Critical Friends Facilitation Training, created by the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF), offers intensive professional development to educators from pre-kindergarten to post secondary looking to initiate or extend adult professional collaboration.  ADF collaborates with the Chattanooga Public Education Foundation and Houston A+ Foundation to bring NSRF Trainers to Baton Rouge.  The training is offered free to anyone affiliated with an East Baton Rouge Parish public school. In  other regions of the country this same training cost upward of a $1000. ADF has trained more than 300 teachers and administrators in protocols utilized in Critical Friends Facilitation. 

Through the Public Education Network, ADF and other local education funds who were impacted by Katrina received a special Ford Grant to further their work particularly in leadership and community involvement. ADF chose to use these funds for the Leo Broering Speaker Series, and to further their work in Critical Friends. In October, all elementary principals participated in a leadership seminar developed around their needs. In November, training was offered to teachers known for their leadership skills in schools that had either a large number of Katrina students  or teachers. Additional training is scheduled for the 2007 summer months.

Teachers interested in participating in the Critical Friends Program should call ADF at 922-4560 or write to info@adfbr.org.