The series of trainings under the IMAPT programme, provided by “Hope and Homes for Children – branch Bulgaria” are ongoing. They are aimed at preventing problem behavior and coping with the crises of children and youngsters at the Family type placement centers for disabled children and young people in the whole country.
During the past week, another training was held in the village of Arbanassi, with the participation of specialists and managers from the Family type placements centers in Lovech, Gabrovo, Pordim, Pleven,Veliko Tarnovo, Sevlievo, Pavlikeni, Cherven briag, Strazhitsa, and Lukovit. The consultants of HHC – branch Bulgaria, Nadezhda Petrova and Ivailo Minkov, and the National coordinator on child policy, Elena Petkova, for three days provided the participants with practical tools, real examples from the practice, and all of their expertise in working with this so severe target group. People with disabilities were examined approached through the IMPACT program, which can be presented as – Innovative, Multidisciplinary, Personally oriented, Active, Continuous, Transformative.
The transmission and perception of information by people with specific needs and the staff is often incomprehensible and leads to problem situations, conflicts and tensions. The present training was aimed to provide tools for an individual approach to the staff, knowledge of the behavior of people with special needs, and a clear idea that everyone has rights.
Here’s what the participants in the training have shared:
- There are signs we can not uncode;
- We understand that the problems are common and equal for all;
- It is important to work in a team;
- We really need such training to exchange information, to” fix our clock”;
- Contacts with other colleagues are important;
- We have learned about Theory of Affection – how important the first months of the child’s life are and that the baby needs the presence of the mother (or other significant adult);
- We have learned that we need to delegate the employee with It is important to have a good team;
- We have learned that specialized institutions are harmful to children and that there should be an alternative to them. We are impressed that each of our colleagues is committed to the problems of children.
The Trainers Introduced the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS). This short scale, named Durand and Crimmins scale is used to analyze the relationship between events from the environment and the problem of human behavior and helps to respond to questions about the functioning of problem behavior. This helps to understand why the problem occurs and where is its genesis. The so called “ABC tables” were also presented. They are systematically filled up with information – the hours of problem behavior, what provokes it, the type of behavior and what calms. These tables can be used to gain insight into the behavioral prerequisites and the implications for the person’s behavior.
Changing approaches into day-to-day conflict resolution and applying scientifically grounded methods reduces aggressive approaches and improves quality of life in the Family type placement centers for disabled children and young people.
The effectiveness of the training can be represented by the words of the participants themselves:
- The tools that were presented – we will introduce them;
- The information is very useful, but we also need specialists. People need psychologists. We need support;
- I am delighted to be reminded that people with disabilities have RIGHTS;
- I was impressed by the” I – Profiles “, I will make such not only for the children but also for the staff, and will get them to see them all. You have an easy way to present the information. It is important that everything is brought together;
- The cases that were shared are very interesting and useful. There was no such exchange of information in other trainings in which I participated;
- “I’m glad you invited us. I will tell my team that there are Centers where the situation is far worse. We will try to put these tools into the practice. I hope to see you again and share what we have done;
- I am impressed by the tools used in the A-B-C analysis, I will introduce them as of tomorrow. I will be happy to attend another training;
- I am impressed that there are many young people who want something to do;
- I am very inspired. When children can use their money to buy something for themselves, it gives them self-esteem. The tools that were presented, DURAN’s Scale. I’m very excited.
