STARS: Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) Training
Date: Oct 23rd & 24th, 2025
*Both days are required.
Time: 8:30- 3:30pmCST/ 9:30- 4:30pmEST
*This is a virtual training session. No recording will be allowed or provided.
Description: This is a training for Child Welfare workers and Foster Parents. Facilitating Attuned Interactions is a model from the Erikson Institute that promotes self-awareness of providers and increased attunement to caregivers that results in improved professional/parent relationships and improved service recipient outcomes. FAN has been a core framework for pediatricians, mental health clinicians, home visitors, and child welfare professionals across the US. The model emphasizes slowing down interactions with service recipients to increase focus on relationships, which has been shown through research to decrease the amount of time for families to reach their identified goals. FAN is a huge asset to a number of TN's workforce sectors, and we're so excited to bring this opportunity to child welfare.
Presenters:
Rachel Hanson, MS, CLC, IMH-E®
Rachel Hanson graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in social work and a Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus in Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University. Rachel started work in community mental health working with at-risk youth providing family behavioral therapy. Currently, Rachel is the Project Manager for Healthy Start Tennessee and Tennessee Maternal Workforce Solutions Project at Centerstone. Rachel is a Resilient TN Building Strong Brains Tennessee, HOPE Champion, and FAN trainer. Rachel has a large focus for collective impact in the community to address gaps and disparities that impact families and community members. Rachel resides in Lawrenceburg, TN with her husband and three children.
Hunter Hancock, BSW, IMH-E®
Let me introduce myself, I'm Hunter Hancock, and my journey with AIMHiTN began in April 2021, a time that marked the beginning of my continued contributions to our shared mission. I'm a proud alumnus of Middle Tennessee State University, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work in 2012. For 9 years, I championed for the rights of people with disabilities in institutional settings, including children's facilities, as an investigator of abuse and neglect. Not only was my role focused on individual cases, but I also advocated for large scale policy changes.
Since becoming part of AIMHiTN team, I have since taken on several roles including Community Liaison, Inclusion and Emergency Response Coordinator. Now, as a Program Impact Coordinator, my job revolves around analyzing our program's impact through a meticulous process of data gathering, research, and coordinating with our partner groups. My primary objective is to contribute to our collective impact advocacy, educate policymakers, and advance systems in a way that proves effective for families in Tennessee and the service providers.
I currently share my life with my lovely wife in Maryville, TN. When I'm not absorbed in my professional role, I relish the simplicity of outdoor activities, nurturing veggies in my garden, and cherishing moments spent with family.