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Connection (In-Person) State Training

NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups are:
A peer-based mutual support groups that meet weekly for 90 minutes of safe, confidential, personal sharing in a flexible group setting. Groups are open to any adult living with a mental illness or a psychiatric condition and willing to share with others confidentially in an atmosphere of respect, encouragement, and hope.

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Training Date(s)
Application Deadline
Next Steps:
  1. Your local affiliate will reach out to interview you over the phone or on Zoom.

  2. You will then be interviewed by the trainer.

  3. If you are accepted for training, you will be sent a binder of training materials.

  4. On the day of, you will arrive to the training facility on time and ready to train!

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Thanks!
NAMIWA Staff

Who can be a Connection Facilitator? 
  • Prospective facilitators must have a documented mental health diagnosis and be at least 18 years of age. They need to have reached a comfortable place in their own recovery, so they can sustain themselves during the emotional turbulence that can arise in Connection Support Groups.

What is required of me after I take the training?
  • Connection co-facilitator applicants must agree to co-facilitate a support group meeting in their community for a period of at least two years. (It is understood that unexpected life situations may necessitate flexibility and compassion in this policy).

Responsibilities of NAMI Connection co-facilitators 
  • The Connection support group is one of NAMI’s signature programs. Facilitators are required to use the Strategies, Structures, and Processes as written. Connection support group facilitators serve as volunteers. Your affiliate may be able to help with your mileage or other resources for the support group, by prior agreement between the facilitators and the affiliate. Key personal attributes for Facilitators are reliability, empathy, and the ability to communicate clearly. An ability to interpret group members’ non-verbal communication is important.

  • Facilitators work in pairs to facilitate their weekly groups. They assist and support each other. Each should feel able to lead the group alone if their co-facilitator is temporarily unavailable. Facilitators also cooperate in preparing a resource table for participants. Facilitators will be required to upload anonymous attendance data into the National NAMI Education data collection program.

Registration Information 
  • ***Zoom Online***NAMI Washington will mail you your training materials. 

  • ***In-Person*** If this training is in-person, then NAMI Washington will pay for meals, snacks, lodging for in-person trainings and all training materials. Your NAMI affiliate is asked to cover your travel and other expenses that you may incur to attend this training. Lodging will be at a nearby hotel, and is double occupancy. If you require single occupancy, arrangements will need to be made prior to attendance by the attendee and there will be additional costs which will be the responsibility of the attendee.

  • Attending the training is by pre-registration only, and class size is limited. If there are more applications than spots for the class, a waiting list will be created.

  • If you need to cancel after being accepted, notify the NAMI Washington staff, no later than two weeks before the training. Failure to do so will result in your Local Affiliate being charged a $75 admin fee. Cancelled spots are filled with applications from the waiting list for the class, not by sending another affiliate member.

What is the training agenda and when can I eat during the in-person training?
  • Friday, July 21, 2p-630p (dinner provided by NAMI WA 7p-8p)

  • Saturday, July 22, 9a-630p (dinner paid by NAMI WA 7p-8p)

  • Sunday, July 23, 9a-130p

  • Snacks will be available through the entire training

  • Lunch Saturday will be provided

CSG FAQa
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