student behaviors and looking for signs.”
“The presentation was effective. It provided great understanding regarding the concept and explanation of developmental relationships.”
Basics of Mindfulness
Participants will learn and practice strategies to be present in everyday moments in a nonjudgmental way. Participants will learn how mindfulness benefits the brain and body and promotes emotional regulation. This course is interactive and offers many opportunities to practice mindfulness strategies. It can be modified to fit the needs of the audience and is taught by master’s level facilitators trained in Mindfulness Strategies.
Calm
This 3-hour workshop is designed to help providers implement strategies to put time and distance between someone at risk of suicide and lethal means. CALM includes relevant information on suicide and the public health approach to suicide prevention. Specifically, Texas CALM is designed to develop skills, create understanding, and provide basic information about suicide prevention. A certified CALM trainer teaches this course.
Conflict Management/Peace Culture
Navigating conflict requires comprehensive tools and strategies in any setting or group. Whether you want to promote peace in a professional environment or help youth navigate conflict, CIS-SA offers two sessions that provide practical solutions with proven methods.
Training options include: Six Steps to a Culture of Workplace Peace: Designed for teams, leaders, and organizations, this training focuses on creating a peaceful and healthy work environment, even in the face of conflict
Conflict Resolution for Adolescents: Ideal for those working with middle and high school students, this training provides activities and lessons to help adolescents manage conflict and promote well-being.
Experiential Learning (ROPES)
Participants will take part in a series of physical and mental initiatives and activities that are designed to promote personal growth, enhance life skills, and improve group cohesion and interaction. All initiatives and activities are facilitated by CIS-SA staff trained in experiential learning.
Digital Wellness
In this informational session, participants will increase their awareness of current smartphone usage trends and be provided with tools to help them learn how to be more mindful. The tools and tips provided will help participants create a digital wellness plan for themselves and their loved ones. In today’s busy world, having a healthy balance of face-to-face interactions and digital connections is important. The instructor for this course has done extensive research on this topic and has a master’s in public health.
Everyone’s an Asset Builder
Join us to be introduced to the powerful role of individual assets in the lives of youth through this interactive course. Participants will leave this course being able to identify the characteristics of effective asset builders and their own personal strengths and challenges. The idea of “circles of influence” will be introduced and participants will be able to identify circles for potential asset building. The course will end with participants making and sharing a personal commitment to asset building action. Instructors for this course have been trained through the Search Institute.
Getting Relationships Right
Learn how each of us can contribute to the health and well-being of children and youth through the Development Relationship Framework. The framework identifies five elements—with 20 specific actions—that make up developmental relationships. When young people experience these relationships in their families, schools, programs, and communities, they are more likely to be resilient in the face of challenges and grow up thriving. Instructors for this course have been trained in Developmental Relationships through the Search Institute.
Restorative Practices
In this series of highly interactive sessions and services, participants will learn about repairing harm and restoring relationships. Techniques and strategies learned will help with classroom, behavior, and organizational management. Participants will learn strategies for promoting a healthy climate and culture in their school or organization. Training Topics can include:
- Restorative Mindset
- Restorative Circles
- Restorative Conferences
- Whole School Restorative Strategies
CIS-SA can also facilitate circles for adults, youth, and adults! These can be one-time circles or a series of circles adapted to the needs of your group. All restorative trainers have been extensively trained in Restorative Practices by organizations such as the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Trauma Informed Care
Trust-Based Relational Intervention-Caregiver Training® (TBRI)
Learn about an attachment-based, trauma-informed care model developed by two developmental psychologists studying high-risk children. TBRI® uses empowering principles to address physical needs, connecting principles for attachment needs, and correcting principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. This course is taught by a TBRI Practitioner trained through the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University.
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Participants will learn about developmental neuroscience, epigenetics, and the results of the ACE Study. They will also come away with tactics and strategies to operationalize this knowledge in their respective communities. The Instructors have been trained through Dr. Rob Anda’s ACE Interface Master Trainer Education program licensed by UT Health.
Vaping Facts and Statistics in the Adolescent Population
This course will provide important information about the variety of vaping devices that are on the market and the harmful ingredients that are found in them. Participants will learn how these nicotine-filled devices are impacting the developing adolescent brain and creating a population that is becoming strongly addicted to nicotine. The instructor for this course has done extensive research on this topic and has a master’s in public health.
Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM)
YAM is a FREE school-based program for young people ages 13 to 17, in which they learn about and explore the topic of mental health. It is an evidence-based program taking place in classrooms around the world. Students actively engage with the topic of mental health through role-play and student-led discussion. YAM allows students to express themselves freely, discover healthy coping skills, and identify appropriate resources. Currently, CIS-SA can offer YAM anywhere within the city limits of San Antonio.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
Learn about common mental health challenges for youth and a five-step action plan for helping young people in crisis and non-crisis situations. This course is taught by Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructors.