DSS Instructor OrientationAugust 13, 2014

PANEL:Jennifer Pryor, Training Coordinator

Jay White, CEU Contact, Content Development

Annette Kelley, DSS, Division of Licensing Programs

Dr. E. Ayn Welleford, Department of Gerontology Chair

Introductions

• Mary Beth Alford

• Ellen Phipps

• Sonya Barsness • Lindsey Slaughter

• Annette Clark • Nakia Speller• Ronda Greene • Stacy

Sutherland• Carolyn

Merriman• Rhonda Whitmer

• Courtney Petley • Gail Ziemba

Welcome Returning and New Instructors!

Agenda• Review of Spring 2014• Fall 2014• What’s New?

• Policy & Procedure Manual• Department Preamble • Fairfax/VA Beach Training

Sites• CEUs

• Questions from YOU!

Review: Spring 2014• ISP • Working With Families • Organizational Diversity (new) • Agitation and AggressionOverall: Well Received and very positive feedback (great tips/tricks/information)

Constructive Feedback: Practice better time management and engage the group– do not just read to them!

**REMINDER:

Do not hand out

certificates to

people who don’t

show up!!

Looking Ahead: Fall 2014• ISP

• Activities for the Cognitively Impaired: Part I• Updates by Ellen Phipps

• Mental Health in Later Life Part I: Mood Disorders & Anxiety • Updates by Jay White

What’s New?Policy and Procedure ManualNew sections include information on:

Mandatory Semiannual Webinar Meetings Department Preamble Enhanced Expectations of our Instructors New online CEU process Blackboard Training Summaries Conditions of Employment

**Always review

your Policy and

Procedure Manual

prior to each

semester!

Department Preamble

A dynamic program in place since 1976 in the School of Allied Health, the Gerontology Program prepares students for a variety of capacities and settings including allied health, public sector, education and research, as well as impact in those professions serving senior consumers.  

With a broad, integrated view of gerontology,  our perspective is that whether one is a degree/certificate seeking student, or pursuing continuing education,  the application of gerontological knowledge can support optimal aging.

What’s New?

What’s New?• New Training Sites

New Fairfax

Training Site!

• Historic Blenheim (Fall only)• There will be a new site in the

Spring

New VA Beach Training

Site!

• VA Department of Social Services, Eastern Regional Licensing Office

**REMINDER:

Addresses are listed on the

• Brochure• website, &

• the Fairfax/VA Beach

trainer folders

What’s New?

Each trainer folder will continue to have hard copy forms.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

NEW FOR FALL 2014

Online application and advance payment of CEU’s will now be accepted during online registration for each training course. Upon registering for a training, you will be asked to select if you want to receive CEU credit for the course. A $10 processing fee will be added to your total. You must complete the online CEU application form during registration. Refunds will not be given for no-show attendance. If you have any questions, please email agingstudies@vcu.edu. **Make sure

completed forms

are LEGIBLE and

COMPLETELY

FILLED OUT

Hard Copy Online

+ $10 check or money order + $10 credit card payment

Turned in at training Completed before training

CEU Applications

How will we know if someone applied for CEUs online?

Carolyn paid with a check for the class, and did not apply for CEUs online

Derrick paid with a credit card for the class, and applied for CEUs online

What’s New: CEUs

• Only those who register for the training online are able to apply for CEUs online

• Online CEU applications cannot be completed at or after the training

Questions?

Tips, Tricks, and Fun Activities

“I always use tented name

cards…this helps to keep the

training more personal. I can

reengage someone if I feel that attention is

drifting”

– Annette Clark

“Establish up front what they

hope to gain from the

workshop and then explain the

goals and objectives”

– Ellen Phipps

“Identify with specific

disciplines, how hard they work at what they do,

and what motivates them

to do well at their work (i.e.,

CNA versus DON versus social

worker).”

– Lindsey Slaughter

“I use the agenda as my nametags. It

really helps to have them. You

can call on people and

acknowledge them when they

engage”

–Carolyn Merriman

Making It Fun!

“I always have some type of ice

breaker even if one is not included in

the training” – Annette

Clark

“Playing an ice breaker game for the attendees to get to know

each other a little but also to help them relax and make a fun

learning experience” – Rhonda Whittmer

“Use humor/be personally accessible… use real-life examples

to engender a “group peer supervision” feel. Make info

meaningful to what they really do and have folks learn from each

other and give tips.” – Lindsey Slaughter

“I usually try to come up

with an exercise

relative to the topic of the

class or just a fun ice

breaker” – Gail Ziemba

M&M ICE BREAKERshared by Rhonda

• Give each participant a fun size bag of M&Ms• Have them select 2 or 3 colors from the bag• During introductions have them introduce themselves by using

the color of the M&Ms as follows:

Red Describe

your personality in one

word.

Orange What is

your favorite food?

BlueWhat is

one thing your

parents taught you?

BrownWhat is

one thing you want to learn today?

YellowWhat do you like the most

about your job?

GreenWhich

cartoon character

best describes

you?

Making the Best of Group Activities!

• “Group activities are key in making the program more interesting. They are heavily encouraged to do these activities with attendees that they do not work with or know.”

– Annette Clark

• “The group counted off by 6, which helped get a balance of experienced and inexperienced participants in the group, and mixed up the different facilities.”

– Carolyn Merriman

Bringing it all Home!

• “If time allows, I always attempt to let the attendees discuss best practices, tips, and tools that they use. It promotes engagement, self-esteem, etc. and others always learn from the shared information.”

– Annette Clark

Questions from YOU!

For Annette Kelley: “What is going on with Person-Centered Care related to the regs that DSS is trying to get though our state government? Annette spoke about that sometime this past year.”

For Gerontology: “What exactly is needed for the Leadership Program [CEGL] that is being offered?”

Questions from YOU!

• How can we better engage adult day centers?

• Could we have prizes or candy to hand out?

• Is it possible for the department to provide laptops to instructors in addition to projectors?

• Can we have a one day conference for all the trainers so that we can meet one another?

Questions from YOU!

“Some attendees seem to register for all of the training sessions regardless if they have attended them in the past. I know and understand that they need the training hours and many of them are engaged in the repeat session, but some seem to be less interested. I do attempt to use other examples and change up activities as much as possible, but feel a responsibility to keep true to the curriculum… any one else have suggestions?”–Submitted by Annette Clark

Wrap Up Questions and Comments

Jennifer Pryor – pryorjm@vcu.eduJay White – whitejt2@vcu.edu

Department of Gerontology804-828-1565 |

http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/gerontology/

Department of Social Serviceshttp://www.dss.virginia.gov/