CLAS: Culturally & Linguistically Appropriate Services

Pride in Parenting: Training Curriculum for Lay Home Visitors
Linda T. Diamond, M.S. and Marion H. Jarrett, Ed.D., editors.

Unit 25
Evaluation and Closing Ceremony

Finally! The day has come for graduation! This is a time for celebration! It is a time to feel good about the successful completion of a wonderful training. It is also a time to look forward! Parenting Support Specialists will be leaving the "safe" environment of the classroom to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Objectives	By the end of this session, participants will have: Articulated their thoughts about the training. Identified areas of growth as well as areas of continued learning need. Completed the post-test questionnaire (optional). Completed the post-training evaluation (optional). Received their course certificate in a closing or graduation ceremony.
Time	2 hours (or longer if you have a luncheon or other festivity)
Outline	A. Written Evaluations (optional) B. Wrap-Up: Review and Discussion C. Closing or Graduation Ceremony
Materials	Post-Training Evaluation (optional Handout #1) Post-Test Questionnaire (optional Handout #2) Certificate of Participation (see Training Aid #1 as sample) Easel, newsprint, markers, and tape or blackboard and chal
Advance Preparation	Make sufficient copies of the post-test and post-training evaluation (optional). See Handouts #1 and #2 and adapt or rewrite them, as appropriate. Review the entire agenda of the training program, and be prepared to elicit comments, suggestions, and critiques from participants. Ask trainees to select one representative of this training class to serve as your co-facilitator during the training wrap-up. This co-facilitator may want to write a poem, or share a few thoughts with the group about the training. The co-facilitator will help you design this wrap-up session in the most relevant way to meet the needs of the PSS trainees. Meet with this representative before the session to prepare an agenda of topics you plan to discuss, questions you wish to ask, methods of reflection, etc. Plan whom you are going to invite to speak at the closing ceremony (if anyone). Issue invitations. Be sure the Program Team (Program Director, Supervisor and other staff) are included. Ask trainees if they wish to prepare a musical presentation or other inspirational piece to share with the group. Or, invite a local performing group to provide a musical or other culturally relevant presentation to the group. Prepare certificates for participants. Arrange for refreshments, or ask participants to share in a pot-luck. Contact the local media.

A. WRITTEN EVALUATIONS (30 minutes) (optional)

Rationale:

It is best to ask participants to complete all written work before discussing any aspect of the program. This should yield more accurate information, as trainees will be completing forms on both process and content -- based on what they believe and what they know -- before they hear what any of their peers have to say.

Procedure:

Explain that in order to provide the best possible training to future PSS trainees, it is important that all participants have an opportunity to express their opinions on current training and make suggestions for possible improvements in subsequent programs. Emphasize that one learns from constructive criticism and that in order to improve the training, you (as well as the PIP program staff) need their thoughts and suggestions.
Distribute copies of Handout #1, the Post-Training Evaluation, to participants and allow them to complete it. In order to elicit candid and frank comments, tell them that writing their name on the questionnaire is optional.
As soon as all Handout #1's have been completed and collected, distribute Handout #2, the Post-Test, or whatever Pre/Post-Test your program developed. This should look familiar to trainees, as many of the questions will be similar to ones already asked of them at the start of this training. They should not discuss their answers with any of the colleagues as they are completing the questionnaire. As participants finish, collect these questionnaires.
Be sure everyone has turned in both questionnaires before beginning the wrap-up.

B. WRAP-UP: REVIEW AND DISCUSSION (1 hour)

Procedure:

This hour is reserved for a critical reflection of the whole training workshop. You should begin by asking trainees to share their thoughts on what has happened. Perhaps refer back to the River of Life exercise. How have things progressed? Where do they feel they are now? What needs do they have? What goals have they set, and what goals have been met? What can you (the trainer or the program Supervisor) do to help the PSS further meet her goals? You may want to reflect back on the Training Objectives you prepared for Unit 1. Have the objectives been met?
Solicit participants' comments, write down their comments on the chalk board or flipchart, and encourage discussion.
Follow whatever agenda or format you and your co-facilitator have agreed upon. Make a point of involving all participants in a discussion of the overall training and how it might be improved. Find out with which skills and on what topics they now feel thoroughly familiar, and in what areas they feel the need for future training. This is a good time to emphasize the importance of in-service training. Explain that all topics they agree need further explanation can be addressed in an in-service session.
Make notes on participants' comments for future use and to share with program staff.
Point out that new skills will be strengthened as they are used. Encourage the use of the verbal and non-verbal communication skills they practiced during all the exercises and role plays. Encourage trainees to continue to support each other. Learning never ends! Everyone still has much to share and much to learn -- it is a life-long process!
Mention that much of the training has been spent discussing various ways trainees -- once they are PSS's and have a case load -- will be able to help their clients. Ask someone in the group to comment on what being a PSS may mean for their lives. Elicit comments from others, until everyone who wants to has contributed.
If you have video-taped several of the practice sessions, participants often enjoy viewing a few early role plays, followed by some performed towards the end of the training. Select ones where the improvements are apparent.
Before concluding this session, ask whether there are any other comments anyone wishes to make, or any remaining questions regarding the training or possible follow-up.

C. CLOSING OR GRADUATION CEREMONY (30 minutes)

Rationale:

It is important to celebrate all the hard work that has been accomplished over the course of the training. This is a milestone -- PSS's are now ready assume a new career.

Procedure:

Welcome any invited guests, such as representatives of your agency and other collaborating institutions, family and friends of the new PSS' and any invited speaker(s).
Proceed with whatever program you have planned for this gala occasion. In addition to the formal activities, participants may wish to perform or do skits about their work/community.
At the close of the ceremony, ask the Program Director to distribute a personalized certificate or diploma to each participant (Note that Training Aid #1 is a sample certificate that can be modified for your particular program).
Serve refreshments. Congratulations!

Unit 25 Handout #1

POST-TRAINING EVALUATION

1. Below is the list of the different sessions (units) in this workshop. Please circle on a scale of 1 to 5 how useful each session was to you.

1 = Least Useful

5 = Most Useful

Introduction to Training Workshop 1 2 3 4 5
Communication and Relationship Building 1 2 3 4 5
Coping with Stress: Problem Solving & Decision Making 1 2 3 4 5
Building Self-Esteem/Dealing with Feelings 1 2 3 4 5
How to Use Support Materials 1 2 3 4 5
Working with Families 1 2 3 4 5
Cultural Diversity 1 2 3 4 5
Postpartum Care and Planning 1 2 3 4 5
Family Planning 1 2 3 4 5
. Infant Care and Nutrition 1 2 3 4 5
Health Care in First Year 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development 1 2 3 4 5
Identifying Family Needs and Accessing Community Resources 1 2 3 4 5
Managing and Maintaining Home Visits 1 2 3 4 5
Evaluation and Closing Ceremony 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development Birth to 1 Month 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development 1 to 4 Months 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development 4 to 8 Months 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development 8 to 12 Months 1 2 3 4 5
Child Growth and Development 1 to 2 Years 1 2 3 4 5
Children in Violent Circumstances 1 2 3 4 5
Behavior and Discipline 1 2 3 4 5
Health Promotion for Families 1 2 3 4 5
Personal Safety 1 2 3 4 5

2. What did you like most about the training workshop? Why?

3. What did you like least about the training workshop? Why?

4. Overall, how valuable was the training workshop for you?

Very valuable
Valuable
Of moderate value
Of little value
Of no value

5. Do you feel we covered all the information in this training that we said we were going to?

6. Was the information in this training program presented clearly? If not, please explain.

7. In which skill areas do you feel you need more practice or help?

8. How could we make this training program better?

9. Additional comments?

Unit 25 Handout #2

POST-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE

What is the goal of the Pride in Parenting project?
Name four qualities or characteristics of an effective Parenting Support Specialist.
List three advantages of going into a mother's home to provide information and support.
List three characteristics of active listening.
Name five traits found in healthy families.
Describe the difference between discipline and punishment.
List two ways a woman can protect herself from getting an STD.
List three characteristics of the high violence/abusive parent.
List three myths about ethnicity and cultural diversity that are prevalent in our society.
At what age do you think baby's first begin to: Smile _____ Walk _____ Fill and dump toys _____ Play peek-a-boo _____ Sit up _____ Say words _____
List three tasks or activities that you as a Parenting Support Specialist may be asked to performs.
What do you tell your client who tells you she doesn't want anymore children but she stopped taking birth control pills because they made her feel sick?
Can you spoil a two to three month old baby? Why or why not?
Is it important that children get all immunizations? Yes___ No___ Maybe___ Why?
Discuss two positive and two negative ways of dealing with anger.
List three warning signs in the postpartum period.
Name five social services agencies used frequently by families in need and how referrals are made.
You make a weekly visit to one of the mothers. She tells you her baby has been crying all morning. How would you respond. Be specific.
List three ways you can ensure your safety on home visits.
Name four things mothers can do to stay healthy.