Groundwork

Equipping caregivers to work directly with TCK families!
Empty space, drag to resize

Click the buttons below to jump down the page!

Why should you take Groundwork?  

  • Student discussion! We've witnessed how transformative these discussion are for developing TCK Caregivers (over 20 hours!).  It's strengthening the TCK care field as a whole by building relationships between organizations, schools, and caregivers that continue past certification. 
  • Learning that fits your schedule. This is a global community, and time zones are tricky. So we've crafted learning (about 10 hours of videos) to be accessible anytime so we could use as much live time for invaluable discussions! 
  • Practical assignments. We're not fans of busy work. Every assignment aligns with things you're likely doing in your work with TCKs already - with practicum focuses to enhance how you're already operating in your role.  A weekly 5 minute recap video or 500 word essay is all students are required to submit.
  • THREE certifications:
        Groundwork (of course!)
        Youth Mental Health First Aid
        Suicide Intervention

Trying to decide if Groundwork or Pathways is the right fit? Find more information below.

Upcoming Cohorts

Choose a cohort that's best for you, and maintain your training by renewing certification every 3 years.

Jan 2026 Cohort

Tuesdays
Jan 27 - Mar 24, 2026
10 am - Noon Eastern Time (NY)



Registration Closes: Dec 19

Sept 2026 Cohort

Mondays

Sept 21 - Nov 16, 2026
10am - Noon Eastern Time (NY)

Early Bird Sale Ends: July 17
Registration Closes: Aug 14

Recertification Every 3 Years

The first recertification course will be offered in 2027 for 2024 Groundwork graduates.

To maintain, this certification must be renewed every three years.

Pricing

STANDARD PRICE

$2100

12-month payment plans available at registration.

Group discounts available for 2 or more attendees from the same organization/company
Discounts

  • Early Bird Sale ($150 off - ends 1 month before registration closes)
  • Teams of 2+ (10% off)
  • Pathways & Groundwork Bundle ($1500 off) 
Inquire at info@tcktraining.com
scholarships

Offered each semester

Applications for Sept 2026 cohort scholarships close on March 15.

"It works! It's taught by leaders in the trenches who are interacting with TCKs on a daily basis."                                                                                                                                                   - Jan 25 cohort alumni


    "Come! Even if you have worked with TCKs for a long time there is       always more to learn and great ideas and resources to assist you."                                                                         - Jan 25 cohort alumni 

"Just do it. I heard classmates from different backgrounds and experiences say how beneficial the information was. There were weeks when the outside work took longer, but none of it was difficult. Every assignment had practical applications and allowed me to immediately use what I was a learning in an intentional way. Getting the feedback for each assignment was not only helpful but very encouraging!"

- Alumni,  Sept 2024 Cohort

"When I started the course, I was feeling unsure about how relevant it would actually be to my work as a staff care worker.

However, it's proved to be highly relevant.
I've learned so much from the knowledge and experience of the instructors.

I've been able to support young people and parents in ways that I didn't have the confidence to before, and have new knowledge that I can share with others.

The practical activities were really useful and relevant to my work, and the written activities helped to consolidate all I'd been learning."

- Alumni, Sept 2024 cohort


"Super helpful and loved being able to meet others in the field and open opportunities for networking."

- Alumni, Sept 2024 Cohort

"I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is working with TCK's or interested in working with TCK's as it really does give you solid Groundwork to get you going!" 

- Alumni, Sept 2024 Cohort

A BUDDING COMMUNITY

37 certifications 
& counting!

See what our alumni have to say about Groundwork.

Deciding which Certification is Best for You?

Here's the difference between Groundwork & Pathways:

Not ready to take Groundwork?
Start here!

Meet the instructors

—

Lauren Wells 

TCK Training - Chief Executive Officer

Lauren is the Founder and CEO of TCK Training and author of Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids, What Made That Feel So Hard: The Unstacking Method, and more. An Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) who spent her teenage years living in Tanzania, East Africa, Lauren has worked with over 1,000 parents and TCK caregivers and has trained staff from over 80 organizations. 

Elizabeth Smith

TCK Training - Chief Operations Officer

Author of The Practice of Processing, Elizabeth is a skilled communicator and trauma-informed educator who helps transform abstract concepts into practical steps, equipping, encouraging, and empowering people to reach their goals. Elizabeth is a mom of two worldschooling TCKs.

Tanya Crossman

TCK Training - Director of Research & International Schools

Tanya is a leading expert in the field of modern Third Culture Kids and issues facing cross-cultural families. She is the author of Misunderstood: The Impact of Growing Up Overseas in the 21st Century (2016), and Tongs or Flip Flops:  Australian kids overseas and what comes next (2024). Tanya serves TCK Training families - offering virtual debriefing, parent coaching, consulting, and training - particularly to those living in Eastern Hemisphere time zones. She conducts research on behalf of TCK Training in the area of TCKs and ACE scores.

Jessi Bullis

TCK Training Presenter

Jessi is an Adult TCK who grew up in Singapore, England, Turkey, and Germany. She has a heart and passion for TCKs and the unique struggles they face. She received her undergraduate in psychology and a seminary degree in counseling for the purpose of caring for TCKs well.

Anna Danforth

TCK Training  - Presenter

Anna Danforth grew up in Cameroon as a TCK where she developed a passion to help global families thrive overseas. She holds a degree in secondary French education and an MAED in Instruction and Curriculum. She married her high school sweetheart from DR Congo and they raised their two kids in Lesotho and South Africa. Anna is the author of Raising a Family Overseas, a resource for global families, and Sam's Roommate Disaster, a novel for TCKs. The place she calls home is a fruit tree and macadamia farm in KwaZulu Natal where she lives with her husband, dogs, cats, horse, and best friends.

Christy Carmean

TCK Training  - Director of Operations

Christy has spent the last 11 years living in West Central Africa.  With experience as an International Educator and mom of 3 TCKs, Christy combines her passion for teaching and helping families to thrive in the Certification courses at TCK Training.