School of Social Work and Maryland Carey Law faculty and students have supported the development and evaluation of a novel new training for youth-serving adults.
Associate Professor Laurie Graham, PhD, MSW, of the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), Levitas Initiative Director Quince Hopkins, JD '89, LLM, JSD, of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and PhD UMSSW candidate April Cavaletto have been involved in the development and evaluation of an online training program for adults who work with youth to learn about sexual violence and how to act as bystanders in instances of sexual harassment between youth. Hosted by the Erin Levitas Foundation, Teacher Talk is based on doctoral work by Graham.
This free, virtual training is now available to all after a yearlong pilot evaluation. Also available are optional, reduced-cost Continuing Education units (CEs) for social workers, licensed counselors, and psychologists.
Teacher Talk is for any adult who works with youth, such as social workers, medical professionals, coaches, nannies, teachers, troop leaders, and youth group leaders. Developed using the latest research in sexual violence prevention and demonstrating positive outcomes from recent evaluation, this online, self-paced two-module training gives adults the real-world skills to recognize, interrupt, and respond to sexual harassment before it escalates. Participants walk away with trauma-informed strategies they can use, whether they’re navigating school policy or acting as a safe adult in the moment.
Learn more about and enroll in Teacher Talk or contact Cavaletto at april@erinlevitas.org with any questions.