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One of the strengths of Lighten Up is that facilitators have health professional qualifications but do not need to be experts in nutrition or physical activity. The program uses a train-the-trainer approach to empower generalist health professionals such as community health nurses and allied health staff to deliver the program, with support from specifically trained professionals and Queensland Health staff.
The role of the Lighten Up facilitator includes health assessment and referral, as well as program facilitation. Community volunteers and administration officers without health professional qualifications may assist in the administration tasks of Lighten Up. They may also train as facilitators but will need to run Lighten Up programs with the assistance of a Lighten Up trained health professional. It would be ideal for such volunteers and administration officers to attend facilitator training together with a health professional from their own organisation/community who they can partner with to deliver programs.
Other allied health professionals are encouraged to act as program supporters. This may include guest speaking or providing expertise to assist the facilitators with difficult questions. Lighten Up facilitators and supporters may have the following professional qualifications:
To be recognised as Lighten Up facilitators, health professionals are required to complete a three-day Lighten Up facilitator training workshop which covers:
Lighten Up is a multi-disciplinary program and ALL health professionals are required to complete the training to be considered Lighten Up facilitators. A certificate will be awarded by the Lighten Up Area Coordinators to facilitators when they have completed the training.
Facilitator training is only to be planned by Division of the Chief Health Officer (Lighten Up Area Coordinator) in partnership with a host Health Service District/s or non-government organisation/s employing a Program Coordinator (Healthy Lifestyle). The facilitator training program and resources have been developed and updated by the statewide Lighten Up working group. A limited number of places are available at facilitator training, with priority given to staff of the hosting Health Service District or non-government organisation.
The responsibilities (including monetary cost) in the delivery of facilitator training will be shared between the Division of the Chief Health Officer and the host Health Service District or non-government organisation. Health Service District staffs are encouraged to contribute as guest presenters in their area of expertise. An experienced facilitator is invited to present the session on practical issues of Lighten Up.
Training and implementation of the Lighten Up program is core business for Queensland Health. Staff should be released to attend training, with backfill arranged if necessary, and allocated time to run the program as part of their workload. Staff members are not expected to attend training in their own time. Program Coordinators (Healthy Lifestyle) employed by non-government organisations should negotiate training expectations for facilitators with their employing organisation.
Where training is provided by Area Health Population Health Services there is a registration cost of $225, including resources. This cost will be waived for Queensland Health staff and staff of organisations hosting a Program Coordinator (Healthy Lifestyle). Other associated costs may include travel and accommodation. Non-profit organisations may apply to the Lighten Up Area Coordinator for a reduction of costs.
The cost of training and resources may vary if it is provided by organisations other than Population Health Queensland. Please contact the hosting organisation to discuss.
Organisations external to Queensland can access the program however a fee may be charged. For further information please contact one of the Lighten Up Area Coordinators.
It is strongly encouraged to attend facilitator training however training is not available outside Queensland.
If the request comes from within Queensland, it should be referred to the relevant Lighten Up Area Coordinator for follow-up. Any distribution of program resources to organisations not accessing training must be recorded.
Where training is provided by regional services, there is a registration cost of $225. This cost will be waived for Queensland Health staff and staff of organisations hosting a Program Coordinator. The cost may vary if training is provided by other organisations. Non-profit organisations may apply to the Area coordinator for a reduction of costs. Other associated costs may include travel and accommodation.
North Queensland: contact the Public Health Nutritionist (Healthy Weight) at Mackay (Tropical Regional Services), ph (07) 4911 0400
Central Queensland (Brisbane north of the river to Rockhampton): contact the Public Health Nutritionist (Healthy Weight) at Brisbane South (Central Regional Services), ph (07) 3624 1111.
Southern Queensland (Brisbane south of the river to the NSW border): contact the Public Health Nutritionist (Healthy Weight) at Darling Downs (Southern Regional Services), ph (07) 4631 9888.
