Online learning center

What is the FRIENDS Online Learning Center?

The FRIENDS Online Learning Center (OLC) is a resource designed to meet the demands of providing high quality, subject-specific training free of charge for CBCAP State Lead Agencies and their grantees and others interested in prevention work. The Online Learning Center is designed to offer accessible continuing education and professional development opportunities that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Who can access the FRIENDS Online Learning Center?

The OLC is available to anyone that wishes to take the provided courses. There are no restrictions on who can enroll. All our courses are available to you on the site which is designed to offer accessible continuing education and professional development, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is the cost to access this training?

How do I access the FRIENDS Online Learning Center?

The FRIENDS National Center Online Learning Center can be accessed by clicking the button below:

FRIENDS OLC Course Catalog

CBCAP 101

CBCAP 101 provides an overview of the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program, the formula grant requirements, and guidelines. It explores the various areas detailed in Title II of CAPTA for CBCAP such as the defined purposes, definitions, priorities, and evidence-based program recommendations.

Creating Effective Parent-Practitioner Collaboration

Creating Effective Parent-Practitioner Collaboration was developed for CBCAP State Lead Agencies, practitioners, parents and others interested in working in partnership to develop effective family support and child abuse prevention programs. This training utilizes the protective factors framework and offers strategies for those seeking ways to identify, support and involve parent partners, build authentic relationships and work collaboratively on better outcomes for children, families and communities.

Continuous Quality Improvement

For any program to provide the best possible services to children and families, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities must be intentionally integrated into all aspects of service planning and delivery. This course will build on the participants’ previous knowledge of CQI and the steps already being taken towards creating a CQI agency environment. New knowledge will enable staff to identify the elements needed to develop and maintain CQI in family support and child abuse prevention programs.

Logic Models

Logic Models is a four-module course takes learners through the process of developing a logic model for their prevention program or service.

Whether a CBCAP agency is thinking about implementing a new program, developing an evaluation plan for prevention programs, or improving services by engaging in the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process, the logic model is a great visual map of the link between the services a program provides and the outcomes the program hopes to achieve.

Maximizing Fiscal Resources

Maximizing Fiscal Resources was developed specifically for the state lead agency designated to receive funding from the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) program. The course provides an overview on how to leverage funds for CBCAP programs and offers guidance on creative funding approaches such as leveraged, braided, blended and pooled funding.

The course explores key elements of successful funding strategies, including relationship building, knowledge of funding sources, and creative thinking. It also reviews important strategies for increasing state and private resources. Interactive tools will be utilized to describe how financing strategies can help maximize limited resources.

Protective Factors: Promoting Healthy Families

A good introduction, Protective Factors: Strengthening Families, Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect includes an overview of family protective factors, details strategies for promoting family wellbeing, and considers community conditions that promote family strength. This course can serve as an introduction to someone new to protective factors, or a review for the more seasoned practitioner looking to explore more recent developments regarding this important sphere of work.

Qualitative Data in Program Evaluation

Qualitative Data in Program Evaluation is designed to introduce viewers to qualitative data collection methods and to incorporate qualitative data along with quantitative data into their prevention program’s evaluation. When used to expand a current program evaluation, qualitative data collection methods provide a powerful tool to help programs assess their progress, identify areas needing improvement, and learn more about the practices that best support and strengthen families.