Trainings

I learned that support staff need to address very basic needs of relationships to those they support. Making sure they understand what is safe, who to ask with questions.
Designing a Roadmap for Romantic and Sexual Relationships

Training Program Intro

We have over 25 trainings designed to help people understand and support healthy social-sexual behaviors and sexual self-determination within an ecological framework using innovative strategies, skills, and solutions.

Our main goals are to:

  • support the whole person and their full human experience 
  • promote safe, healthy, legal, and situationally appropriate behaviors
  • help people meet their basic human needs and protect their legal rights
  • improve their quality of life and increase their independence
  • help people manage their behaviors in ways that allow them to maintain their services, housing, access to school, jobs, community inclusion and so much more

The primary audiences for our trainings are people who support vulnerable individuals, such as someone with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, neurodiversity, a traumatic brain injury, sexually maladaptive behaviors, mental health issues, and more.  Our trainings are especially geared to parents and families, foster care providers, case management staff, direct support professionals, and special education teachers. 

Some examples of our training topics include: 

  • sex and sexuality
  • sexual development
  • gender identity
  • supported decision-making
  • trauma-informed care
  • relationships and boundaries

We would like to thank our Training Partners who have hosted us so far in 2022-2023:

  • The Arc of Oregon
  • Bend/La Pine School District
  • Independence NW
  • FACT Oregon
  • MV Advancements
  • Oregon COAAST Network
  • OHSU UCEDD
  • Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (Regions 1, 2, and 3)
  • WISE

You can become one of our training partners, too!

Training Topics – Titles and Descriptions


Listed Below Are All of Our Training Titles (in alphabetical order)

Primary Focus
Are You Forgetting Something?; The Six Core Components of SexualityProactive Supports
Becoming An Askable Ally; 10 Simple Strategies to Start a Conversation About Sex and Sexuality Proactive Supports
Co-Workers and Courtship – Helping Someone Navigating Relationships, Sexuality and Boundaries At Work; Part 1 Working With A Supported PersonRelationships and Boundaries
Co-Workers and Courtship – Helping Someone Navigating Relationships, Sexuality and Boundaries At Work; Part 2 Working With EmployersRelationships and Boundaries
Consent Part I: Define, Practice, and ModelRelationships and Boundaries
Consent Part II: Building a Person’s Capacity to ConsentRelationships and Boundaries
Creating Safer Spaces; Systemic Changes to Better Support and Include Sexual and Gender MinoritiesGender and Sexual Minorities
Designing a Roadmap for Romantic and Sexual RelationshipsRelationships
Digital Desires; Sexuality, Relationships and TechnologySexual Behaviors
Diversity and Inclusion; Supporting Sexual and Gender MinoritiesGender and Sexual Minorities
Exposing Our Truth; Sexuality and DisabilitySelf Advocacy; Sexual Development
From Ally to Advocate; 20 Tips, Tools, and Resources for Supporting a Person’s Sexual HealthProactive Supports
Intro to Social-Sexual SupportsProactive Supports
It’s Not Just About Saying “No”; Proactive and Person-Centered Sexual SupportsProactive Supports
Let’s Talk About Sex! – For ParentsProactive Supports
Let’s Talk About Sex! – For ProfessionalsProactive Supports
Puberty vs. AdolescenceSexual Development
Relationships and Sexuality Self-Advocate PanelSelf Advocacy
Sex and Medicine; The Imperative for Medical and Mental Health Providers to Address Sex and Sexuality, Part 1Medical and Mental Health Providers
Sex and Medicine; The Imperative for Medical and Mental Health Providers to Address Sex and Sexuality, Part 2Medical and Mental Health Providers
Sexual Self-Determination and Supported Decision-MakingProactive Supports
Sexual Violence and Trauma Informed CareTrauma Informed Care
The “M” Word; Education & Supports for Self-StimulationSexual Behaviors
They Did What?!? How to Know When Sexual Behaviors are a Serious ProblemSexual Development
Trauma Informed Care – What You Need To KnowTrauma Informed Care
“Why Can’t I Date My Teacher?”; Creating a Framework for Defining Different RelationshipsRelationships and Boundaries

Training Formats

FastTrack TrainingHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
Duration:1.5 hours3 hours6 hours training with 1 hour lunch break; 7 hours total
Time of Day:Between 9am – 4pm PT9am – 12pm OR 1pm – 4 pm PT9am – 4 pm PT
Content:Handouts, ResourcesHandouts, Resources,Peer Learning ExercisesHandouts, Resources,Peer Learning Exercises,Case Studies
Overview:
(durations are approx.)
60 minutes of core  training material and 30 minutes of Q&A discussion with traineradditional 80 minutes of activities, peer learning exercises and discussion questionsadditional 90 minutes of training material and 50 minutes of case studies
Training Format:Live, Virtual via ZoomLive, In-Person within 50 miles of McMinnville, ORPre-Recorded Webinar: In developmentLive, Virtual via ZoomLive, In-Person within 50 miles of McMinnville, ORLive, Virtual via ZoomLive, In-Person 

Important Notes:

  • Fast-Track Trainings can be adapted for presentation at conferences, conventions, & summits.
  • We are in the process of building our pre-recorded webinar library, Trainings-On-Demand. Please email us to find out if the topic you are requesting has been recorded yet.
  • Live, In-Person trainings are subject to health and safety considerations, restriction, and regulations.
  • Live, In-Person FastTrack and Half Day Trainings are limited to a 50 mile radius of McMinnville, OR.

 Training Fees

2023 Base Training FeesAgencies / Audiences up to 50Agencies / Audiences of 51+Government Organizations or Departments
Fast-Track (1.5 hrs)$500$600$700
Half Day (3 hrs)$700$800$900
Full Day (6 hrs)$1000$1200$1400

Trainings can be adapted for presentation at conferences, conventions, and summit gatherings. 

Please email us to request a quote for custom content presentations.

Multi-Training Discount: 

Discounts are available for hosting multiple trainings in the same calendar year, booked at the same time (see the chart below). Email us with any questions about training fees.

For 2-3 Trainings10% off each training
For 4+ Trainings15% off each training

Travel Fees: 

  • For In-Person Trainings further than 50 miles of McMinnville, OR, the following fees also apply:
2023 Travel FeesPer Mile ChargeMeals AllowanceAccommodationsPer Diem
Less than 50 miles$0$0$0
51-75 miles$1.30 per mile, one-way$10$0
76-100 miles$1.30 per mile, one-way$30$0
101+ miles$1.30 per mile, one-way OR cost of airfare$30 per day$150 per night

Potential Additional Training Costs:

  • Among Friends, LLC carries professional and general liability insurance. If your organization requires additional insurance, or requires to be listed as “additionally insured”, please let us know when submitting your Training Inquiry / Proposal Form. Charges incurred for additional insurance are the host organization’s responsibility and will be added to your training fees.
  • All self-advocates involved in our trainings are compensated for their time and experience. Additional training fees apply if you choose a training co-facilitated by self-advocate(s).
  • If the Host Organization cannot provide someone to run the virtual training, Among Friends, LLC will provide one at an additional cost.
  • Additional fees may apply if you want to record the training.
  • A minimum $50 late fee will be assessed if your balance payment is not received by the due date.
  • Trainings requested outside of designated hours (9am – 4pm) are subject to a $100 after hours fee.

Training Terms and Conditions

All trainings with Among Friends, LLC are subject to the following terms and conditions unless otherwise agreed upon in writing prior to signing the training service agreement. Please review them and if you have any questions about the conditions outlined below, please contact us by email

Coordination of Training

  • Among Friends, LLC has a training coordinator who is the primary contact for all communications regarding training contracts.
  • The Host Organization will provide Among Friends, LLC the name, phone number, and email of one primary contact person who will coordinate all communications regarding the training contract.

Fees and Deposits 

  • A 50% non-refundable deposit, plus the cost of any additional insurance, is due from the Host Organization in order to reserve training date(s).
  • The remaining balance is due on or before the date of the training, unless otherwise negotiated with Among Friends, LLC in writing, in advance.
  • A minimum $50 late fee will be added to the invoice if the balance is not received by the due date.

Cancellation Policy

  • If the Host Organization needs to cancel the training for any reason after the service agreement is signed, the 50% deposit and cost of any additional insurance is non-refundable. 
  • If Among Friends, LLC has to cancel the training after the service agreement is signed due to illness or emergency, 100% of the training fees will be applied to a rescheduled date or refunded in full.
  • If the training has to be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions or other emergencies (ie: fire, earthquake, national or state health restrictions), the 50% deposit and cost of additional insurance will be applied to a rescheduled date within 6 months of the original training date.

Attendance

  • The number of people allowed at a training is limited to the Host Organization’s online platform capacities for Live, Virtual trainings; and the venue’s max capacity for Live, In-Person trainings.
  • The Host Organization will provide 1 seat for Among Friends, LLC staff to attend at no cost.
  • The Host Organization will provide Among Friends, LLC the registration count one week before the training so the presentation and exercises can be adapted accordingly; and will provide the final registration count 24 hours before the training.

Materials

  • Among Friends, LLC will provide an electronic version of the handouts listed below via email a minimum of one week prior to the training date for the Host Organization to distribute to the participants.
    • Master handout of the presentation
    • Master handout of any resource or activity sheets, when applicable
    • Pre- and post-tests, when applicable
    • Presentation evaluation
  • If the Host Organization requires the electronic versions of the hand-outs further in advance, it is their responsibility to communicate that with Among Friends, LLC and have the due date specified in the signed service agreement.
  • All training materials remain the legal property of Among Friends, LLC and Shanya Luther and are only to be distributed to attendees of the training, unless otherwise negotiated with Among Friends, LLC in writing, in advance.

Promotional Materials

  • Closed registration trainings
    • Among Friends, LLC will list the training in our Monthly Announcements but will not include links to the promotional flyer or registration information.
  • Open registration trainings
    • Among Friends, LLC will list the training in our Monthly Announcements including links to the promotional flyer and registration information.
    • The Host Organization will provide a draft of the promotion and registration flyer a minimum of 8 weeks before the training date for review by Among Friends, LLC.
    • The flyer must include:
      • Training Description
      • Registration link and details
      • Name and contact information for the Host Organization’s registrar

(for participants who may have questions)

  • Logo of Among Friends, LLC
  • Trainer photo and bio
  • Among Friends, LLC website address
  • The final version of the Host Organization’s promotion and registration flyer is due a minimum of 6 weeks before the training date so Among Friends, LLC can include it in our Monthly Announcements.

Presentation Links or Venue Address

  • For Live, Virtual trainings, the Host Organization will provide Among Friends, LLC the presentation platform link(s) a minimum of 1 week before the training date.
  • For Live, In-Person trainings, the Host Organization will provide Among Friends, LLC the venue address a minimum of 4 weeks before the training date.

Preparation Time On Training Day

  • For all Live, Virtual trainings, Among Friends, LLC will log in a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the training start time to test the connection and all settings.
  • For all Live, In-Person trainings,  Among Friends, LLC will need access to the training venue a minimum of 1 hour prior to the training start time.

Technology and Participant Support On Training Day

  • For all Live, Virtual trainings, the Host Organization must have one or more people to run the virtual training, support participant access, and address technology issues & concerns. The technology support person must be familiar with the Host Organization’s presentation platform. If the Host Organization cannot provide someone to run the virtual training, Among Friends, LLC will provide one at an additional cost.
  • For all Live, In-Person trainings, the Host Organization must have one or more people on site to support participants and address any technology issues & concerns. The technology support person must be familiar with the devices supplied by the Host Organization or Venue.

Recording the Training

  • Recording trainings is prohibited without prior written authorization.
    • Authorization must be negotiated 4+ weeks in advance of the training and a written agreement must be signed by both the hosts and Among Friends, LLC.
  • Additional fees will apply and will vary based on use of the recording. 

Evaluations

  • Among Friends, LLC provides an electronic link to a training evaluation for participants to complete, which is to be distributed with the training materials provided to participants by the Host Organization.
  • The Host Organization is responsible for providing a list of the attendees, with their phone number and email address, and a copy of all training evaluations (if using their own) to Among Friends, LLC no later than 1 week following the training date.

Training Certificates

  • The Host Organization is responsible for creating a providing their own Certificates of Attendance unless otherwise arranged in writing with Among Friends, LLC in advance.
  • In Oregon and Washington Continuing Education Units are available for most trainings. Check our CEU table for an up-to-date list. You can contact your state authorizing entity to get our trainings approved. 
  • Among Friends, LLC can provide Certificates of Attendance for participants if requested in writing, in advance via the Service Agreement.
    • The Host Organization is responsible for providing the final attendance roster, with names and email addresses a maximum of 3 days following the training date in order to receive Certificates.

Among Friends, LLC will send Certificates within 2 weeks of receiving the final attendance roster.

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