Social workers, educators, and human service professionals face unprecedented challenges in serving diverse communities. The complexity of trauma, systemic inequities, and the need for culturally responsive practices demand continuous professional development. Quality training programs equip professionals with evidence-based strategies to create meaningful change in the lives of those they serve.

Modern social work requires more than textbook knowledge. Professionals need practical tools to build authentic relationships, address trauma, and promote healing in their communities. Effective training bridges the gap between theory and real-world application, empowering practitioners to respond to complex situations with confidence and compassion.

The demand for specialized training continues to grow as organizations recognize that investing in staff development directly impacts client outcomes. When professionals receive high-quality education, entire communities benefit from improved services, reduced recidivism, and stronger support systems for vulnerable populations.

Comprehensive Social Work Training Opportunities for Every Professional

Social work training opportunities at Akoben provide transformative learning experiences for professionals committed to excellence in service. These programs combine restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive approaches to create powerful frameworks for community building and accountability. Each workshop delivers actionable strategies that participants can implement immediately in their practice settings.

The organization akoben.org offers both domestic and international training programs designed for educators, law enforcement, clinicians, and youth-serving agencies. All trainers hold advanced degrees and bring extensive field experience to their presentations. The programs follow a restorative methodology that recognizes workshops as just the beginning—10% of the transformation happens in training, while the remaining 90% occurs when participants apply these principles in their own environments.

Training formats accommodate various organizational needs with half-day and full-day options available. Dr. Malik Muhammad and the Akoben team have developed a comprehensive curriculum that addresses root causes of systemic challenges rather than offering superficial solutions. This depth of approach ensures lasting change that extends far beyond the training room into classrooms, courtrooms, and community centers across the globe.

Building Foundations Through Restorative Practice Workshops

The Developing a Restorative Approach series provides essential building blocks for professionals new to restorative practices. Iman Shabazz and other core team members guide participants through the Social Discipline Window, a powerful framework for analyzing authority use. Part 1 introduces affective statements and restorative questions—two immediate practices that increase social capital and strengthen community bonds through meaningful connection.

Part 2 deepens this foundation by exploring the restorative mindset and introducing advanced practices including re-integrative shaming and circle processes. Dr. Duane Thomas emphasizes that both proactive and responsive circles create spaces for authentic dialogue, accountability, and healing. Participants leave equipped with practical tools for building community while holding individuals accountable in ways that promote growth rather than punishment.

The Being Trauma-Informed and Restorative workshop combines two critical concepts for effective service delivery. Through the Compass of Shame framework and trauma-informed principles, professionals learn to recognize how past experiences shape present behavior. This workshop addresses the intersection of trauma awareness and restorative practices, helping participants identify approaches that build social capital while remaining culturally sensitive and genuinely supportive of healing.

Specialized Training for Equity and Youth Development

Equity in Restorative Processes explores how restorative practices align with social justice work. This session helps participants view their work through an equity lens, identifying systemic barriers and learning strategies to interrupt inequitable patterns. The training provides practical considerations for ensuring restorative processes serve all community members fairly, regardless of race, class, or background.

The Strength-Based Approach in the Restorative Classroom addresses the intersection of asset-based learning and community development. Teachers and youth workers learn to balance the demands of their roles while implementing strategies that recognize and build upon student strengths. This proactive approach improves outcomes by shifting focus from deficits to possibilities, creating environments where young people thrive.

Specialized workshops address urgent needs in serving specific populations. We Owe All Children Their Innocence tackles the adultification of Black girls, based on Georgetown Law's groundbreaking 2017 study. Participants examine their own biases and learn strategies to ensure Black girls receive the nurturing, protection, and support all children deserve. Similarly, We Can Save Our Boys of Color workshops provide comprehensive, research-backed interventions for serving Black and Latino youth effectively.

Advanced Applications and Real-World Implementation

Restorative Practices in the Unlikeliest of Places challenges experienced practitioners to extend restorative philosophies beyond traditional applications. This advanced workshop explores how James Comer's principle—"No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship"—applies to grading policies, attendance systems, evaluation processes, and academic instruction. Participants engage in role-play scenarios and develop implementation plans for their specific contexts.

The Emotions in Restorative Practices workshop reinforces foundational knowledge by examining the critical role of affect in facilitation. Through case studies and practical exercises, participants explore how emotions manifest in circle processes and learn to navigate challenging emotional moments with skill and sensitivity. This training deepens facilitators' capacity to hold space for authentic expression while maintaining psychological safety.

Circles: A Powerful Way to Connect and Heal our Community provides intensive skill-building in circle methodology. Beyond basic facilitation techniques, this workshop explores optimal approaches for meaningful communication. Participants practice both proactive circles for norm-setting and community building, as well as responsive circles for addressing harm and repairing relationships across educational, organizational, and community settings.

Supporting Families and Understanding Context

Calling on the Village recognizes families and support systems as the most significant institutions for individual and social transformation. This workshop equips professionals with strategies for meaningful family engagement that empowers rather than marginalizes. Participants learn to partner authentically with families, honoring their wisdom while providing appropriate support and resources.

Understanding Youth in Poverty challenges common misconceptions and helps professionals identify the true faces of poverty. Through interactive activities, participants confront their own assumptions about social class and privilege. The workshop outlines specific challenges facing families in economic hardship and provides practical approaches for making services accessible and engaging for this population.

Awakening the Dynamic Spirit of Black Boys offers a hopeful framework for professionals working with this critically underserved population. Despite troubling statistics across nearly every indicator of social progress, this workshop empowers participants with evidence-based strategies for positive engagement. The training presents customized approaches that recognize Black boys as valuable assets deserving of investment and support.

Creating Lasting Organizational Change

The As Tough As We Need to Be workshop addresses classroom management through the lens of relationship and community. Teachers evaluate their current practices and develop explicit frameworks for exercising authority in ways that build connection rather than division. The training explores the link between teaching style and brain states, providing neuroscience-based strategies for creating safe, productive learning environments.

Building a Stronger School Community emphasizes relationships as the decisive factor in positive learning environments. Participants engage in deep self-reflection through small-group circles and interactive activities. The workshop challenges staff to clearly define their school community and provides concrete tools for strengthening connections among students, between students and adults, and among professional staff members.

All Akoben workshops share a commitment to doing the inner work necessary for outer transformation. Surface-level skill acquisition cannot create lasting change without addressing the beliefs, biases, and assumptions that drive behavior. By combining practical tools with opportunities for genuine reflection, these trainings prepare professionals to lead transformation in their organizations and communities with authenticity and effectiveness.