What is HELP?
“Enjoyable. Good learning environment / material!
-Therapist, UAB Center for Psychiatric Medicine
Human Empowerment & Leadership Principles is a safety management continuum or series
of interventions to apply during episodes of intense emotional expression where an individual
may become aggressive. Preventing the need for physical intervention is the core focus.
Human Empowerment: “Empowerment” is the central theme. The definition of empowerment is: ’To
give power to, to enable.’ It is paramount to be able to give power to individuals that use
aggression to solve problems as well as those individuals who serve them. Individual power to
make decisions, choices and mistakes, in order to learn, is an essential component for managing
crisis. So, ‘Human Empowerment’ is for the staff and the people whom they serve.
Leadership Principles: Staff members must perceive themselves as leaders during situations where
safety may be compromised. It is this attitude first and foremost that will help define the roles of
care providers. We provide leadership skills to care providers for responding to patient anger
and aggression. These additional leadership principles will provide effective interventions for avoiding
safety and liability issues.
“This program is credited for a major portion of the facilities success”
-Supervisor, Macon Behavioral Health Services
HELP is the only Safety Intervention Program currently available in the US that was designed to
specifically address safety as a single focus for managing aggression. HELP is not a program
that teaches practitioners to “intervene” and “manage” the crisis of another... This is the responsibility
of the aggressor and the organization’s behavior modification program. HELP will assist the aggressive individual in regaining control/power in order to better manage the crisis at hand. HELP was
designed to enhance skills, give focus and build the confidence of staff. Together we accomplish this
HELP certification reduces the cost of injuries, legal fees, litigation,
staff turnover and builds teamwork and staff confidence.
“Staff gained the training they needed quickly and effectively. Since implementing the HELP program, restraints have
been drastically reduced. Last year, we had only one restraint.” “For Frontier Health, a major advantage of the
program is that not only does it teach how to restrain safely, the focus is on improved communication and
de-escalation techniques. We prefer HELP because of this focus. Not only does the program assist us in
providing quality services, morale is improved as it provides staff with a good foundation and confidence to
handle potentially difficult or violent situations.”
-Senior Vice President of Out patient Services, Frontier Health
Program Summary
Day 1: Standard Program
Communication is developed in a three step process. The first step is to
establish helpful rapport. Establishing rapport will give the staff member
(Helper) and the aggressor (Learner) an opportunity to connect in
ways that will dissolve barriers for effective communication. Step one,
establishing rapport, flows naturally to the second step of getting
information. During this step the Helper will gather information in a
manner that allows the Learner to feel supported. This step will give
understanding to the Helper and strengthen the rapport established
in step one. The final step is designed to help the Learner discover
a variety of possibilities for functional problem solving. The Helper’s role during this process is to
assist the Learner in making a plan of action for less volatile problem solving techniques. The skills
presented in this three step approach reduce the need for physical intervention and consequently
secure a safer environment for everyone.
Physical Safety is divided into three phases. The first phase is designed to heighten the Helper’s
body awareness for safety. Specific techniques are taught by using respectful, non-threatening
body positions and posture. The techniques will promote safety and provide logical, practical
opportunities for physical intervention if necessary. These techniques would be applied before
physical contact is established in order to reduce the likelihood of physical contact.
The second phase provides a series of techniques designed to protect the Helper from grasps
strikes, kicks and pushes, without causing harm to the Learner. The use of brute strength, pressure
points, joint locks, and pain is avoided. The final phase teaches the Helper how to effectively hold the
Learner in order to avoid injury of either party. These techniques include methods for containing
movement and provide procedures that are respectful, supportive and non-violent. The weapons
safety component presents specific concepts and procedures for dealing with blunt, sharp, and
piercing objects for the person attempting to cause harm to themselves and/or others.
The Physical Safety component is concluded with a procedure for post processing. The Helper
re-establishes rapport with the Learner after physical intervention has been applied and uses skills
learned from ‘Communication’ to explore options for future problem solving. The process is concise
and non-blaming while allowing the Learner to own responsibility for problem solving choices.
Day 2: Instructor Program
The day starts with a review and practice of all program skills to discover any areas of concern and to
allow for group support and problem solving. Teamwork is the focus for day two. Helpers will learn
how to apply the techniques with assistance and consistency in a group setting.
While teaching skills development, Helpers are also taught the major principles that make these
techniques work. Group discussions provide strategies for coping effectively while maintaining respect
for the aggressor.
Day 3: Instructor Program-Knowledge and Skills Assessment
The Knowledge, Assessment , and Presentations section allows the instructor trainer to assess the
instructor candidates ability to apply the principles of HELP in a classroom setting. A written
assessment is given at the beginning of the day. The Assessment phase is completed when the
instructor candidates give a presentation (15-20 minutes in length) applying the principles of HELP.
“Thank you for giving special attention to non-verbal students—not many people do that for us.”
-Exceptional Education Teacher, Jefferson County Board of Ed.
HELP Safety Factors for Managing Aggression
“This program has increased the confidence of all staff.”
Operations Manager Piedmont Hospital
HELP is not
·
·
A “crisis intervention” program, intervening in some one else's crisis implies a takeover of the crisis.
Therapy, HELP is a safety management program that is specifically designed to focus on regaining and
maintaining a safe environment. HELP provides techniques that start with the attitude of the care provider and
moves logically and smoothly from all stages up through physical intervention and post crisis communication.
Nothing is more empowering and beneficial to your
organization than to train your staff so they feel confident.
HELP IS
Cost Efficient – No additional charges for workbooks, videos or equipment.
Time Effective- Streamlined workshops allows for better focus on safety and employee down time.
Effective Risk Management – Proven record for reducing staff, patient and student injuries.
Quality Standards – Meets the standard and follows the criteria for continuing education credit. Meets or
exceeds JCAHO, CARF and COA standards.
We Train Your Staff To:
Never lay on top of the aggressor.
Avoid the use of body positions that may be humiliating or degrading. Lying on top of the aggressor
may reduce trust and increase frustration, thus causing increased aggression and extended restraint.
Avoid using pressure or pain to maintain a restraint.
Pressure and pain during restraints will reduce trust and potentially cause physical and
psychological harm. The use of pain teaches individuals that have difficulties controlling anger that
it is acceptable to inflict pain to get results.
Never use horizontal restraint without assistance.
Horizontal restraint, “Taking down” a patient/resident without assistance, is difficult and increases the
probability of injury for all involved. Having an assistant provides
opportunity for staff-to-staff monitoring and safer restraints.
Never use facedown restraints.
Facedown restraints are humiliating and do not foster trust.
These restraints increase the likelihood of chin and mouth injuries.
Avoid seated positions.
Holding a person in a seated position may be
potentially dangerous during out of control behavior.
Avoid positions that lend opportunities for serious back,
neck and spinal cord injuries.
“Help is totally different in a number of smart ways from CPI. The LEAN when done correctly is less
likely to result in staff caused injuries for the kids. The HELP Principles fit well with YV mission & values.
It also fits with our treatment approach which is about empowering and role modeling.”
Program Director-Youth Villages
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
HELP Practitioner Program Certification (1- Day-HELP/SC)
Participant is trained and certified to use HELP to manage program safety.
HELP Instructor Program Certification (3-Days-HELP/PT)
Participant is certified to train and certify others in his/her program to use HELP techniques.
All levels of certification must be re-certified annually.
“I liked the openness of the class and the free exchange of ideas. Thank you for a productive 3 days”
-Nurse Manager, Decatur General Hospital
HELP Individual Registration Rates
HELP Practitioner Program Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $495.00
1-day workshop
HELP Instructor Re-Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $495.00
1-day workshop
HELP Instructor Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$975.00
3-day workshop
Contact us today for group and organizational rates!
1-day = eight training hours and a one hour lunch
The HELP Philosophy
We believe that a non-punitive approach is most effective for managing aggressive behavior.
We believe that all feelings are valid; only behaviors are invalid.
We believe that crisis situations can offer opportunities for growth and understanding.
We believe that all people should be treated with respect regardless of their behavior.
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to make decisions about their needs.
There is only one thing worse than training employees and losing them . . .
not training employees and keeping them.
Contact Information:
CAPS
[email protected]
Mon-Fri 9:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Mailing Address:
CAPS
PO Box 280366
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: 866-492-3415
Visit us online at www.capscanhelp.com