CUCS Trainings for Human Service Providers

Altering behavior is complicated, and staff can either help the change process by becoming change agents in partnership with the service recipient or hinder the process by unwittingly pushing too hard. This training is a supplementary training for practitioners who have already mastered the Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills offered in the introductory MI training, such as OARS, expressing empathy, rolling with resistance, and avoiding common road blocks to change. In this training, participants learn how to use "change talk" to elicit client motivation. In addition, the training introduces common MI techniques such as DARN statements, reframing, agreement with a twist, and amplified and double-sided reflections. The goal of the training is to help practitioners promote persons’ commitment to change by advancing their use of MI techniques and avoiding traps that interfere with motivation. Read More

  This training offers an overview of the Stages of Change model, developed by Prochaska, DeClemente, and Norcross. Although the Stages of Change are often associated with substance usage, the principles apply to any behavioral health issue. This training also addresses the complications substance use has on treatment adherence and overall wellness. This model explores the modification of addictive behavior involving the progression through five defined states: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Attendees receive a detailed explanation of each stage, interventions that best match where the person is at in the change process, and strategies to effectively respond to relapse. Strategies for working with resistance and denial, resolving ambivalence, building motivation for change, and preventing and managing relapse are presented. Read More

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S. This training addresses the struggles many people experience when wanting to, or trying to, quit smoking. The Stages of Change model is used to demonstrate how staff can help persons build awareness and motivation to stop smoking, and offers an overview of current smoking and health statistics. This training focuses on the most current treatment for smoking cessation, including Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) and medications. This training has been updated to include information on electronic cigarettes (also called e-cigs, vaping, vaporizers, etc.). Read More

Regardless of the program setting, organizations strive to offer services that are culturally sensitive to the service recipients. With an ever-changing demographic of clients, maintaining cultural competency among staff has to be a deliberate and planned goal. This training focuses on skill-building based on four of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Standards on Cultural Competency: Ethics and Values, Self Awareness, Service Delivery, and Language Diversity. In addition to providing services to diverse service recipients, most programs are also staffed by a broad range of individuals, each with unique communication styles and values. The quality of services offered often depends on the degree to which effective communication takes place amongst all levels of staff, and certain critical sentiments can get lost in translation when staff members are unable to effectively exchange points of view. Experiential exercises are used to illustrate the concept of culturally-bound frames of reference and how to use awareness of these frames to heighten cultural sensitivity. Read More

NY/NY III is the agreement between New York City and New York State to create 9,000 units of supportive housing for a wide range of disabled homeless persons in New York City. The agreement marked the largest commitment to creating housing for homeless persons. This half day training is targeted to human service providers working to access housing for special needs populations. The NY/NY III Agreement provides housing options for Chronically Homeless Single Adults or Families, or those at risk of becoming Chronically Homeless. This housing targets several populations, including Youth Aging out of Foster Care; and Single Adults or Families who have a Serious Mental Illness, HIV/AIDS or another Disabling Clinical Condition and/or a Substance Use Disorder. The training is interactive and reviews the eligibility criteria, how to apply, and resources to complete an effective HRA 2010e application. . It is recommended that trainees take this training prior to registering for the HRA 2010e training. Read More

This half day training is targeted to human service providers working to access mental health housing for individuals living with mental illness and in need of additional supports.　 This training provides a history of mental health & housing; an overview of OMH mental health housing models, eligibility, and access; as well as recovery-oriented resources and services.　 The training is interactive and offers skills & strategies for assessing individual support needs, engagement, and preparing applicants for successful housing interviews. Read More