Juvenile Personnel Training Program

The University of Oklahoma Juvenile Personnel Training Program (JPTP), a program of the National Resource Center for Youth Services (NRCYS), provides centralized, all-inclusive training to human service personnel of Oklahoma’s public or private non-profit organizations or alternative schools. Three decades of dedication to timely, relevant programming has made JPTP one of the most respected and comprehensive competency-based training programs of its kind in the United States.  In recent years, the role of JPTP has grown significantly; from simply providing training for youth serving agencies, to playing a vital role in moving state-wide initiatives forward.

For more information or to find out if you work for an agency that is already a member, contact Lou Truitt, Program Supervisor at (918) 660-3700.

To participate in our training services, download and complete our application process.

FY09 JPTP Needs Assessment
You have two options to complete the FY09 JPTP Needs Assessment: Option 1: PDF or Option 2: On-line

To view and download current workshop announcements. (April/May/June)

To view and download the 2007/2008 JPTP Workshop Schedule.

To view and download the JPTP Spring/Summer 2008 Newsletter.

What training is offered under the JPTP program?

General Workshops
For anyone who is employed by or volunteers for a JPTP-eligible organization.

Treatment Workshops
For professionals working in JPTP-eligible organizations and who are involved in direct therapeutic treatment, such as counselors, case workers, social workers, clinicians, therapists, and psychologists.

Direct Care Workshops
For anyone working in a JPTP-eligible organization that tends to the basic needs of children, primarily in a residential setting, such as child care workers, house parents, resident managers, shelter directors, and youth guidance specialists.

Management Workshops
For executive directors, project or program directors, supervisors, public relations personnel, board members, and others responsible for the day-to-day function of a JPTP-eligible organization.

On-site Training

We have had a tremendous response to on-site training! In a continued effort to better meet the needs of JPTP-eligible organizations, we are making a number of the JPTP training workshops available at your agency. You can choose the workshops that best meet your needs, provide training to more staff, and save staff travel cost. To learn how you can get JPTP to come to you, call Lou Truitt, program supervisor, at (918) 660-3700, Kristal Nicholson, program development specialist, at (918) 660-3700 or Cynethia Rayford, program development specialist, at (405) 573-6869. You can also contact us via e-mail at ltruitt@ou.edu, knicholson@ou.edu or ccrayford@ou.edu respectively. Training workshops are subject to availability of dates and trainers so make your request early! Some topics available to be trained on-site are:

• Cultural Diversity
• Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment
• Positive Youth Development
• Teaching Independent Living Skills
• Everyone is an Asset Builder
• Developing Strengths Through Service Learning
• Effective Teambuilding
• Using Games and Activities to Enhance Your Programs
• Looking at Adolescent Depression
• Basic Counseling Skills for Direct Care Staff
• Working with African American Youth and Families
• Managing Aggressive Behavior
• Catch the Wave: De-Escalation and Non-Physical Skills
• Spirituality: Integrating Spirituality with Youth Work
• Understanding Effects of Childhood Trauma: Impacting Progress
• Hidden Minority: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (QLBTQ), Youth
• A Native Pathway to Adulthood
• Hair and the African American Child
• Residential Child and Youth Care Professional (RCYCP)

RCYCP Module 1: Developing a Culture of Care
RCYCP Module 2: Understanding Child Development
RCYCP Module 3: Building Relationships
RCYCP Module 4: Teaching Discipline

Note: Agencies utilizing on-site training will be responsible for the trainer(s) mileage, lodging, and per diem (if applicable).  Smaller agencies requesting on-site training for less than ten (10) staff are strongly encouraged to collaborate with surrounding agencies to increase participation and to defray individual agency cost. 

JPTP Eligibility

To qualify as a participating agency in The University of Oklahoma Juvenile Personnel Training Program, these criteria must be met:

• be an Oklahoma public or nonprofit social service agency
• serving children and youth is your agency’s major emphasis
• have three or more staff, or
• operate an alternative education program.

How to Register for JPTP Workshops

Pre-registration and on-site registration are required. Your agency receives workshop announcements approximately four weeks before a scheduled month of workshops. Watch for them and pre-register as soon as you can. Phone the JPTP office at (918) 660-3700. When you call, ask about openings in the workshop you want to enroll in. If the workshop is full, place your name on a waiting list; you’ll be contacted as soon as an opening occurs.

Special Needs

If you have special needs, inform the person taking your registration. We provide services for persons with disabilities. Let us know your need.

On-Site Registration

During the registration period on the first morning of the workshop, check in and complete your registration process. This provides documentation for your continuing education units (CEUs) and a record of your attendance.

Workshop Hours

Unless otherwise indicated in the workshop announcement, one-day workshops begin with registration at 9:00 am and continue from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Two-day workshops begin with registration on Day One at 9:00 am and training from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Day Two training is from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Pre-requisite Requirements

Courses may require educational and/or experience prerequisites that are noted in the monthly announcements. Please read the prerequisites and be sure you meet them prior to preregistering.

Need to Cancel?

If, after preregistering, you find you can’t attend, please contact our office immediately. Your prompt notification allows us to contact those on the waiting list. Your cooperation is appreciated.