The 509 Public Sector
Training Program
The courses in our Training Program are free for SEIU Local 509 Public Sector state workers. We offer live trainings (in person or virtually) and self-paced learning on virtual platforms.
Register for a Live Training
Enhance your skills and take the next step to success!
Register in 3 Easy Steps!
Click on the arrow next to the training name to open the description.
Click on the registration link at bottom of the description.
Fill out the online registration form.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email within one business day. Please note, ADA accommodations are available upon request. Simply indicate the accessibility services you need on the training registration form at least 2 weeks before the training date. Take the first step and explore upcoming trainings below!
Didn’t receive a confirmation email or need help registering? Please Contact Us
Advanced Practice Institute
Our Advanced Practice Institute offers career-focused programs that help workers access certifications, CEUs, PDPs, and other training and professional development focused on career specialization.
Open the description of the training to find the registration link.
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Date: June 3, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Trainer: Ayala Livny, M. Ed. and Liz Geisel, MSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Traditional punishment approaches often reinforce shame and re-traumatize clients instead of teaching new skills. This interactive training explores how stress and trauma shape the brain, body, and behavior, and why punishment can easily injure rather than reform. Participants will examine the connection between shame and punishment, practice strategies for separating the person from the behavior, and learn how to deliver consequences that promote reflection and behavioral change. Through large and small group conversations, case studies, and skills practice, participants will leave with concrete tools to shift from punitive approaches to trauma-informed responses that empower clients and support lasting behavioral change.
Learning Objectives:
Explain how trauma, stress, and shame influence behavior and why traditional punitive approaches can reinforce harm rather than promote change.
Differentiate between punitive responses and trauma-informed consequences that separate the person from the behavior.
Apply trauma-informed strategies for delivering consequences that encourage reflection, accountability, and skill-building.
Evaluate real-world scenarios to determine whether consequences support empowerment, safety, and lasting behavioral change.
Credits:
This training has been approved for 3 CE credits for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors.
Applications for CE credits for Licensed Social Workers and Licensed Mental Health Counselors have been submitted. Contact us at info@509training.org for more information.
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Date: June 4, 2026
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Trainer: Deb Berglin, LICSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Traumatized individuals who have children often struggle with parenting in some way, whether it be excessive worry, need to control, low self-confidence regarding their parenting skills, reactivity to children’s behavior, difficulty with boundaries, or inflicting harm. This workshop will look at the challenges that traumatized parents face, possible reasons for those challenges, and strategies to coach or encourage them to make positive changes for the benefit of themselves and their family. Transference will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
To gain knowledge about the range of challenges traumatized parents may face
To gain knowledge about the possible reasons for some of those challenges
To learn at least 3 strategies for assisting traumatized parents to be more effective
To consider one’s own trigger points with traumatized parents (if any) and strategies for managing them so that they don’t interfere with the professional relationship
Credits:
Application for CE credits has been submitted for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, MA Licensed Social Workers, and MA Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Contact us at info@509training.org with questions.
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Date: June 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Trainer: Nicole Melissa Morin, LICSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Join us for this training to be able to effectively support and care for LGBTQIA+ individuals across many therapeutic settings through this evidence-based and strengths-based model.
Build a strong foundation for your clinical practice in supporting and caring for members of the LGBTQIA+ community! This learning opportunity will give you an introduction to the research and practices of affirmative therapy, the most up-to-date skills and language to use and apply in your clinical practice, show how to assess for stressors related to identity and the impact of these stressors on wellness across the lifespan. Additionally, we will touch upon making mistakes, influences of history, and consider brief case studies to expand our mindset around what being ‘affirmative’ really means.
Following this training the participants will understand:
The research base and benefits of affirmative therapy for clients, providers, and practices
Ongoing practices, actions, and interventions that can be taken at different levels of care to support people, and which practices are NOT effective in showing support for LGBTQIA+ people
Assessing for and supporting identity related stressors through an intersectional lens
How to apply practices and skills to serve LGBTQIA+ community members and allies in conjunction with other models such as trauma informed care
How to access different legal resources that can keep professionals up to date on requirements around policy
Credits:
4 CE credits approved for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and MA Social Workers.
3.5 CE credits approved for MA Licensed Mental Health Counselors
Languages and Cultures
Trainings in this category aim to expand workers’ awareness of the languages and cultures represented in the Commonwealth.
Open the description of the training to find the registration link.
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Dates: June 10 & 17, 2026 postponed to later date
Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Facilitator: Debra Berglin, LICSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Overview:
Having a better understanding of someone's race, ethnicity, or culture aids helpers in working from a more inclusive, respectful, and effective lens. Incorporating that lens into your work often leads to more trust, better relationships, and improved outcomes. In this workshop, you will learn about Brazilian history, culture and customs directly from Brazilians living in the US. You will be invited to consider how your own culture and customs may complement or complicate your relationships with your Brazilian clients, families, or communities. By the end of the first session, you will be able to use this new information to more effectively and sensitively work with Brazilian individuals, families, and communities.
In the second session, we will have an interactive panel discussion with Brazilian professionals from various work sectors (DCF, behavioral health, community health, and basic needs support). Learn from their experience on both sides of the helping relationship about the challenges that Brazilians are facing in the US, what to know about traditional Brazilian views of mental health, medical and social service support and effective strategies for supporting those who may come from a different background than you.Day One Objectives:
Deepen understanding of Brazilian history, culture and customs
Examine intersections of culture and customs that may complement or complicate relationships
Develop strategies to work more effectively with Brazilian individuals, families, and communities in a culturally sensitive way.
Day Two Objectives:
Deepen understanding of traditional Brazilian views of mental health, medical and social service support
Develop effective strategies for supporting Brazilian individuals, families, and communities in a culturally sensitive way.
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In this one-hour session, you will learn:
Best practices when working with immigrants including children, youth and families, including how to speak with children and youth about immigration.
An overview of the immigration system as well as why people might be at risk of deportation.
Your rights if immigration comes to your workplace and the rights of immigrants when interacting with immigration enforcement at their home or in public.
Your rights as a bystander.
How families can prepare in case of an emergency, where to get legal help, information on immigration scams, and additional resources.
This training is for staff at all levels and includes a Q&A session.
Register below for the date that works best for your schedule.
Register Here for June 9, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Register Here for June 11, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Register Here for June 17, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
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Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 23 - August 13, 2026
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Trainer: Jaclyn Browning, M. Ed.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Overview: This 16-hour course is an introductory Spanish course that does not require any background knowledge in the Spanish language. The course is focused on practicing speaking and listening skills in Spanish in human service settings, general community outreach, and developing cultural competency for engaging with people who speak Spanish.
Attendance at 13 of 16 classes is required to earn a certificate.
Wellness and Sustainability
Our Wellness and Sustainability program is focused on workers’ personal growth and development. Centered on sustainability amid trauma stewardship and stressful caseloads, the program aims to prevent burnout and support workers in the vital work that they do.
Open the description of the training to find the registration link.
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Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Susan Buchholz, Executive Director, The HeartWell Institute, Public Health Bloomberg Fellow, & Former SEIU member
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Designed to introduce participants to the concept and benefits of mindfulness as a tool for well-being. This program aims to pique interest in mindfulness and encourage further exploration. It assumes that participants have no previous experience with mindfulness practices. Participants will be given tools they can use every day in a variety of settings.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Define mindfulness and understand its foundations in present-moment awareness and non-judgment.
2. Experience and reflect on core mindfulness practices (e.g., body scan, breath awareness).
3. Recognize the role of mindfulness in reducing stress and increasing emotional regulation.
4. Identify simple ways to integrate mindfulness into everyday life.
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Date: July 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Amy Ebbeson, Trauma Specialist, Licensed Social Worker, and Kelsey Hopkins, Joy Coach, Public Health Professional, and International Development and Social Change Scholar
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Mental health is shaped by more than individual choices—it is influenced by our relationships, experiences, environments, and communities. This workshop explores the impact of trauma, stigma, identity, and connection on mental well-being while highlighting practical ways to build resilience, strengthen relationships, and support both ourselves and others.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe how trauma, stress, and stigma can affect mental health and behavior.
2. Recognize the role of connection, empathy, and belonging in promoting wellness.
3. Identify signs of vicarious stress and strategies for maintaining personal well-being.
4. Apply resilience-building practices that support long-term mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There are no costs associated with these training sessions. All offerings are free to SEIU Local 509 Public Sector state workers.
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Members will not have to take personal time off for these training sessions. Please follow the guidelines of your agency for requesting time for professional development or training.
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It is always advisable to check in with your supervisor when planning to attend training. You may sign up for training in advance. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please let us know by contacting us at 509commtraining@seiuesf.org.
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Email confirmations will be sent by the end of the business day. If you register after 4 p.m. Eastern Time or on a weekend day, you will receive confirmation by the end of the following business day.
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Yes, all of the details needed for each session are contained within the confirmation. Please note that you may receive additional information from the training provider ahead of the training session.
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Yes, you can register for more than one course at a time. Please note that many of these courses will repeat as the training series continues, so we encourage you to spread out your participation over time. Spreading out participation will allow the most members to participate at one time.
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Yes, some trainings will offer CEUs. Please refer to specific training descriptions for CEU information.
“ It was a very good training and I loved the presenters!! I learned so much and it gave the a more more appreciation and understanding of the community and the language!! THANK YOU so much! "
- Local 509 Member
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