Training Program
Learn more about our offerings:
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 Training
Enhance your skills and take the next step.
Registering is easy!
Click on the “Register” button below.
Fill out the registration form. Click “Next”.
Scroll to the top of the next screen to confirm details. Click “Next”.
Scroll down for further details & training descriptions!
You will 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.
Have questions or need help?
Please reach out to us at info@509training.org
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.
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Participants in this training will receive an overview of the challenges associated with wellness for providers in the human service field. We will review some of the impact of the work we do on people working in the field in the context of long term versus short term effects. The training will also provide an understanding of self care beyond the application of simply being good to oneself and takes a deeper look at ways each person can create an individualized routine for maintaining wellness in the context of both personal and professional life.
Participants will have an opportunity to practice some specific strategies they may take away from the training and will also begin creating a wellness plan for themselves. This training will also talk about creating a culture of wellness within one’s work environment.
Following this training the participants will understand:
~The impact of stress and compassion fatigue on those working in caregiving roles.
~Strategies and skills most effective for maintaining wellness as human service providers.
~How to create and maintain a wellness plan for yourself.
3 CE credits approved for MA Licensed Mental Health Counselors; MA Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors; Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
2.5 credits approved for MA Social Workers
Trainers: Kerrin Westerlind, LICSW & Stefanie Gregware, LMHC
Registration Deadline: April 2, 2024
Training Date: April 9, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
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This training will provide clinicians with an understanding of the issues individuals face with maintaining safe and appropriate housing with substance use disorder, as well as an overview of the Housing First model to address these concerns.
Massachusetts is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, making serving individuals in need of safe and secure housing more challenging than ever. This training will provide an overview of the Housing First model, along with practical guidance for clinicians and case managers navigating the complex and often opaque world of housing assistance and supports.
Following this training the participants will understand:
• The rationale, principles and practical supports provided in a Housing First model
• Strategies for addressing common barriers in maintaining housing
• The relationship between harm reduction and housing, and practical strategies to reduce both individual and community harms.
3 CE credits approved for MA Licensed Mental Health Counselors; MA Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors; Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
2.5 credits approved for MA Social Workers
Trainers: Suzy Langevin, LICSW, LADC I, Director of Training and Professional Development at Open Sky Community Services
Registration Deadline: June 4, 2024
Training Date: June 11, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Languages and Cultures
Trainings in this category aim to expand workers’ awareness of the languages and cultures represented in the Commonwealth.
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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.
4 CE credits approved for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
Training Details:
Dates: April 10 and 17, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Trainer: Theresa King, Signing Basics, LLC
Training meets virtually on Zoom.
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In this 8-hour course, participants will learn the basics of American Sign Language, including finger lettering and common signs for communicating in human services settings.
Trainer: Theresa King, Signing Basics, LLC
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2024
Training Dates: Each class meets from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
~June 4, 2024
~June 11, 2024
~June 18, 2024
~June 25, 2024
Location: Virtual on Zoom
8 CE credits approved for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
Please note - you must attend each class to receive CE credits
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 “burn-out” and support workers in the vital work that they do.
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Most human service agencies serve clients who have experienced trauma. However, most front-line staff are not clinically trained to respond to the trauma experienced by clients, and are often left feeling helpless when clients share their experiences. Through this training, participants will understand:
How trauma impacts the brain and body,
How individuals and organizations can reshape services and policies to take into account the impact of trauma, and
How bearing witness to trauma impacts service providers, and strategies for self care.
Participants will leave better equipped to provide services to those impacted by trauma and care for themselves as they care for others.
Training Details:
Date: March 28, 2024
Registration Deadline: March 21, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - 1 hour lunch break
Trainers: Ayala Livny. M. Ed. and Elizabeth Geisel, MSW
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Beyond the easy and obvious boundaries lay the complexities of human relationships. The most successful providers find ways to truly connect with, honor, and support clients while remaining professional, safe, and clear about their role.
This workshop explores these challenges and offers tools to successfully navigate the more nuanced areas. Attendees will leave feeling more confident in their abilities to identify when a boundary may have been crossed, disclose information about themselves appropriately, and ultimately provide the highest quality services to clients.
Training Details:
Date: April 23, 2024
Registration Deadline: April 16, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Trainers: Mayte Antelo-Ovando, EdM, MS, CAGS and Elizabeth Geisel, MSW
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Working in human services often means bearing witness to the suffering of others. How does bearing witness impact us? What are the tools we need in order to take care of ourselves as we are caring for others? Through this training, participants will explore the concepts of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout; connect with others with similar experiences, and develop concrete tools and strategies for self care. Participants will leave better equipped to provide services to those impacted by trauma and care for themselves as they care for others.
Training Details:
Date: May 22, 2024
Registration Deadline: May 15, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Trainers: Ayala Livny. M. Ed. and Elizabeth Geisel, MSW
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What do we do when the people with whom we work make decisions that have negative consequences for their health, wellbeing, and stability? How do we foster their sense of control and choice while also supporting them towards health and wellbeing? How do we continue to do the work long-term when we as providers experience frustration and heartbreak?
This session focuses on strategies for staff to manage the challenges of working with vulnerable populations, and participants will gain tools and strategies for managing their feelings in response to client behaviors and decisions, identify actions they can take for meaningful self-care, and feel inspired to continue the work into the future.
Training Details:
Date: June 6, 2024
Registration Deadline: May 30, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Trainers: Ayala Livny. M. Ed. and Elizabeth Geisel, MSW
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Access Self-Paced Learning
At Your Fingertips: A Curated PESI Library
The Training Fund has partnered with PESI to offer a curated training library that offers continuing education credits for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors. Click below to access the portal!
PESI is a non-profit continuing education program that has offered professional development programs, including seminars, videos, and conferences for over 40 years. PESI’s mission is to provide cutting edge education for professionals across the nation. Working alongside the world’s leading experts, PESI creates seminars, conferences, videos, and books that meet the needs of the mental health, rehab, and healthcare industries.
PESI; Cutting Edge Education
The updated SEIU Education and Support Fund Portal created by PESI makes high-quality clinical training easy to access anywhere and anytime. With over 20 titles to choose from, the portal offers a broad range of relevant topics for your practice, all available at no cost to you! Your portal account connects to your PESI account, keeping all of your training and professional development content in one place. Don’t have a PESI account? You can create one for free when you access the SEIU Education and Support Fund Portal today!
Continuing education credits are available for Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors - check for credit details in the description of the training video.
You can access the portal with your existing PESI account or by creating a free account through the portal. The PESI app on iOS or Android puts clinical training in the palm of your hand.
We welcome you to check out our FAQ’s or contact us.
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
