Welcome to Appelstein Training Resources, LLC
Welcome to the home page of youth care specialist Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W., President of Appelstein Training Resources, LLC (ATR).
Described as "the best youth care trainer in America" by Robert Lieberman, former president of the American Association of Children's Residential Centers, Charlie has devoted his entire adult career to helping at-risk kids and those who care for them. An engaging, upbeat, and humorous speaker, he is also the author of three critically acclaimed books on youth care and a new, innovative CD that helps kids self-manage their behaviors. Charlie’s strength-based approach delivers a message of hope and possibility to our most vulnerable youth and those who care for them.
To learn more about Charlie and ATR, please browse our site.
Latest News and Training Announcements
- Success in Scotland: Charlie recently delivered a keynote address and workshop at the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care’s 10th Annual National Conference in June at Crieff Hydro in Perthshire, Scotland. Charlie was honored and delighted to accept the invitation and was treated like a Royal Scotsman by his gracious hosts. He has been invited back to Scotland for a week of training in November.
“Charlie’s materials, knowledge, presentation skills and commitment to young people was evident and the impact of this is reflected in the on-going interest in Charlie and his work. He has made a lasting impression in Scotland.”
Steven Paterson
Assistant Director
Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care - New Train the Trainers Course: Charlie will conducting his popular two-day, strength-based Train the Trainers Course for professionals working in out-of-home placement settings on January 14th and 15th at the Holiday Inn in Tewksbury, MA. Download conference brochure and registration form. For information, contact Charlie at charlieap@comcast.net or Tel: 603-898-5573; Cell: 603-682-3362. We have a special offer and are including more training aids. Register prior to December 15st, 2009 and receive an added discount. Space is limited.
“The training was awesome and I can’t wait to begin to incorporate it into our program.”
“Thanks for offering this course to us. It is just what our milieu staff need to be practicing.”
- New CD: New Parenting CD: We are extremely pleased to announce that after six months of work, our new self-help, musical CD for parents: Parent Rapsody – Songs & Musical Mantras for Successful Parenting is finished and available for sale through a variety of methods. If you prefer to order by check or purchase order, you can download our order form and fax, email, or call in your order.
This novel approach to parent education combines rhythm, rhyme, wordplay, and engaging melodies to promote core child-rearing practices. A handy companion for all seasons of family life.
What They’re Saying About Parent Rapsody:
"I have long been a fan of using the arts to promote the cause of healthy child development. Charlie Appelstein's Parent Rapsody is an excellent addition! The music draws you in and the message is sound. I recommend it to anyone seeking a way to reach parents and help them attend to what needs doing to make the lives of children better in this time when so many parents are confused and distracted."
—-James Garbarino, PhD Director,
Loyola University of Chicago's Center for
the Human Rights of Children
Internationally Renowned Youth Care Expert.
Author of Lost Boys and Parents Under Siege."Move over Spock and Gershwin ! Charlie's "Parent Rhapsody" holds the key to healthy parenting. These lyrics will stick with you, and guide you, as you navigate those challenging moments with your kids. I only wish it was available when my children were younger."
—Mike Nikitas, Anchor, NECN (New England Cable News)
Visit our newest webiste www.parentrapsody.com to learn more about this project and to view our two song videos. View Don't Yell, Gently Tell or Routines on YouTube.
- Award for Parent Rapsody! We are pleased to announce that our latest CD: Parent Raspody – Songs & Musical Mantras for Successful Parenting was awarded a Grindie Award by RadioIndy.com – one of the internet’s largest purveyors of independent music.
- Parent Rapsody Research: Results from our first research project are in: Eight out of nine parents at a large special education school in the Boston area stated the CD had enhanced their parenting skills and recommended it to all parents.
- TV! Charlie continues to provide parenting tips twice a month for New England Cable News. He will be appearing at 9:45 am. on the following dates:
July 20
Download his parent handout (.pdf - 2.7M).
August 3
August 17
September 14
September 28 - Future Events: : Charlie will be delivering a keynote address and/or workshop(s) at the following public events: (Contact Charlie at charlieap@comcast.net for additional details.)
July 24 – Parent Rapsody Sing-A-Long with families of the Key Program at Canobie Lake Park
For more information about these events, please contact us at charlieap@comcast.net.
July 29 – Full-day, strength-based workshop for members of the Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers Contact James Harris - jhricorp@aol.com for information
August 20 - Student Support Services Unit at SFUSD in San Francisco (Keynote and workshop)
September 11 - New Mexico Foster Parent Conference in Albuquerque, NM (Keynote and workshop)
September 12 - Annual Mentor Match Kick-Off, Montgomery, AB (Keynote and workshop)
September 23 - Community Based Services Conference, Cedar Rapids, IA – Full-day workshop
October 16 – Northeast Regional Mentoring Conference, Providence, RI (Luncheon keynote)
October 17 – Northeast New Mexico Assoc. for the Education of Young Children, Santa Fe, NM (Extended keynote)
October 28 & 29 - Missouri Coalition of Children's Agencies 2009 Conference – Tan-Tar-A Resort in the Ozarks (Keynote and workshops)
November 6 – Rhode Island School Social Worker Association
November 9-13 – Training & consultation for members of the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care, Scotland
November 19 - Community Program Innovations Full-Day, Strength-Based Workshop, Billerica, MA
December 25 – Christmas and Charlie’s Birthday (He’ll be thanking family members for remembering!)
January 14 & 15 - Train the Trainer’s Seminar in Tewksbury, MA (see info above)
- Recent Engagements: During the past six months Charlie has provided strength-based training to over 50 agencies, programs, schools (public, private, and special ed), and youth care associations throughout the US and internationally, including the: 12th Annual Northern California Tobacco, Alcohol, & Drug Educator and Youth Development Conference in Berkeley, CA; Child Law Institutes Annual Conference in Santa Fe, NM, Harvard Medical School’s Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders in Boston, MA; American Association of Children's Residential Centers annual conference, Orlando, FL; Corpus Christi, TX School Department; PACT 4 Families Collaborative Annual Brain Conference, Willmar, MN; New Brunswick Community College, Miramichi, New Brunswick; Community Care Services, Taunton, MA; Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, Greenfield, NH; Beverly, MA Public Schools; Youth Emergency Services & Shelter, Des Moines, IA.
- Sexual Abuse & Anorexia Publication: We are proud to have published Facing The Sunshine: A Young Woman's Emergence from the Shadows of Sexual Abuse and Anorexia by Sara Jane Thornton with a forward by Beverly Engel. Facing the Sunshine is a true account of a journey to well-being following a childhood shrouded in the darkness of sexual abuse.
"A must-read for any helping professional or loved one of a person momentarily swept up in the 'perfect storm' of childhood sexual abuse, intimacy problems, and eating disorders."
We are now accepting orders. If you prefer to order by check or purchase order, you can download our order form and fax, email, or call in your order. For additional information about Sara Thornton and her remarkable book, visit www.facingthesunshine.com.—Linda Sanford, LICSW
Author of Strong at the Broken Places and
Assistant Professor, Simmons College of Social Work
To help introduce this important book to the treatment community we are offering it at the special price of $12.95.
Contact ATR by email or call 1-877-song4us to purchase Facing the Sunshine at this discounted rate. - Our First CD: One-Line Raps for Girls and Chaps is available for sale. Charlie and his No Bad Kid Band have created a dynamic assortment of raps and melodies to help kids (and adults) self manage their behavior. Download the lyrics!
- Product Ordering We have decided to close our on-line store. However, you can still order all our products through a variety of methods. If you prefer to order by check or purchase order, you can download our order form and fax, email, or call in your order. We also accept MasterCard and Visa. Discounts for multiple copies of our books and video are available.
- Training Videos are available for sale. We have produced three tapes: Creating and Maintaining a Strength-Based Environment, Managing Number One & Putting in the Bricks, and Key Concepts for Preventing Problem Behavior & Building Self-Esteem in Troubled Children and Youth. Preview details and download seminar handouts now. We are hoping to have the series available on DVD within the near future.
- Anti-Bullying Website: Friends from Quebec have created a new anti-bullying website titled Taking the Peaceful Path. Here’s the link: www.freewebs.com/dgraytest/. They are using some of my raps and I was happy to create a new one for them, "It’s Sad to Bully." Check it out! Then, check out our other useful cues!
- Weight loss!: Dr. Phil tried being a weight-loss guru. Now it’s my turn! A number of foster parents and TV viewers have asked me to come up with some weight-loss raps. Check ‘em out on my Cues page. No butter, no bread, eat healthy instead!
"Charlie Appelstein & friends have a hit on their hands !! Charlie has taken his immense understanding of troubled kids and used it to reach kids through their favorite medium....music. These beautifully produced CD's provide young people with reminders of appropriate behavior and helps them to consider their responses to intense social situations. Mantras for the 21st century !! Kids will accept and respond to the messages in the CD's because they are relevant to their daily experiences. The raps don't preach or scold. Rather, they remind and advise. My only regret after reviewing this extraordinary project was that I didn't think of it first !! If you want to reach and teach troubled children and teens, buy and use these CD's. They will make a difference."
Richard Lavoie
Author, IT'S SO MUCH WORK TO BE YOUR FRIEND
Visiting Professor, Simmons College