What are Training of Trainers (TOT) opportunities?
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) maintains a library of over 300 trainings for Minnesota’s early childhood professionals. These DCYF-owned trainings offer early childhood educators and providers across the state opportunities to build their skills and knowledge in order to better care for children. In addition, these trainings help people meet the required professional development hours for licensing and participation in Parent Aware.
TARSS hosts Training of Trainer (TOT) opportunities for approved trainers in Minnesota to learn to deliver DCYF-owned trainings. Approved trainers in Minnesota must apply to attend TOTs. By completing TOTs, trainers can become approved to facilitate DCYF-owned trainings.
View the TOT delivery agreement for DCYF trainings.
Upcoming TOTs
Adult Learning Training of Trainers
Develop-approved hours: 4
Format: blended with live, virtual meetings and independent coursework
Cost: Free
Who should sign up: trainers who live in Minnesota and meet the Trainer Criteria
Apply to attend the TOT and facilitate Adult Learning 1 and 2 (formerly Adult Learning Modules 1 and 2). The TOT course teaches trainers how to implement training content on adult learning. Trainers completing these sessions will become authorized trainers to deliver two courses owned by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The course is 4 hours in length including live video sessions, written reflections, and delivery of training segments. Please review the Trainer Criteria carefully.
Course date(s) and time
- Course runs June 13 – June 27, 2025
- Live Zoom sessions June 17 and June 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m. You must attend both live Zoom sessions
- Applications close May 28, 2025 at 5 p.m. CT
Important information
- There are only five spots available in this TOT
- Completing the TOT does not guarantee work. Training events will be scheduled according to demand and TARSS deliverables
- TARSS is the only Training Sponsor Organization approved to offer these courses. You may not offer them independently
- The Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota will hire trainers as independent contractors to facilitate TARSS Adult Learning courses. The pay rate for facilitating these courses is $125/hour. The rate is not negotiable
- Trainers who are employed by DCYF grantees are not eligible for this TOT
- You must live in Minnesota to be eligible for this TOT
Course Writer Training of Trainers
Develop-approved hours: 2
Format: blended with live, virtual meetings and independent coursework
Cost: Free
Who should sign up: trainers who live in Minnesota and meet the Trainer Criteria
Apply to attend the TOT and facilitate Course Writer 1 and 2 (formerly Course Writer: Design Skills and Course Writer: Crafting and Drafting a Course). This Training of Trainers (TOT) covers the key content points and trainer delivery methods for the Course Writer 1 and Course Writer 2 courses. Trainers completing this TOT will become authorized trainers to deliver these two courses, owned by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The course is 2 hours in length and includes a live video session, written reflection, and delivery of a training segment. Please review the Trainer Criteria carefully.
Course dates and time
- Course runs June 19 – June 26, 2025
- Live Zoom session Monday June 23, 2025, 7 – 8:30 p.m. You must attend the live Zoom session
- Applications close May 28, 2025 at 5 p.m. CT
Important information
- There are only five spots available in this TOT
- Completing the TOT does not guarantee work. Training events will be scheduled according to demand and TARSS deliverables
- TARSS is the only Training Sponsor Organization approved to offer these courses. You may not offer them independently
- The Center for Early Education and Development at the University of Minnesota will hire trainers as independent contractors to facilitate TARSS Adult Learning courses. The pay rate for facilitating these courses is $125/hour. The rate is not negotiable
- Trainers who are employed by DCYF grantees are not eligible for this TOT
- You must live in Minnesota to be eligible for this TOT
Scholarships
Adult Learning Modules and Course Writer Workshops: We’re pleased to announce that we offer scholarships of 50% off, when funds are available. You may receive up to two scholarships per fiscal year. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship for these trainings, please email tarss@umn.edu for the application.
TOTs: Scholarships for Training of Trainers will be available on a TOT by TOT basis. See the application or email tarss@umn.edu.
Application process
View our TOT Application Tips document to help with your application!
Additional TOT opportunities
Other organizations that offer Develop-approved trainings and occasionally host TOTs. If you are looking for additional TOT opportunities, check with these organizations:
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Center for Inclusive Child Care
Child Passenger Safety (C.A.R.S.)
Questions?
Email tarss@umn.edu or call 612-624-5708. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know when we release information about new TOTs!