Group Home Training

 

Group Home Trainings are community-based which allow homes to prioritize and schedule courses in consultation with agency and/or group home representatives, and to review training, staff have completed to date and identity the gaps in training. 

 

2020-2021 GROUP HOME TRAINING PROGRAM

Community-Based Deliveries

                14 course = 21 days     1 day = 6 hours     Total of 126 hours of training

 

Who should take this training?  Group home staff and other caregivers that provide residential services to Indigenous children and youth.   About the Training Group Home Training Program Courses were developed in consultation with First Nation Group Home Managers. All trainings comply with the Customary Standards of Care. All SFNFCI training taught by content expert facilitators Catered lunches, beverages and snacks provided All course material, supplies and door prizes provided Receive a Certificate of Completion for each course Receive a full-sized Certificate of Program Completion upon successful completion of all 14 courses Have an Elder from your community attend training and provide Elder Services - All Elders are eligible to earn a certificate

Watch a 2 minute video explaining the Group Home Training by clicking on the picture below: 

                                            

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

Case Management in a Group Home Setting (1 day)

In this one-day course, the participants will learn about the roles and responsibilities of case management within a team environment.  Using the circle of care model, learners will have the opportunity to identify and demonstrate their understanding of the components and processes that are integral to the case management strategy including goals and intended outcomes.  Forms and files relevant to First Nations Group Homes are used to enhance consistent practice in documentation writing and oral reporting. The training benefits each participant to position themselves as a knowledgeable member of the case management team.

 

Crisis Management and Support in a Group Home Setting (2 days)

This two-day course provides an opportunity for learners to gain a broad range of essential crisis management and support skills including awareness and responses to the various stages of the Crisis Cycle and techniques to reduce conflict and violence in a group home setting.  The learners will develop a ‘tool kit’ of behavioral management skills and best practices to those who work with children and youth in a group home setting.

 

Rights of Children in a First Nations Group Home Setting (1 day)

This one-day course focuses on the Rights of Children.  Participants will review standards, policies and Acts of Legislation that are specific to the development and maintenance of children rights.  Documents include: The Customary Standards of Care Section: 2, Rights of Children; United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC); United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP); MSS Duty to Report; FSIN Child Welfare and Family Support Act; MSS Child & Family Services Act and the role of the Advocate for Children and Youth.    Learners will have the opportunity to discuss and participate in exercises demonstrating the rights and how to ensure children and youth are aware of their rights.

 

The History of Saskatchewan First Nations Child Welfare (1 day)

This one-day course presents an overview of the history of First Nations child welfare in Saskatchewan and the key events that have impacted in the development of First Nations Child Welfare systems in Saskatchewan.  The participants will review and discuss the Canadian Government’s policies and acts of legislation including the Residential School System from late 1800’s to 1996, Indian Act of 1876 and the 60’s Scoop through the Adopt Indian Metis Program. Participants will learn about the long and challenging path and the efforts of First Nations to gain control of this system which continues on into the 21^st Century with Jordon’s Principle in 2007, the 2015 TRC Calls to Action, the 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Ruling and the 2017 SFNFCI Engagement Project.

 

Communication Skills in a Group Home Setting (2 days)

This two-day course will focus on basic communication skills for Group Home Workers. Participants will examine their own communication styles; learn key elements of communication including listening with empathy, responding with patience, and impacts of non-verbal communication; apply effective communication skills to build positive relationships; motivational interviewing; and using impactful communication skills when dealing with difficult or resistant clients or during crisis or conflicts.

 

Engaging Clients Using Therapeutic Interventions (1 day)

This one-day course focuses on multiple ways of engaging group home clients to assist in creating healthy, safe, helping environments. Participants will learn about the goal of therapeutic interventions, some basic interventions such as art therapy, play therapy and animal therapy, and how these can be beneficial for engaging children and youth in relationship development. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss and practice skills in building respectful relationships.

 

Documentation in a Group Home (2 days)

This two day course focuses on identification and application of effective observation, communication and report writing skills including an understanding of applicable terminology. Participants will create, and complete files routinely required in a group home setting, learn file management; documenting client and worker activities; and case planning. The course will teach the key elements required for writing clear, concise, detailed reports including an understanding of opinion, objective and subjective comments and perspectives. The two day course will also demonstrate competency in identifying situations requiring completion of critical incident reports (E.g. death, injury, sexual/physical abuse).

 

Grief and Loss (2 days)

This two-day course is designed to introduce participants to the role of the group home worker in providing grief and loss support to children and youth. Participants will demonstrate knowledge and skills to support group home residents who may be experiencing grief and loss. Participants will also examine their own grieving process and the importance of modelling positive, healthy grief and loss recovery for others.

 

Culture and Diversity (2 days)

This two-day course is designed to be led by Elders and course participants. A general list of teachings and information will be identified by the First Nations Group Home Network participants to assist the structuring of the course. Depending upon the Elders and their expertise, topics may include: history, storytelling, worldviews, sacred circles, tipi teachings, animals and their significance in teaching values, oral traditions, protocols, plants and medicines, treaties, diversity, etc.

 

Mental Health First Aid – Adults who Interact with Youth in a Group Home Setting (2 days)

This two-day course focuses on mental disorders and crisis first aid skills specifically for adults working with children and youth in a group home setting.  The course focuses on mental disorders including, but not limited to: mood, anxiety, eating disorders, and psychotic disorders. The course also discusses stigma and discrimination as well as five basic actions of mental health first aid.  Each participant that completes the fourteen hours receives a certificate from Mental Health First Aid Canada.

 

Working with Children and Youth with Exceptionalities in a Group Home Setting (1 day)

In this one day course, participants will learn about the symptomologies/spectrums and assessment processes associated with FASD, Autism, ADHD Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Attachment Disorder and Depression.  Learners will explore and examine biases, myths and misperceptions about exceptionalities with the aim of developing an informed understanding of the issue.  Participants will also learn how to apply basic techniques, interventions and strategies for each of the designated exceptionalities appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child and youth.

 

Child and Adolescent Behavior from a First Nations and Western Perspective (1 day)

This one day training will provide the learner with an understanding of child and youth development from a western and First Nations perspective.  Through this awareness, learners will be able to design programs and services that meet the developmental levels of children and youth in their care. Learners will also learn about different parenting styles and how they support or hinder child and youth development.

 

Helping Skills for the Group Home Worker (1 day)

In this one day course, learners will develop an understanding of the basic theoretical foundations of the helping skills models of counselling and their role in providing help to children and youth as part of the continuum of care in a group home setting.  Through in class practice sessions, participants will actively demonstrate basic helping skills appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child and youth.

 

Working with Children Who Have Experienced and Witnessed Violence (2 days)

This two day course informs the participants on the different types of violence that children and youth living in a group home may have witnessed and experienced including; family/domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse, bullying, gangs, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, drug abuse and media violence.  These types of violence are discussed in a historical and current context that supports the learner to better understand the tools necessary to develop trusting relationships as a means of better understanding and modelling behavior with children and youth.

 

Click here for your printable Course Description (PDF)

 

For more information please contact:

Juanita Wolfe, Learning Operations Consultant

Carrie Shingoose, Learning Operations Coordinator

306-373-2874

www.sfnfci.ca