Easter Seals Disability Services

Training Institute

SMEM has operated its Training Institute for over 10 years.  We specialize in sponsoring training events that focus on healthcare issues.  We employ fulltime and contract trainers who provide all of the required training for direct care and management staff.  Our list of regular training workshops include: CPR, First Aid, Introduction to Developmental Disabilities, The Interdisciplinary Team Process among others.  For a complete list of our training modules click here.

We sponsor conferences that are open to the general public, to view last year's conference brochure (in PDF format) click here.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING FOR ALL SERVICES  
                                                                                                                      
It is our expectation that all individuals employed in service delivery receive 100% of required training.  Our new hires receive Pre-service training as part of our regular agency orientation, prior to working with our consumers, and all other required training within 90 days.  All modules are completed with a competencies evaluation in which basic understanding of presented concepts is assessed.  Retraining occurs as needed.

Additionally, we require that CPR and First Aid training be repeated annually.  Our policy requires 40 hours of relevant training for new employees and 20 hours annually
thereafter.  The Training Department conducts and/or coordinates between 100-200 hours of training available monthly to our staff and that of other agencies.  We also utilize the quarterly training calendar, coordinated through the Long Term Services Division, to assist us in meeting our goals by accessing training services provided by other agencies.