The Project Harmony Training Institute

New Edition! This course educates community members about the basic definitions and responses to all types of child abuse and neglect, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking. This training also describes the services of a Child Advocacy Center, like Project Harmony, and contains mock calls to the Nebraska Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Lastly, the training will cover elements of receiving a disclosure, calling the hotline, and common reactions. By outlining the process and observing realistic examples, learners will be more equipped to respond to a child in need. While most of the content is foundational to all discussions of abuse and neglect, references to statute are specific to Nebraska. Participants from outside of Nebraska are encouraged to investigate child abuse and neglect policies and procedures in their own state. Read more

This course educates community members about the basic definitions and responses to all types of child abuse and neglect, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking. This training also describes the services of a Child Advocacy Center, like Project Harmony, and contains mock calls to the Abuse and Neglect Hotline. Lastly, the training will cover elements of receiving a disclosure, calling the hotline, and common reactions. By outlining the process and observing realistic examples, learners will be more equipped to respond to a child in need. While most of the content is foundational to all discussions of abuse and neglect, references to statute are specific to Iowa. Participants from outside of Iowa are encouraged to investigate child abuse and neglect policies and procedures in their own state. Read more

This training helps school staff develop an understanding of Empathic Strain and how certain factors can increase this risk. In this course, participants will discuss how accountability and supports can mitigate this wear-and-tear injury of one’s tolerance and endurance. Participants will also learn strategies and develop goals on how to limit the strain that can be experienced regularly. Presented in partnership with Trauma Matters Omaha Read more

I Don't Care What You Know Until I Know That You Care Meet Dylan Sullivan, the single father of an 8-year-old boy named Joseph. He calls you because he says his son’s school won’t stop pestering him about Joseph misbehaving at school. He thinks that by calling your agency, he may be able to get them off his back. He also says he is interested in receiving any financial assistance you may have to offer. Can you help? Engaging through Empathy is a training where you will learn how you can approach clients in a way to create sustainable change by building relationships and meeting them where they are at.   *This is an online, self-paced equivalent version of the live Engaging Through Empathy course. Read more

Children from 0-5 years old are especially vulnerable to traumatic impacts on their development while involved in the child welfare system. Their biological development and sense of attachment is so moldable in those ages, and we must be mindful of the challenges we impose on them. Decisions within child welfare must be evaluated through early development and attachment lenses. These children are also eligible for a variety of helpful services that many people may not know exist. The programs described in this training are reflective of our experience in Douglas County, Nebraska. If you live elsewhere, brainstorm comparable options in your service area or contact Project Harmony for recommendations on getting started. We invite you to work through this training and take note of the resources and recommendations within. Read more

In this course, we want to share a mnemonic device to help learners remember the signs of predatory behavior. Committing this information to memory increases the chances of catching it in real life and protecting the kids in their network. Read more