Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor Training

1. Certified QPR Gatekeeper Instructor Training Participant Evaluations from 2002 Paul Quinnett, Ph.D.

2. Introduction The QPR Institute and its faculty train and certify citizen gatekeeper instructors to deliver a brief (1 to 3 hour) awareness and brief intervention program called QPR. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Instructors are trained in either a full, 8-hour onsite program, or through an individual self-study program, or via a mentored self-study program. Since 1996, more than 1,400 Instructors have been trained in the U.S. and in foreign countries.

3. Introduction Continued The following summary report is based on the post-training evaluations of 130 QPR Instructors certified by four different QPR Master Trainers during 2002 in the following states: Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota and Missouri. All 1,400 QPR Instructors have been evaluated using similar methods, with the exception of self-study participants who must pass a quiz and a personal telephone interview.

4. Method Potential QPR Gatekeeper instructors are either self-selected or selected by their organizations or communities to participate in the training. All must be at least 21 years of age. There are no other barriers to becoming a Certified QPR Instructors. Included in this 2002 sample group were nurses, job coaches, tribal elders, social workers, school teachers, chemical dependency counselors, police officers, clergymen, union stewards, suicide survivors, mental health professionals and many others.

5. Core Course Content Sample of certification core modules taught: • Epidemiology, risk and protective factors • Suicidal communications • History of suicide prevention • Gatekeeper training in the National Strategy • Rationale and history of QPR • Required QPR modules and how to teach them • Role-plays and rehearsals • Audience response and instructor duties • “Boot Camp” – Handling the Q&A

6. The Training Day • Participants certified to teach QPR for 3 years must attend the entire 8-hour training program and participate fully to become qualified. • National Board of Certified Counselor continuing education credits are awarded. • Participants are provided a full educational package: video, CD-ROM, Instructional Guide and QPR booklets and cards for trainees, and receive three years of technical support, newsletters and program updates

7. Evaluation At the end of the training day, and to receive a Certificate, all participants must evaluate the training program. In this report, five-point Likert scales were administered to all 130 participants to assess nine dimensions of the training program. The 5-point scales ranged from “Outstanding” to “Poor.” Each of the following graphs covers a separate dimension of the survey ratings.

8. Overall program organization

9. Program content

10. Program presentation

11. Overall value to you

12. How well did the course meet your expectations?

13. Did the instructor demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the subject matter?

14. How would you rate the instructor’s presentation of the material?

15. To what degree did the course provide practical applications for your work?

16. What is the overall evaluation of this course?

17. Discussion and Summary • As can be seen from these evaluations, 75% of participants rated the overall QPR Instructor certification course as “outstanding” and 22% rated the program as “above average” for total of 97% above average or outstanding ratings.

18. Discussion and Summary • Based on our experience, the selection of potential QPR Gatekeeper Instructors by communities and organizations is sometimes less than ideal. Some participants are not fully informed about what they will be learning in the program and that, in fact, they are expected to train others in QPR after certification. As a result, ratings of program relevance, practical application and value tend to be lower compared to persons who fully understood the mission.

19. Discussion and Summary To achieve such highly similar ratings from four different instructors, the following should be noted: • The certification program content and modules have been tested and evaluated for more than 7 years with more than 1,400 participants • All QPR Institute Master Trainers complete a rigorous training program under direct supervision of a senior Master Trainer to ensure program consistency and fidelity • All QPR Master Trainers are held to high subject matter knowledge and teaching standards

20. Contact Information • If you have questions regarding this summary evaluation please contact the QPR Institute at qinstitute@qwest.net.