Upcoming Webinars:

NAQ is pleased to offer the following 3 part series titled "Working with Individuals who have Intellectual of Developmental Disabilities and Histories of High Risk Behaviors". 

Register Now!

Session 1:  Providing Person Centered support and supervision when working with individuals who have histories of high risk behaviors.

Description:  This training session will focus on the importance of creating and maintaining safe, supportive, and person centered environments when working with individuals who have histories of high risk behaviors such as severe aggression, sexual offending or fire setting. In order to be effective in helping these individuals transition to fuller, richer lives, several special skills are needed including a proper mindset, proficiency in the 12 essential skills of supervision, and a thorough understanding of the individuals being supported. The challenge is to create an environment that is both person centered and also safe for the person being supported, other individuals in the program, the staff supporting the individual and the public. This training will focus on the skills and abilities needed to assist these individuals on their journey towards better, more fulfilling lives.

Description:  This training session will focus on the very important topic of how to safely and effectively reduce restrictions and increases opportunities for individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) who have histories of high risk behaviors. Often, ls are called upon to provide excellent support and supervision, in all types of settings, for individuals with I/DD who have histories of serious maladaptive behaviors such as severe aggression, sexual offending or fire setting. These individuals are frequently subject to certain restrictions, 1-to-1 or enhanced supervision or limitations on opportunities. Enhanced supervision is very expensive and can be confining for the individual, and we certainly do not want to subject individuals to restrictions any longer than is necessary. The question then becomes, “How do we fade restrictions, reduce enhanced supervision or restore limits on opportunities while at the same time maintaining our commitment to the safety of individuals, staff and the public.  This training will examine the issues involved in these decisions and propose a methodology for developing and implementing fading plans that are both safe and effective. The importance of defining and gathering data to inform our decisions on when and how much to fade will be reviewed.

Description:  This training will introduce a system of Person Centered Dynamic Risk Manageability through which we can establish and maintain an effective balance between stable and acute dynamic risk factor and the services, supports and supervision provided to individuals with histories of high risk behaviors such as severe aggression, sexual offending and fire setting. Utilizing evidence based practices and comprehensive assessments of static and dynamic risk, this system employs person centered thinking to establish and maintain an array of services, supports and treatment that effectively and therapeutically manages the dynamic risks posed by these challenging individuals. Since dynamic risks are always changing, the system provides a mechanism to adjust the level, intensity and therapeutic nature of the services and supports being provided in order to establish and maintain a proactive balance between an individual’s level of risk and the services, supports and supervision we are providing. Utilizing the concept of a Circle of Support to establish a Circle of Support and Accountability with the individuals at the center, encourages the active cooperation of the individual in their individual plan of person centered risk manageability.

Speaker Bio:  John W. Finn received a Bachelor of Science Degree in special education and a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Syracuse University. He has worked in several capacities in various human services settings including direct care, community residence manager, and program coordinator. For 32 years he served as the Director of Forensic Services for the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, now the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. For several years he was the Director of a free standing, secure, intensive residential treatment facility, certified as an ICF/MR. Mr. Finn retired from state service in 2010 and now serves as President of Forensic Specialists, offering full service consultations, expert evaluations and specialized training. Most recently Mr. Finn has pioneered the development and application of Person Centered Dynamic Risk Manageability, a comprehensive approach to supporting high risk individuals in community settings.  

Mr. Finn is a clinical member of the Association of Treatment of Sexual Abusers and a member and past President of the Association of Professional Developmental Disabilities Administrators. He has provided expert testimony, consultation and training to all 50 states, the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, and The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services  on topics including the assessment and treatment of people with developmental disabilities who have histories of high risk behaviors such as sexual offending, fire setting and severe aggression. He has assisted several states in designing systems for the individualized intensive care, treatment and support of individual with developmental disabilities who have significant involvements in the criminal justice system.

Pricing:  Registration fees are for the entire series and are not available for individual sessions

Non-Members:  $125.00

CEUs: We are pleased to inform you that 6 continuing education hours (2 per session) are approved for the above training event for the following licensed professionals:

• Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
• Licensed Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Licensed Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistant
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Licensed Social Worker
• Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse & Advanced Practice Nurse

Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDPs) may apply the same hours of continuing education credits earned from this conference toward their twelve-hour annual continuing education requirement.