Extended Family for Kids Leader Training Coming to Montgomery Sept. 23

Extended Family | Supporting Children & Families

Submitted by Extended Family | T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Wednesday, August 19, 2026

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Adults who work with children facing incarceration-related family disruption, trauma and other challenging circumstances are invited to participate in an upcoming Extended Family for Kids Program Leader Training in Montgomery.

The one-day training will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, and hosted by the Alabama Department of Youth Services.

Extended Family for Kids, or EFK, is an evidence-based, nine-lesson curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who have a loved one who is or has been incarcerated, as well as children who have otherwise been identified as at-risk.

The program is designed to give children practical tools for making healthy lifestyle choices while strengthening their emotional, mental, and physical well-being. According to Extended Family, lessons focus on building self-esteem, reducing feelings of shame and isolation, managing stress and anger, and strengthening communication skills.

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During the training, participants will experience all nine EFK lessons through hands-on instruction. Each participant will receive an EFK Curriculum Guide and materials needed to begin leading an EFK program group.

The training is designed for a wide range of professionals and volunteers who work with children, including school administrators, counselors, teachers, School Resource Officers, community agency staff and volunteers, Children's Policy members, Child Protective Services workers, counselors in private practice, Juvenile Probation Officers, law enforcement personnel and others who regularly work with at-risk youth.

Training participants will receive the Extended Family for Kids Curriculum Guide, supplemental EFK information packet, handouts and activity supplies. Graduates will also receive an EFK Program Leader Certificate of Completion and Program Leader shirt.

According to Extended Family, there are no additional licensing or annual renewal fees required after completing the training.

Registration

Those interested in attending may register online or contact Extended Family for assistance. Agencies registering multiple participants may email daphne@extendedfamilyhelp.org for registration assistance.

The training project is supported by Subgrant #2025-JF-C1-421, awarded by the Law Enforcement/Traffic Safety Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Source: Press release submitted by Extended Family

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