Training Programs
The Training Programs described below are offered at various times throughout the year. Please feel free to contact us at 401-228-7990 with any questions, or if you would like any further information.
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The RI Disaster Behavioral Health Responder Training (DBHR) Program is jointly funded by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) and the RI Department of Health (DOH). This training provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective post-critical incident behavioral health interventions in the community, and qualifies participants to be members of the Community Mental Health Organizations’ Disaster Response Teams. Some examples of critical incidents include fires, hurricanes, ice storms, search and rescue, hazardous material accidents, and other serious accidents and/or deaths.
Behavioral Health responders are trained to provide Psychological First Aid to survivors and family members of a disaster, to assist with Death Notifications, to conduct Emergency Assessments and facilitate referrals, and Crisis Intervention and supportive counseling as needed.
The Disaster Behavioral Health Responder Training Program has two components – the Basic Component, which is generally offered once annually and the required Refresher Component which is generally offered twice a year. Once certified, participants must attend a “Refresher” Course every two (2) years.
Click here to access Rhode Island Disaster Behavioral Health Responder Online Training.
The Community Support Professional Certification Training Program (CSP) is funded through a contract with the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). This training consists of a seventeen (17) week curriculum for direct service mental health case managers and other direct service staff working in the state licensed community mental health organizations. This program provides education in the knowledge, values and skills that enable staff to refine their casework and clinical skills, and to more effectively fulfill the vital responsibilities they have to those they serve. Courses included in this curriculum are Cultural Awareness, Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders, Recovery through Work, Ethics and Risk Management, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention, Medications and other relevant topics.
The comprehensive Certification process that follows this training elevates case managers and the case management function to a more widely recognized and respected component within the State mental health system.
The Community Support Professional Certification Training Program is generally offered twice a year.
Eligibility Criteria: Participants in this training program must be employed for at least six (6) months in one of the State licensed community mental health centers.
The Supported Employment Professional Certification Program (SEP) is funded through a contract with the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH) and offered in collaboration with the Sherlock Center on Disability.
Like all workers, people with severe and persistent mental illnesses benefit greatly from the security and self-sufficiency that comes with stable and fulfilling employment. In addition to providing a living, work gives people a sense of belonging and community and the opportunity for people to gain a sense of self-esteem, control and self-worth.
The primary goal of this training and certification program is the preparation of mental health professionals to become skilled in the provision of employment services. The Supported Employment Professional Training Program is designed to equip mental health professionals working in Community Support Programs with the skills they need to help clients gain meaningful employment. In this training, staff learn to provide individualized and flexible support services that can lead to positive client outcomes related to employment
Completion of the Supported Employment Professional Training courses is the first step toward becoming a Certified Supported Employment Professional (CSEP) in Rhode Island. The curriculum and course requirements are designed to meet the specific professional development needs of Employment Specialists and Vocational Rehabilitation providers.
Eligibility Criteria: Participants in this training program must have at least 6 months experience in direct service or employment-related work in one of the State licensed community mental health centers. Course participants are required to come to class prepared – that is with completed homework, fieldwork and written assignments – and to participate fully in class exercises.
The Supported Employment Professional Training course work is generally offered once a year.
The Certified Crisis Response Training (CCRT) Program for law enforcement is funded through a contract with the RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). This program is designed to facilitate a partnership between law enforcement and the behavioral health system by training RI police officers in skills to assist them in navigating through behavioral health crisis situations. Police officers actually learn techniques for responding to persons with behavioral health problems as they occur in the community. The training also includes a Train the Trainer component so that officers, once certified, are then able to train their colleagues in their own police departments in these same techniques. This contributes to the sustainability of the Program.
The CRT Program is based on the belief that police officers need to be offered the tools that will enable them to respond to persons with mental illnesses in a way that is safe and effective for all involved. Some of the outcomes that have been realized from this program are a reduction in the stigma associated with mental illness and the creation of a better understanding of mental illnesses and the approaches that can reduce violence related to community behavioral health situations. Completion of the Crisis Response Training courses is the first step toward becoming a Certified Crisis Responder in Rhode Island.
The Crisis Response Training Program is generally offered once annually.
Eligibility Criteria: Police officers from all local departments, State police, and correctional officers with three (3) years experience are all eligible to participate in this training program.
For more information on any of these training opportunities,
please contact:
Barbara Inderlin, LICSW
Director of Training and Communications
At
(401) 228-7990
Or
Binderlin@riccmho.org
