Question: Should grantees plan to allocate funds in their FY26 budgets to attend regional trainings held by STEPP’s contracted Training and Technical Assistance (TA) Providers? 

Answer: Generally speaking, no. STEPP’s TA providers prioritize scheduling regional trainings in locations close enough for day travel in the region. TA Providers will continue to solicit feedback on trainings as well, and should new trends emerge, we will review and adjust whenever possible. 

The results of the TA Needs Assessment brought the need for a return to in-person and increased regionally-based trainings to the top of the list of priorities across all goal areas. Several regional trainings have already been rolled out this grant cycle, and we expect them to continue in FY26, however, all dates and sites have not yet been confirmed, although planning is underway.

Another key theme from the results of the TA Needs Assessment is increasing cross-goal area training and collaboration. TA providers from different goal areas will join trainings whenever possible to co-present and/or collaborate on developing content.

Training dates and details will be released as soon as they become available. We will share as much of a full view of the year’s offerings as possible in upcoming newsletter announcements moving forward, and we will continue to list them in the grantee calendar on TobaccoFreeCO. 

Below are some of the regional trainings currently being planned for FY26:

• Continuing: Authentic Community Engagement trainings, offered quarterly 
• Continuing: Policy and Systems Change Network TA is planning three spring trainings; currently looking to secure sites in Durango, Eagle, and Denver.
• NEW: BHWP, cessation, and tobacco treatment trainings are planned with a focus on rural communities.
• NEW: Secondhand Smoke/Multi-Unit Housing TA is planning three regional trainings to start.

Once dates and details are released, if you don’t see a regional training near you, please contact that TA provider to discuss your training options, such as when the next regional training will be offered and individualized, 1:1 technical assistance.

View the Summary of Results from the FY24 TA Needs Assessment on TobaccoFreeCO

Visit the grantee calendar on TobaccoFreeCO

Questions and feedback regarding STEPP training and technical assistance are always welcome. Feel free to contact Jennifer Schwartz, Training and Technical Assistance Manager, directly at jennifer.schwartz@state.co.us or connect with your Project Officer.