DDA Community Residential Services Training

Department of Social and Health Service’s Developmental Disabilities Administration sent this bulletin at 03/10/2020 03:14 PM PDT

Residential Service Providers Training & Information Updates

March 10, 2020

Keeping current with training requirements

All staff working with clients in the following Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) residential programs must comply with the mandatory training requirements per RCW 74.39A:

Supported Living
Group Homes
Group Training Homes
Children’s Licensed Staff Residential
Alternative Living
Companion Homes
State Operated Living Alternative (SOLA)

Rules for the training requirements are contained in Chapter 388-829 WAC and additional standards for the adult residential programs are located in Chapter 388-101D WAC.

Upcoming training opportunities

Courses are available region-wide, monthly. Every other month the Residential 40 hour CORE and Train-the-Trainer Continuing Education (CE) series interchange. In response to the recent concerns about COVID - 19 we are limiting class sizes to no more than ten participants.

March 16 - 20, 2020: 40 hour CORE Train-the-Trainer Course (10 slots maximum capacity)

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Hampton Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown-South, 675 S McClellan St, Spokane, WA 99204
Trainer: LJ Keller
You must attend the full week in order to be certified to train 40 hour CORE Training
Contact DDA to fill out Trainer Approval form ahead of training to expedite the release of certificates
Register

March 30 - April 3, 2020: CE Series Train-the-Trainer (10 slots maximum capacity)

Location: Arc of Spokane 320 E. 2^nd Ave Spokane, WA 99202
Monday: Beyond Mandated Reporting
Tuesday: Unconscious Bias/Generations in the Workplace
Wednesday: Beyond First Aid: Recognizing and Responding to Medical Emergencies
Thursday/Friday: Buzz for Adult Learning/Peer Coaching (2 days)
Trainer: Julie Walker and Colleen Murcar
Register for each course separately and attend whichever the Train-the-Trainer CE course you want to teach within your agency.
Contact DDA to fill out Trainer Approval form ahead of training to expedite the release of certificates
Register

Residential Seminar Series: Managing Trauma in the Provider World (Free Continuing Education open to everyone):

Community Residential Services, SOLA and Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) are offering a joint Continuing Education opportunity that is open to everyone.

Wednesday April 22, 2020 (maximum capacity 30 participants)

9 – 11 a.m.: A new perspective on Self-Care and Managing Vicarious Trauma (Trainer: Woody Pollock)
Networking Lunch Provided
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.: How to provider Trauma Informed Care
Location: The Delta Hotel at 3105 Pine St. Everett, WA 98201
Trainer: Sean Tabayoyon
Register

2020 Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Courses (Registration Links):

Be mindful about registering in advance and please contact DDA to withdraw staff registration so others may register.

TBA TTT 40 hour CORE (Spokane) December 14-18, 2020 9 a. m. to 4 p.m.

Technical Support Monthly Webinars

Webinar schedule March - November 2020, register now!

Please join us for the monthly Trainer Support Webinar and receive:

Answers to frequently asked questions
Clarification for training requirements
Opportunities for live interaction with peers
Upcoming training opportunities

Curriculum Update: Updating the 40 hour CORE

It is time to start updating our 40-hour CORE curriculum. DSHS is welcoming providers, self-advocates, county participants and other stakeholders in the workgroup process.

The next step is to get together in each region for a one-day retreat to examine the strengths and challenges of the current curriculum and organize into writing workgroups.

Please bring activities or ideas about how the 40-hour CORE curriculum could be updated and improved.

The retreat dates and times are below. Participants can attend any scheduled retreat date. Registration will close 2 weeks prior to each retreat. Lunch will be provided.

Region 1: Register – April 13, 2020 (Spokane, WA) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Cowlitz County Event Center at 1900 7^th Avenue Longview, WA 98632

Developing Training Activities: Lessons Learned

Across the state Community Residential Services providers, stakeholders and self-advocates are meeting to update the 40 hour CORE curriculum. One benefit is the depth and breadth of training expertise exhibited at the meetings. One topic discussed in Region 2 and 3 at the 40 hour CORE Curriculum Update retreats is common mistakes trainers and curriculum developers make when planning and executing training activities:

Relevance: have you ever engaged in a training where you struggled to understand how the activity related to the subject matter? Often, this happens at the beginning of a training, when the trainer wants to engage a class, and a “fun” activity is planned that does not directly relate to the training topic. This can work against a trainer. If you write a curriculum or plan an activity that does not directly tie into the subject matter, adult learners can become confused and disengaged.
Class size: class sizes vary and this can impact planned activities. A good curriculum developer writes activities that are adaptable to small and large groups. An adept trainer has contingency plans for trainings with low or high attendance. It is important not to move ahead with an activity that requires a large group if you do not have an adapted strategy. It is also crucial that small groups engage in activities. It is not acceptable for a trainer to cut out all interactive activities because class size is small. Adult learners need to actively engage in the subject matter they are learning to retain and apply new skills.
Managing participation: have you ever been to a training where it seems like one person is answering all of the questions or the trainer moves past discussions too quickly? It is important for trainers to build pauses into discussions. A trainer should be comfortable with silence. Give classes time to grapple a question or concept. If one or a few people dominate the conversation build in a pause by saying, “Let’s ponder this discussion question. Please write down you answer” Once the class thinks for a minute, call on a table with participants who engaged in the training. Carefully avoid the table of the person(s) who dominate and call on that table(s) last. It is important to call on table groups and not individuals. Adults can feel anxious about being individually called on in trainings.
English as a second Language and promoting neurodiversity: one aspect of including activities in training is that it lets a trainer show versus tell participants about a new concept. Creating activities with heavy group participation, active engagement and light on reading, writing and lecture -- will create an environment that is adaptable to all learning styles and promotes diverse participation. Discussions are powerful ways to meet your class where they are at.

Training participation adaptations:

Ask open-ended questions to check for understanding (what do you think of this concept? Any ideas or surprises about this skill? How would you apply this skill?)
Slow down if the class is not ready to move past a specific skill or concept
Encourage positive collaboration and peer support
Read scenarios out loud versus giving handouts
Use graphics versus wordy handouts
When assigning a written activity, ask small groups to work together so they can discuss the topic and nominate a scribe to capture group ideas

For other training opportunities and CE courses, please visit the DDA provider training opportunities page.

To announce training opportunities within your agency, contact Linda Gil. Include the following information:

Title of training
Dates/times, location (with address)
Speaker/presenter
Contact information for training registration
Is this approved for CE?
Who can attend?

For all other training questions contact Sarah Blanchette, Residential Provider Training Manager.