Training & Certification Programs
When it comes to protecting drug-endangered children, we at NADEC believe that knowledge is power — and training is the key to breaking the cycle of trauma, substance misuse, and suffering.
Our instructor-led professional training is priced by group/organization size, so it requires booking a call with us to get custom pricing to fit your budget. Check out our micro-courses, too; perfect for individual learners and professionals to get a taste of the larger certification courses.
Whether you prefer live instruction, self-paced learning, or on-demand video content, NADEC offers training options to fit your needs.
NADEC Instructor-Led Training
Our instructor-led training sessions bring experts directly to your team — whether in-person or virtually — to deliver engaging, real-world training designed to strengthen your community’s response to drug-endangered children.
You have to book a call with us for custom pricing; we work with groups of all sizes to find a budget that works for you. Individual instructor-led training virtually is also available upon request.
DEC Academy 101
This DEC training series provides foundational knowledge on drug-endangered children, covering key topics such as:
DEC Awareness, the DEC Approach, self-paced online training, as well as sessions on marijuana risks and the link between DEC and human trafficking.
An ideal start to gain a solid foundation in supporting DEC.
5 2-hr Sessions.
Available Virtually
or In-Person
DEC Approach
This training teaches professionals how to implement a comprehensive, collaborative strategy to identify, protect, and support drug-endangered children. Using real case examples, discussions, and hands-on exercises, this training helps practitioners recognize what to look for, gather evidence, and work across disciplines to improve outcomes for children and families.
2 - 3 hrs.
Available Virtually
or In-Person
Your Impact: Help, Hope & Support
This interactive training equips professionals to identify and positively support drug-endangered children, covering brain science and development, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), and early intervention. Hands-on activities, real-world scenarios, and in-depth discussions enhance skills and understanding.
2 1/2 hr Session.
Available In-Person
DEC & Human Trafficking
In this training, participants will learn and understand the connections between drug endangered children and human trafficking which are so often overlooked by many disciplines. Definitions, statistics and case examples will be shared to help participants recognize the vulnerabilities, understand the intersections, and what can be done to identify and intervene.
2 hr Session.
Available Virtually or In-Person.
MDT Roadmap
This course equips professionals with the tools and strategies needed to build, strengthen, and sustain multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) that support drug-endangered children. Participants will explore best practices for collaboration, communication, and shared goals, ensuring every discipline is aligned in identifying, responding to, and supporting children and families affected by substance use.
2 hr Session.
Available Virtually or In-Person.
DEC Awareness
The DEC Awareness Training goes in-depth to explore the risks and long-term impact on drug-endangered children while addressing challenges in coordinating agencies to prevent, intervene, and break multigenerational cycles of abuse and neglect.
2 hrs.
Available Virtually
or In-Person
Train-the-Trainer Certification
The DEC Train-the-Trainer certifies alliance members to present DEC Awareness and DEC Approach trainings in their communities or states. **Prior completion of DEC Awareness and DEC Approach trainings is required.
In-person across 3 days OR Virtually 4 hrs/day over 6 days.
Roadmap and Toolkit Academy
The Academy guides participants through building a certified multidisciplinary DEC Alliance.
This 7-session training covers key implementation stages, awareness, coaching, and strategies for sustaining long-term collaboration.
7 Sessions,
1 - 2 hrs each.
Available Virtually.
Drug Trends
Learn to identify substances by appearance, packaging, and paraphernalia, and gain insight into current usage trends, trafficking patterns, and the impact these drugs have on children and families. This training equips professionals with practical tools to recognize drug activity in their communities and respond more effectively to protect children.
2 hrs each.
Available Virtually or In-Person.
Evidence Collection
This course provides practical training on identifying, documenting, and preserving evidence in drug-endangered children (DEC) cases. Participants will learn techniques to support successful investigations and prosecutions while keeping children's well-being at the forefront.
1 - 2 hrs each.
Available Virtually or In-Person.
Free Online Training
NADEC provides specialized training for the certification of multidisciplinary alliances. In order to become a Certified DEC Alliance through NADEC, all 4 of the FREE courses below must be completed.
These are self-paced online courses, hosted by the COPS E-Learning Training Portal and free to anyone.
Free Training Videos
For convenient, on-demand learning, NADEC offers a growing library of free YouTube training videos. These videos cover essential DEC topics, real-world insight from experts, and practical strategies for recognizing and responding to drug-endangered children.
Available anytime, these videos are a great resource for individuals, teams, or community groups looking to expand their knowledge.
Paid Online Training
Our Paid Online Training series offers short, self-paced online courses covering key topics related to drug-endangered children, substance misuse, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Each course focuses on a specific aspect of DEC work — making it easy to build skills one step at a time.
These are ideal for individual professionals or learners who are keen to gain insight into the struggles of DEC, or to get a preview of the larger courses and certifications we offer.
