Saint Francis Ministries Online Courses for CEUs and Professional Development
The Saint Francis Ministries Training Department now offers public access to 26 self-paced online courses, developed in response to requests from partners and community members seeking continuing education units (CEUs) for relicensure, as well as opportunities for professional and personal development. Seven of these courses are available at no cost.
Saint Francis Ministries does not charge state partners or the families we serve. Other learners may enroll in courses priced between $10 for trainings under one hour and $40 for six-hour courses.
Free courses include:
- The Truth About Drugs (3 CEUs)
- Honoring Indigenous People: History, Culture, and Healing (1.5 CEUs)
- Caregiving for Teens (1 CEU)
- Motivational Interviewing Overview (2 CEUs)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (6 CEUs)
- Bridges Out of Poverty Overview (3 CEUs)
- Keeping Kids Safe Online (3 CEUs)
Some paid courses offer CEUs, while others provide only professional training hours; this information is clearly identified in each course description.
Course topics include ethics, diagnosis and treatment, trauma, human trafficking, health equity, leadership development, adolescent trends, self-care, professional skills, substance use, and online safety.
All courses and detailed descriptions are available at: www.saintfrancisministries.myabsorb.com
The Training Department is staffed by four licensed professionals with more than 80 years of combined experience and advanced degrees in the helping professions. Each course is carefully researched, developed, and vetted to ensure high-quality, evidence-informed learning for professionals, caregivers, and community partners.
Saint Francis Ministries Enhances Fleet Safety with Vehicle Camera Installation
Saint Francis Ministries maintains a fleet of approximately 380 vehicles supporting offices in every state we serve, with the exception of Arkansas. These vehicles are essential to our frontline work, enabling staff to transport children to family visits, medical appointments,
court appearances, and other critical services. The fleet also helps steward resources responsibly by allowing staff to check out vehicles for training and meetings, reducing overall travel costs.
To further strengthen the safety of both clients and staff, Saint Francis Ministries has begun installing safety cameras across its vehicle fleet.
“The cameras are for safety, not surveillance,” said Raymond Nunweiler, Vice President of Support. “We already utilize the Azuga system to identify safe and unsafe driving behaviors. This additional technology allows us to provide coaching and continuous improvement by reviewing driving incidents from an objective, non-biased perspective. Much like reviewing game footage after a football match, reflection helps us strengthen skills and reduce risk. Our ultimate goal is to prevent behaviors that could lead to serious or catastrophic events.”
In addition to improving driving safety, the new system will provide valuable insights into fleet management. The data will help Saint Francis Ministries assess whether the organization has the appropriate number of vehicles and whether assets should be reallocated among offices to better meet service needs. SFM also plans to introduce a new fuel credit card program that will provide rebates on purchases, helping offset operational costs. The system will further assist in tracking maintenance requirements, ensuring vehicles remain safe, reliable, and ready to support our mission.
Nunweiler’s team has already hosted three Lunch & Learn sessions to prepare staff for the upcoming rollout, scheduled to begin around March 1.
“If weather conditions allow, installation will be completed by the end of February,” Nunweiler said. “Employee training will begin once we have fully assessed the system’s functionality and sensitivity, ensuring it identifies only genuinely risky driving behaviors. Implementation will occur in phases, with training completed before full deployment in each location.”
Through this investment, Saint Francis Ministries continues to prioritize safety, accountability, and responsible stewardship – supporting our commitment to deliver healing and hope to children and families while protecting those who serve them.
