DS Training in Whatcom
County, Washington
During the week of December 13-17 2004, the Center for Dependable
Strengths (CDS) conducted a very successful 5-Day, Level 2-DS
Instructor training for 16 members of the Whatcom Local Planning
Area (LPA) in Bellingham, Washington. The facilitators were
Master Trainers Sharon Allen-Felton and Allen Boivin-Brown.
Who Was Involved?
Sixteen participants attended from a number of local social
service agencies , including the Workforce Development Council,
Northwest Indian College, DSHS, Bellingham Technical College,
Lumi Nation Employment and Training Center, Opportunity Council,
and Whatcom Community College.
Results
The participants were a very congenial and collaborative
group. At the end there was talk of sharing DS workshops among
agencies, "requiring" a DS Report from each client/customer
so "strengths" would become the common foundation
for working with all client/customers, and training local
employers to ask for an interviewee's "Report" .
A Web site was begun to facilitate communication among the
agencies.
The Bigger Picture
This initial training is part of a larger plan by the Whatcom
LPA. The members want Dependable Strengths to become the philosophy
and foundation for work by all their agencies and staff. From
this beginning training, four potential DS Trainers will be
selected to receive further training in facilitating DSA.
These four will co-facilitate another 5 Day DS workshop for
additional LPA staff in 2005 with DS Master Trainers . Eventually
these four DS Trainers will receive special certification
to train all future LPA staff to facilitate DSA.
Benefits of an "On-site"
Training
The Center for Dependable Strengths encourages this "on-site"
training approach. With sufficient numbers (usually a minimum
of 12), CDS will conduct training workshops in most any local
area. A local 5-Day DS Training eliminates the travel, lodging
and meal expenses of sending participants to Seattle. Organizations
can also pool resources and materials to minimize expenses.
DS trainings can also be "customized" as needed
by the local groups. Further, as experienced at the Whatcom
LPA, a great collaboration, connection and communication develops
among participating organizations which can only benefit all
the community.
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