We continue our conversation with Katie Reyes, Safety-Care Trainer and Behavior Plan Implementation Specialist at Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled (ECSDD), in this second part of our Trainer Spotlight series. Read more about how Safety-Care has impacted staff and individuals served at ECSDD below.
How does Safety-Care help your team meet their crisis prevention goals?
It really helps staff use prevention skills and rapport building with our individuals to try and prevent behaviors in the first place. Knowing their history, triggers, and signals, if a behavior can’t be prevented, it helps staff respond safely to that behavior and attempt de-escalation with the individual to avoid crisis.
What do you like most about the Safety-Care curriculum?
I love that Safety-Care teaches so many preventative measures. Not just learning to respond safely to a behavior but trying to prevent the behavior from happening.
How has Safety-Care improved your client and staff outcomes?
We have had less dangerous and very dangerous behaviors using Safety-Care over the years by really focusing on preventative techniques and de-escalation strategies. Our staff feel more confident when responding to any types of behaviors and it allows them to work together as a team using their skills and tools to de-escalate situations safely (and we’ve seen a decrease in worker compensation claims!).
Why would you recommend Safety-Care?
I would absolutely recommend Safety-Care and have quite a few times over the years. We have had a lot more success with Safety-Care than any previous types of behavioral crisis trainings we have used.
If you missed the first installment of our Trainer Spotlight with Katie, you can read it here.
Want to learn more about how Safety-Care can improve your client outcomes and safety for everyone? Schedule time to speak with our team today!
About Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled
Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled (ECSDD) is located on the plains of northeast Colorado serving adults aged 18 to end of life in residential group homes, day programs, and host homes. Since 1973, ECSDD has been serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, making it the longest running service provider in the area. Started as a grassroots effort to move people out of institutions and closer to loved ones, ECSDD’s mission is to assist in enhancing the lives of persons with varying abilities in relation to their families, education, friends, and opportunities within the community.