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The application for the CLI is currently closed.

The Collaborative Learning Institute (CLI) is a no-cost training program for injury and violence prevention practitioners in North Carolina. The primary focus of this training is to demonstrate how a systems thinking approach can be utilized to strengthen collaborative partnerships and/or prevention initiatives through targeting shared risk and protective factors (SRPFs) for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Training activities focus on gaining a deeper understanding of SRPFs and systems thinking, learning how to utilize systems thinking tools to identify opportunities for strategic alignment, and hands on experience applying these tools to real world scenarios.

The CLI is completely virtual will take place across four sessions hosted between February – March 2023. All sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30am – 12pm and 1:30 – 4pm. The full schedule is listed below. Teams will need to attend all CLI sessions.

Session #1: February 1, 2023

Session #2: February 15, 2023

Session #3: March 1, 2023

Session #4: March 29, 2023

The CLI is geared toward working with teams of 4-5 individuals representing at least two to three diverse community sectors, interests, and/or populations. You are encouraged to apply if you:

  • Are a North Carolina community group/coalition, county, district, or region focusing on the prevention of adverse childhood experiences whose members represent multiple organizations, backgrounds, or disciplines
  • Have experienced challenges when trying to begin your group/coalition’s ACEs prevention initiatives or have had difficulties advancing existing initiatives
  • Want to learn how to utilize systems thinking tools to strategically build or strengthen partnerships to address ACEs within your community
  • Have a committed, core team of four to five members with an identified lead representative.

If any questions arise, please contact the CLI Project Manager, Siarra Scott at siscott[at]email.unc.edu for assistance.


If you are interested in using a systems thinking approach for ACEs prevention efforts but, for any reason, are not able to apply to the CLI, IFNC offers another training program, Strengthening Systems for North Carolina Children (SYNC), that may be a good fit for your goals. Click on the infographic below to view a comparison of the CLI and SYNC.