PLEASE UPLOAD PDF ONLY!

 

To apply, please tell us about yourself using the eligibility criteria below.  Create a PDF and upload it using the Apply Today contact form on this page.

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Why should we choose you as one of the 20 Founding Guardians?There is no perfect answer.Tell us what you would bring to this pilot and why you believe you could help advance the goal of creating safer, more informed training environments.

 

Part 1 — HEADING About You: Full Name, Email, Phone, City/State,Current Position/Title, OrganizationWebsite or Social Media Page, if applicable:

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Which best describes your role? (Martial arts instructor, which style or system? school owner/director, Cheer coach, Dance instructor, Gymnastics coach, Youth sports coach, Teacher/EducatorSchool administrator, YMCA/Recreation professional, Police Athletic League professional, Youth-program director, Other.

 

Part 2 — Tell Us About Your Program:

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1. Who do you currently work with? Briefly describe the population you coach, teach, supervise, or serve. Include approximate ages and the type of program you operate or work within. Suggested response: 50–150 words.

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2. Approximately how many people do you directly or indirectly impact? Consider students, athletes, families, staff members, instructors, or other people who could benefit from improved safety practices within your organization?  Briefly explain your answer.

 

Part 3 — Why Guardian Certification?

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3. Why do you want to become an MHIMAI Guardian? Tell us why mental health awareness, student safety, abuse prevention, healthy boundaries, or crisis preparedness matters to you as a coach or leader. You do not need to write a formal essay. We are more interested in your perspective and motivation than your writing ability. Suggested response: 50–100 words.

 

4. What safety or mental-health challenges do you see in your field? Based on your experience, what issues do coaches and instructors need to be better prepared to recognize or respond to? Examples might include: Student anxiety or emotional distress, Bullying, Abuse or neglect, Grooming behaviors, Inappropriate coach/student boundaries, Trauma, Neurodivergence, Behavioral challenges, Suicidal statements or crisis situations, Mandated reporting, Coach burnout, Creating psychologically safer training environments.  Suggested response: 50-100 words.

 

Part 4 — Your Potential Impact.

 

5. If selected, how would you use what you learn? Tell us how Guardian Certification could influence your coaching, teaching, organization, students, athletes, or staff. We are particularly interested in applicants who intend to put what they learn into practice. Suggested response:  50-100 words.

 

6. What is one thing you would like to improve in your current training environment? This does not have to be a major problem. It could be a policy, procedure, communication practice, staff-training issue, safety concern, or simply an area where you believe your organization could improve. Suggested response: 50–100 words.

 

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MHIMAI® Guardian Certification Pilot ProgramFounding Cohort ApplicationHelp Us Build Safer Training EnvironmentsMHIMAI® is selecting 20 coaches, instructors, educators, and youth-program professionals to participate in the Guardian Certification Pilot Program.Selected applicants will receive access to the MHIMAI Guardian Certification at no cost, a value of $649.The purpose of this pilot is to identify committed professionals who work directly with children, adolescents, or adults and who want to strengthen safety, mental health awareness, appropriate boundaries, recognition of abuse and grooming, crisis response, and responsible leadership within their training environments.This is a selective pilot program. Applicants do not need to be mental health professionals or have previous mental health training.We are looking for good coaches and leaders who want to make their programs safer.Basic Eligibility RequirementsApplicants should meet the following criteria:Be at least 18 years old.Currently serve as a coach, instructor, educator, program director, administrator, or youth-program professional.Work directly with students, athletes, or program participants OR supervise professionals who do.Have a genuine interest in improving safety and mental health awareness within their organization.Be willing to complete the full Guardian Certification within the pilot-program timeframe.Complete all required course assessments and certification requirements.Be willing to provide honest feedback about the certification experience.Agree to follow the MHIMAI Guardian Certification standards and scope of practice.Understand that Guardian Certification is educational and does not qualify a participant to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.Preference may be given to applicants who work with children, adolescents, vulnerable populations, or organizations serving significant numbers of participants.If selected, participants will have 30 days to complete the training. Selected participants will receive the Guardian Training for free, but in order to complete full certification participants will need to submit the 3rd party background check as well as sign up initial processing fee for renewals.