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Thinking for a Change - Training for Trainers

Now accepting applications!  

Thinking for a change logoThe 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).

Apply Now

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 15 – 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).

Apply Now

Sample Agenda for the Training Sessions:

A colored table of thinking for a change schedule over 5 weeks

For Questions or Additional Information:

Learn more about the requirements

Contact Archie Weatherspoon IV, National Programs Advisor – aweatherspoon@bop.gov.