A Matter of Balance Facilitator/ Trainer

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General Description

Looking to make an impact in your community and help older adults maintain their independence and well-being? Dakota County Public Health Department has an exciting opportunity for volunteers wanting to partner with local community sites to offer falls prevention workshops. We’re looking for volunteers to be trained as facilitators for the evidence-based falls prevention course titled, "A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls." After getting trained as a certified Matter of Balance coach you will co-facilitate this class with another trained leader at a local senior center or older adult independent living residence. No prior experience with this subject matter is necessary.

About the "A Matter of Balance" classes:

• This is an evidence-based intervention designed to reduce the fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle, and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults.
• A Matter of Balance includes 8 sessions, each lasting two hours, presented over an eight-week period by two trained coaches using a detailed training manual and two DVDs.
• At this discussion/exercise-based workshop, participants learn skills to set goals for staying active, learn how to stay safe at home, complete exercises to increase strength and balance and learn how to identify and control their fear of falling.
• Classes will be held in a community setting and targets older adults.
• For information on A Matter of Balance, please visit: http://www.mnhealthyaging.org/FallsPrevention/MatterBalance.aspx

Qualifications

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Enthusiasm
• Dependability
• Willingness to lead a small group (8-12 people)
• Interest in working with older adults
• Life experiences valued - with teaching a plus
• Good collaborator (this class will be offered by 2 trained facilitators)
• Ability to carry up to 20 lbs

Benefits

• Opportunity to serve your community and make a difference in the lives of older adults
• Opportunity to receive a high quality training that may create future opportunities for you
• Opportunity to connect with other local trainers

Process:

1. Register* for a 2-day train-the-trainer course. The next training will be in February 2018, location TBD. You must be able to commit to attending BOTH days of training. To get registered or for more information, contact Amy Jones - Amy.Jones@co.dakota.mn.us or 651-554-6134. Dakota County, with support from Statewide Health Improvement Partnership funding, will cover registration fees.
2. Connect with another trained leader to form a coaching team. Dakota County will connect you with another trained leader (pairs are welcome to register for training together and co-facilitate workshops) as well as with a local host site (senior center or older adult independent living residence).
3. Lead at least one 8-week workshop during a 12-month period from the date of certification (last day of training) to remain an active trainer. There may be an opportunity to offer this more than once per year, if you are interested.

*This workshop typically fills up quickly. Registration will be first-come-first serve .

Contact

Lauren Zimbelman |

Dakota County Public Health Department

1 Mendota Rd W Ste 410|West St. Paul, MN 55118

Direct: (651) 554-5942 | lauren.zimbelman@co.dakota.mn.us

Amy Jones |

Dakota County Public Health Department

1 Mendota Rd W Ste 410|West St. Paul, MN 55118

Direct: (651) 554-6134 | amy.jones@co.dakota.mn.us