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Process to Become Certified as an Incredible Years Mentor

Certified/accredited Group Leaders are eligible to be invited to receive additional training to become an Incredible Years Certified Mentor of group leaders. Becoming a Certified Mentor permits the person to offer authorized training to other group leaders in their own agency and to provide mentoring and supervision of their groups and/or videotape of groups.

Mentors work closely with the Incredible Years Trainers, use the most current materials and training protocols, and complete workshop checklists and evaluations of the trainings they have led.  After each training the Group Leader conducts they will register the training participants names and provide Incredible Years with copies of participant evaluations.

Steps to Become Certified as an Incredible Years Coach or Mentor (PDF)

Please see the right side bar for important documentation.

Becoming a certified mentor permits you to:

  • Offer authorized training to Group Leaders within their agency.
  • Provide mentoring and supervision of Group Leaders, their groups and group videotapes.

As a Certified Mentor you will work closely with the Incredible Years trainers using updated materials, training protocols, completing workshop checklists, and evaluations. After you have conducted a training you will register the names of participants who attended the training and provide Incredible Years with evaluations.

Prerequisites to be Eligible for Certification

  • Certification as group leader in corresponding program.
  • Successful completion of multiple groups (see checklist for each program in box at right)
  • Participation in a consultation day led by a certified trainer.
  • Nomination by letter from a mentor or trainer to begin the mentor process.
  • Submission of a recent videotape (within 9 months) of a group, for review by a trainer. (There will be a fee for this videotape review.)

STEP 1 Attend one or more workshops as an "observer" (may be a mentor-led workshop), at which you may be asked to take on small participatory roles. Observing multiple trainers or mentors is encouraged. You will follow the workshop protocols and study the trainer's leadership style.

STEP 2 Attend a workshop and participate as a co-trainer (this may only be with a certified trainer). At this workshop you will take on more leadership and co-training. You will work with the trainer to determine which parts of the protocol you will present on the second and third day. Your trainer will give you feedback verbally or videotape portions of your workshop for later feedback and review.

STEP 3 After the participatory workshop with a trainer, a decision will made to either co-train with a trainer at a third workshop, or you will be passed to the next step of a solo training.

STEP 4 Offer a workshop solo in your agency/district. Videotape small segments (no more than 1 hour) of the workshop to be sent to Incredible Years for review and feedback (see the video tips box at right). Submit tallied workshop evaluations and attendance lists upon completion of the workshop to Incredible Years.

STEP 5 Observe a certified/accredited mentor doing supervision with group leaders. If feasible, co-lead mentor led supervision.

STEP 6 Obtain evaluations from all group leaders mentored regarding the training, supervision and support they received.

Evaluation of Quality of Supervision (PDF)

Self-Evaluation of Supervision (PDF)

STEP 7 Throughout these steps attend at least one mentor-training consultation which focuses on peer and videotape review of group leader sessions.

Undertaking the mentor training process does not ensure your automatic acceptance as mentor.

The Mentor Training

This training grants a provisional certification as a mentor and is taught by an Incredible Years Trainer.

The mentor training includes:

  • Core training methods and components of leading a 3-day workshop;
  • Videotape or in-person feedback of portions of leading a workshop;
  • Information on how to set up peer supervision and feedback processes;
  • Continued feedback on leadership of ongoing groups;
  • Evaluation methods; and new updates.
  • Attend mentor updates, a minimum of once every 5 years.

Mentor Training Checklist for Trainer (PDF)
This checklist is for the Trainer conducting mentoring.

Certified Mentor - Ongoing Requirements

It is expected that Certified Mentors will have ongoing groups in order to provide a bank of material to refer to when training and to provide co-leader group experiences for new Group Leaders in training.

Prior to offering a workshop a mentor will do the following:

  • Notify Incredible Years that a workshop is being scheduled.
  • Use authorized and current handouts, books and leader’s guide as supplied by Incredible Years as training material for the basic workshop.
  • Offer authorized training workshop for specific program. (These trainings may be in one block or spread out over a period several months).

Within 2 weeks of completing a workshop, a mentor will send to the Incredible Years:

  • The training checklist (for parent or child workshops).
  • Daily evaluations of workshops.
  • Enter workshop participants' names and addresses into the online database (use registration form). Contact Lisa

Mentor will also:

  • Support and mentor new group leaders working towards certification as a group leader.
  • Provide on-site supervision of group sessions of group leaders or videotape reviews and complete a supervisory report.
  • Submit evaluations from those mentored on a regular basis.
  • Submit self-evaluations of mentoring given to these group leaders.
  • Attend mentor updates on a regular basis, including attending consultation days.

Fee for Services

Most mentors will not receive a fee for their training and mentoring as this will be part of their job description within their agency. Ideally their salary will reflect this expanded supervisory role. However, mentors who are not attached to an agency may charge a fee for offering workshops in their assigned district which will cover individual site costs for renting rooms, cost of food, equipment etc. and reasonable compensation for the mentor's time in presenting the training. Recommendations for average mentor rate can be obtained from the Incredible Years office.

Fees to Incredible Years

Mentor will pay Incredible Years a fee of $25 per workshop registrant. For this fee Incredible Years agrees to:

Provide master copies of updated materials, a training tape and PowerPoint slides.

Provide intellectual rights for mentor to copy materials for workshops.

Provide certificates of attendance for participants.

Web posting of workshop and approval to advertise as "authorized" workshop.

Registration of workshop participants - upon completion - with Incredible Years as having completed an "authorized" workshop.

Certification Process & Preparation

It is understood that as a candidate applying for certification as a mentor of group leaders, you will be heavily evaluated and reviewed.

Candidates will be notified at the completion of the mentor training program if they will be accepted as mentors. Accepted candidates will be invited to participate in the mentor training process and participation in training workshops with certified trainers will be arranged.

Mentor Certification Agreement (PDF)

Additional Information

Training Progression (PDF) for a certification process profile.

The Role of an Incredible Years Certified Mentor (PDF)
 

Mentor Certification Checklists

Mentor Certification - Checklist for Classroom Dina (PDF)

Mentor Certification - Checklist for Small Group Dina (PDF)

Mentor Certification - Checklist for Parent Training (PDF)

Mentor Certification - Checklist for Teacher Training (11/2010) (PDF)
 

Tips for a Successful Videotape Review

Review tape yourself to make sure all aspects are covered.

Send entire group session (with opening and closing session).

Be sure videotape shows you being group leader (and not just the group or coleader).

Identify you as the group leader to be reviewed and label the tape accordingly.

If you have a co-leader on your certification tape, you must take responsibility for entire session so we can see you "in action".

Do not send more than one tape or send bits of different sessions.

VHS or DVD only (NTSC or PAL format). No mini DV or other small formats accepted (please call about converting).
 
 


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