Upcoming Workshops

ICPN team members have been providing onsite-learning opportunities since the inception of the program. In 2015, ICPN launched the Professional Development Initiative to benefit members of the community and provider agencies. Since this time, both members of ICPN and outside speakers have offered Professional Development Workshops and Learning Experiences throughout the state of Illinois. All topics are based on observed trends in the field in an effort to provide support to staff and community members working with adults and children with challenging behaviors and/or medical difficulties. Goals of this initiative include increasing the education to those who take care of and provide services, providing relevant tools, and attempting to shift the focus of treatment away from crisis, and work towards prevention.
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De-Escalation Strategies & Positive Interaction

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

De-escalation is an important skill to learn and maintain in order to assist the people we serve in regulating emotions when a behavior plan is either absent or does not address a new challenging behavior. This session will review the safety and teach the steps to de-escalate when conflict occurs. We will also define and discuss the importance of building rapport and maintaining positive interactions throughout our work. The better relationships we have with the people we serve, the better quality of life we can provide for them!

 
Register Here

De-Escalation Strategies & Positive Interaction

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

De-escalation is an important skill to learn and maintain in order to assist the people we serve in regulating emotions when a behavior plan is either absent or does not address a new challenging behavior. This session will review the safety and teach the steps to de-escalate when conflict occurs. We will also define and discuss the importance of building rapport and maintaining positive interactions throughout our work. The better relationships we have with the people we serve, the better quality of life we can provide for them!

 
Register Here

When Is It Dementia? Determining Normal Aging vs. Disease in Seniors With ID/DD

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

By 2030 more than 1.4 million people with a developmental disability will be over the age of 65. Many will have age-related challenges like forgetfulness, slower processing, and difficulty with movement. How can clinicians and professionals determine if these issues are related to dementia or normal aging? Take part in this webinar to identify the signs and symptoms of dementia in persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We review how normal aging looks different than aging with dementia in a neuro-divergent population. Attendees will hear about risk factors for dementia. Instructors will also review the common screening tools available to identify dementia in individuals with ID/DD.
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Mindfulness for Caregivers

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 

Wondering what all of the hubbub about mindfulness is within human services lately and whether you should incorporate mindfulness into your service delivery?  Within this training, learners participate by actively engaging in mindfulness practice, led by the trainer.  Practitioners will learn to utilize mindfulness practice in their own lives and during delivery of therapy services for persons with developmental disabilities.  Practitioners will learn to create conditions of generalization for mindfulness practice for themselves and their clients, making the skills more likely to be used outside of the therapy setting in everyday life.     
Register Here

When Is It Dementia? Determining Normal Aging vs. Disease in Seniors With ID/DD

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

By 2030 more than 1.4 million people with a developmental disability will be over the age of 65. Many will have age-related challenges like forgetfulness, slower processing, and difficulty with movement. How can clinicians and professionals determine if these issues are related to dementia or normal aging? Take part in this webinar to identify the signs and symptoms of dementia in persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. We review how normal aging looks different than aging with dementia in a neuro-divergent population. Attendees will hear about risk factors for dementia. Instructors will also review the common screening tools available to identify dementia in individuals with ID/DD.