Prevention Education Workshops & Trainings

At HopeWorks we believe that education is the first step toward violence prevention and makes our community healthier and safer. To further this mission, our Community Engagement Department delivers free prevention education, trainings and seminars in Howard County. Program audiences include elementary, middle and high school students, faculty and staff, hospital staff, PTAs, faith communities, youth groups, human services employees, law-enforcement, therapists, counselors, businesses, and civic groups. Browse our programs below.

Please Note: Due to COVID-19, most of our workshops are virtual/hybrid. In-person workshops are conducted on a case-by-case basis. For more information please contact the Community Engagement Department at cedevents@hopeworksofhc.org.

Workshops for Youth

Our Workshops for Youth directly complement the Howard County Public School System’s Health Education curriculum. Workshops facilitated in schools are adapted to fit within class schedules and are intended for audiences of no fewer than 8 and no more than 30. Please choose only one. (Note: (PP) indicates PowerPoint is used as part of the program & (V) indicates the workshop is available virtually and in-person).

Is This Love? Recognizing Dating Violence and Building Healthy Relationships

Designed for teens, this workshop combines an introduction to recognizing violence with practical suggestions and tools for building healthier relationships. “Is this Love?” is PowerPoint-based with discussion elements. Goals include being able to recognize red flags for abuse and how to respond to a friend in need. This workshop pairs well with “The Good, the Bad, & the Abusive” for a 90-minute workshop or a workshop series. (PP) (V)

The Good, the Bad & the Abusive

Sometimes it’s difficult to know the difference. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the spectrum of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive behaviors that can occur in relationships. This workshop pairs well with “Is This Love? Recognizing Dating Violence and Building Healthy Relationships” for a 90-minute workshop or a workshop series. (PP when Virtual)

In Their Shoes

In this interactive workshop, participants become one of six characters based on the experiences of real teens. They make choices about the character’s relationship and move through scenarios by reading about interactions with their character’s dating partner, family, friends, and others. The activity is followed by a debriefing discussion on dating violence. This workshop can fit into a 45-50 minute class period or be extended into a 90 minute workshop (preferred).

Beyond Active Bystanders: Stopping Violence Before it Starts

Violence is not an anomaly. Primary prevention focuses on stopping violence before it starts by examining the cultural norms that allow violence to thrive. This workshop explores how we can collectively work to create a culture of equality, safety, and respect. It can fit into a 45-50 minute class period or be extended into a 90 minute workshop. As a series, it pairs well with “Yes Means Yes: Creating a Culture of Consent.” (PP) (V)

Yes Means Yes: Creating a Culture of Consent

Current and popular understandings of sexual consent are gravely limited. Participants in this workshop will expand their understanding of consent by exploring its elements: capacity, action, and relationship. This workshop will define “affirmative consent” and participants will develop skills necessary for healthy communication and relationships. Appropriate for all high school students, though it can be tailored to focus on college-bound students and campus settings. This program combines interactive activities and PowerPoint-based learning and discussions. (PP) (V)

Out of the Box: Understanding Gender to End Violence

In this interactive workshop (requiring at least 90 minutes), participants will explore gender stereotypes and the ways in which our beliefs about gender shape societal expectations of boys and girls, men and women. Goals include understanding how gender beliefs and expectations are connected to power, control, and violence. Schedule this workshop alone or as a primer for workshops related to teen dating violence and consent.

*Additional gender-focused workshops are available for those looking to deepen their knowledge in this area.

Recognizing Human Trafficking

This workshop defines modern-day human trafficking with an overview of trafficking in Maryland and Howard County. Participants will learn how to identify potential trafficking sites and victims as well as risk factors that increase vulnerability. Additionally, participants will make connections between forced sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. (PP) (V)

Workshops for Adults

Generally, workshops are 60 minutes long, plus an additional 30 minutes to include Q&A and a brief overview of HopeWorks’ services. Workshops are intended for audiences of no fewer than 8 and no more than 30. Please choose only one. (Note: (PP) indicates PowerPoint is used as part of the program & (V) indicates the workshop is available virtually and in-person).

HopeWorks in the Community

A 90 minute presentation outlining the mission, vision, and services of HopeWorks of Howard County. At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to articulate the mission of HopeWorks, identify the six service areas of the agency, and engage in a discussion about five important facts related to the prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence. (PP) (V)

First Steps: An Introduction to IPV and SV

This introduction explores the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence, understanding the scope of prevention work, and an overview of services and programs at HopeWorks. (PP) (V)

Recognizing Love and Building Healthy Relationships

This workshop combines an introduction to recognizing unhealthy relationships with ways to build healthy ones. Interactive scenarios are included to learn how to tell the difference. (PP) (V)

Dating Abuse: Tools for Talking with Teens

Explore the dynamics of dating abuse and how to start conversations with teens. In this interactive program, participants will learn how to identify abuse in teen relationships and gain skills and strategies to intervene in an abusive situation. (PP) (V)

Beyond Active Bystanders: Stopping Violence Before it Starts

Participants in this foundational workshop will learn about primary prevention – what it is and what current prevention efforts look like. The program includes an exploration of cultural norms and differentiates between risk reduction and primary prevention. Participants will develop the awareness and capacity to serve as agents of change in their communities. (V)

Yes Means Yes: Creating a Culture of Consent

Current and popular understandings of consent are gravely limited. Participants in this program will expand their understanding of consent by exploring its elements: capacity, action, and relationship. This workshop will define “affirmative consent” and participants will develop skills necessary for healthy communication, healthy relationships, and navigating consent while under the influence. (PP)

Out of the Box: Understanding Gender to End Violence

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore gender stereotypes and the ways in which our beliefs about gender shape societal expectations of boys and girls, men and women. Goals include understanding how gender beliefs and expectations are connected to power, control, and violence. We recommend using this program as a primer for workshops related to building healthy relationships and understanding/recognizing abuse.

*Additional gender-focused workshops are available for those looking to deepen their knowledge in this area.

Recognizing Human Trafficking

Workshops for Professionals

Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

A nationally acclaimed prevention training program that teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for organizations that serve youth and for individuals concerned about the safety of children. There is $20 materials fee for each person. Maximum workshop size is 25. The National Association of Social Workers has approved the Stewards of Children training for two (2) contact hours of continuing education. The Stewards certificate has the approval and provider numbers included. (PP) (V)

Living with Violence: Effects on Children/Teens

Learn the warning signs for children who are impacted by violence at home. (PP) (V)

First Steps: An Introduction to SV & IPV

This introduction explores the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence, understanding the scope of prevention work, and an overview of services and programs at HopeWorks. (PP) (V)

Recognizing, Responding & Referring: When a Client Shows Signs

A training workshop designed for human services professionals that examines the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence, including risk and protective factors, red flags of abuse, an overview of root causes, and the importance of trauma-informed response and care. (PP) (V)

Dating Abuse: Tools for Talking with Teens

Recognizing Human Trafficking

To request a workshop, email the Community Engagement Department at cedevents@hopeworksofhc.org, or complete and return the Program Request Form below. We will get back to you soon to discuss next steps.

HopeWorks Program Request Form