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Facilitator Corner

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Facilitator Corner

As an ACT facilitator, you're the bridge between evidence-based research and real families in your community. Your dedication and skill in leading these groups create a safe, supportive environment where parents can learn, grow, and transform their parenting practices.

Who are ACT facilitators?


ACT Facilitators are professionals with a minimum of an associate degree (a bachelor’s degree is preferred) in fields such as education, social work, counseling, psychology, healthcare, nursing and early education, among others. Candidates with equivalent professional experience in adult education, family services, or group facilitation are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on demonstrated competencies and relevant background.

Individuals on this track will have online access to purchase the program copyrighted training and materials.

What do ACT facilitators do?

The ACT Master Trainers/Coordinators are responsible for:

  • Being the program’s voice within their organizations.
  • Involving their organizations and getting their support to include the ACT program in their portfolio of activities for families.
  • Organizing and conducting the ACT program nine sessions/classes for groups of parents and caregivers of young children.
  • Completing the ACT facilitator training.
  • Securing organizational and financial support to organize and conduct the program groups.
  • Coordinating the marketing and recruitment of participants.
  • Creating a plan that includes registration, logistics, incentives for parents, materials, certificates.
  • Remaining familiar with the program curriculum and materials.
  • Creating a plan to help participants complete the program.

Facilitator Training

Training and certification of ACT facilitators are the responsibility of the ACT coordinators/master trainers and their organizations.  

The ACT facilitator training incorporates adult learning theory and an interactive, experiential format to engage professionals in learning and practicing the content and concepts of the program's 9-session curriculum. The training includes a thorough review of the program materials and simulation of activities outlined in the curriculum, which participants will use with future groups of parents. Participants are evaluated before and after the training.

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Training requirements include: 

  • Education:
    • Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred. Candidates with equivalent professional experience in adult education, family services, or group facilitation are encouraged to apply and will be considered based on demonstrated competencies and relevant background.
  • Documentation:
    • A curriculum vitae or résumé
    • A letter demonstrating organizational support to implement the program
  • Experience and Knowledge:
    • Experience facilitating adult learning groups with strong group management skills, particularly in settings that encourage active participation and foster peer-to-peer learning among parents and caregivers
    • General knowledge of child development, adult learning, and program evaluation
    • Involvement with the promotion or organization of family-focused programs and activities
  • Skills:
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to facilitate group discussions, provide clear instruction, and engage effectively with diverse adult learners
    • Proven ability to gather financial support for program implementation.

The curriculum includes the following topics:

  1. Workshop purpose: Prepare participants to organize and deliver the program curriculum to groups of parents/caregivers.
  2. The ACT program in brief: Review of goals, approach, and curriculum.
  3. The ACT facilitator: Discussion of role and expectations.
  4. Review of motivational interviewing theory and materials.
  5. ACT program materials for professionals, parents, and caregivers.
  6. Curriculum: Detailed review of content and practice of activities.
  7. Marketing of a program and recruiting parents: Audiences, messages, strategies, and materials.
  8. Program evaluation: Objectives, instruments, data collection system.
  9. Ensuring program fidelity
    • The ACT Activity Checklist form: where it is and how to use it, where to send it. 
    • Instructions to be shared with ACT Facilitators about adaptation: What is adaptation? What can be adapted? When? Why? What additional materials can be added?
  10. Preparation of action plans
    • Strategies to recruit parents and utilize marketing materials. 
    • Steps to organizing the program groups. 
    • Follow-up plan for parents: process, materials, frequency.
  11. Certification process and technical assistance: Review certification process and opportunities for TA and support from coordinators/master trainers and ACT program national office: webinars, phone calls, meetings.

In order to be certified as ACT facilitator, professionals need to:

  • Facilitate or cofacilitate one group of parents within 6 months of the initial training.
  • Provide digital recording, audio or visual of activities in the manual Session 6 (Discipline and Parenting Styles) to the coordinator/master trainer conducting scheduled observation for review. They will then notify APA and initiate the “ACT Certified Facilitator” certificate which will be available in the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Submit annual action plan to the ACT coordinator/master trainer.
  • Submit data related to activities conducted during the year after the training to the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program. Access the questionnaire.
  • Submit qualitative report of activities conducted during the year after the training to the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program. Access the questionnaire.

Training follow up

  • Stay in touch with the ACT community and the master trainer who observed you. 
  • Stay in touch with the ACT program national office at the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program by contacting ldi@apa.org.
Last updated: December 2025Date created: 2017