Skip to content. Check and Connect

Located at the Institute on Community Integration, a University Affiliated Program on Developmental Disabilities

College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota

Funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education

Check & Connect Training

Experienced Check & Connect staff offer several training options for sites considering Check & Connect, as well as for sites already implementing Check & Connect.

Training Options

  1. NEW! "Exploring Check & Connect" Webinars (offered every other month)
  2. Check & Connect Training in Minneapolis/St. Paul (offered annually, at a minimum)
  3. Customized Workshops, Training, & Technical Assistance

NEW! Webinars to Explore Check & Connect

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 • Register Now
1:00-2:00 p.m. Central (11:00 a.m.-noon Pacific, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Mountain, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern)

Exploring Check & Connect is a one-hour webinar that introduces participants to the Check & Connect model. Using web conferencing tools, a Check & Connect trainer will describe the basics of the research-based Check & Connect model and highlight the role of student engagement in keeping students in school. The webinar format provides an opportunity for participants to interact with Check & Connect staff to address questions about the model and its implementation. These webinars are offered every other month, and are intended for representatives from schools and organizations that want a brief introduction to the components, elements, and process of the model.

Cost: $30 per computer connection. Space limited to 20 registered computers, however you may have several participants at any given computer.

Register: To register for the March 27, 2012 webinar, download the Exploring Check & Connect Webinar Registration (PDF), complete it and send with check or purchase order (made out to University of MN) by mail, fax, or email as instructed on the form. The registration deadline is March 16, 2012. If payment is not received by this date, your registration will be cancelled and offered to the wait list.

Get Flash PlayerTechnical requirements: To participate in this webinar, you need to be at a computer with an Internet Connection and Adobe Flash Player 9 or higher. You will also need to have access to a telephone (there is no long-distance fee).

Upcoming Webinars: Webinars are held every other month during the school year. The next webinar after March is scheduled for May 22, 2012 from 1-2pm CST. Registration will open in April.

More info: You will receive an email confirming receipt and payment, with additional instructions and a link to the webinar prior to the event. Contact us with questions at checkandconnect@umn.edu, 612-624-2097, or toll-free at 1-866-434-0010.

Check & Connect Training in Minneapolis/St. Paul

June 14-15, 2012 • Register Now

This training on the Check & Connect model provides participants with practical tools for helping students reconnect to school and get on track to graduation. One of 30 dropout prevention interventions rated by the U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse (2006), Check & Connect was the only program found to have strong evidence of positive effects for staying in school. Check & Connect is data-driven and grounded in research on resiliency and home-school collaboration.

Participants in this training will learn —

  • Strategies for engaging students in school
  • How dropout risk factors may be altered
  • The difference between basic and intensive dropout prevention interventions
  • The essential skills of an effective Check & Connect Mentor
  • How the Check & Connect Mentor works with students, families, and school staff
  • Resources for supporting students with academic, social, and behavioral issues

Who Should Attend

The training is designed for school administrators, teachers, researchers, community professionals, and others interested in helping students remain engaged in school and on track to graduate.

Check & Connect Manual

cover

Participants will also receive a print copy of the Check & Connect implementation manual, which covers how to engage both elementary and secondary students in school. The manual includes the following sections —

  • What is Check & Connect?
  • Determine indicators of disengagement
  • Identifying students at risk for dropping out
  • “Check” procedures and monitoring sheet
  • “Connect” procedures and monitoring sheet
  • The role of the mentor and coordinator
  • Common implementation issues and considerations
  • Indicators of success

Cost

Early Bird Registration: $545 per participant.
After May 18, 2012: $595 per participant.

The registration fee includes a copy of the Check & Connect manual and continental breakfast and lunch for both days of the training. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Costs of travel, lodging, and additional meals are not covered by the registration fee. The registration deadline is June 1, 2012.

Registration & Lodging

Download the registration form (PDF), print, complete, and send registration form by June 1, 2012 with check or purchase order (payable to the University of Minnesota) to: Check & Connect Training, University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration, 6 Pattee Hall, 150 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

The training will take place at the Continuing Education and Conference Center, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, 1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.

Lodging
Lodging is $129/night for a single plus tax at the University Hotel, Minneapolis (formerly the Radisson) 615 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis. Call 612-379-8888 or 1-800-822-6757 and ask for the Check & Connect room block. Hotel has shuttle service to St. Paul campus. Room reservation deadline is May 14, 2012.

Additional lodging near campus (there are no special Check & Connect rates at these hotels):

Special Needs
Please indicate any special needs on your registration form, including dietary restrictions. Training materials are available in alternate formats upon request.

For More Information

Contact us at checkandconnect@umn.edu or toll-free at 866-434-0010.

Customized Workshops, Training, & Technical Assistance

If you'd like more information about Check & Connect training, to see if it meets your needs and the needs of your students, please fill out our Training Inquiry Form or contact us at checkandconnect@umn.edu or toll-free at 866-434-0010.

Check & Connect trainers conduct on-site training on the Check & Connect model, aligned to your needs, for teachers, administrators, counselors, parent liaisons, and others as invited (maximum 50 participants). Each training participant receives a copy of the Check & Connect manual. Trainers can also be contracted to provide follow-up technical assistance to training participants.

Meet the Trainers

Kay Augustine

Kay Augustine, Ed.S.

Kay is a high-energy and experienced international presenter and training facilitator on youth engagement and development topics including:

  • youth leadership,
  • youth empowerment,
  • engaging students in school and learning,
  • creating a positive school culture and climate,
  • character development,
  • service-learning, and
  • generational dynamics.

Kay is known for her passion and dedication to youth engagement and voice through the strengthening of relationships by and with adults and youth.

Kay's ICI staff page


Karen Evans Stout

Karen Evans Stout, Ph.D.

Karen received her doctorate in educational policy and administration (policy studies) from the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include policy and its implications for school practice, school lunch, educational leadership development, and systems evaluations. Dr. Stout was co-PI on a large-scale leadership development project funded by the U.S. Department of Education with Lehigh University and the Philadelphia Public Schools and a similar project for the DeWitt Wallace Foundation. She has worked extensively on evaluation projects for school districts, particularly with the Allentown School District on system-wide evaluation and other projects.

Karen's ICI staff page


Marty Iroff

Marty Iroff, M.S.

Utilizing a uniquely engaging and thought-provoking presentation style, Marty blends discussion, meaningful content, activity, humor, practicality, and magic into a fast flowing training day. His experience as a national workshop facilitator, keynote presenter, and public speaker was summarized by one participant’s comment, “Marty provided a day filled with purpose, meaning, and practicality. What more can we ask for?”

His 30-year public school career included service as both a middle school teacher and counselor, and over two decades in the development and coordination of district-wide student assistance programs. His presentations draw upon his experience developing safe and drug free school initiatives, character development programs for schools and communitie, in-school alternative behavior programs, and a variety of training and educational programs for educators and parents.

Marty's website


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