An e-mail newsletter for people who train staff who
serve people with developmental disabilities.

Ready, Set, Train

Sheri Berg,
Director of Staff Development
Ask Sheri a Question

Have you ever had to dash into a training session when you weren’t as prepared as you should have been? For most of us, just one of these haphazard, disorganized experiences is all it takes for us to realize that this is not the kind of training we want to provide. The good news is, a lack of preparedness isn’t just “plain ol’ embarrassing;” it’s also completely avoidable if we take a few steps to prepare.

Ready – Clarify Your Vision
Successful trainers begin with a clear picture of the training session’s desired outcome. Ask yourself: What is the purpose of this training session? What are the learning objectives I hope to meet? Being clear about what must be accomplished sets the goal for the balance of a trainer’s preparation.

Training that relates to the organization’s vision, mission, and core values is a good starting point, especially for new hires. New employees can see why the training has value to them, particularly when the vision, mission and values are integrated throughout the training and relate to the person’s job.

Set – Get Organized
Check that everything needed is ready well ahead of time, including the training outline. Ensure any equipment needed is in its place and is operational. This avoids last-minute panic and rushing around looking for handouts or projector bulbs. To help ensure that you’re fully prepared and organized, ask yourself these 5 W’s:

Who are your learners? Plan time for introductions and learning about the goals of the learners. This not only ensures that all bases are covered in the presentation, but also provides opportunities to discover any commonalities, names, etc. that can be referred back to during the training.

Also ask yourself what experiences your learners might bring to the table. Recognize that everyone brings skills, expertise and some applicable background to the training, so plan time to ask about and build on people’s past experiences. Do they have any special learning characteristics? The more we know about our audience, the more effectively we can adjust our style to meet their learning needs.

What tools, activities, handouts and resources are needed to effectively support your objectives? Ice-breakers, such as asking each learner to interview and introduce a partner to the group, are a good way to start. Involve your learners by asking for their opinions, thoughts and ideas on the specific topic.

Make the training as interactive as possible. Give people something to look at. Use of flip charts to jot down people's ideas and thoughts about things can be a focal point and help ensure ideas or questions are not lost in the process of discussion. Use of games, brain teasers, or group activities helps address varying learning styles: hands-on, auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc.

When is the training scheduled? How much time do you need to prepare? Set timelines according to this date.

Where will the training take place? Have all room reservations and audiovisuals been arranged?

Why is the training warranted? Why now? Review the learning objectives you identified in the “Ready” section of this article and ensure that the training plan you’ve developed relates directly to the purpose you set out to fulfill.

Train!
You’ve done all you can to prepare and organize, now remember to actually have fun and keep the training that way throughout the entire process.

Have fun. Once you remove any anxieties and fear of failure, learning can be an enjoyable experience for people.

Finally, evaluate. Having an evaluation at the end of the session helps provide feedback on what was effective or not. You identified your objectives early in the preparation process; now, ask your learners if they think you were successful.

Take their feedback and incorporate it into your next training plan. Not only will this show the learners that their opinions are valued, it will help make you make your future presentations even better.

Ultimately, effective training is all about preparation. Once you're ready with knowledge about your audience and your objectives, and you've set up the best possible learning experience for your learners, you can relax and enjoy the final step: train!

Sheri Berg, Director of Staff Development
Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.
About Sheri | Ask Sheri a Question

Share your training tips, tales, techniques and opinions with other SIDELINES readers.

Vote in this issue’s reader survey.

Last Issue’s Survey

How do you feel about presenting the same materials over and over again?

Makes my job easy — no preparation needed.	0%
I review and revise my materials regularly.	22%
I do interactive portions so the results are always a bit different.	48%
I get feedback and follow the suggestions.	30%

More Reader Surveys

Six New Titles!

Priced at just $25 per title, Bethesda’s Independent Study Modules offer an affordable and convenient method for staff training. Check out our newest titles:

• Aging and Dementia
• Cold and Flu
• Dehydration
• Incontinence and UTI
• Time Management
• Tornadoes, Heat and Hurricanes

What are Independent Study Modules?

• Paper-based training presented in a self-paced format that is easy for staff to read and understand.
• A convenient alternative to traditional training classes, ideal for late-night or weekend-shift staff.
• Training content with accountability through interactive activities and competency testing.
• Versatile tools for self-directed individual study or for small-group training.
• A ready reference and great refresher for veteran staff.
• Conveniently packaged for storage in your filing cabinet or 3-ring binder.

What do Independent Study Modules include?

• Study manual
• Worksheet and answer key
• Competency measure and answer key
• Engaging activities
• Permission to make as many copies as your agency needs

Shop Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog

Bethesda remains steadfast in its efforts to continue providing you with new and updated staff development video titles. In addition, we’re pleased to announce the availability of select titles now on DVD! Shop Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog

Medication Administration: Foundations and Procedures

When providing services to people with developmental disabilities, handling medication is an important part of the job. Staff roles may include providing a physician with information about allergies or current medications, assisting someone with taking medications or monitoring for side effects or adverse reactions. Whatever their roles, staff are responsible for ensuring the safety of the people they support. This two-part video explains the basic foundations of and procedures to safe medication administration.

Learn more about
Medication Administration: Foundations and Procedures

Save $10 on Staff Development Videos*

Our SAVE10 offer expires soon! Purchase your staff education materials for developmental disability service providers from Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., and receive $10 off each staff development video.* (Offer is not valid on Independent Study Module titles.)

This offer is only available through October 14, 2005. To redeem, simply visit Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog and enter discount code SAVE10 at checkout. You can also call 1.800.369.4636, ext. 3541, fax 920.262.6513 or e-mail ncrc@blhs.org and mention code SAVE10.

*Limited offer – order by October 14, 2005. This discount may be applied to an unlimited number of items, excluding Bethesda's "Independent Study Modules."

Shop Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog

Subscribers to SIDELINES are automatically entered in a monthly drawing for a FREE single video of their choice. If you receive an e-mail from SIDELINES with subject, “SIDELINES Video Drawing,” all you have to do is reply within one week and the video of your choice from Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog is free!

Last issue's winner was Barb Kessler from ARC Community Support Systems. Barb selected "ATTAIN III: Leading Group Activities" as her free video.

Help Your Friends Out
Do you have friends who would be interested in receiving SIDELINES and being entered into our monthly drawing? Just forward your copy of this e-mail to your friends. All they have to do is use the information at the end of this e-mail to sign up.

Bethesda's Develop Your Staff Section
www.blhs.org/resources/developStaff/

Bethesda's Staff Development Catalog
www.blhs.org/resources/developStaff/catalog/
New Independent Study Modules
- Aging and Dementia
- Cold and Flu
- Dehydration
- Incontinence and UTI
- Time Management
- Tornadoes, Heat, and Hurricanes
New Video Release
- Medication Administration: Foundations and Procedures

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Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.
Attn: National Christian Resource Center (NCRC)
600 Hoffmann Dr.
Watertown, WI 53094

ncrc@blhs.org
1.800.369.4636, ext. 4449
920.262.6513 (fax)
www.blhs.org

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© 2005 Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc.