Specialized Training - Place-Based Training

NeighborWorks® America is the leading community development training provider offering a number of training venues including NeighborWorks Training Institutes, symposia, Community Leadership Institute and other forums that draw a national audience.  In order to respond to the growing demand for high quality community development training at the local level, the NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) present “place-based" training courses conducted on-site for interested community organizations.

Steps to Request Place-Based Training Institute Courses

1. Organizations requesting place-based training must select courses from the NeighborWorks Training Institute course catalog.  Complete a Request for Place-Based Training Form [PDF] and submit by mail or fax to:
   
   NeighborWorks America
   Training Division
   Attn: PBT Coordinator
   1325 G Street, N.W., Suite 800
   Washington, D.C. 20005
   OR
   FAX: (202) 376-7276
   
2. NeighborWorks America's Training Division will review and verify that the requested course, materials and instruction are available for a place-based venue.  Requests must be received at least 8 weeks prior to the requested start of a place-based training event.
   
3. If the requesting organization is a NeighborWorks organization, the Training Division will consult with the appropriate NeighborWorks district office to ensure the event is complementary to other planned activities within the district.  If the district office is in agreement and the schedule works, the Training Division will proceed to facilitate the place-based training.
   
4. Requesting organizations are required to sign a “sponsor’s agreement” indicating adherence to the following key requirements:
   1. The Sponsoring Organization will:
      • Be responsible for participant travel (if applicable), hotel/meeting space, logistics, audio/visual, computer equipment, and all other logistical needs of trainers and participants;
      • Provide adequate facilities and use the methodology, course content and time period recommended for each course by NeighborWorks America; and 
      • Prepare and submit a participant list that includes address, e-mail, phone and fax numbers to the Training Division one week prior to the place-based training event. The trainer uses the roster to verify which participants successfully completed the course, notes those who did not and sends the final roster to the Training Division for mailing of certificates of completion. 
   2. NeighborWorks America will:
      • Engage and contract course trainers/instructors; (Only NeighborWorks America-approved trainers may provide the course, conduct the course evaluations and certify participant course completion.) 
      • Produce and provide all course materials; and
      • Within four weeks of receiving the list of participants, distribute certificates of completion to all participants that successfully complete the course(s).
5. Sponsors may invite up to 35 participants per course and instructor; however, this number could be lower depending on the course and appropriateness for the content and methodology.  More than 35 participants would require the establishment of a second class with another approved instructor. Due to the associated costs, place-based training is not recommended in cases of less than 15 confirmed registered participants.
   
6. Applicable courses may be credited towards one of NeighborWorks America’s professional certificates in a Program of Study. Individuals desiring to receive course credit towards a professional certificate in a Program of Study may be asked to take a test on site, online (when available), or take-home exam. Participants taking courses as part of a professional certificate program must indicate this to the trainer, who will convey this information on the roster along with the list of successful participants. 

Place-Based Training Fees

A fee is charged to organizations that request a NeighborWorks Training Institute or NCHEC course delivered locally.   The fee for nonprofit organizations is significantly lower than comparable training market rates or the cost of sending 25-35 individuals to a NeighborWorks Training Institute with accompanying registration, travel and hotel expenses.  Fees vary based on the type of organization requesting the training. For current pricing guidelines, please contact the Place-Based Training Coordinator at the address or fax number listed above.