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Trauma-Skilled Schools Certification

National Dropout Prevention Center

Trauma-Skilled
Specialist Certification
Program

Certified Trauma-Skilled™ Specialists:

The National Dropout Prevention Center (NDPC) is pleased to offer the Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist (TSS) Certification Program for educators and at-risk youth workers. The certification verifies knowledge of the Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model and expertise to share the model with others within the certificate holder’s place of employment. Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification is founded on NDPC’s Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model, a research-based guide for structuring school climate, modifying instructional practices, and imparting educator skills to improve achievement and graduation outcomes for trauma impacted and adversely stressed students.

Meet the Certified Trauma-Skilled™ Specialists.

Trauma-Skilled Specialist Brochure
Begin Trauma-Skilled Specialist Application
National Dropout Prevention Specialist Certification Program
Trauma-Skilled Schools Certification

Program Eligibility

Trauma-Skilled Specialist participants must either:

  • Be employed or actively engaged in the field of education and/or;
  • Work in the area of at-risk youth services or a similar setting.

Application & Program Requirements:

Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist participants must: 

  • Complete and submit the TSS application electronically
     
    • The application and processing fee is $450. This fee is refundable in the event of non-acceptance to the program.

    • If planning on attending the national conference to receive professional learning requirements, we offer a discounted application fee of $375, and you can apply by Registering here
  • Complete the program’s professional learning requirements.

  • Complete and submit an acceptable instructional unit in a component of the TSS Model and verify delivery of that instructional unit.

  • Pass an online examination to verify knowledge of the Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model.

  • Submit head shot and bio.

All costs incurred to participate in a Trauma-Skilled Schools Model training are in addition to the application and processing fee. Please note it is the responsibility of the participant to register and pay for training events, registration, and associated travel.

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Completing and Submitting a Trauma-Skilled Schools Instructional Unit or Activity

Trauma-Skilled Schools Unit Plan Template and Instructions

Certification Benefits:

TSS certificate holders will:

  • Receive documentation of knowledge and expertise in NDPC’s Trauma-Skilled Schools Model that will enable them to support the implementation of the model in their employment setting.
  • 10% discount for registration fee to NDPC’s Annual National Conference (once certified)

  • Quarterly Zoom networking sessions facilitated by NDPC & TSS specialists.

  • Be recognized on NDPC’s website, www.dropoutprevention.org, the nation’s leading resource for dropout prevention information, as having completed the TSS certification program.
  • Become part of an interactive virtual community of Trauma-Skilled™ Specialists for sharing ideas and strategies relative to the implementation of the TSS Model.

Completing Professional Learning Requirements:

Participants must meet the professional learning requirement of Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model training. This can be met through either: 

Attendance at NDPC’s Annual National Conference:

  • The TSS professional learning requirement can be met by attending the annual NDPC conference held every October and may self-select from identified event sessions offered that are sufficient to address 4 or more Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model training.
  • A QR code is provided at the end of each session that participants must scan and submit after each session to receive transcript credits.

Completing 4 credits of TSS online professional development courses:

Additional Information:

  • Certification is valid for three years and may be renewed by attending 4 additional NDPC conference sessions, completing 4 NDPC online courses, or a combination of both that totals 4 for certification renewal.
  • Questions about the program? Contact us at certification@dropoutprevention.org.
  • The TSS professional learning requirement can be met by attending the annual NDPC conference held every October and may self-select sessions offered that are sufficient to address 4 or more Trauma-Skilled™ Schools Model training.
  • Professional learning costs such as event registration, travel, and online professional development courses are the responsibility of the participant.
  • Upon program admission, participants will receive detailed instructions for professional learning participation, unit plan, online exam, and program completion.

Application and Program Requirements

Upon program admission, participants will receive detailed instructions for participating in TSS Model training offered by NDPC, for completing the instructional unit requirement, and program completion.

Begin Trauma-Skilled Specialist Application

Questions about the program? Contact Nancy Nielsen at Certification@DropoutPrevention.org