MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made between CaringKind (CK), a not-for-profit organization based in This Agreement is made between CaringKind (“CaringKind”), a not-for-profit organization based in New York, NY, and the undersigned CST Program Specialist (hereafter referred to as “Specialist”), who has completed the CaringKind CST Program Specialist Training and has completed (or is pursuing) Certification requirements.
1. Purpose
The purpose of this agreement is to formalize the relationship between CaringKind and the Specialist, affirming the Specialist’s role in CST service delivery and outlining mutual expectations for membership in the CaringKind CST Program Specialist Network.
2. Certification Requirements
To achieve and maintain a CaringKind “Certified” CST Program Specialist status, the Specialist must successfully complete the following components of the CaringKind CST Training and Certification Program:
- 12 hours of synchronous training and related homework
- Knowledge competency assessed through exam (85% passing grade required for certification.)
- Completion of this CaringKind CST Program Specialist Memorandum of Agreement
- CST Session observations (minimum of 2 live or recorded CaringKind CST sessions)
- CST Facilitation competency assessed through a live demonstration (CaringKind staff observation of a live or recorded CST group) (85% passing grade required for certification)
- CST Fidelity/Self-Assessment Checklist and Review (minimum of 2 checklists completed during your first 2 CST groups). Checklists to be reviewed with a CaringKind CST Leadership Team member during a 30-minute office hour slot. (Session videos may be requested.)
- Participation in a minimum of 4 CST Program Specialist Network Learning Circles annually
CaringKind aspires for all trainees to successfully meet their certification goals, and we include ongoing learning opportunities/skills coaching within our training program. Trainees who do not meet assessment requirements initially may repeat assessments or trainings for no additional fees. Individuals who attend training but do not meet certification requirements will receive an acknowledgement of training participation and associated contact hours.
3. Designation and Affiliation
Upon Certification, the Specialist is granted:
- Permission to state credential as a “CaringKind Certified CST Program Specialist” while maintaining active membership in CaringKind’s CST Network
- Recognition on CaringKind public lists of CST Program Specialists (e.g. CaringKind website listing, written reports, social media posts, etc.)
A Certification from CaringKind should only be viewed as a qualification – not as a volunteer or employment role. Your affiliation with CaringKind is as a trainee of the CaringKind CST Training and Certification Program who has achieved specific qualifications through that program. Any questions on designation and/or affiliation can be directed to CaringKind’s CST Master Trainers.
4. Membership in the CST Network
Upon successful completion of CST training and knowledge assessments, the Specialist receives a 2-year membership in the CaringKind CST Program Specialist Network, which includes:
- Confidential access to CST session plans, themed activities, and materials
- Monthly Learning Circles (minimum 1 per quarter during active CST delivery)
- 1:1 coaching and office hours with CaringKind CST Leadership Team
- Peer support and collaboration opportunities
- Access to shared data and evaluation tools to advance collective impact, dissemination and sustainability efforts
5. Ongoing Participation and Quality Assurance
To maintain certification and ensure fidelity to the intervention, the Specialist agrees to:
- Participate in at least one Learning Circle per quarter during active CST delivery
- Facilitate a minimum of two CST groups within the 2-year certification period
- Share resources, feedback, and data for ongoing learning/program improvement
6. Re-Certification and Network Membership
Certification is valid for 2 years. Renewal fee: $100 biannually
- Fee waivers are available for Specialists who actively contribute to the CST Network through resource or data sharing
- To renew certification and network access, members should facilitate at least 2 CST groups during each period (or have an established history with the intervention)
Certification and membership fees are non-refundable. If your certification or membership ends early, any fees already paid will not be refunded.
7. Use of Materials
All CST materials provided by CaringKind are proprietary and intended for use solely by active members of the CST Network. Unauthorized distribution or use outside the scope of this agreement is prohibited.
All training materials, session plans, resources, and proprietary content provided by CaringKind as part of the CST Program Specialist training and CST Network membership remain the exclusive intellectual property of CaringKind. These materials are licensed and accessible only to certified CST Program Specialists for use solely in the delivery of CST services in accordance with CaringKind’s standards and guidelines.
Participants and organizations may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or use the materials for commercial purposes or outside the scope of CST service delivery without prior written consent from CaringKind. Any unauthorized use of CaringKind’s intellectual property may result in termination of certification and access to the CST Network. If needed, CaringKind may seek other remedies allowed by law to protect its rights. These protections continue even after the Agreement ends.
8. Term and Termination
This Agreement shall commence on the date of signing and remain in effect throughout the CST training and for the two years while the trainee is a member in the CaringKind CST Network. The obligations of this agreement will be automatically renewed upon re-certification (bi-annually).
CaringKind reserves the right to revoke certification and network membership if the Specialist fails to uphold the standards of practice, breaches this agreement, or misrepresents their affiliation with CaringKind.
9. Data Sharing and Privacy Policy
CaringKind encourages CST Network members to voluntarily share de-identified program data to help demonstrate the collective impact of CST and to support its sustainability. Shared data may include:
- Participation activity (e.g., number of sessions attended, reasons for withdrawal, program completion)
- Pre-/Post-program outcomes and measurement instruments
- General demographic and geographic information
All shared data must be de-identified to secure all organizations client records. Shared data will not be used for research requiring IRB approval and will only be used to document collective outputs and impact. CST Network members who contribute data will receive a credit toward their biannual certification/network membership renewal fees (valued at $100). Shared data will be made available to all contributing members for their own reporting and program development purposes.
The Specialist is solely responsible for ensuring that any data shared with CaringKind is fully de-identified and compliant with all applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, including HIPAA where applicable. CaringKind shall not be responsible or liable for any failure by the Specialist to comply with such requirements.
For questions regarding data utilization, contact: Dr. Ed Cisek, Chief Grants and Evaluation Officer, Email: ecisek@cknyc.org
10. Indemnification
The Specialist agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CaringKind, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to (a) the use or misuse of CST materials or certification, (b) the delivery of CST sessions or services by the Specialist, and (c) any breach of this Agreement. This indemnification obligation shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
11. Acknowledgment
By signing below, the Specialist acknowledges understanding and acceptance of the terms outlined in this agreement and commits to upholding the standards and values of CaringKind’s CST Program.