HIV/AIDS                                            6 HOURS              COURSE OUTLINE
The six-hour HIV/IDS training, offers basic to mid-level information on HIV/AIDS for laypersons through medical staff. The curriculum covers history of HIV/AIDS, viral replication, medical treatment advances, testing, prevention and modes of transmission, universal precautions, and Act 148, the specific law in Pennsylvania to protect the rights of those infected. The course also covers substance abuse and the specific issues facing addicts and those in treatment with reference to HIV risks and transmission. Pre-test/post-test applicable; B.D.A.P. approved.

STD(STI)/TB/HEPATITIS                   4 HOURS           COURSE OUTLINE
The four-hour STD/TB/Hepatitis training offers a curriculum covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and effects of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Human Papilloma Virus, Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomonas, Candidiasis, Body lice and Scabies, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. An entensive slide presentation on these infections in humans is presented. The course also focuses on substance abuse and the correlation with STD transmission and prevention/barriers and their safety. Pre-test/Post-test applicable; B.D.A.P. approved.

BIOTERRORISM TRAINING             4 HOURS              COURSE OUTLINE
The four-hour bioterrorism training outlines the current risks posed globally by various toxins, bacteria and viral infections known to kill or in some other way jeopardize human life forms. The course also covers surface infections (contamination on a surface) and appropriate universal precautions/safety practices. Food borne infection and household hints are also outlined. Among others the course covers: anthrax, botulism, ricin, smallpox, plague, brucellosis and glanders/meliodiosis. Pre-test/Post-test applicable; B.D.A.P. approved.

HIV/HEPATITIS C CO-INFECTION      6 HOURS         COURSE OUTLINE
The six-hour HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection training covers the basic information on transmission and treatment of both infections and more importantly the issues specific to having both infections concurrently. Testing, biopsy, effective treatment and therapy are discussed as well as drug and alcohol abuse, their effect on co-infection and relapse. Pre-test/Post-test applicable; B.D.A.P. approved.

TATTOOING AND BODY PIERCING     4 HOURS         COURSE OUTLINE
While clearly not taking a stand for or against, this training is designed to "educate" the potential recipient of these body art forms on questions to be asked, issues of infectious disease, and issues surrounding aftercare and wound care. The course includes history, liability laws, infection protocol and treatment, issues regarding rejection and the psychosocial issues surrounding these two popular forms of artistic expression. The course includes illustration and frank discussion of tattooing and body piercing including both male and female genital piercing with graphic photos. Participants are asked to approach the educational information clinically and professionally. Pre-test/Post-test applicable.

CPR (CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION)         3 HOURS      COURSE OUTLINE
This American Heart Association training instructs the participant in all facets of Basic Adult life support/Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, following AHA guidelines. Participants are versed in blood borne pathogens, universal precautions, signs of stroke, heart attack and choking, and the chain of survival steps. Students must be able to establish unresponsiveness, activate the emergency response system, open an airway, check breathing, give breaths, check for carotid pulse, provide rescue breathing, and perform cycles of chest compressions and ventilation. A two-year AHA certification is presented to candidates who successfully complete this training.

BASIC FIRST AID                               4 HOURS                     COURSE OUTLINE
Basic First Aid instruction is offered to participants of this training. Students will be versed in recognizing emergency conditions and potential emergency conditions, bystander intervention, rescuer reactions and scene survey, PPE and Universal Precautions, wound care and tetanus, choking, bandaging and dressings, basic burn care (chemical, heat and sun), blistering, bleeds and heavy bleeds, seizure, shock, amputation, anaphylaxis, electrocution, possible heart attack and poisoning, altered mental status, blood borne disease, airborne disease, suspicion of dental, eye, head or spine injuries and consent and liability issues. Above all the course stresses that it is not an attempt to "create paramedics" but to instill information and training that can help judgment on potential injury. Pre-test/Post-test Applicable.

INFECTION CONTROL              6 HOURS                     COURSE OUTLINE
This curriculum includes information on nosocomial, food and surface infection and appropriate measures to contain or kill them in a health care or treatment setting. The course emphasizes a non-medical approach to understanding a bacterium, a fungus, a pathogen, a protozoon, a virus, organisms and microorganisms. Common sources of infection and routes of transmission and transmission prevention are emphasized. Meningitis, West Nile, S.A.R.S., bird, human and swine flu and other trends involving infectious disease are presented. Universal precautions, use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and hand washing are emphasized along with issues involving vaccination, treatment and global travel. Household and commercially available products are discussed with reference to expense, practicality and ultimate value. There is also discussion of bioterrorism and threats that might result from air, food and water contamination. Where applicable, viral hepatitis, STI and TB are reviewed. Pre-test/Post-test Applicable.

ETHICS AND BOUNDARIES       6 HOURS                   COURSE OUTLINE
This training emphasizes the definition of ethics and its importance at the workplace and among demonstrations of unethical behavior. The course discusses all the relevant guidelines and regulations involving ethical standards. Through role play and written exercises, participants will be better able to recognize their own potential for unethical behaviors, feelings and beliefs; these behaviors in clients and family members; and potential unethical behavior in their colleagues.

DEESCALATION OF AGGRESSION       6 HOURS           COURSE OUTLINE
The root causes of aggression and how to diffuse them are explored here at length. Anger and issues regarding the basic content of temperament and its relation to aggression are explored. Medical intervention, personality and personality disorder, societal pressures, the prison system, issues around authority, personal/parettal models and imprinting, and the steps toward behavior change are all discussed. Employee responsibility in behavior management, aggression risk factors and signs, counter-aggression and non-physical intervention techniques are emphasized. Pre­test/Post-test applicable. Course meets CBH requirements and is PCB approved.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION               6 HOURS           COURSE OUTLINE
This training focuses on what conflict is and the reality of resolving conflict at the workplace and in one's own life. Management of our anger, emotions and feelings, our responses to the behavior of others; and reframing conflict into constructive communication paradigms are emphasized. Special focus is given to steps toward resolving conflict and recognizing anger issues in others.

CONFIDENTIALITY              6 HOURS                    COURSE OUTLINE
This training emphasizes the ethical and legal issues surrounding confidentiality in the drug and alcohol, incarceration and medical workplaces. The vital importance of confidentiality for all people seeking to treat or recover is emphasized and the role of the professional in helping clients to achieve this goal. Community, E-Mail, Family, Telephone Contact; and other practical matters are discussed.

IMPROVING PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS           6 HOURS       COURSE OUTLINE
Office squabbles, Staff jealousy and personal issues, ineffective work performance with others, "cat fights" among staff, and staff on staff "public" arguing. All of these problems can be remedied by exposure to better communication skills at the workplace. Many employees do not understand the ethic behind professional demeanor at the workplace, often based on their own life and prior work experience. This training involves multiple roleplays, volume control and temperament, phone and written etiquette, confidentiality issues, and what "appropriate" means for the given work setting. Participants should then be better able to separate home, public and social behavior from the ethical and liability responsibilities of their workplace.

GROUP LEADERSHIP DYNAMICS               6 HOURS                COURSE OUTLINE
Historically support groups have played an integral part of any therapeutic community program. Holding meaningful and successful groups can be challenging. In this training, what helps the success of the "group" is analyzed and examined. Group dynamics and their purpose are explored through mock group set-up and role play. Steering topics, coping mechanisms, tactful interaction, engaging participants, quieting talkers, keeping and staying focused, and wrap-up and conclusion are all demonstrated and significant participation is encouraged. This training is appropriate for counselors and therapists who hold group interventions.

GAY, LESBIAN, BI-SEXUAL, TRANSGENDER LIFESTYLE ISSUES         6 HOURS         COURSE OUTLINE
This training elaborates on the Pennsylvania Department of Health curriculum gleaned form CDC documents and includes transgender lifestyle and "down-low" concepts not included in that guideline. Examined are definitions and cultural issues surrounding general sexuality and lifestyles listed as alternate. Special focus is given to laws addressing the rights of sexual minorities and psycho-social considerations of these groups and society in general. The right to marry, bias and the determination of the cause of sexual bias are discussed in depth. The training includes the use of many interviews and informational videos representing individuals leading "alternate lifestyles". Pre-test/Post test applicable.

CULTURAL/GENDER/SEXUAL COMPETENCY/SENSITIVITY TRAINING      6 HOURS    COURSE OUTLINE
Course designed to explore paths to broaden employee/personal/client relationships through better understanding of cultural/gender/sexual preference and difference. Participants will be asked to examine what makes them human, different and still a part of the human race and what makes clients and colleagues different, and what they may find good or bad about those differences. Aspects of sex, gender, gender identity, race, religious and other differences are discussed; to help establish a core understanding of the similarities of all human beings and the skills needed to establish, understand and embrace human differences. Bias and the potential causes of bias are discussed. Key to this is accepting the premise that an understanding of a difference is a first step to its acceptance. Several group and individual exercises are used. Participants are required to proactively add their voice especiaIly to group discussion. Pre-test/Post-test applicable.

SUICIDE PREVENTION                     6 HOURS                     COURSE OUTLINE
This course examines the psycho-social issues regarding anger, emotion, depression isolation and ultimately suicide. Prevention, root causes and signals for behavior change are explored. Participants will discuss age, culture, sex and other demographic trends and belief systems with regard to suicidal ideation. Use of medications for anxiety, depression, prevention, street drug/alcohol use, weight management, concepts of being alone, self-worth, self-esteem and self-destructiveness, grief and loss, and issues around aging are all discussed and consistent audience participation is strongly encouraged. Pre-test/Post-test applicable. Course meets CBH requirements and curriculum is PCB approved.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT                    6 HOURS                     COURSE OUTLINE
This course identifies definitions of types of sexual harassment, and employer, workplace and personnel responsibility in prevention. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its various amendments are presented, as well as example cases, statistics and settlement guidelines and issues. Participants are encouraged to participate in role play and develop judgement skills as to what is acceptable and not acceptable in the modern workplace. Client contact is also emphasized with reference to building better interpersonal skills.

DISASTER / FIRE SAFETY                  6 HOURS                     COURSE OUTLINE
In the post 911 workplace this training emphasizes development of a disaster, fire, flooding, lockdown, utility failure or severe weather plan and the periodic drill or exercise of same. Calling/developing codes, development of emergency announcements, phone contact lists, and evacuation plans are all discussed and demonstrated. Loss of power/telephones, chemical spill response, failure of water systems, sewage systems, heating systems, ventilation and air conditioning systems; are also discussed and suggestions for workplace needs given. Role play and insurance/legal/liability standards are emphasized.

SEX AND DRUGS: OVERVIEW OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE      6 HOURS      COURSE OUTLINE
This course begins with a perspective review of current trends in prescription and street drugs (available and popular) and their psychological, physical and social effects. The continuum and prominence of abuse including demographics, and criteria for identifying substance abuse/dependence are discussed. Also the link of substance abuse and physical intimacy is emphasized. The physiological and psycho-social constraints of addiction and the primal impulses of sexual desire are discussed. Expected success rates and relapse are also presented.

GANG MENTALITY AND VIOLENCE           6 HOURS         COURSE OUTLINE
Many of the clients/residents we encounter made the choices they made as a result of gang crime, influence and membership. Gang trends and demographics as well as local prevalence are presented, as well as tattooing and other presentation examples of membership. Through discussion, participation and several videos, this training unlocks the potential for rehabilitation of clients through identifying behavioral issues that forced gang membership and the personal needs that drove these choices. Participants will be asked in advance to bring any applicable specific case studies. Client motivation, self-esteem and the feelings they may have of helplessness and hopelessness, and changing these behaviors are strongly emphasized.