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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we review the curriculum that will be used at the Training Institute?
A: Yes, go to the following website http://rtc.umn.edu/wddsp/dol.html and click on the link provided for "Removing the Revolving Door" to view the curriculum. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file and there is a link to download that software if you need it.
Q: If selected to participate in the project, is there any financial incentive?
A: The grant will reimburse participating organizations for up to $2,000 in each year for actual travel expenses incurred for up to three staff members to attend 3-5 days of training in Minnesota in Year 1 and Year 2 of the project. Expenses over these amounts will be the responsibility of participating organizations.
The training institute and technical assistance provided by project staff will be free to participants during the duration of the three year grant project.
Q: When will participants receive reimbursement for their travel activities?
A: Reimbursement will occur close to the time the National Training Institute Sessions are held. Each agency selected to participate will be given information about the reimbursement process.
Q: What types of activities would the agencies or organization selected be doing?
A: This project will use a multi-stage process to develop, implement and refine a train-the-trainer and technical assistance approach to address staff recruitment, retention and training challenges in community human service settings supporting individuals with developmental and other severe disabilities on a national level. The model will include 1) assisting organizations to assess their recruitment and retention challenges then develop an intervention plan to deal with these challenges; 2) providing web based training on recruitment and retention strategies called the College of Frontline Supervision; 3) conducting two intensive train the trainer institutes for 10-15 staff identified as change agents within their organizations; 4) supporting these change agents within participating organization to provide training to 70-100 frontline supervisors either within their organization or region utilizing skills taught at the National Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors in Minnesota; 5) providing on-site as well as remote technical assistance support and training to the identified change agents in Recruitment, Retention and Training Strategies; 6) supporting future technical assistance efforts by project change agents within their organizations or regionally for frontline supervisors; 7) supporting ongoing follow-up measurement to assess the effectiveness of interventions and to guide future intervention work; and 8) developing assessment and training tools which will be shared with policy makers, community human service providers, and other interested people. In addition, this project will refine and maintain a national technical assistance website for frontline supervisors, managers and agency administrators on staff recruitment, retention and training strategies, techniques, and tools.
Q: Who should apply to participate in the project?
A: Community human service providers and or coalitions (at least one of which must be a provider employer) who want to improve their recruitment and retention of highly qualified Direct Support Professionals.
Q: Can we get more information about the project?
A: Here is the information on the National Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors and technical assistance project. Call for Applications - Applications must be received by February 17, 2004, to be considered for this grant project.
The overall goal of the Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors and Technical Assistance Project is to develop long-lasting changes across the country so that people start applying for direct support positions and those who are hired stay in positions longer. The project will assist five employers of direct support professionals to put into action proven methods to find and keep high quality employees. In return the employers will contribute time and people willing to learn new skills, share their expertise, implement changes, and provide feedback to project advisory committee on how to make these changes work best across the United States.
To participate, employers must complete a short application form and provide information regarding turnover and vacancy rates at the beginning of the project and annually for the duration of the project. In addition, letters of support and commitment of resources must accompany the application. From the completed applications five employers will be selected based on demographics that reflect a variety of employers across the country including location, size, scope and type of services provided and their potential to complete the activities during and beyond the grant project.
If you are interested in applying for this new and exciting approach to reducing turnover and vacancy rates go here.
Q: What is the main purpose of the project?
A: The purpose of the National Training Institute and Technical Assistance Grant Project is to work with agencies and or coalitions that are interested in providing training to Frontline Supervisors who in turn will be able to provide better supervision to Direct Support Professionals providing support to individuals with disabilities. And to also provide technical assistance to these agencies to develop a strategic plan within their agency or coalition to implement one of many intervention strategies designed to help them recruit and retain highly qualified Direct Support Professionals. Finally another component of the grant project is to teach the participating agencies to continue the work of the project by assisting them in becoming technical assistants and change agents for other agencies and organization in their region.
Q: Why is there a requirement to have access to a computer, the internet and a printer, etc.
A: Participants need access to computers, printers and internet to carry out some of the training activities of the grant. They will need email capabilities for communication with project staff and to network with other project participants, thus they need to have internet capabilities. Also, they will be expected to complete an online training program called the College of Frontline Supervision which is an internet based program, thus the need for the internet, computer and printer to complete course assignments.
Q: Do participants need access computers, printers and internet in a computer lab environment or just have access to those items in a regular office environment for the participants to submit reports and information?
A: They will need to have access either in a computer lab setting or office environment so participants can complete the on-line course work and training. They may even be able to complete these from home.
Q: When will agencies be notified if they have been selected?
A: The selection review committee will review the applications and notify the winners by February 27th via e-mail.
Q: When will the first National Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors be held?
A: The first National Training Institute for Frontline Supervisors will be May 10-13, 2004 in Minneapolis.
Q: What is the purpose of the Institute on Community Integration and the Research and Training Center?
A: The Institute on Community Integration is one of the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and part of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Our mission is to improve the community services and social supports available to individuals with developmental and other disabilities, and their families, throughout the United States and abroad. We fulfill this mission through research, professional training, technical assistance, and publishing activities. You can find more information at: Institute on Community Integration - http://ici.umn.edu.
The Research and Training Center on Community Living provides research, evaluation, training, technical assistance and dissemination to support the aspirations of persons with developmental disabilities to live full, productive and integrated lives in their communities. You can find more information at: Research and Training Center on Community Living - http://rtc.umn.edu/
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