Structured, session-by-session learning designed to build mentors from the ground up
Program Structure
The FORGE curriculum is organized into three 12-week phases, with three sessions per week. Each session follows a consistent two-hour structure that builds trust, reinforces learning, and develops practical skills.
Every session follows the same rhythm: Check-in, Review, Instruction, Practice, Debrief, and Checkout. Consistency builds safety and accountability.
Three sessions per week across 36 weeks, organized into three 12-week phases. Each phase builds on the last, progressing from self-work to service.
Check-in → Review → Instruction → Practice → Debrief → Checkout. The same flow every session so participants can focus on growth, not guessing what comes next.
Phase 1 — Foundation
Weeks 1–12 lay the groundwork for personal transformation. Participants build self-awareness, emotional literacy, and the cognitive skills needed before they can mentor others.
Establishing group norms, building trust, understanding the FORGE mission and expectations. Creating a safe space for honest engagement.
Introduction to cognitive restructuring — understanding thinking errors, automatic thoughts, and how beliefs shape behavior.
Identifying, naming, and understanding emotions. Building vocabulary for internal experiences and learning to separate feelings from actions.
Understanding how trauma affects the brain and behavior. Recognizing trauma responses in self and others without re-traumatization.
Developing listening skills, reflective responses, and clear communication. Learning to hear what is beneath the words.
De-escalation techniques, mediation basics, and understanding the anatomy of conflict. Practice with realistic scenarios.
Owning your choices and their consequences. Moving from blame and justification to radical responsibility.
Empathy development, reading social cues, and understanding how others experience the world differently.
Structured approaches to solving problems without resorting to aggression. Cost-benefit analysis for real-life choices.
Growth mindset, identifying personal values, and connecting present behavior to long-term goals and purpose.
Connecting all Phase 1 concepts. Participants demonstrate understanding through reflection, group discussion, and applied exercises.
Formal evaluation including written reflection, peer feedback, and facilitator review. Participants must demonstrate readiness to advance to Phase 2.
Phase 2 — Development
Weeks 13–24 shift the focus outward. Participants learn the skills of mentorship — facilitation, motivational interviewing, restorative practices, and how to guide others through the same transformation they experienced.
Phase 3 — Practicum
Weeks 25–36 put everything into practice. Participants serve as supervised mentors in real settings — co-facilitating sessions, running community circles, and building their certification portfolio.
Research Foundation
FORGE draws from established, evidence-based curricula and program models. The following resources informed our curriculum design and are available in the Curricula folder for reference.
Free cognitive-behavioral curriculum from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) — the gold standard for correctional CBT programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guides on trauma-informed care and behavioral health in correctional settings
Description of the transformative violence-prevention program with a near-zero recidivism rate among graduates
Comprehensive meta-analysis on correctional education and its impact on recidivism and post-release employment
National Mentoring Partnership resources on evidence-based mentoring practices and program design
Workshop materials for conflict resolution and creative nonviolent responses to potentially violent situations
Phase 1 — Foundation
12 weeks of cognitive behavioral skills, emotional literacy, trauma awareness, conflict resolution, and personal accountability. 36 sessions with full facilitator scripts.
Orientation & Community Building
How Thinking Works
Emotional Literacy
Trauma Awareness
Active Listening & Communication
Conflict Resolution Deep Dive
Accountability & Integrity
Social Skills & Perspective-Taking
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Mindset & Purpose
Integration & Review
Phase 1 Assessment & Transition
Phase 2 — Development
12 weeks of mentor training, facilitation skills, motivational interviewing, simulation-based training, and restorative practices. 36 sessions.
The Mentor Identity
Teaching & Facilitation Skills
Facilitation Practice
Motivational Interviewing
Simulation Block 1a
Simulation Block 1b
Simulation Block 2a
Simulation Block 2b
Restorative Practices
Life Skills Facilitation
Simulation Assessment
Phase 2 Assessment & Transition
Phase 3 — Practicum
12 weeks of supervised real-world mentoring, community circles, advanced case work, and final certification. Field work guides and supervision sessions.
Launching Into the Field
When It's Not Going Well
Managing Your Own Reactions
Mid-Point Check-In
Groups vs Individual Mentoring
Working with Staff
When Someone Fails
Advanced Conflict Scenarios
Sustainability & Self-Care
Leading Leaders
Your Legacy
Certification & Graduation
For Participants
Each phase has a companion workbook with blank forms, exercises, reference sheets, and writing space. Designed to be printed as saddle-stitched booklets — one per participant, one per phase.
34 pages — Thinking reports, emotion tracking, body maps, safety plans, accountability statements, and all Phase 1 exercises
27 pages — Lesson plan templates, simulation reflections, MI practice logs, facilitation rubrics, and peer evaluations
46 pages — Mentoring hours logs, mentee progress notes, session plans, circle templates, supervision notes, and final portfolio materials
Program Overview