Workshops

Dual Diagnosis is designed to help you better understand and support individuals who have both intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. During this session, you will gain a basic understanding of the distinction between these two conditions and what it means for someone to have a dual diagnosis. The workshop will explore the difficulties faced by mental health professionals in diagnosing mental health issues in people with developmental disabilities and will provide insights into how affective disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, and personality disorders manifest in this population. You will also learn about treatment and therapeutic strategies along with practical ideas you can implement immediately to better support those with dual diagnoses. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Foundations of Emotional Intelligence explores the key competencies essential for effective leadership and personal success. Based on Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking work, this session will provide you with an orientation to emotional intelligence (EQ) and its application in leadership. You will delve into the four core categories of EQ: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Through reflective practices and interactive activities, you will gain insights into your thought and behavior patterns, enhance your ability to manage intense situations, and improve your communication skills. By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with practical tools to better understand yourself and effectively engage with others. This training is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and interpersonal effectiveness. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Community Engagement and Inclusion will help you recognize the vital importance of meaningful community connections for those you support. Throughout this session, you will explore strategies to facilitate independence, improve mental health, and build essential skills that enhance emotional and social well-being. The workshop will guide you in identifying the best ways to engage clients in community activities, from assessing their readiness to promoting positive relationships and expanding their social circles. You will also learn practical approaches to overcome barriers such as stereotypes, stigmas, and discrimination, enabling your clients to participate fully in their communities. Additionally, this workshop will help you understand the nuances between professional caregiving roles and the unpaid support networks that contribute to your clients’ lives. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Introduction to Elemental Leadership workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the key components of the Elemental Leadership model. This session will introduce you to the foundational elements of leadership: grounding, reflecting, expanding, inspiring, and achieving. The elements of grounding and reflecting will be explored in-depth. You will assess your individual leadership strengths and identify areas of growth, emerging with the beginnings of a personalized leadership development plan. Throughout the workshop, you will learn how to immediately apply this model in your work environment by embedding organizational values, enhancing self-awareness, fostering quality relationships, and achieving sustainable results. This workshop is for leaders of all levels looking to refine their leadership approach and build a solid foundation for future growth. Please contact Vener Azurin at vener.azurin@servicealternatives.com to confirm eligibility. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Adult Learning Theories and Principles is designed for instructors, coaches, mentors, and trainers who want to improve the effectiveness of their teaching through expanding their understanding of how adults learn. This training will introduce you to the best practices and key theories in adult education, providing you with practical tools to apply immediately. The overarching theme of this training is appreciating and respecting adult learners: valuing their lived experiences and cultural backgrounds, building on their existing competencies, providing them with immediately applicable knowledge and skills, and using their time effectively. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Emotional Intelligence in Practice is designed to help you apply the principles of emotional intelligence (EQ) in both your professional and personal settings. Building on the foundational concepts of EQ, this session offers practical exercises and tools to enhance your self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills. You will explore how to recognize and regulate your emotions, understand the role of thoughts in shaping emotions and develop strategies for using emotions to improve communication and handle difficult situations effectively. While not required, completing the Foundations of Emotional Intelligence course prior to attending this workshop is recommended for a deeper understanding of the concepts. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

RIGHT RESPONSE Recertification is a continuation of the de-escalation training program, RIGHT RESPONSE. It is designed for individuals who have already completed their certification and need to renew it. This workshop revisits the core principles of proactive, holistic, and immediately effective de-escalation approaches, ensuring participants are up-to-date on best practices for crisis intervention. We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement and comfortable, stable, and safe footwear (please avoid open toe shoes or shoes with a raised heel). You will be practicing physical safety skills and we want everyone to feel and stay safe during the training. Participants must have a current RIGHT RESPONSE certificate or be within the 3-month grace period for an expired certificate to attend. This recertification is available at the Elements, Elements+, and Advance levels. For more information on eligibility, please contact the Service Alternatives Training Institute.. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Motivational Conversations is designed to introduce you to the principles and techniques of Motivational Interviewing (MI). During this session you will gain an appreciation for how MI can strengthen a person’s internal motivation to make sustainable changes, both in their personal and professional lives. You will learn to create an environment conducive to change by applying the philosophy and spirit of MI, which contrasts with traditional, confrontation-based approaches. The workshop will guide you through the transtheoretical model of behavior change, helping you assess a person’s readiness to change and use appropriate motivational strategies for each stage. Additionally, you will practice key MI micro skills— reflections, open-ended questions, summaries, affirmations, and information sharing— while learning to identify and reinforce change talk, a critical predictor of behavior change. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.

Preventing Suicide: Awareness, Assessment, Intervention, and Management is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently and competently support individuals at risk for suicidality. Throughout this session, you will learn how to assess both youth and adults for suicide risk, recognize common risk factors, and implement immediate intervention strategies. The workshop also covers how to refer at-risk individuals to expert mental health care and develop proactive interventions to increase resilience and reduce risk factors. Additionally, participants will learn how to dispel common myths about suicidality and increase their comfort level in dealing with these critical situations. This workshop is designed to provide you with tools and strategies that you can apply immediately in your professional or personal life. This class is intended for Service Alternatives' Employees, Foster Parents, and SA-served Clients. If you are interested in attending the course and do not fall within those categories, please reach out to the Service Alternatives Training Institute. We make every effort to create an environment inclusive to all training participants. If you require additional support or special accommodations to participate, please email us at learn@servicealternatives.com at least 5 business days before the training and let us know how we can serve you.