Consolidated Core

The Future of Advocacy Training in Washington

Consolidated Advocate Core is a new, modern approach to Washington’s pre-service training for advocates who support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and related forms of harm. It is being developed by a cross-sector group of contributors working to reduce duplication, improve consistency, and expand access to high-quality training statewide.

This work is grounded in a simple goal: help agencies prepare staff well, while reducing barriers that delay serving people who need support.

Why Build a “Consolidated” Advocate Core?

Across Washington, many programs are not single-focus agencies. Advocates often serve survivors impacted by multiple forms of violence, sometimes within the same role or on the same day. Historically, training requirements have not matched that reality. New advocates have often needed to complete separate and overlapping pre-service trainings depending on program area. That creates real strain:

Duplicative training content that is hard to track and manage
Longer delays before new staff can begin providing direct services
Increased administrative burden for agencies already stretched thin
Higher cost for programs and funders, without improving training quality

Consolidated Advocate Core is designed to solve these issues while strengthening the learning experience.

Consolidated Core is a shared training framework that includes:

A Common Foundation

Core knowledge, skills and values that every advocate needs, regardless of program type.

Role-Based Specializations

Additional content focused on specific types of victimization that aligns with the realities of different service settings and roles.

The intent is not to flatten differences across fields. It is to stop repeating the same foundational content multiple times, then focus additional training where it truly needs to differ.

What Consolidated Core is

How it works

Consolidated Core is being designed around a blended model that balances accessibility with meaningful skill practice:

Online learning that can be completed on demand, so agencies can onboard staff without waiting for a limited training calendar.
In-person skill practice where it matters, focused on the parts of advocacy that are best learned through discussion, reflection, and applied practice.

Everyone Starts with the Same Foundation

Foundation Training

Shared learning for all advocates
This is the common baseline for anyone stepping into victim services work, regardless of program type or role. It establishes a shared language, consistent service expectations, and core practice principles across Washington.

A strong foundation reduces duplication across trainings, improves consistency across agencies and regions, and helps new advocates feel prepared sooner so survivors get timely, high-quality support.

Then Choose the Specialized Training You Need

You can choose just the specialty you need or take as many as you like. No duplication!

Domestic Violence

Specialization
Builds role-specific skills for supporting survivors experiencing power and control dynamics, including safety planning, resource navigation, and survivor-centered support.

Sexual Assault

Specialization
Focuses on trauma-informed response to sexual violence, including survivor rights, advocacy in medical and legal systems, and practices that support agency and dignity.

Human Trafficking

Specialization
Addresses the realities of trafficking, including coercion and exploitation, survivor safety and stabilization, and coordination with specialized systems and partners.

Child Advocacy

Specialization
Centers developmentally appropriate, family-aware advocacy, with attention to mandated reporting, MDT coordination, and supporting children’s safety and wellbeing.

And Refine Your New Skills In Real Life

You can only learn so much online. Then it’s time to try out your fancy new skills with peers and mentors.

In-Person Skill Practice

Connected learning for all advocates
Some parts of advocacy are best learned in relationship, with other humans in the room. This component is designed to protect what matters most about in-person learning: connection, reflection, and real-time practice that helps advocates build confidence, judgment, and a trauma-informed presence.

This training is planned as a monthly opportunity so agencies can reliably send new staff without waiting for a limited annual schedule. It is also intentionally structured so it does not have to be completed before an advocate can begin supporting survivors. The goal is to remove unnecessary delays while still providing a high-quality, skill-building space that strengthens practice over time.

Who is Building Consolidated Core?

Consolidated Advocate Core is being developed through the work of contributors across the State of Washington This includes people with expertise in:

Direct service advocacy and program leadership
Trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice
Culturally responsive service delivery
Training design, e-learning development, and statewide implementation support

WA-SAST’s role is to support this contributor work by providing accessible online delivery, clear learning pathways, and a stable statewide platform where training can be hosted and maintained over time.

Consolidated Core is expected to improve systems at multiple levels.

For agencies and advocates

Faster onboarding without reducing quality
Less duplication, easier compliance tracking
More consistent baseline preparation across regions
More realistic training logistics for busy programs

For communities and survivors

Shorter gaps between hiring and service delivery
Stronger, more consistent practice standards
Better alignment between training and the real-world needs of survivors
More capacity for programs to focus resources on direct support

This is a workforce and service capacity improvement effort, and the outcomes are meant to be felt where they matter most, in the timeliness and quality of survivor support.

Long Term Benefits and Impacts

Training Options Available Now

WA-SAST currently hosts legacy Advocate Core training content from WCSAP so advocates and agencies can continue to meet pre-service needs while the updated consolidated model is developed.

Be the First to Know!

This work is about building a stronger, more accessible training foundation for advocates across Washington, so communities and survivors benefit from timely, high-quality support.

If you’re a service provider and want updates as Consolidated Core training pathways roll out, sign up for an account and you’ll be subscribed to WA-SAST newsletter updates.

Or, you can explore our current online courses and in-person skill practice and learning opportunities ?