Preparing for the Training

Topics on This Page:    Reviewing the Materials | Customizing the Training | Downloading the Materials | Gathering Equipment | Preparing the Training Room

Reviewing the Materials

Familiarize yourself with all materials prior to training. As one step, make sure you read the participant's materials that are referenced in the trainer's materials.

Also note the following cues that appear throughout the trainer's materials:

			Lead Group Activity: This icon and the bold italic type next to it direct you in leading activities.
			Show Visual: When you see this icon, show the appropriate PowerPoint slide. Within each module, visuals are numbered sequentially. The module number appears on the bottom left corner and the visual number appears at the bottom center of each slide.
			Show Vignette: When you see this icon, show the appropriate vignette. You can start, stop, rewind, and otherwise control the animation. Vignettes are curriculum enhancements; if you don't have access to a computer on which to play the vignettes, the scenarios that they are based on are described in the curriculum materials and can still be discussed during the training.

Customizing the Training

Draw on your personal knowledge and expertise and provide relevant examples, always making sure that you maintain the integrity of the training design, which is based on the principles of adult learning and active training. Because laws, procedures, and roles vary widely, you must augment SAACT with specific local information. Check the trainer's materials of individual training modules for notes about preparing local information.

You don't have to teach the full curriculum; each module can stand alone. Any of the modules can be used as part of more extensive training programs that most organizations require for new sexual assault advocates/counselors.

Here are some ways you can combine modules to customize the training to suit your needs:

• Understanding Sexual Assault. Combine modules 1, 3, 4, and 8 for new staff, board members at rape crisis centers, or relevant medical and legal professionals.

• Advocacy Roles and Procedures. Combine modules 1, 2, 5, and 8 to focus on who an advocate is and what she (or he) does in specific situations.

• Preventing Burnout. Combine modules 1, 7, and 8 to discuss burnout.

Ideally, modules 1 and 8, which offer introductions and a wrap-up, should be included in all training programs.

If, after reviewing all of the modules, you decide to customize the training, use our customizable agenda to help gather all the materials you'll need in a few clicks.

Downloading the Materials

This is a downloadable training curriculum. We highly recommend that you create a folder for SAACT on your computer and download all the files you'll need in that folder rather than using the SAACT Web site during the training.

To download files, right click on the file and select "save target as."

Gathering Equipment

Make sure you have the following equipment and materials, which are used consistently throughout the training:

• Trainer's materials.
• Participant's materials.
• PowerPoint visuals.
• Laptop PC.
• Flip chart and easel.
• Multicolored, thick, dark markers for the flip chart.
• Name tags (for participants and trainer).
• Pens (one per participant).

Individual modules may call for additional equipment (see the introductory pages of each module's trainer's materials).

Preparing the Training Room

Make sure to visit the training room before the training.

• Picture the layout, including the location of furniture and audiovisual equipment, and determine if you need any additional tables or chairs. Keep in mind that you will need a small table for your training supplies and a larger table for supplementary materials.

• Make sure all equipment and electrical outlets are functioning.

• Check for window shades (to control glare).

• Try to avoid a traditional classroom arrangement. Participants seated in rows often find it difficult to see and hear the trainer and the audiovisual products being shown. They also find it difficult to interact with each other. Instead, organize the room so participants are seated in small groups, which encourages discussion and participation.