Never Too Late (NTL)’s Service Provider Training is a six-session training designed to equip service providers with tips, strategies, and peer connections that will serve as resources in working with older adolescents and young adults. It is informed by and delivered alongside Lived Experts of the child welfare system with the support of professionals who have experience working in the sector. It is open to anyone who is currently working with (or has previously worked with) at least one young person age 16 + in/from the child welfare system. Even if finding permanency relationships is not part of your role with a young person, we believe there are ways to work with a young person that will expand their thinking about themselves and their needs.

In addition to training for Service Providers, there is also a monthly education and discussion series featuring Lived Experts speaking on a variety of topics of interest to professionals working with young adults and caregivers. You can find them listed on our events page.

Training Dates & Times

Training takes place virtually (on Zoom), Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (2.5 hours) on the following dates:

• February 4, 2027

• February 25, 2027

• March 11, 2027

• April 1, 2027

• April 22, 2027

• May 13, 2027

Registration

There is no cost to participate. However, it is expected that participants will be given the time by their organizations to attend all six sessions. It is important that participating workers feel that their time and efforts invested for this training are also equally supported by their respective workplaces.

If you have questions about this training, please contact our Service Provider Coordinator.

About This Training

Service providers who are working with older adolescents or young adults may find themselves being challenged by behaviours and reactions of young people that do not fit with what is expected of their age. Further, service providers may have concerns about the many needs of their young people and a corresponding lack of supports and services. Service providers may be unsure about how best to engage young people, especially those lacking healthy, supportive and stable family or social relationships.

The training will provide tips, resources, and strategies that are grounded in the voices of Lived Experts. It will also allow for a forum in which to connect with others in the field, and to discuss common challenges. Ultimately, our larger aim is to create a network of people across the province and beyond who are committed to find different ways of supporting young people, and who are interested to expand their notions of family and permanency.

This training was piloted to a group of eight service providers across six organizations in the spring of 2024.  The participants expressed strong satisfaction with the training, and felt they were able to learn concrete tools and strategies to facilitate discussions with the young people they were working with.

The needs of young people who are “older” are the focus of our training.  For example, they may still be in the care of a child welfare agency but are soon to have their services terminated; they may be on a VYSA and living with friends; they may be receiving transitional services through a youth worker; or they may have case management services from a COTA worker.  Service providers do not need to be considering or working on permanency initiatives for the young people they are working with to participate.