ILS awarded $8,301 grant for staff training

The Department of Human Services has awarded Independent Living Services a $8,301 grant for Crisis Intervention training.

The grant will provide the funds necessary to send three employees to a “Train the Trainer” course conducted by Handle with Care to become Crisis Intervention trainers. These trainers will subsequently train our Direct Support Professionals who provide support to children who have been dually diagnosed with mental health and developmental disabilities.

Handle with Care, known for teaching the safest verbal and physical intervention methods in the industry, provides training to Direct Support Professionals  working with individuals as young as four years old. The training emphasizes verbal intervention through building a solid relationship models, reducing tension and establishing personal defense systems.

The goal of the Crisis Intervention Training is to both increase the health and safety of the individuals we serve and to allow individuals to participate in the full realm of experiences the community has with highly trained staff to assist them.

At this time, Independent Living Services provides support to 15 individuals under the age of 22. Of these fifteen individuals, 4 have been dually diagnosed with a mental health and developmental disability.