Free Training & Courses

Alternatives to Violence offers training free to businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and professionals in our community who want to learn more about working with individuals in trauma, specifically domestic violence, sexual violence or human trafficking. For further information, please contact our office at 970-669-5150.

Training Topics 2024

Introductory Courses

Domestic Violence 101

This training includes all basics of domestic violence, including definitions, statistics and facts.  We will explore types of abuse, the cycle of abuse, introduce educational tools, such as the power and control wheel and equality wheel, as well as discuss red flags and lethality indicators.  This class is an entry-level course for those who want to know more about DV and how to work with clients.

Length: 2 hours

Sexual Violence 101

This training will include all basics of sexual violence, including definitions, statistics and facts vs. myths. We will also explore consent, types of sexual violence, rape culture and victim blaming. This is an entry-level course for those who want to know more about sexual violence and how to work with clients.

Length: 2 hours

Teen Dating Violence

This course will cover what teen dating violence looks like and how to recognize it. We will discuss how this may look in real life, the danger of social media and how to talk to youth about dating violence. This is an entry-level course for those who work in the field of trauma.

Length: 1.5 hours

Children and Trauma

In this course, we will look at how trauma affects children and how that may look in our clients.  We will delve into each age group and how trauma may affect and change their development, and discuss Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and how it influences not just children, but adults as well.  This class is an entry-level course for those who work with children in the field of trauma.

Length: 1.5 hours

The Need for Self-Care

This course will define self-care, and we will discuss how to take care of yourself while working in the field of trauma.  We will talk about types of self-care, how to develop self-care and the importance of it. This is an entry-level course for anyone working in the field of trauma.

Length: 1 hour

ATV Services

This is a basic training to discuss ATV and our many programs. We will discuss both residential and non-residential programs, as well as how ATV works in our community. We will also discuss how ATV collaborates with other agencies. This is an entry-level course for anyone who wants to know more about ATV.

Length: 1 hour

Volunteering at ATV

This class will cover what volunteerism is like at ATV, as well as what job positions and requirements are needed. We will discuss the many volunteer roles available as well as associated training. This is for anyone interested in volunteering at ATV, or who wants to know more about our volunteer program.

Length: 1 hour

Intermediate Courses

Heart-Centered Healing through Survivor-Centered Advocacy

This course will discuss the heart-centered healing approach to survivor-centered advocacy. We will delve into the definitions of each and discuss treating the whole person, not just their trauma.

Prerequisite: DV 101
Length: 1.5 hours

Crisis Intervention and Advocacy

This course will open the door to what crisis intervention is and how we work in an advocacy model.  We will discuss the types of crisis and responses, as well as how an advocacy approach fits in with our clients.

Prerequisite: DV 101
Length: 2 hours

Safety Planning with Domestic Violence

This training will discuss what safety planning is, the importance of planning, plus types of safety plans and how to work with a client on writing and following the plans.  We will also model a basic safety plan and work through scenarios of different types and needs.

Prerequisite: DV 101
Length: 1.5 hours

Intersectionality of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence

This course will look at both domestic violence and sexual violence, and how they may intersect. We will discuss what intersectionality is and how to work with a client who is dealing with both.

Prerequisite: DV 101, SV 101
Length: 1 hour

Introductory Courses

Intermediate Courses