Training To Build Capacity
 

Click here for a list of upcoming training opportunities. 

Our first year of the ACT project showed us clearly that inclusion is not possible without staff that are prepared and committed to serving children with disabilities. We began our efforts, with the help of experienced providers, by identifying the competencies that make up a prepared and committed staff. Click here to review those competencies.

 

With staff competency critical to successful inclusive programs, a key component of ACT activities is staff training. During 2008, more than 900 staff from agencies throughout the County participated in ACT training offerings.  ACT staff have worked hard to focus training on the core competencies—what people need to be able to do—and to try to move programs from training, to on-site consultation and then to supports for specific inclusion efforts.

 

 

ACT offers the following training opportunities:

 

Discovering Inclusion - A one and a half hour workshop appropriate for all children's services providers (including administrators, supervisors, and direct care staff). This workshop focuses on increasing the participants' ability to use 'People First' language, practice respectful etiquette, outline the responsibilities of providers in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and increase awareness of the benefits of inclusion for all children.

KIT “Opening Doors to Inclusive Programs” - This four part series of workshops was created by Kids Included Together (KIT), a San Diego, California-based organization recognized for its best-practice inclusion curriculum.  The target audience is direct care staff working in out of school programs.

The curriculum consists of four 2 ½ hour training modules:  “Introduction to Inclusion”, “Respectful Accommodations”, “Supporting Positive Behavior,” and, “Partnering with Families”.  We strongly recommend that participants attend all 4 sessions; the information is cumulative and builds from workshop to workshop. Participants completing the series receive a valuable resource guide:  “Together We’re Better”. 

These workshops are interactive – you won’t be sitting in a chair just listening for 2 days. Come comfortably attired – we’ll be having some fun!

Discovering Inclusion: Guiding Others: Training of Trainers - This exciting new workshop provides the tools and resources necessary to train staff at your own agency using the Discovering Inclusion curriculum.

PREREQUISITES:  Staff/supervisors working with children with disabilities for at least one year, and who have successfully completed “Discovering Inclusion” or at least 2 modules of the KIT training series.  PARTICIPATION IS BY INVITATION ONLY.  If you meet the prerequisites and are interested in attending, please contact us using the information below. 

Participants will learn about the elements of facilitation while modeling appropriate language, respectful interactions and strategies for including children of all abilities. The interactive format of this training as a whole will strengthen participants’ public speaking abilities, advocacy skills, and presentation skills with respect to inclusion.

Acce$$ible 4 Le$$ - This fun, interactive and engaging workshop will challenge participants to use their creativity and experience to identify strategies for ensuring that all children can participate and learn.  Participants will play with, manipulate and incorporate items purchased at a local dollar store to create “low-tech” accommodations.  Training objectives include introducing the concept of “universal design” and demonstrating that accommodations can be made with materials that are inexpensive.  Ideas generated by the group are recorded, compiled, and sent in writing to all participants for future reference.

Click here for a list of upcoming training opportunities.  

 

For more information about training opportunities, please contact Trini Lora at tlora@ccdh.org  or call 305-596-1160.