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: September 16, 2025
*Registration Deadline September 7, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Trainer: Kerrin Westerlind, MSW, LICSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Overview:
The trainer will walk participants through an overview of the Illness Management and Recovery practice including the importance of integrating a recovery-oriented philosophy into their practice.
IMR is an Evidence-Based Practice, with numerous adaptations, that has been around for almost twenty years. It was created for people who experience symptoms related to Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Schizoaffective, and Depression. IMR is a manualized treatment that supports people in setting personalized goals, and application of various skills learned in the eleven topic areas covered in the treatment. Practitioners use a variety of best practices that support this process in IMR, including Psychiatric Rehabilitation, CBT, Motivational Enhancement and Educational strategies.
IMR is a model based on empowerment, as the materials and structure help people envision their future with hope and possibility. IMR teaches participants skills in problem solving, goal setting, and self-management strategies.
Open Sky Community Services uses a model of IMR in which practitioners also develop and work on their own IMR goal. With over 15 years of applying IMR in this manner, trainers can walk you through this adaptation and structures to support it. Our trainer emphasizes a balance between personalized, creative interventions and fidelity to the practice and aims to help all participants develop their unique style as an IMR practitioner.
Following this training the participants will understand:
The core ingredients of the IMR practice.
The main take-home messages of the practice.
Key elements of fidelity to the IMR model.
Examples of what the IMR looks like in practice.
Ideas on providing this treatment in various settings.
Credits:
3 CE credits approved for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
2.5 credits approved for MA Social Workers; MA Licensed Mental Health Counselors; and MA Licensed Alcohol Drug 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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Training Dates:
Mondays and Wednesdays from August 4 - September 24, 2025 from 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Attendance at 13 out of 16 sessions required to receive certificate
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Trainer: Jaclyn Browning, M. Ed.
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. A complimentary copy of Outreach Spanish by William C. Harvey, M.S. is included in this course.
Please note: A personal Gmail account is required to access Google Classroom materials.
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Dates: September 10 and 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Trainer: Theresa King, Signing Basics
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Overview:
In this two-part workshop, participants will learn more about the culture of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and some functional signs to effectively communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients and their families.
Part 1: Deaf Culture
An overview of the culture and the unique characteristics found among people within the D/deaf community. Also, you will learn about the ADA, legal issues and deaf patient rights. Participants will practice with role plays on engaging with people in the D/deaf community.
Part 2: Functional Sign Language for Human Services Staff
Train with a live, experienced ASL instructor with a focus on the signs you need to communicate with colleagues and clients. Each participant will receive a 100 Signs for Emergencies publication for reference and practice after completing the course.
Wellness and Self-Care
Our Wellness and Self-Care program is focused on workers’ personal growth and development. Centered on self-care amid trauma stewardship, 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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Training Date:
July 16, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Trainer: Susan Buchholz, The HeartWell Institute
Mindfulness practice helps us exist in the present moment with awareness and without judgment of our reactions. In stressful situations, mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and respond purposefully, which is crucial for maintaining our ability to provide compassionate and effective care. In this session, participants will learn more about the concept of mindfulness and effective tools for managing stress, enhancing emotional resilience, and fostering a greater sense of well-being.
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Training Date:
August 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Trainer: Amy Ebbeson, Worcester Addresses Childhood Trauma (ACTs)
Designed to help participants learn about the fundamentals of mental health and trauma, this program integrates current trauma science and provides actionable knowledge on positive steps towards supporting mental health, with a focus on cultivating personal well-being strategies.
Intended Audience: Open to anyone seeking a foundational understanding of how to maintain good mental health and the influence of trauma on mental well-being, catering to those interested in personal growth and resilience.
Learning Outcomes:
Analyze the role social forces such as family, abuse, culture and stigma play in mental health and illness
Use reflection to identify, evaluate and apply personal strategies for stress management, self-care and improved mental health
Understand the multidimensional and intersectional nature of diverse lived experiences and the ongoing, reciprocal, and transactional nature of the relationship between persons and their environments (knowledge and values).
Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and power differences as they are manifest in theories and conceptual frameworks that provide ways to understand trauma, abuse and its manifestation in human behavior and group dynamics (knowledge and values)
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Training Date:
September 17, 2025, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Trainer: Kelsey Hopkins, Worcester ACTs
In demanding work environments, the ability to manage stress, emotions, and reactions is key to personal well-being and workplace success. Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a way that aligns with personal values and goals. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore practical techniques for improving emotional awareness, impulse control, and stress management. Through guided exercises, discussions, and real-life applications, attendees will leave with a toolkit of strategies to reduce stress and manage challenging situations with more ease.
Learning Outcomes:
Increase emotional awareness to better recognize and manage your feelings.
Develop self-regulation techniques to align thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with personal goals and values.
Improve stress management by practicing with tools to stay calm and focused in challenging situations.
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
