Groundwork

Equipping caregivers to work directly with TCK families!
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Groundwork is perfect for you if... 

  • You work directly with TCKs and their families on a regular basis
  • You're intimately familiar with the challenge of wearing multiple hats (ex. you're a family friend & the TCK Caregiver & also work at the child's school)
  • You desire to learn effective communication strategies and practical tools for working with TCKs and their families
  • You want to learn how to support TCKs effectively in seasons of stress and crisis

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.

Sept 2025 Cohort

Wednesdays

Sept 24 - Nov 19, 2025
7-9 am Eastern Time (NY)

Early Bird Sale Ends: July 18
Registration Closes: Aug 15

Jan 2026 Cohort

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


Early Bird Sale Ends: Nov 21
Registration Closes: Dec 19

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

$2000

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



Apply in March for September 2025 cohort scholarships.

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How does groundwork actually work? 

Practical and Discussion Focused Education

This course is designed to provide caregivers with bite-size chunks of education that direct them toward meaningful practical application.

Each week, the unit will be completed independently and will include 5-8 hours of online education and in person practicum (practicing what you've learned that week with the TCKs and families in your community).

Each week, the cohort will gather for a 2-hour guided discussion on the education and their experiences in real-life application and a Q&A with one of the instructors. 

Included in the Groundwork Certification is the Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification and QPR Suicide Prevention Certification.

"Groundwork course offers much needed research, information, perspective, understanding, compassion, and actionable strategies that help nurture and support TCKs and their families. The presenters taught and led with quality, soundness, creativity, respect, and value as they paired their expert knowledge with their experience and wisdom. I also gained helpful insight from my classmates; it was wonderful to learn along with an online community.  Everything I have put into practice has been positive, often resulting in instant benefits, and is extending beyond our family to other TCK families in our community. Please, don’t miss out on the hope and help this course provides." 

- Alumni, Sept 2024 Cohort

"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

15+ 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:

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 - Director of Adult TCK Services & Marketing

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.

2024 Events Calendar
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