Audience and examples
Who is the training designed for? Are the age group, setting and examples close enough to your staff’s work? Ask to see a syllabus or sample, and when the content was last reviewed or updated.
Free comparison guide for training leads
How to compare staff training before you buy
Compare two or more options against the work your staff actually do. Use these prompts with a supervisor and a staff member; copy them into a document or print this page.
Keep the names and private details of people your staff support out of your notes.
Start with the need
Write down the staff roles, the setting, and one observable task you want to improve. Note any barriers that a course cannot fix, such as unclear procedures, missing tools or insufficient time. Our needs checklist can help you define the gap.
Ask the same questions of each option
Scope and limits
Which tasks and topics are covered, and which are outside the course? Does it assume clinical supervision or other prior learning? Check against your own procedures and the people’s support plans.
Requirements
If training is required by a state, funder, employer or credentialing body, ask that authority whether the specific course and provider qualify. A certificate by itself does not establish credit or compliance.
Access and logistics
Ask how each learner enrolls, how long access lasts, what devices, language supports or accessibility accommodations are available, and what happens if someone cannot start. Confirm that the way the organization buys fits its process.
Evidence of learning
What practice or feedback is included? Can a supervisor use a de-identified example to check the task after training? Decide what evidence you need beyond completion.
Total cost
Confirm the current price, number of learners, any fees, payment terms and access duration in writing. Include paid staff time and needed supervision in your own comparison.
Make a decision
For an example at our listed price, use the team course cost estimator.
For each option, mark each question as confirmed, unclear, or not a fit. Ask the provider to resolve unclear points. If none fits the task or a required standard, choose another option or address the non-training barrier first.
When introductory autism and behavior foundations for staff supporting autistic children are relevant, use our team evaluation kit to assess fit. Its course draws largely from young-child classroom and home examples. It does not cover adult services, crisis intervention, restraint or trauma-informed care, and does not meet state-mandated training. Ask us to confirm group trial access.
Want to discuss your staff’s learning need? Email our team with your setting, staff roles and the task you want to improve. Please omit names and private health information.
Further guidance
These questions draw on CDC’s quality training standards and training needs analysis guidance.