Training & Certification Programs

When it comes to protecting drug-endangered children, we at NADEC believe that knowledge is power — and training is the key to breaking the cycle of trauma, substance misuse, and suffering.

Our instructor-led professional training is priced by group/organization size, so it requires booking a call with us to get custom pricing to fit your budget. Check out our micro-courses, too; perfect for individual learners and professionals to get a taste of the larger certification courses.

Whether you prefer live instruction, self-paced learning, or on-demand video content, NADEC offers training options to fit your needs.

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NADEC Instructor-Led Training

Our instructor-led training sessions bring experts directly to your team (whether in-person or virtually) to deliver engaging, real-world training designed to strengthen your community’s response to drug-endangered children.

We work with groups of all sizes and figure out custom pricing to find a budget that works for you. Individual instructor-led training virtually is also available upon request.

DEC Academy 101

This series of drug-endangered children (DEC) training is designed to provide the foundational knowledge around drug-endangered children.

Sessions include: Orientation, Online Training (self-paced), DEC Awareness, the DEC Approach, Marijuana: The Danger Remains, Intersection of DEC and Human Trafficking.

4 sessions (2 hrs). Virtually or In-Person.

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DEC Awareness

The DEC Awareness Training looks at the risks and long-term impact on drug-endangered children.

It provides strategies for overcoming the challenges of aligning agencies and systems responsible for preventing, intervening, and treating these issues in order to change the trajectories of the lives of drug-endangered children and break multigenerational cycles of abuse and neglect.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

The DEC Approach

This training focuses on how to implement the DEC Approach which is a comprehensive strategy based on a common vision, collaboration that is ongoing between various disciplines and agencies, and ongoing changes in practice. This training provides insights about how various practitioners are in a position to identify, protect, and serve drug-endangered children and their families. Includes trainer-led discussions and hands on exercises to demonstrate how implementing collaboration enhances the likelihood of better outcomes for drug-endangered children.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

Train the Trainer

The DEC Train the Trainer certifies individuals to present DEC Awareness and DEC Approach trainings in their communities or states.

Available In-person across 3 days back-to-back (24 hours) OR Virtually 4 hrs/day over 6 days.

*Completion of the DEC Awareness and DEC Approach trainings are pre-requisites

for participation in the Train the Trainer.

3 days OR 4 hrs/day for 6 days

DEC Roadmap & Toolkit Academy

This Academy focuses on how to implement the DEC Roadmap and Toolkit which is a strategy in building multidisciplinary drug-endangered children (DEC) alliance.

This 7-session academy includes: Introduction (1 hour), Awareness Stage (2 hours), Coaching (1 hour), Implementation Stage (2 hours), Coaching (1 hour), Institutionalization Stage (2 hours), Coaching (1 hour).

7 sessions (1-2 hrs). Virtual Only.

Your Impact: Bringing, help, hope and support

This interactive training equips professionals to identify and intervene on behalf of drug-endangered children. Participants gain a foundational understanding of brain development, ACEs and PCEs, and the lifelong impact of early experiences. Through scenarios, discussion, and the hands-on brain architecture game, attendees explore how early experiences shape development and strengthen their ability to connect children and families to supportive resources. In-Person Only.

3 hours. In-Person Only.

Intersection of DEC and HT

This introductory training explores the often overlooked connection between Human/Sex Trafficking and drug-endangered children (DEC). Participants will learn how substance misuse, trafficking, and child vulnerability intersect, along with key indicators professionals and community members can recognize. Through definitions, statistics, and case examples, attendees will gain tools to identify concerns, understand risks, and strengthen intervention efforts. Available Virtually and In-Person.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

Marijuana: The Danger Remains

This session explores the risks children face in environments where marijuana is consumed, grown, processed, or sold - regardless of its legal status. Participants will learn how marijuana products and methods of consumption have evolved, the dangers associated with cultivation and production, and the potential impact on child safety and well-being. Special attention will be given to high-potency products, concentrates, edibles, and the hazardous processes used to create them. Available Virtually and In-Person.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

Hidden Influences: How Prenatal Substance Use Affects Development

A foundational overview of how prenatal substance exposure can impact child development from infancy through early childhood. Participants will learn to recognize early signs and understand common developmental, behavioral, and regulatory challenges, including effects on attention, emotional regulation, learning, and social interactions. Practical caregiver-focused strategies are provided to support regulation, attachment, and development, and offer guidance on connecting children to appropriate services and supports.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

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Strengthening DEC Responses within Child Advocacy Centers

This training explores how Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) can respond to children impacted by caregiver substance misuse through a coordinated, trauma-informed approach. Participants will receive an overview of the drug-endangered children (DEC) Clinic model and learn how collaboration among medical providers, forensic interviewers, and MDT partners strengthens assessment, improves investigative decision-making, and enhances child safety and long-term outcomes.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

Drugs: What’s Impacting Our Children Today

Our drugs training examines current drug trends and their impact on children, families, and communities.

Participants will learn to recognize risks, identify warning signs, and improve safety outcomes for both children and professionals while addressing common misconceptions about drugs and drug activity.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

Fentanyl Overdose and Child Death Investigation: The Beautiful Giles Case Study

Sgt DeRogatis of the Palm Beach County Sherrif’s Office presents a fatal child fentanyl overdose case that examines the realities of child drug endangerment and the complexities of overdose investigations.

Participants will explore multidisciplinary collaboration, investigative strategies, and legal considerations while gaining tools to identify, investigate, and respond to drug-endangered children and overdose cases, strengthening outcomes for children and families.

1.5 hours. Virtual Only.

NEW Training Coming in 2027!

3 hours. In-Person Only.

Drug-Endangered Children: The Tools to Respond & Intervene

Ground-breaking training designed to raise awareness of how parental, caregiver, and community substance misuse impacts children and why they are often the first impacted but the last to receive support.

Through a virtual reality (VR) experience from a child’s perspective, participants build empathy and learn how a coordinated community response using the DEC approach can better support drug-endangered children.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

DEC Alliance Foundations

This course bridges the gap between DEC Awareness trainings and the DEC Roadmap & Toolkit Academy. Participants will learn what a DEC Alliance is — and what it is not — while exploring the structure, function, and shared vision of effective multidisciplinary teams.

Through practical examples and discussion of common barriers, attendees gain foundational insight and initial steps to determine readiness and begin building a sustainable DEC Alliance in their community.

2 hours. Virtually or In-Person.

DEC Investigations

Explores the intersection of drug activity and child welfare and the need to identify both. Too often, professionals recognize one but miss the other, resulting in missed opportunities to intervene, support, and protect children.

Designed for professionals across disciplines and highlights the shared responsibility of recognizing concerns, identifying indicators, and contributing information to strengthen coordinated responses. Participants will learn to look more intentionally for both drugs and children, break down silos, and improve outcomes for children and families impacted by substance use.

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⚠️ Important Notice:

NADEC training programs and curricula are protected by copyright and trademark laws. These materials may only be delivered by NADEC-certified trainers under an active agreement. If you’re unsure about your training status, please contact us.

Free Online Training

NADEC provides specialized training for the certification of multidisciplinary alliances. In order to become a Certified DEC Alliance through NADEC, all 4 of the FREE courses below must be completed.

These are self-paced online courses, hosted by the COPS E-Learning Training Portal and free to anyone.

DEC Overview

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Prenatal Substance Exposure

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Postnatal Risks

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Long-Term Outcomes for DEC

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Learn More

NADEC Training Videos

For convenient, on-demand learning, NADEC offers a growing library of FREE YouTube training videos. These videos cover essential DEC topics, real-world insight from experts, and practical strategies for recognizing and responding to drug-endangered children.

Available anytime, these videos are a great resource for individuals, teams, or community groups looking to expand their knowledge.