CBSG® Facilitator Training & Certification

Our award-winning, evidence-based program

The Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program is Brighter Days' award-winning, evidence-based small-group intervention for children and youth ages 4–17 who are experiencing adversity, trauma, and toxic stress. Developed by Brighter Days (formerly Rainbow Days) in 1982 and refined across more than four decades of direct service, the CBSG® Program has been delivered to thousands of children and youth in schools, shelters, juvenile justice settings, and community organizations across 43 states and beyond.

About the CBSG® program

What You Will Learn

By the completion of the training, you'll be able to:

Plan and lead small-group CBSG® sessions in your setting
Use trauma-informed facilitation to create emotionally safe spaces
Teach the core life skills CBSG® builds — coping with difficult situations, resisting negative peer pressure, respecting self and others, setting and achieving goals, refusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
Adapt the curriculum to your participants' age range and setting
Use the participant handouts, activities, and Major Messages framework with confidence
Document and report group outcomes using the CBSG® evaluation tools

Training Format

Length: Half Day - 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Central Time (4 hours of live instruction with breaks)
Format: Live, virtual via Zoom for our public/open cohorts. Private virtual cohorts offered on a contracted basis.
Schedule: Open enrollment trainings are offered periodically throughout the year. Contracted trainings are scheduled at your convenience.
Cohort size: Small enough to protect the depth of practice and discussion. Register early as seats fill.

After the Training

Once you've completed the training, you're a certified CBSG® Program Facilitator. From here you can:

Start running groups in your setting using the Facilitator Manual you received
Order additional manual adaptations ($150 each) if you serve multiple age ranges or implement in multiple settings
Download the free pre/post evaluation surveys, scoring instructions, and outcome statements to document your impact
Access free communication packets — parent permission letters, partner letters, participant rights
Reach our team directly with questions as you implement

Cost and What's Included

$350 per participant. Your registration includes:

Virtual training led by a certified Brighter Days trainer
Your choice of one Facilitator Manual adaptation (Kids' Connection, Youth Connection, Kids' Connection, Too)
USB drive with all participant handouts and activities — in English and Spanish
Certificate of completion
Access to ongoing facilitator support and updated evaluation tools

Need a different adaptation in addition to the one included? Additional manuals are $150 each for trained facilitators.

Where the CBSG® Program Works

The CBSG® modality has been delivered effectively across a wide range of settings. Common implementation environments include:

K–12 schools (during school day, in advisory periods, or after school)
Family shelters and transitional living programs
Domestic violence shelters
Juvenile justice and probation settings
Community-based organizations and prevention coalitions
Faith-based organizations and youth ministries
Recreation centers and after-school programs
Apartment-based and neighborhood youth programs
Summer camps

Who Should Become a CBSG® Facilitator

CBSG® Facilitators come from many backgrounds. This training is a fit if you're:

A school counselor, social worker, or school-based mental health staff member
A K–12 educator or paraeducator working with kids in adversity
A prevention educator or substance use disorder professional
A staff member or volunteer at a shelter, transitional living program, or family services agency
A youth-serving program leader at a community-based organization, faith-based program, or after-school program
A juvenile justice, probation, or law enforcement professional working directly with youth
A community coalition leader looking for a vetted, evidence-based intervention to bring to your network

Choose the right adaptation

Pick the manual that matches the kids you'll be serving:

Kids’ Connection — for children ages 4–12 in school and community-based settings.

Youth Connection — for youth ages 10–17 in school and community-based settings.

Kids’ Connection, Too — for children and youth ages 4–15 living in shelters or transitional living programs.

Classroom Connection — for whole-classroom social-emotional learning, grades K–12. (Note: Classroom Connection does not require facilitator training to use, but it’s included as an option here for trainees who want the full set of materials.)

The CBSG® Program is nationally recognized

The CBSG® Program is independently reviewed and listed by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).

CBSG® is aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards from Pre-K through 12th grade. Empirical studies show the program reduces anti-social attitudes and rebellious behavior, increases anti-drug-use attitudes and intentions, reduces early substance use and experimentation, and increases coping and social skills.

See the full research and evaluation

What kids are gaining

Based on our most recent evaluations

85% know how to make healthier choices
85% can say no to drugs
85% report they have people who care about them
84.6% are more likely to say that asking for help is smart
84.1% report they decided they will graduate from school

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any prerequisites to register?

No. The training is designed for adults who work with children and youth — no prior CBSG® experience or specific credential is required. A background in education, counseling, social work, prevention, or youth services is helpful but not required.

Can I send my whole team?

Yes. Many organizations train multiple staff together. For groups of five or more, ask us about a contracted private cohort — we can tailor examples and case studies to your setting. Email training@brighterdaystx.org.

Are continuing education credits available?

Yes, we are certified by the Texas Certification Board to issue Continuing Education Hours for the CBSG Program Facilitator Training. All trainees receive a certificate of completion.

What if I can't make the date I registered for?

If you are unable to make the Training you registered for, you can reschedule to the next available training.

Can we schedule a CBSG Program Facilitator Training just for our team?

Yes, we can absolutely schedule training just for your team. You may choose between the 4 or 6 hour version, depending on your staff’s experience level and we will work with you to schedule a mutually convenient date. Please email traininginfo@brighterdaystx.org for additional information.

How is this different from Classroom Connection?

CBSG® is a small-group intervention for selective and indicated populations — kids identified as facing elevated risk. Classroom Connection is the universal, whole-classroom adaptation of the same framework, designed for every student in a K–12 classroom and requires no facilitator training. Many educators use both — small groups for the kids who need them most, classroom sessions for everyone else.

How long does it take to become effective as a facilitator?

Most trainees are leading their first group within a few weeks of training. The manual is structured to be an easy-to-follow guide, session-by-session, and our team is available for implementation questions as you get started.

Become a CBSG® Program Facilitator