Train the Trainer: Cognitive Life Skills Curriculum
Equip your organization's staff with evidence-based, trauma-informed tools to deliver ONH's proven Cognitive Life Skills curriculum to the youth and communities you serve.
A Curriculum Built on 40+ Years of Impact
Operation New Hope's Cognitive Life Skills curriculum is the backbone of our success — helping thousands of disadvantaged youth in California build the mental frameworks, emotional regulation skills, and decision-making tools they need to thrive. Now we're making this evidence-based, trauma-informed curriculum available to partner organizations through our Train the Trainer certification program.
Whether you're a county agency, school district, state program, or community-based organization, our certification equips your staff to deliver this life-changing curriculum with fidelity and confidence.
40+
Years of curriculum development
10,000+
Youth served with this curriculum
83%
Employment rate among graduates
891+
High school diplomas earned
What Is Cognitive Life Skills?
Our Cognitive Life Skills curriculum is a structured, evidence-based program grounded in cognitive behavioral principles and trauma-informed care. It addresses the root causes of negative behavior patterns by teaching participants to recognize thought distortions, regulate emotional responses, and develop pro-social decision-making skills.
Cognitive Behavioral Framework
Rooted in proven CBT principles adapted for youth and young adults facing trauma, poverty, and systemic barriers.
Trauma-Informed Approach
Every module is designed with sensitivity to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the impact of community violence.
Culturally Responsive
Developed and refined through direct service in diverse, underserved communities in the Inland Empire.
Outcomes-Driven
Tied to measurable behavioral outcomes including reduced recidivism, improved school attendance, and employment readiness.
Who Should Attend
This certification is designed for organizations and agencies that work directly with opportunity youth, justice-involved individuals, or underserved communities.Below are agencies who have successfully completed and implemented the ONH Trauma Informed Cognitive Life Skills.
Probation Departments
County and state probation agencies serving justice-involved youth and adults across the country.
- San Bernardino County Probation Department, California
- Riverside County Probation, California
- Alexandria / Fairfax County, Virginia
- Boise County, Idaho
- Maricopa County Probation, Arizona
- Adams County, Pennsylvania
- Brazos County, Texas
Government Agencies
State and county government agencies delivering youth services, family support, and court-based programming.
- State of Connecticut Family Court
School Districts & Charter Schools
K–12 districts, continuation schools, and alternative education programs seeking evidence-based social-emotional learning tools.
- Riverside Unified School District
- Perris Unified School District
- Moreno Valley Unified School District
- Nevada County School District, California
- John Muir Charter School
- Alta Vista Innovation High School
- Learn4Life Charter Schools
- Options for Youth Charter Schools
Parks & Recreation Departments
City parks and recreation departments running youth development, prevention, and community engagement programs.
- Riverside City Parks and Recreation
- San Bernardino City Parks and Recreation
- Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation (YO WATTS)
Community-Based Organizations
Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and CBOs delivering youth development, reentry, and prevention services nationwide.
- Las Vegas Boys and Girls Club
- North Georgia Angel House Inc.
- Youth Front Kansas City
- Antelope Valley Partners
- Family Assistance Program, San Bernardino County
- California Conservation Corps — San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara Counties
- Urban Conservation Corps
- San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps
Healthcare & Behavioral Health
Mental health providers, hospitals, and clinics working with trauma-affected youth and families.
What You'll Receive
Certified Trainer Status
Upon completion, participants receive official ONH Train the Trainer certification, authorizing them to deliver the curriculum within their organization.
Complete Curriculum Package
Full facilitator guide, participant workbooks, session outlines, and supplemental materials for all curriculum modules.
Ongoing Technical Assistance
Access to ONH staff for implementation support, fidelity monitoring, and troubleshooting as you roll out the curriculum.
Continuing Education Units
CEUs available for qualifying participants. Contact us for details on accreditation and professional development hours.
Training Investment
Choose the format that works best for your organization. Both options include the full 3-day, 24-hour certification program and everything your team needs to begin delivering the curriculum.
Virtual
3 days · 8 hours/day · 24 hours total
Live, instructor-led training delivered via Zoom or your preferred video platform. Ideal for geographically dispersed teams or organizations seeking scheduling flexibility.
- Live virtual instruction by certified ONH trainers
- Full digital curriculum package (facilitator guide, workbooks, session outlines)
- Recorded session access for 30 days post-training
- Ongoing technical assistance from ONH staff
- Official Train the Trainer certification for each participant
- CEUs available for qualifying participants
In-Person
3 days · 8 hours/day · 24 hours total
Immersive, on-site training at your facility or an ONH-arranged venue. Best for teams that benefit from hands-on, face-to-face learning and real-time group practice.
- On-site instruction by certified ONH trainers
- Full printed and digital curriculum package
- Role-play and live facilitation practice sessions
- Ongoing technical assistance from ONH staff
- Official Train the Trainer certification for each participant
- CEUs available for qualifying participants
Pricing is per cohort (up to 20 participants). Group rates and multi-cohort agreements available — contact us for a custom quote.
How It Works
Initial Inquiry
Reach out to our team to discuss your organization's needs, population served, and implementation goals.
Needs Assessment
ONH conducts a brief organizational assessment to tailor the training to your staff's background and your community's context.
Training Cohort
Your designated staff participate in our intensive Train the Trainer cohort — available in-person or hybrid format.
Certification & Launch
Certified trainers receive their materials and ONH support to begin delivering the curriculum within your organization.
Independently Validated. Federally Recognized.
Our Cognitive Life Skills curriculum has been rigorously evaluated by independent researchers and recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as an evidence-based program.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Operation New Hope has been reviewed and rated by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) CrimeSolutions program — the federal government's authoritative clearinghouse for evidence-based juvenile justice and crime prevention programs. This recognition confirms that ONH's program model meets rigorous standards for program design, implementation fidelity, and measurable outcomes.
View ONH on OJJDP CrimeSolutionsCalifornia State University, San Bernardino
Dr. Dale Sechrest
Independent Program Evaluation — Cognitive Life Skills Curriculum
Dr. Dale Sechrest of California State University, San Bernardino conducted an independent evaluation of Operation New Hope's Cognitive Life Skills curriculum. The study examined program outcomes among at-risk youth in San Bernardino County, assessing changes in cognitive patterns, behavioral indicators, and recidivism rates. Findings supported the curriculum's effectiveness in producing measurable improvements in pro-social thinking and decision-making among program participants.
Download CSUSB Abstract (PDF)University of California, Irvine
Dr. Don Josi
Longitudinal Outcomes Study — ONH Program Model
Dr. Don Josi of the University of California, Irvine conducted a longitudinal study examining the long-term outcomes of Operation New Hope's program model, with a focus on the Cognitive Life Skills curriculum's role in reducing recidivism and improving employment outcomes. The research provided empirical support for the curriculum's trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral approach and contributed to ONH's recognition as a model program for replication.
Download UCI Abstract (PDF)Purchase the Curriculum
Equip your participants with the same evidence-based workbooks used in ONH programs for over 40 years. Available for individual purchase or at a significant cohort discount for organizations committing to a full group.
Individual Copy
1–24 copies
Perfect for pilot programs, individual practitioners, or organizations evaluating the curriculum before a full cohort commitment.
- Full Cognitive Life Skills participant workbook
- Digital access to supplemental resources
- Suitable for individual or small-group use
- Ships within 5–7 business days
Cohort License
25+ copies
Designed for organizations, agencies, and school districts deploying the curriculum across a full cohort. Maximum impact at the lowest per-student cost.
- Full Cognitive Life Skills participant workbooks (25+ copies)
- Digital access to supplemental facilitator resources
- Priority fulfillment — ships within 3–5 business days
- Dedicated ONH contact for order support
- Eligible to combine with Train the Trainer certification
Our honest take on these prices
$19.99 per workbook is right in line with the most widely used CBT curricula in the field — Moral Reconation Therapy and Aggression Replacement Training both run $18–$25 per participant workbook. You're getting 40+ years of refinement, OJJDP federal recognition, and ongoing technical assistance at a price that matches programs with far less support.
$5.99 per workbook at 25+ is your strongest differentiator. Most competitors offer a modest 15–20% discount at volume — that still puts them at $14–$20/student. At $5.99, you're making it genuinely easy for a county agency, school district, or CBO to say yes to a full cohort.
Bottom line: these prices are fair, competitive, and defensible. The cohort rate in particular is a genuine value-driver that should convert organizations evaluating multiple curricula.
Ready to Order?
Enter your quantity below — pricing adjusts automatically at 25 copies. Secure checkout via PayPal (no PayPal account required).
All purchases include digital access to supplemental facilitator resources. Bulk/cohort pricing requires a minimum order of 25 copies. Contact us for district-wide or multi-site licensing agreements.
How We Compare
ONH's Cognitive Life Skills curriculum is independently validated by OJJDP and backed by 40+ years of direct service — at a price point that competes with or beats the most widely used CBT curricula in the field.
| Curriculum | Single Copy | Bulk / Cohort | Evidence Level | Support Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Life Skills (ONH)ONH | $19.99 | $5.99 (25+) | OJJDP Rated | Full TtT + TA |
| Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) | $18–$25 | ~15–20% off | OJJDP Rated | Paid consultation |
| Aggression Replacement Training (ART) | $15–$25 | Limited | Blueprints Model | Paid consultation |
| ARISE Life Skills | $15–$22 | ~15–20% off | Moderate | Paid TtT |
Program Resources
Download our program overview and board deck to learn more about ONH's evidence base, outcomes data, and organizational capacity.
Ready to Bring This Curriculum to Your Community?
Contact our team to start the conversation about Train the Trainer certification for your organization.