The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Center on Children, Families, and the Law is offering Mandt System relational training to faculty, staff and graduate students Aug. 12 and Oct. 1.
The Mandt System provides tools and skills to manage interpersonal interactions successfully, reducing the risk of adverse reactions and unsafe situations.
The powerful, evidence-based relational training focuses on prevention by providing tools that help build healthy workplace relationships. It also teaches practical de-escalation skills for when conflict occurs.
Certified Mandt System instructors Angie Graham and Jill Knox will lead the training sessions. They are award-winning trainers in the Center on Children, Families and the Law with more than 50 combined years of human services work and expertise.
Graham has a degree in human services and began her career in 1998, supporting children and families as a child welfare case manager. In 2003, she joined the center to offer field training to new Child and Family Services Specialists with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, helping trainees build the necessary skills to support families. Last year, Graham transitioned into the classroom after 22 years of field training.
"I've always been a people person, so this role has been a natural fit — I truly enjoy getting to know others, learning about their experiences and continuing to grow personally and professionally through those connections," Graham said.
Knox attended UNL, graduated with a degree in psychology. Like Graham, she began her career in child welfare in 1998, joining the center in 2003 and training new Child and Family Services Specialists for 21 years in the field before moving into classroom training at the center.
Since beginning her career, Knox has been involved in the Mandt program and was inspired to become a certified Mandt instructor last year.
"Conflict happens everywhere," she said. "Regardless of what your job entails, we are always interacting with people."
The training sessions are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Ubuntu Room 202. The cost is $115 per person, with a boxed lunch provided.
The registration deadlines are July 31 and Sept. 19. Register here. Each class is limited to 40 participants.
