Alabama Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification Program
The Alabama State Department of Education, in partnership with the National Dropout Prevention Center, is providing selected educators from across the state with the opportunity to become certified Trauma-Skilled™ Specialists.
Through training, online learning, applied practice, coaching, and statewide collaboration, participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed to support trauma-impacted and adversely stressed students in their schools and districts.
$1,125 per individual person
Why Trauma-Skilled™ Schools?
Adverse childhood experiences and chronic stress present significant barriers to academic performance, classroom engagement, and high school graduation. Traditional approaches often address behaviors reactively rather than building systemic capacity within the school environment.
The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist (TSS) Certification equips educators with actionable, research-grounded tools to shift from awareness to practical execution. Certification holders gain the skill sets needed to lead implementation within their local districts, build protective factors into daily instruction, and establish sustainable support systems that drive measurable student outcomes.
Comprehensive Program Deliverables & Practitioner Benefits
Full Access to TSS Online Course Modules:
Enrollment includes full access to the Trauma-Skilled Schools Online Course Series, which consists of 3 self-paced, content-based modules (one credit each). Fulfilling all 3 online modules establishes the foundational knowledge required for final certification.
Official Credentialing & Documentation:
Upon fulfilling all program requirements, participants receive official documentation verifying their knowledge and expertise in NDPC’s Trauma-Skilled Schools Model to lead and support implementation within their local school setting
Statewide & National Website Recognition:
Certified specialists are formally recognized on the official National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) website registry upon completing the program.
Ongoing Expert Facilitation & Peer Networking:
Participants gain immediate entry into an interactive virtual community of TSS specialists, along with access to quarterly Zoom networking roundtables facilitated by NDPC experts to share implementation strategies and solve local challenges.
Exclusive National Conference Discount:
ertified specialists receive an exclusive 10% discount on registration for NDPC’s Annual National Dropout Prevention Conference.
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CERTIFICATION PATHWAY
PRICE: $1,125 (Per Individual)
The TSS Certification program delivers a balanced blend of in-person instruction, virtual awareness, self-paced learning, and localized coaching:
Component 1:
One-Day In-Person TSS Overview & Training
- Date & Location: September 28, 2026 | 9am-3pm |
Location – TBD - Format: Full-Day (6-Hour) Session Facilitated by an NDPC Senior Specialist
- What to Expect: Participants kick off their certification journey during an intensive, full-day session by an NDPC Senior Specialist. This initial session provides a complete overview of the Trauma-Skilled Schools™ Model and establishes the implementation timeline and milestone expectations for your district.
Component 2:
Online Coursework & Field Study Application
Date/Location – TBD
- Format: Self-Paced Virtual Learning Platform + Applied Field Assignment
- What to Expect: Following the initial kick-off training, participants transition into self-paced online coursework designed to build deeper conceptual mastery. You will complete three content-based academic courses (1 credit each) through the learning platform, followed by an online knowledge exam verifying your understanding of core framework principles. To bridge theory and practice, you will design, submit, and verify the classroom delivery of an original TSS field study tailored to your local school setting. This applied field study ensures that coursework translates directly into measurable classroom practices.
Component 3:
Regional Virtual Awareness Presentations
- Timeline: October/December
- Format: 6 Total Virtual Hours Delivered Across 11 Regional Meeting Windows
- What to Expect: During September 2026, NDPC Specialists will deliver a series of virtual awareness presentations across 11 regional meeting windows to build alignment across participating pilot districts. Spanning six total hours, these virtual sessions orient broader district leaders, regional stakeholders, and colleague educators to the Trauma-Skilled Specialist Certification framework. While not intensive skill-building workshops, these presentations offer valuable awareness-building opportunities to ensure that your surrounding school and regional networks understand the model and support your ongoing implementation efforts.
Component 4:
Regional In-Person Coaching & Sustainability
- Timeline: TBD
- Format: Full-Day (6–8 Hours) On-Site Coaching Session
- What to Expect: An NDPC TSS Specialist will join participants at a designated regional site for a full day (6–8 hours) of hands-on coaching and localized guidance. During this session, the specialist will model Trauma-Skilled classroom practices, evaluate site-level progress, and validate the work completed by your team. You will also engage in structured sustainability planning to establish long-term support systems, refine local procedures, and ensure that trauma-responsive practices remain embedded in your school culture beyond the initial certification cycle.
Component 5:
Two-Day Statewide Reflection Summit
- Date/Location April 19th (Venue TBD)
- Format: In-Person Culminating Event
- What to Expect: The certification program culminates in a two-day statewide Reflection Summit bringing together pilot cohort educators and state leaders from across Alabama. This event offers a collaborative space for district teams to analyze implementation data, highlight field study outcomes, and exchange successful practices with peer specialists. The summit concludes with a formal recognition ceremony celebrating cohort achievements, where participants are officially awarded their Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist credentials and inducted into NDPC’s registry of certified specialists.
Payment & PO Processing Requirements
Purchase Orders: Districts must upload an approved Purchase Order (PO) during online registration to confirm their two-person team allocation.
Credit Card Processing: Available upon email request for districts requiring alternative payment methods.