Illinois Extension provides ongoing access and civil rights training and opportunities for staff and external collaborators. In addition to required training through the university, college, and program areas, Extension offers professional development opportunities throughout the year.
Annual Civil Rights Compliance Course
Each year, staff members complete the annual training course. It provides information on the non-discrimination policies, civil rights compliance review processes, and planning and reporting. All Illinois Extension staff members are required to complete the training to satisfy individual responsibilities and expectations. The course is available through Learn @ Illinois Extension. A recorded version of the training is also available on Illinois Media Space.
Staff Development Webinars
The quarterly webinars provide ongoing professional development to help build the knowledge, skills, confidence, and capacity employees need to support their community- based work. The topics covered through these webinars are based on staff feedback and include workplace mental health and wellbeing, neurodiversity, intercultural communication, digital accessibility, language access, emotional intelligence, empathy, and many more. These webinars move professional learning beyond a one-time event and create a culture of continuous improvement. All webinar recordings and presentation materials are available at Illinois Media Space.
Webinar Recordings
More Trainings and Workshops
Leadership Strategies to Enhance Organizational Belonging
Behaviors that intentionally help group members feel trusted and valued, while maintaining their individuality, are crucial for fostering a culture of belonging within organizations. By understanding the connection between uniqueness and belonging, leaders and team members contribute to a workplace where everyone feels respected. Participants in this session learn practical techniques to deepen their understanding and increase their knowledge of the importance of belonging in public-facing organizations, like Extension.
Cultural Humility in Programs and Partnership
Cultural humility involves an ongoing process of self-exploration and self- critique combined with a willingness to learn from others. This training explores the difference between cultural competence and cultural humility and strategies to integrate cultural humility into practices. Staff who regularly learn about communities, cultures, perspectives, and emerging issues are better equipped to adapt programs and services to the people they serve.
Inclusive Engagement in Illinois Communities
Community-based partnerships create effective and meaningful pathways to long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with Extension and community members and organizations. Inclusive engagement offers multiple ways of exchanging information, ideas, and expertise, as well as shared decision- making in Extension work. This training provides opportunities to learn, practice, reflect, and apply new skills.
Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts
In a unique and powerful way, participants will experience the impact of stereotypical comments, explore why people do not speak up against stereotypes and other biased behaviors, and learn six techniques for speaking up without blame or guilt. Creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity involves all of us - and is supported by how we communicate with each other. That means speaking up when we encounter disrespect. While we may never be completely free of all bias, we can work toward communicating in bias-free ways to cultivate an Inclusive Extension.
Navigating Difference
Navigating Difference Cultural Competency training helps to equip employees with the knowledge and skills to engage with all audiences. The training incorporates techniques and tools to increase awareness and build cultural competencies and provides opportunities to examine how personal and organizational cultures influence our ability to work across differences.