The new regulations will be added to the existing 1,700 standards for Head Start, according to Dr. Marvin Ali, facilitator and instructor of the four-day training commissioned by the Public School System.
Ali is president of ACS Inc., which is based in California.
Starting on Tuesday, Ali conducted a college-level training for Head Start family partner advocates, which comprised of social workers.
The training was approved by Northern Marianas College, and all 45 participants received four credits for completing it. This will help them obtain the needed degree or certification for early intervention.
Throughout the four-day course, Ali provided participants social work practice techniques and information regarding the foundation of social practice.
He taught them interviewing skills, and when and how to assess, evaluate, define and create a plan for intervention for families.
Participants also learned the local and national regulations that govern the Head Start program.
Participants had to take quizzes, pre- and post-tests to assess their “growth.”
The training was open to personnel of the Division of Youth Services, the Child Protection Unit, and other government agencies.
Last Friday, 45 completed the course.
Ali commended PSS-Head Start and its council for their “pro-active” approach.
He said the training will equip social workers with knowledge and techniques that will prepare them for the new Head Start regulations.
“I commend the CNMI for taking a very positive approach,” he added. “It’s very rare to find a Head Start program that goes up and beyond like what the CNMI has over here for its staff.”
Ali said he used “evidence-based” and “strength-based” teaching methods to better provide positive results for the training participants.
