NCLR will arrange for a total of 35 to 45 representatives of NCLR Affiliates to attend onsite training sessions with selected 2008 Family Strengthening Award winners. The sessions will include an onsite facilities visit, meetings with the winning program's clients and key program staff, and discussions on funding and best practices. The winning programs will outline the best practices they have used to strengthen Hispanic families in their communities, and will provide an open dialogue for the participating Affiliates to share and develop potential solutions to the challenges they face in running their own programs. Each session will involve at least one representative from the winning program and ten to fifteen participants from selected NCLR Affiliates. Selected Affiliates will participate in at least one conference call prior to the training session to clearly identify their goals, objectives, and desired results from attending the session.

NCLR will pay for up to $500 for airfare and two nights in a hotel near the winning program's facilities for one representative from each chosen Affiliate organization. NCLR Affiliates will assume any additional costs, such as taxi fare and meals.

Those Affiliates selected to participate in the training sessions must coordinate their visit with the Affiliate Programs Coordinator at NCLR and the Family Strengthening Award winner from whom they wish to receive training. Each selected Affiliate may send one representative to the session. Failure to participate in mandatory conference calls or respond to communications from NCLR will result in the NCLR Affiliate losing its place at the training session. All training sessions will take place during the fall of 2008.

APPLICATION PROCESS

NCLR considers the following criteria in choosing Affiliates to participate in the peer-to-peer training sessions:

·        The Affiliate is in good standing at NCLR and is current on its dues payments and recertification documents (most recent Board of Directors list, audited financial statements, and a signed Memorandum of Understanding).

·        The Affiliate is operating or has concrete plans to begin operating a program similar to the winning program from which it wants to receive training.

·        The Affiliate has a clear understanding of the goals it wishes to achieve through attending the training session.

·        The Affiliate has demonstrated a dedication to strengthening Hispanic families in its own programs.

To apply for the training sessions, the application form must be must be submitted to NCLR by August 29, 2008. Questions or concerns should be directed to Mauricio Hernandez at mhernandez@nclr.org or (202) 776-1716.