Training
Join us in crafting a new narrative about human services and community well-being
Grounded in our values of collaboration, advocacy, equity and connection, Illinois Partners offers training and technical assistance for human service professionals and supporters.
Our training focuses on addressing systemic issues for human service professionals and changing the narrative about human services and our communities by using reframing, an evidence-based approach to more effective communications. Reframing is essential to promoting broader support and more equitable policies for human services. It also provides tools to challenge and shift stereotypes, biases, and misconceptions associated with human services and topics like aging. By elevating this new narrative and systemic awareness, and training community providers to incorporate it into their communications, we can change the discourse to influence public perception and legislative decisions..
Our training program can be tailored for the individual needs and interests of an organization or community. Technical assistance is also available to support implementation of strategies into your own organizational communications.
Our Trainings
Building Well-Being: A New Narrative for Human Services
Illinois Partners is working with health and human service professionals to build a new narrative about our sector to gain public support and work towards meaningful policy solutions. Human Services are a vital foundation to community well-being, yet the public and policymakers often don’t understand or see the complete story of our value or our work.
Our collective goal is to:
- Create a new narrative for the human services sector.
- Change the way we tell our story and accomplishments.
- Change the way the public thinks about human services.
- Advocate for equitable policies that address the needs of the sector and promote community well-being.
Learn more about Reframing Human Services and view our training catalog
Embracing the Dynamics of Aging: A New Narrative for How We Age
Illinois Partners is working with health and human service professionals to build a new narrative about aging. Aging is a normal part of the lifecourse, and strong community supports and age inclusive policies are critical to ensure community well being for everyone throughout our lives.
The Reframing Aging Initiative is intended to:
- Improve the public’s understanding of what aging means.
- Change the way we tell our story and accomplishments.
- Counter ageism and promote policies and programs to support people throughout the lifecourse.
Learn more about Reframing Aging and view our training catalog
Advancing Racial Equity for Human Service Leaders
Dismantling systems of oppression requires examining and confronting the policies and practices that lead to inequities within our sector, our government, and our communities. Illinois Partners has developed a curriculum that prioritizes strategies for systems change, confronts the ways systemic racism undermines community well-being, and promotes spaces for shared learning and reflection.
Advancing Racial Equity Training is intended to:
- Build a deeper understanding of the social, political, and economic forces that shape racial inequities and injustices in our sector, government and communities.
- Share examples of how human service organizations are incorporating equity into their services, policies, and programs.
- Provide resources and tools for individuals and organizations to develop or expand racial equity practices and policies in their organizations.
Learn more about Advancing Racial Equity and view our training catalog
Building Power in Human Services: Advocacy in Action
It is critical for human service professionals to share their knowledge and experience with policymakers to improve our communities and the regulations that impact our work. Illinois Partners has developed this training series to equip human service professionals with the knowledge, strategies, and skills to effectively engage in state-level advocacy.
Advocacy in Action is intended to help participants:
- Understand the legislative process in Illinois including the key players and groups to know.
- Learn skills and tips for communicating with policymakers.
- Explore advocacy strategies and tactics for organizing and mobilizing support for issues that matter.
Learn more about Building Power in Human Services
Recent and Upcoming Trainings
We hope you can join us in the next session in this initiative. Technical assistance is available after each training session to answer questions, address challenges, or assist participants with new communication materials.
See what’s coming up – or contact us to discuss tailoring a program to your group’s needs.
Adela Carlin, our Senior Director of Training and Community Partnerships, is a national facilitator for Reframing Aging.
Katherine Cavanaugh, our Training Manager, is focusing on the launch of Illinois Partners’ statewide training initiative.
Resource Library
We offer a library of resources and tools to help change the narrative about human services and aging.
Visit the Resource Library