Professional Development Series
An annual series of no-cost professional learning opportunities for youth-serving individuals and organizations.
The OYEA Professional Development Series supports Boston's youth population by offering high quality professional educational opportunities to the individuals who serve them every day. This annual series is planned with Boston's youth-serving individuals in mind, offering access to trainings focused on youth work including best practices, mental health, first-aid, and much more.
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1481 TREMONT STREET BOSTON, MA 02120
Upcoming Workshops
View and register for all trainings! Reach out to daniel.bryan@boston.gov with any questions.
Want to be the first to find out when new trainings are announced? Sign up to join the OYEA Partner Network!
| DATE | TITLE | TRAINER | LOCATION | DESCRIPTION |
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Thursday, April 30 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
Supporting Young People Experiencing Grief and Loss |
Anna Banerjea, MA, EdS. Kate Tetuan Parent, LICSW. Tiffany Lewallen, LICSW, SAC., Boston Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships | Tobin Municipal Building | Grief and loss can impact youth in many ways and adults often wonder about the best approaches to providing support. In this workshop we'll discuss what it means to be grief-informed and how to show up for young people affected by grief and loss in caring, effective ways. Throughout the workshop, we will offer definitions of different types of loss that a young person may experience, as well as share information on how grief may present in young people at different ages and strategies for supporting youth. |
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Wednesday May 13 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Creative Tools for Youth Engagement: Art as a Language |
Matthew Wolterding | Bruce C. Bolling Building |
Matthew Wolterding is a multidisciplinary artist, creative director, and founder of My Beautiful Mind, an organization at the forefront of integrating creative expression and mental well-being into youth and community development. His work reimagines engagement by positioning art not as enrichment, but as essential infrastructure for belonging, voice, and leadership. In this experiential workshop, participants will engage directly in art-based practices that strengthen trust, participation, and emotional regulation. They will leave with practical, low-cost tools and a deeper understanding of why creativity is one of the most effective and underutilized strategies in youth engagement today. |
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Thursday, May 14 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Restorative Justice: Building Trust in Circles |
Laurie Chroney | Bruce C. Bolling Building | Creating safe and trusting spaces is essential for youth development. This interactive training will introduce youth workers to Restorative Circles, a powerful tool for building community, fostering trust, and strengthening relationships. Participants will not only learn about the structure and key elements of a circle but will experience a live circle session and develop their own circle lesson plans. If you work with youth and want to create deeper, more meaningful connections while supporting their social-emotional growth, this training is for you! |
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Thursday, May 21st 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. |
Responsive Coaching: Shaping Athlete Behavior |
Positive Coaching Alliance | DICK'S House of Sport | Every coach has been there: athletes who are not able to follow directions, disruptions during practice, or a player who just can’t seem to focus. It’s frustrating and it’s easy to assume it's all about attitude or effort. But what if it’s not? What if misbehavior is a signal, not a choice? This workshop gives coaches the tools to respond with purpose, building connection and accountability while keeping practices productive and athletes growing. |
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Wednesday, June 3rd 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Youth Mental Health 101 |
Boch Center Education Team | Boch Center Wang Theater |
This training is designed specifically for professionals and volunteers who work with young people across various settings. You'll gain a foundational understanding of common youth mental health challenges and learn practical strategies to support youth experiencing mental health difficulties. Training will be led by Boch Center staff members who have been certified as "Behavioral Health Champions" through a specialized program conducted by the Boston Public Health Commission in partnership with Health Resources in Action. The curriculum has been developed by mental health professionals with expertise in youth development and adolescent mental health. |
2025-26 Program Partners
At OYEA, partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We're proud to be partnered with these outstanding community organizations to provide high quality professional skills training to Boston’s youth-serving individuals.
Past Workshops
Past Workshops-
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
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Parent & Family Engagement
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Self Care – Finding Balance in Challenging Times
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The Power of Evaluation: Strengthening Programs with Logic Models
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Coaching with Empathy
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Motivational Interviewing for Youth Workers
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Understanding Anxiety: Creating Supports for Youth Part 2
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Developing Competitors Through Positive Coaching
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Understanding Anxiety: Creating Supports for Youth Part 1
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Empowering Boston’s Youth: Career Readiness and Workforce Development
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Adult, Infant, & Child Heartsaver CPR with AED Certification Course
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LGBTQ+ Identity and Expression 201
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Introduction to Restorative Justice for Youth Workers
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Social Emotional Learning
- Adolescent Development and Relationship Building
- Facilitation and Group Management
- Level Up! Improve Your Program's Quality
- Introduction to Restorative Justice for Youth Workers
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
- Retention and Recruitment of Youth
- Real Talk: Healthy Relationships, Conflict Resolution, and Trauma-Informed Care
- Understanding Anxiety: Creating Supports for Youth
- Chronic Marijuana Use in Teens & Young Adults
- Adult, Infant, & Child Heartsaver CPR with AED Certification Course
- Best Practices in Fundraising
- Creating Safe Communities for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Addressing Youth Substance Use Disorder
- Building and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries with Youth
- Juvenile Justice 101
- Essentials of Working with Youth and Young Adults
Who's Involved:
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1481 TREMONT STREET BOSTON, MA 02120
