Expand Your Impact.
Join a network of trained facilitators helping young people build connection, resilience, and hope through experiential mental wellness programs.
Become A Certified FORT Facilitator.
The FORT Facilitator Training is a professional development program that equips caring adults with the skills, confidence, and practical experience needed to lead experiential mental wellness programs for teens.
Through a combination of online learning, in-person training, peer collaboration, and supervised facilitation practice, participants develop mental health literacy, trauma-informed facilitation skills, and strategies for creating safe, engaging spaces where young people can connect, build resilience, and thrive.
Upon successful certification, facilitators become eligible for paid contractor opportunities leading Ryan Bartel Foundation programs in schools and community settings throughout Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.
What You Will Gain:
- Professional certification
- Paid facilitation opportunities
- Youth Mental Health First Aid training
- Mentorship and coaching
- Professional network
- Meaningful community impact
Who Should Apply
Bringing Diverse Experiences To Teens.
The FORT model is built on the belief that young people connect and grow in different ways. We welcome adults who bring unique skills, experiences, and interests that can help teens discover strengths, build confidence, and develop healthy ways to navigate life’s challenges.
This Training May Be A Good Fit For:
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Artists and creative facilitators
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Mindfulness practitioners
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Yoga and movement instructors
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Equine and animal-assisted specialists
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Horticulture and outdoor educators
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Wellness professionals
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Youth development practitioners
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Educators and school staff
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Coaches and mentors
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Others passionate about supporting teen mental wellness
Applicants Must:
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Be 18 years or older
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Live within driving distance of Loudoun and Fairfax Counties
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Complete all training requirements
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Commit to facilitating six workshops within 12 months of certification
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Share a passion for helping young people thrive
What You’ll Learn
Building Skills That Make A Difference.
Understanding The FORT Model:
Learn the Ryan Bartel Foundation’s mission, values, and prevention-focused approach to strengthening protective factors through experiential programming.
Creating Safe & Supportive Spaces:
Develop skills that foster acceptance, belonging, connection, resilience, and hope for young people.
Trauma-Informed Facilitation:
Learn practical approaches that support emotional safety, inclusion, self-regulation, and positive group dynamics.
Experiential Workshop Design:
Gain guidance in creating and delivering engaging workshops using movement, creative expression, mindfulness, and nature-based experiences.
Facilitation Practice & Coaching:
Build confidence through supervised practice, peer learning, feedback, and ongoing support from experienced facilitators.
Certification & Commitment
What To Expect.
To earn certification, participants must:
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Complete all required online and in-person training components
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Participate in supervised facilitation practice
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Successfully deliver a FORT workshop under supervision
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Sign the FORT Facilitator Agreement
Following certification, facilitators commit to leading a minimum of six workshops (three Sunday FORT events) as a paid contractor within 12 months.
Facilitators also have opportunities to participate in coaching sessions, peer learning, and continued professional development throughout the year.
Next Steps.
Interested in Becoming a FORT Facilitator?
We are not currently recruiting for a new FORT Facilitator Training cohort. However, we are always interested in connecting with adults who may be a good fit for future training opportunities.
To learn more or express interest in a future cohort, please contact Dr. Lacey Rosenbaum at laceyrosenbaum@ryanbartelfoundation.org.
Not ready to become a facilitator—or want to get involved now?
We are always happy to welcome caring adults who would like to volunteer with our programs.
The Program Leaders
Meet Our FORT Facilitator Trainer.
Lacey Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Program Director
Dr. Lacey Rosenbaum serves as Program Director for the Ryan Bartel Foundation and leads the Foundation’s FORT Facilitator Training Program. She oversees the development, training, certification, and ongoing support of facilitators who bring FORT experiences to teens across schools and communities. Lacey is passionate about equipping caring adults with the skills, confidence, and support needed to create safe, engaging spaces where young people can build connection, resilience, and hope.
As a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed approaches, resilience promotion, and youth mental health, Lacey has spent her career helping organizations strengthen youth well-being through prevention-focused programs and mental health education. She is a Sources of Strength trainer and a National Trainer for Mental Health First Aid.
Prior to joining the Ryan Bartel Foundation, Lacey led several national mental health initiatives focused on youth mental health promotion, suicide prevention, resilience, and mental health literacy through organizations including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the American Psychological Association. She holds a PhD in International Psychology with a concentration in Trauma Services from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from George Mason University.
Stories Of Impact & Connection.
Hear from FORT facilitators how the training strengthened their ability to support young people, build belonging, teach coping skills and create safe spaces where teens can thrive.
“I have loved the opportunity to teach teens the wonders of watercolor, and to show them how playing with paint can bring calmness and peace. I live for the reactions of “Oooooohs and Ahhhhhs” when they see watercolor doing its magic on the paper.”
“To me, being a FORT Facilitator is really about offering young people the space to be exactly as they are and to meet them there with love and kindness for the journey they are on at this moment. When you allow space for autonomy and connection, as the FORT does, our young people show their talents, their incredible inclusivity and kindness, and their ability to adapt to new experiences with openness and excitement. I have witnessed young people arrive at the FORT in an introverted, shy manner and throughout the day expand and blossom into interactions with their peers and excitedly engage in the workshops we offer, simply because the opportunity and the invitation is there, without expectation or judgement. Having the privilege to participate in and curate workshops to support the Ryan Bartel Foundation community is truly a gift that keeps on giving.”
FAQs About The FORT Facilitator Training:
Facilitators gain specialized skills in experiential youth mental wellness programming while making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. The training provides professional development, supervised practice, ongoing coaching, a recognized certification, and opportunities for paid facilitation work.
Certification requires completion of all training components, successful supervised facilitation, and a commitment to facilitate six workshops within 12 months following certification.
Certified facilitators are expected to fulfill their workshop commitment during the first year and are encouraged to participate in ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities offered by RBF.