Professional Development at Early impact virginia

At Early Impact Virginia, we are dedicated to fostering excellence through coaching, customized professional development, and technical assistance. Our goal is to equip home visiting and family support professionals with the skills and tools they need to deliver high-quality services to the families we serve. 

Live Training Opportunities

Live training opportunities are led by subject matter experts and designed to address advanced skills and real-world situations home visitors experience in the field. These interactive sessions provide invaluable hands-on experiences and tailored guidance. 

  • Adult Mental Health Learning Lab

    This training supports family support professionals working with families experiencing perinatal depression and other mental health challenges. It covers mental health disorders, risk factors, and the importance of screening and referrals. Participants practice strategies for supporting families and responding to crises.

  • Trauma Learning Lab

    This virtually facilitated session focuses on trauma-informed care and engaging families with trauma experiences. Participants explore trauma resilience, impacts on home visitors, and strategies for family engagement.  

  • Healthy Outcomes for Families: IPV & Family Well-being

    This training explores the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its effects on perinatal health. Participants learn to use universal education in home visits, navigate difficult conversations, and handle IPV disclosures effectively. 

  • Motivational Interviewing 

    This introductory workshop equips participants with a conversational style to explore and resolve ambivalence about change. Participants practice enhanced communication skills, build motivation, and develop confidence in supporting clients’ growth. 

  • SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment)

    Learn to use SBIRT tools to address behavioral health risks, provide immediate feedback, and connect clients with resources. Participants practice using Virginia’s Behavioral Health Risks Screening Tool and refine brief intervention techniques. 

  • Working with Pregnant & Parenting Teens 

    Gain insights into culturally competent and developmentally appropriate approaches for working with teens. This training provides practical strategies to support adolescent development, mental health, and parenting skills. 

  • Mothers & Babies

    This evidence-based program addresses postpartum depression prevention. Guided by cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment theory, it supports mothers through individual or group interventions. Attendees receive tools for implementation and optional ongoing technical assistance. 

  • EPDS-US (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale US Version) 

    Explore the updated EPDS-US screening tool with a trauma-informed and respectful approach. Learn to provide person-centered support, reduce stigma, and encourage disclosures while maintaining clinical utility. 

  • Community Conversations 

    The Community Conversations series provides an engaging, interactive platform for family support professionals to connect, share experiences, and collaboratively address real-world challenges they encounter in their practice. Each session focuses on a different key issue, highlighting common barriers, actionable solutions, and best practices, while creating space for peer learning. 

The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals 

The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals, developed through the MIECHV Innovation Award in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health and the Iowa Department of Public Health, is an innovative online platform that provides family support professionals with access to high-quality, competency-based professional development resources.  

The Institute empowers over 43,000 users nationwide, including over 6,000 in Virginia, with 97 e-learning modules available 24/7 — 15 of them in Spanish — advancing workforce skills, strengthening practice, and supporting the professionalization of home visiting. 

  • Flexible On-Demand Learning

    Interactive e-learning modules accessible at any time for self-paced learning.

  • Competency-Based Training

    Aligned with the 38 competencies outlined in the National Family Support Competency Framework

  • Comprehensive Tools for Growth

    Includes Career Compass to guide professionals through personalized learning paths and prepare them for certification.