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SMART Family & Friends Facilitator Handbook, 2nd Edition Advance Training Copy

We’re excited to share this advance training copy of the SMART Family & Friends Facilitator Handbook, 2nd Edition with our SMART Family & Friends facilitators.

Click here to download now!

This handbook was created to support facilitators in leading SMART Family & Friends meetings with greater confidence, structure, and flexibility. It expands on the concepts introduced in facilitator training and provides practical guidance for introducing tools, facilitating discussions, managing group dynamics, and supporting participants in a compassionate, participant-driven way.

The handbook includes:

  • Guidance on the science and philosophy behind SMART Family & Friends
  • Meeting structure and facilitation best practices
  • Facilitator discussion guides for Family & Friends tools
  • Practical communication and Motivational Interviewing skills
  • Support for topics like boundaries, self-compassion, grief, communication, safety, and self-care
  • Facilitator reflection and self-care guidance
  • A quick-reference “Facilitator Essentials” section for meetings

This version is being shared so facilitators can begin using and benefiting from the material now while final edits, formatting, and design review continue. As noted inside the document, this is an Advance Training Copy intended for:

  • Facilitator training sessions
  • Personal study and preparation
  • Leading SMART Family & Friends meetings

At this time:

  • This is not yet the final published edition
  • The handbook may still receive revisions and updates
  • We are not yet able to provide a timeline for the official release
  • Please do not publicly redistribute or post this version online

We deeply appreciate your patience, flexibility, and continued support as this project moves toward final publication. Your feedback, experience, and dedication to SMART Family & Friends have helped shape this work in meaningful ways.

Special thanks to John Franko, Tammy Ginader, and Maggie Reilly for their tremendous help in creating, reviewing, refining, and improving this edition of the handbook. Their thoughtful contributions, expertise, and care are reflected throughout these pages.

Thank you for everything you do to support SMART Family & Friends participants and meetings.