Staff Skill Development

This hands-on, 3-hour practical training equips service providers with the skills to install car seats in both rear-facing and forward-facing positions in their own vehicles. 

Participants will learn:

• Provincial legislation regarding car seat use
• Safety standards for installation and best practices for child transportation
• Different types of car seats and how to choose the appropriate seat for each child they transport
• How to effectively install both rear-facing and forward-facing car seats in their vehicle

A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) oversees the training and the hands-on car seat installation that follows. During the hands-on component, participants will use their new skills and properly install booster, forward-facing, and rear-facing car seats into their vehicles under the guidance of the CPST. As such, appropriate outside space and vehicles are required for the training. Use of your organization’s car seats is preferred to better enhance the practical learning implications for the participants.

In part one of our "Fostering Resilience" workshop series, participants will gain valuable insights into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their profound impact on healthy brain development and body functioning. Discover how ACEs can have lasting effects on health, well-being, and development, leading to challenges such as chronic health issues, mental illness, or substance abuse in adulthood.

In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:

• Develop a clearer understanding of ACEs and their implications
• Learn about the crucial role of addressing ACEs in fostering resilience and recovery
• Gain practical strategies for supporting service users affected by ACEs

Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to make a positive difference in the lives of those impacted by childhood adversity.

In part two of our "Fostering Resilience" workshop series, we dive into resilience theory and practical strategies for building resilience. Discover how to apply a Science X Design approach (developed by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University) to identify effective strategies for supporting service users in reducing stress, developing new skills, and enhancing connections with others.

In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:

• Explore the principles of resilience theory and its application in practice
• Learn evidence-based techniques for fostering resilience in themselves and others
• Gain insight into using a Science by Design approach to tailor interventions for maximum effectiveness

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of resilience and equip your staff with actionable tools to make a meaningful impact in their work with others.

In this 3-hour introductory workshop, participants will learn the importance of boundaries, how to build healthy professional boundaries, and how to mitigate potential boundary violations by using effective communication skills. 

Participants will learn:

• Different communication styles
• How to set professional boundaries with their service users and community partners
• What assertive communication is, why assertive communication is important, and how to communicate assertively with their service users and community partners
• How to effectively resolve conflicts

This 3-hour workshop is designed for professionals exposed to secondary trauma, offering insights into recognizing and managing its symptoms. 

Participants will learn:

• Practical strategies for personal and professional self-care
• How to engage in interactive exercises designed to understand trauma responses
• To identify and implement strategies to foster a healthier work-life balance 

Join us as we help your staff build a supportive network, develop essential coping skills, and ensure sustainable success in their roles.

This workshop introduces participants to a collaborative, solution-focused approach to working with children and families using their emotional intelligence. 

In this 6-hour workshop, participants will:

• Understand their own emotional intelligence 
• Recognize the difference between problem-solving and solution-building interviewing
• Understand the implicit assumptions of both approaches
• Learn practical tools and techniques for implementing solution-building conversations

Participants will receive an overview of introductory therapeutic skills, including active listening, validation, normalizing, paraphrasing, empathy, and containment. Additionally, your staff will learn the importance of "soft skills" such as self-reflection, self-awareness, accessibility, authenticity, genuine interest in others, flexibility, and humour.

Our “Professional Excellence” workshop is designed specifically for service practitioners who are just starting their careers. This comprehensive course will guide participants through the essential aspects of professionalism in the human services field.

In this 2-hour workshop, participants will learn:

• An overview of professionalism: We’ll begin with a thorough introduction to what professionalism entails and why it is crucial for any helping career
• Effective professional behaviour: Learn the key expectations for professional behaviour, including how to present yourself confidently and maintain a positive attitude
• Meeting and phone etiquette: Master the art of conducting yourself professionally during meetings and phone calls, ensuring clear and respectful communication
• Working remotely: Gain valuable insights into best practices for remote work, including time management, virtual collaboration, and maintaining productivity from any location
• Appropriate communication practices: We will conclude the course with an in-depth review of appropriate communication methods, focusing on clarity, respect, and professionalism in both written and verbal interactions

By the end of this workshop, your staff will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate their new role with confidence and professionalism.

Elevate your understanding and skills with our workshop on providing trauma-informed care. 

In this 2-hour workshop, we will review:

• Trauma 101: understand the basics of trauma, including its prevalence, types, and effects
• Neurobiology of trauma: learn how trauma impacts brain development and functioning
• Recovery and healing: explore the various paths to recovery and healing for those who have experienced trauma
• Trauma-informed care: understand the definitions, values, principles, and practices that form the foundation of trauma-informed care

Participants will gain the ability to:

• Describe what trauma-informed care entails
• Identify and apply the core principles, values, and practices of trauma-informed care
• Recognize and reflect on their specific roles in implementing trauma-informed approaches within their work

Join this workshop to become proficient in trauma-informed care and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who have experienced trauma.

The content presented in this workshop is based on the Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care model (CCTIC) developed by Community Connections.

This workshop is designed to equip service providers with essential skills for managing crisis situations through a trauma-informed approach. This workshop does not cover physical restraint procedures and promotes a “no physical contact” approach to de-escalation.

In this 3-hour workshop, participants will:

• Gain a deep understanding of the anatomy of a crisis
• Learn practical strategies to identify, prevent, and de-escalate crises effectively
• Learn valuable debriefing techniques to help service providers process and reflect on crisis incidents

Throughout the workshop, attendees will be introduced to a variety of techniques for supporting individuals in crisis through verbal and nonverbal communication. By mastering these skills, participants will be able to set effective boundaries and guide interactions toward positive outcomes. This workshop emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, ensuring that all interventions are grounded in empathy and respect.

After attending this workshop, participants will be better prepared to successfully handle future crises with resilience and confidence.

Master the art of clear, compassionate, and unbiased documentation with our 1-hour workshop on trauma-informed, objective writing skills. Designed for professionals who handle sensitive information, this course provides essential techniques for writing that respects and acknowledges trauma experiences while maintaining objectivity. 

Participants will learn how to:

• Avoid re-traumatizing and oppressive language through careful word choice, structure, and tone
• Enhance their writing skills to create supportive and accurate documentation

This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to improve their written communication skills so they can better support their service users and uphold professional standards in their writing.

Join us for an enlightening workshop that delves into the intricacies of attachment theory. We will explore how early attachment interactions shape brain development, identify various attachment patterns, and discuss complex trauma within the context of attachment.

Our 6-hour workshop includes:

• Detailed coverage of brain development affected by early attachment
• Identification of different attachment patterns
• In-depth discussion on complex trauma related to attachment
• Strategies for assessing and intervening with both children and caregivers

Through a blend of lectures, videos, and experiential exercises, participants will gain valuable insights into the impact of trauma on attachment behaviour. Participants will enhance their understanding and skills in working with service users in a supportive and engaging environment.This workshop uses content from the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative.