U-First!® train-the-trainer program
The U-First!® train-the-trainer program helps long-term care homes build internal capacity by training staff to deliver the U-First!® workshop directly to their teams as certified U-First!® facilitators.
Call for applications is now open!
We are now accepting applications for the February 17 to 19, 2026 Train-the-Trainer cohort. Apply by January 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Space is limited to 15 participants.
Successful applicants will be notified on January 19, 2026. If demand exceeds available space, some applications may be placed on a waitlist for a future cohort.
How to apply
- Review the Facilitator position description and Facilitator training roadmap to confirm eligibility and delivery requirements.
- Complete the online application.
- Email a letter of support from your organization to [email protected].
When and where is the first Train-the-Trainer facilitator training?
When: February 17 to 19, 2026 (2.5 days)
- Day 1 (February 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Art of Facilitation course (part one)
- Day 2 (February 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Art of Facilitation course (part two)
- Day 3 (February 19, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.): U-First!® facilitator training workshop
Location: Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue (Simon Fraser University), 580 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver.
Reasonable travel costs (travel, accommodations, meals) will be reimbursed.
Eligibility
Participants must:
- Be employed by an organization delivering publicly funded long-term care or a health authority.
- Be in a role related to the care and support for people living with dementia, such as a Clinical Nurse Educator, Health-Care Assistant, Education Coordinator, or similar.
- Commit to delivering a minimum of two U-First!® workshops per year within their organization, for a minimum of one year, or until September 2027.
- See the Facilitator position description for additional eligibility and delivery requirements.
What are the features and benefits of the train-the-trainer program?
- Enhanced organizational capacity: Staff trained as U-First!® facilitators can deliver workshops within their long-term care organization or health authority, expanding access to dementia education and embedding U-First!® into regular onboarding and professional development.
- Ongoing support: Trained facilitators receive continuous mentorship from U-First!® Master Trainers until September 2027, helping to build facilitator confidence and support high-quality training delivery.
- Honorarium: Where applicable, an organizational honorarium may be provided to help offset staff time and related expenses for each workshop delivered.
- Leadership development: The program offers professional growth opportunities for staff, with the cost of all required courses to become a U-First!® facilitator covered through program funding until September 2027.
About U-First!®
To learn more about U-First! dementia training, click here.
