Instructions

Prepare to have a recorded Plan B conversation with someone who has exhibited challenging behaviors. In advance of the conversation, complete a CPS APT, a Plan B Organizer, and have an authorized adult sign a consent form. Once you have recorded your conversation, complete a Self-Reflection and then upload all materials with your application.

Note: These conversations can be had with anyone (adult, child, supervisee, spouse, neighbor, etc.), and they must be authentic Plan B conversations - no role plays. Additionally, upon acceptance, learners will be required to have more authentic Plan B conversations as part of the coursework, so they should think about who they will reach out to to meet the course expectations. Again, no role plays. If there are barriers, please contact thinkkidscertification@partners.org to brainstorm.

How to complete your application

1. Submit your Application Fee ($150 USD) and complete the Registration Form, including your preferred cohort group
2. Download the required documents to complete (CPS APT, Plan B Organizer, two Consent Forms, and a Self-Reflection)
3. Complete a CPS APT, a Plan B Organizer, sign your consent to record form, and have an authorized adult sign a consent to record form for the person who will be in your Plan B video
4. Conduct and record your Plan B conversation
5. Complete your Self-Reflection
6. Upload your Plan B recording and all required documents (CPS APT, Plan B Organizer, two signed Consent Forms, and a Self-Reflection) to your Application
7. Submit your Application for review

Start Your Application

* Be sure to review our Policies tab here and our full Policies on the application system.

Session 1: March – June 2025

Application Deadline: December 1

Cohort 1: Begins February 16, 2025

• Week 1:       Tuesday, March 4, 2025        11-12:30pm ET         Plan B #1 Due
• Week 2:       Tuesday, March 11, 2025      11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 3:       Tuesday, March 18, 2025      11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 4:       Tuesday, April 1, 2025           11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 5:       Tuesday, April 8, 2025           11-12:30pm ET         Plan B #2 Due
• Week 6:       Tuesday, April 29, 2025         11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 7:       Tuesday, May 6, 2025            11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 8:       Tuesday, May 13, 2025          11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 9:       Tuesday, May 20, 2025          11-12:30pm ET         Plan B #3 Due
• Week 10:     Tuesday, May 27, 2025          11-12:30pm ET         1:1s
• Week 11:     Tuesday, June 3, 2025           11-12:30pm ET         Common Qs Due
• Week 12:     Tuesday, June 10, 2025         11-12:30pm ET         1:1s

Cohort 2: Begins March 16, 2025

• Week 1:       Wednesday, April 2, 2025     11:30-1pm ET           Plan B #1 Due
• Week 2:       Wednesday, April 9, 2025     11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 3:       Wednesday, April 23, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 4:       Wednesday, April 30, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 5:       Wednesday, May 7, 2025      11:30-1pm ET           Plan B #2 Due
• Week 6:       Wednesday, May 14, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 7:       Wednesday, May 21, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 8:       Wednesday, May 28, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 9:       Wednesday, June 4, 2025     11:30-1pm ET           Plan B #3 Due
• Week 10:     Wednesday, June 11, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s
• Week 11:     Wednesday, June 18, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           Common Qs Due
• Week 12:     Wednesday, June 25, 2025   11:30-1pm ET           1:1s

Session 2: June – August 2025

Application Deadline: April 1

• Schedules are coming soon!

Session 3: September – November 2025

Application Deadline: July 1

• Schedules are coming soon!

• Plan B Assignments: Learners will complete two to three Plan B assignments. Each Plan B assignment consists of a recorded Plan B interaction and completed supporting documentation (CPS APT, Plan B Organizer, Consent Forms, and Self-Reflection). The Plan B recording should be no longer than 20 minutes. Learners’ Self-Reflections will be a crucial component in these assignments. Instructors are looking to see if learners can identify where things did/didn’t go well and what steps the learner plans to take to improve future Plan B Assignments.
• Record Common Questions Responses: Learners will video record themselves responding to provided common questions. Recorded responses are submitted to the Instructor for review and the Instructor will provide feedback during the Common Questions Review Session.
• Group Sessions (90 mins): Learners will participate in 12 Group Sessions. The Group Sessions aim to hone learners’ understanding of CPS to the expert level, to practice communicating CPS to others, and supporting others in learning and practicing CPS. Each session will begin with a general check-in, followed by a main topic activity or discussion, and conclude with a case presentation.
• Case Presentations (45-60 mins): Each learner will present a case during a Group Session. The case presentation provides an opportunity for peer learning. It enables the presenter to demonstrate their skills by sharing their Plan B Assignment and receiving peer feedback. Learners complete a planning worksheet before their presentation and share it with their Instructor.
• Individual Instructor Meetings (60 mins): These sessions allow learners to meet one-on-one with the Instructor to discuss their Plan B submissions. Learners will share important context surrounding their Plan B Assignment and any reflections they may have. The Instructors will share their feedback and suggestions for areas to work on in future assignments.
• Common Questions Review Session (60 mins): This session provides the opportunity to meet individually with the Instructor to discuss their Responding to Common Questions video assignment. The Instructors will share feedback and suggestions for areas to work on.

• The $150 application fee is nonrefundable/non-transferrable.
• The application fee must be paid before the application submission can be reviewed.
• Applications must include all required materials to be considered. We cannot review an application if it is missing materials.
• If an applicant is not accepted and is invited to reapply, they must wait till the next application review cycle to submit another application. It is our hope that the applicant will take the feedback provided into consideration before completing another application.
• Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on the indicated due date, any submission received after the due date will be considered in the next application review cycle for the next session.
• Tuition must be paid to secure a spot in a desired cohort.
• If a learner needs to extend the deadline to complete the course, they must communicate with their Instructor, and there will be an administrative fee of $150 to extend the deadline by two months.
• Learners are required to attend all scheduled Live Group Sessions.

Collaborative Problem Solving Certified Community

Graduates of the Certification course and Certified Trainer course join our international Community of Collaborative Problem Solving Certified professionals. Certification/Trainer Certification is maintained through annual membership renewal.

The Certified Community receives several benefits including ongoing professional development, support from Think:Kids, and an invitation to the annual CPS Certification conference. Members are given access to a vast array of CPS resources and materials, recognized as Certified/Certified Trainers in Collaborative Problem Solving through our
website and the Certified Seal they may display with their professional credentials.

Beginning October 2024:

• Annual Certified Renewal: $645
• Annual Certified Trainer Renewal: $995

Membership Highlights

• Annual Conference: The annual CPS Conference provides opportunities to practice and explore the nuances of CPS, hear the latest developments in the approach, and network with other community members from around the world.
• Guest Speakers: The Certified Community is invited to join private Community webinars featuring presentations and Q&As with leaders in child development, mental health, and innovative thought leadership.
• CPS Materials: Exclusive and early access to the latest CPS materials, an extensive video library, and CPS research articles.
• Evaluation and Support: Quarterly training evaluation reports are available to help inform members’ practice and teaching of CPS. The opportunity to connect with a Think:Kids staff member to discuss their personal evaluation data and areas for further growth is available upon request.