Now accepting applications!
The National Institute of Corrections is partnering with two state corrections agencies to offer Thinking for a Change – Training for Trainers in 2025. The in-person portion of the training will be held at the host agency site.
Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers allows corrections agencies to grow their trainer team, support internal sustainability of Thinking for a Change facilitator training, and increase capacity to deliver Thinking for a Change to correctional clients.
The National Institute of Corrections offers Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers to qualified criminal justice professionals or qualifying government contractors. NIC does not offer training to private or non-profit organizations.
Thinking for a Change Training for Trainers is a blended learning experience that combines virtual and face-to-face learning and totals 70 hours over five weeks.
- Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) – online sessions twice a week for 4 weeks.
- Instructor Led Training (ILT) – three and a half days of on-site, face-to-face learning.
- See the Sample Agenda on the bottom of the page for additional details.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be employed by or contracted with a governmental corrections agency.
Applicants should be in teams of at least two participants (max of 3) from each agency (if your agency would like more than 3 participants in this training contact Archie Weatherspoon IV – email below).
Each applicant must provide:
- Verification of minimum 32 hours of T4C Facilitator Training.
- Verification of delivery of two full rounds of T4C with correctional clients.
- A 5-minute video demonstrating T4C facilitation skills and curriculum knowledge.
- Approval letter signed by the Agency CEO.
Cost:
NIC provides the training at no cost (no fees or tuition for the participants or their agency). Participants and/or their agency are responsible for transportation costs, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses related to participation in the training program. Participants and/or their agency are responsible for printing all required program materials.
Dates and Locations:
(Subject to change based on the needs of the host agency or NIC.)
Session 1 (Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Corrections): September 15 through October 16, 2025
- Virtual instructor led training (VILT): On-line twice a week for the first four weeks (September 15 – October 9, 2025)
- Instructor training (ILT): In-person training at the host site (Monday, October 13 through Thursday, October 16, 2025)
- Location: Virginia Department of Corrections - Academy for Staff Development (1900 River Road West, Crozier, VA 23039)
- Applications will be accepted through August 1, 2025 (or earlier if the session reaches capacity).
Session 2 (Mississippi Department of Corrections): October 20 through November 20, 2025
- Virtual instructor led training (VILT): On-line twice a week for the first four weeks (October 20 – November 13, 2025)
- Instructor led training (ILT): In-person training at the host site (Monday, November 17 through Thursday, November 20, 2025)
- Location: Robert E. Lee Building (265 N. Lamar Street, Jackson, MS 39201)
- Applications will be accepted through September 6, 2025 (or earlier if the session reaches capacity).
Sample Agenda for the Training Sessions:
For Questions or Additional Information:
Learn more about the requirements
Contact Archie Weatherspoon IV, National Programs Advisor – aweatherspoon@bop.gov.