Training Resources
Vendor Orientation Requirements

Supported Living Agencies are responsible for providing SLS orientation within the first two weeks of employment for both paid and unpaid staff whose duties include the direction or supervision of SLS, or direct service delivery to people receiving services.

The SLS orientation shall include: 

• An overview of the SLS vendor's mission, policies, practices, and SLS philosophy.
• An understanding of the IPP objectives of each consumer with whom the staff member works directly.
• A focus on the practical use of SLS to promote a consumer's self-reliance.
• Training regarding consumers' protections and rights, including the operation of the SLS vendor's internal grievance procedure; fair hearing provisions, special incident reporting, and rights of consumers.
• Protection of consumers from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, including requirements for documenting and reporting such occurences.
• A review of appropriate conduct of staff in establishing and maintaining personal relationships with consumers; and
• Participation of consumers in a teaching, consulting, or other instructional resource capacity.

Vendor Continuing Training Requirements

After the initial orientation SLS agencies are responsible for providing training for employees at least annually.  Trainings should be focused on recent developments in the theory and practice of SLS; policies, procedures, and practices of the SLS vendor targeted at meeting IPP objectives; and identification of service delivery issues and challenges and the accumulated experience of the SLS vendor's staff and others in dealing with them.

Vendor SLS Training for Consumers

Supported Living Service Agencies are responsible for providing training to the people receiving service and their Circle of Support regarding the Philosophy of SLS, Consumers' rights, Identification and reporting of suspected abuse or exploitation of the consumer, Internal grievance procedure of the SLS vendor, and Strategies for building and maintaining an effective circle of support.

Some recommendations for additional trainings that may be included in new employee training:

Person Specific Trainings

• Household routines
• Personal care routines
• Positive behavioral strategies
• ISP/ personal futures
• Medical/health/medications
• Financial management/safeguards
• Emergency procedures
• Relationships
• Community connecting
• Likes/dislikes/non-negotiables
• System overview
• Home and Community Safety
• Alternative modes of communication
• Personal History
• First Aide/CPR
• Communication style and preferences

Agency Trainings

• Emergency Procedures
• Safe Lifting Procedures
• Positive Behavioral Support
• Community Connecting
• Relationship Building
• Person Center Planning
• Advocacy
• Generic Resources
• People First Language
• Code of Conduct/ Professionalism
• Aging Issues
• End of Life Issues
• Grief Support
• Quality Assurance
• Ongoing philosophy and trends
• Confidentiality
• Incident Reporting
• Teamwork/Communication
• Circles of Support
• Disability or medical diagnosis specific
• Aging Issues
• Coaching/Teaching skills
• Dealing with conflict or conflict resolution
• Learning styles
• Co-supervision

Other Suggested Trainings

• Making meetings meaningful
• Strategic planning
• Leadership training