Training Levels

Training begins with a four-day workshop in which trainees learn to engage caregivers, utilize structured problem-solving techniques, and implement the three SafeCare modules (Health, Safety, and Parent-Child/Infant Interaction training). The Provider Workshop includes many opportunities for practice until mastery is achieved. Newly trained SafeCare Providers must complete and pass 5 quizzes the week of their Provider Workshop. They cover the major content areas: engagement, PCI, PII, Health and Safety. Providers can begin delivering SafeCare services when they have completed these quizzes. Following the training workshop, trainees are paired with a SafeCare Coach for additional in-field support. Each Provider trainee is required to pass an applied certification process, which involves audio reviews of recorded family sessions and coding the sessions for fidelity. Once trainees demonstrate mastery of SafeCare skills in the field (defined as meeting an 85% session fidelity standard across their sessions), they are granted certification as SafeCare Providers. The NSTRC allows 6 months for a Provider to complete the required fidelity checks. 

Following certification, SafeCare Coaches or Trainers conduct monthly fidelity-monitoring checks and coaching of agency Providers for a minimum 2-year period. Fidelity monitoring and coaching decrease to a quarterly basic when a Provider passes their two-year anniversary as an active Provider.

Within the first year, the NSTRC trains agency staff to conduct their own quality assurance/fidelity monitoring.

Certified Providers are eligible to move up into the Coach role. Coach training includes a two-day workshop in which trainees learn about the role of a SafeCare Coach, how to reliably score Providers on fidelity assessments, and how to conduct coaching and provide feedback to Providers. The workshop includes many opportunities for practice until mastery is achieved. Following the workshop training, Coach trainees must demonstrate competent coaching skills and mastery in fidelity monitoring to become certified. This is measured by successfully passing 6 coaching units (2 units in each of the three modules). Coach trainees are allowed 6 months to complete these requirements. Upon certification, Coaches must complete one coach unit every 6 months. Coaches are typically paired within the agency to complete these cross-coach checks.

For more information about the SafeCare accreditation, click here.

Following coach certification, the organization maintains the standards set by the NSTRC and prepares for agency accreditation as the NSTRC Training Specialist’s support is minimized. The agency’s first accreditation is scheduled 6 months after a Coach’s certification.

A certified Coach who has been selected to become a SafeCare Trainer must complete 6 pre-workshop webinars/phone calls with an NSTRC Training Specialist prior to participating in the 3-day Trainer Workshop. Once the Trainer trainee completes the 3-day workshop and is ready to train other staff (new Providers and new Coaches), NSTRC will complete one site visit for the Trainer certification. The Trainer trainee is observed and evaluated as they train their first cohort of new Providers. Certified SafeCare Trainers can train individuals (at their site) to become SafeCare Providers and Coaches. Technical assistance is provided to the agency Trainer on an as-needed basis following certification.