Learning Opportunities for those who work with vulnerable adults
When adults are unable to meet their own essential need for food, shelter, clothing and medical care and protect themselves from harm, and when friends or family members are unwilling and unable to provide sufficient assistance, the state steps in to provide “protective services.”
We offer professional development to people who work directly with adults who are, or who might be, in need of help or protective services, as well as supervisors and managers engaged in this work. Much of the training is focused on working with participants to gain confidence, develop effective skills and demonstrating how state laws, rules and regulations can help to guide the work to the best outcomes for their client.
Trainings are designed to build knowledge and skill in the following key areas:
- Assessment
- Communication and engagement
- Case management and service planning
- Critical decision-making and risk management
- Worker safety
- Effective supervision
Some popular trainings include:
Training for new workers: This is a multi-part training offering an overview of protective services work and how to work with vulnerable adults.
Buried Alive: Working with People Who Hoard – This training covers the dynamics of hoarding and how to work effectively with individuals who are inclined toward hoarding.
APS trainings are provided under a contract with the New York State Office of Children & Family Services, which administers protective services for adults.
Related Resources
- PSA Desk Guide [PDF] – A concise overview of the laws and regulations governing the provision of protective services in New York State as well as guidance on how to handle cases
- Financial Exploitation: How to Recognize and Respond to It [PDF] – A pocket-sized guide to spotting financial exploitation, gathering information, and maintaining the safety of the service professional and the client
- Broken Trust: Financial Exploitation & Power of Attorney Abuse [PDF] – Covers related New York State laws and regulations, including the duty to report, and how to generally protect individuals from financial exploitation and, specifically, abuse by individuals possessing power of attorney
Training & Support for People Who Work in Social Services
We offer a variety of free workshops, seminars and online training sessions to employees of public and private social services agencies throughout New York State. Trainings focus on specific topics and range in duration from an hour to a two-week course.
A majority of the trainings are designed to build the knowledge, skills and competencies of anyone who serves or interacts with clients – from caseworkers and supervisors to clerical staff. These courses include, for example, Advanced Writing Skills, Communication Across the Generational Divide, Building Interpersonal Skills: Interacting with People You Work with, and It’s My Boss… Not Me! Secrets About Managing Up.
Trainings especially for supervisors help to foster more effective leadership and management. They include, the Fundamentals of Supervision, the Basics of Performance Evaluation, Strengths-Based Problem Solving, and the Art of Project Management.
These courses and the many other opportunities for professional development are provided through a contract with two state agencies – the Office of Children & Family Services and the Office of Temporary Disability & Assistance – and the New York City Department of Health.
Management Academy
The Management Academy helps human services managers and supervisors to develop their supervisory and leadership skills and also prepares caseworkers and others to assume supervisory positions.
Courses and training sessions explore how to build a team among loosely aligned staff members, cultivate teamwork, and coach team members; how to provide fair and effective performance appraisals; how to address and prevent bullying in the workplace; and other topics of interest to both new and experienced managers. Courses include:
- Managing Conflict
- Transitioning from worker to supervisor
- Transitioning from supervisor to manager
- Coaching for performance improvement
- Effective negotiation
- Project management