TRAINING

OVERVIEW

There are a number of different topic areas covered under the basic DCH Specialized Group Home Curriculum. Listed below are each topic area and a brief description of the material covered in that session.

The Role of the Direct Care Staff

De-institutionalization and the varied roles of the direct care staff are discussed. The philosophies of Normalization, Person Centered Planning, Community Integration and Inclusion are introduced. The Trainer provides an understanding of how values, attitudes, and beliefs of each individual affects interactions with others in both negative and positive ways. 

Working With People

This module introduces the responsibilities of an individual staff member working with a client who is Developmentally Disabled or Mentally Ill. The trainee is given guidelines for teaching goals, making positive relationships and reaching the individuals personal plan and aspirations for their life.                                                                                          

Recipient Rights

This training module details the rights that each individual within the mental health system is guaranteed. The penalties of violating these rights are discussed in detail. This training attempts to instill upon the trainees, the attitude that the individuals living in the group homes are our peers and should be treated with dignity and respect, the same as we require and expect.  

The Mandt System Basic & Intermediate (Non-Physical and Physical Interactions)

The entire philosophy of the Mandt System is based on the principle that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and that all individuals should be seen as people first. This program presents a system of gradual and graded alternatives for managing people using a combination of nonphysical and physical interaction techniques designed to prevent injury to all participants in an encounter. The Mandt System teaches that the main goal is to learn how to effectively manage yourself first and then you can more effectively manage other people.  

Emergency Preparedness

This class discusses emergency situations that could happen in a group home, and appropriate responses for staff. Anticipating an emergency, preventing emergencies and ways to deal with environmental emergencies such as fire, tornadoes, poisoning, and other potential disasters are covered.  

Health and Meds Day 1

Basic health education is important for the health observation and maintenance of the individual in the group home are discussed. Topics include personal hygiene, infection control, seizure first aid, signs and symptoms of illness, potential health emergencies, and obtaining vital signs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, and Blood Pressure.) Participants must pass demonstration skills check in this class.  

Health and Meds Day 2

This instruction provides the proper procedures for the preparation, administration, and documentation of prescribed medications to the individual in the group home. It is designed to compliment and build on the first day of the Health and Meds presentation. It is imperative for the trainee to understand the legal and ethical implications of medication passing, drug routes, dosage forms, reading of pharmacy labels and physician orders, researching drugs, med refusals and errors, and correct documentation.  As in the first day, participants must pass a skill’s check to successfully pass the class.  

Nutrition

This session’s primary focus is food safety in the group home setting. The importance of the staff role in ensuring the nutritional well-being of the individual and safe and sanitary food preparation, handling, storage, and preventing contamination and food borne illnesses are stressed.  Swallowing difficulties are also discussed as well, and how the staff can assist persons with eating.  

American Red Cross CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is taught in this class, enabling trainees to appropriately act in the event of an emergency situation involving unconsciousness, breathing difficulties and/or heart attack. Trainees must demonstrate learned skills.                        

American Red Cross First Aid

Specific skills covering caring for wounds, burns, injured limbs, and other potential injuries are discussed. Skills are practiced and demonstrated.  

Person-Centered-Planning                     

Components and philosophies of the person-centered plan and how the residential provider staff can use the plan to support the individuals pursuit of their dreams, goals, and desires on a day to day basis is discussed. Emphasis is placed upon the aspects of choice and person centered decision making.  

Cultural Diversity

Exploration and identification of possible biases, prejudices and cultural misunderstandings are presented. Effective strategies to help overcome the fears and preconceptions a staff person could experience towards any diversity issue, is examined. The goal of the class is to provide a diverse work force that can communicate and work together in a beneficial way to provide service to diverse populations.  

Sexuality Issues in DD/MI populations. 

Persons with physical or intellectual disabilities in our society are often regarded as non-sexual. The information presented in this class helps staff to recognize sexual expression is a natural and important part of human life. Awareness of preventing harassment, abuse, and general sexual safety is discussed.