It was reported that staff have not received hands-on training, or proper physical intervention or safety training, yet they are assigned to work with clients who exhibit physically aggressive behaviors.

LPA reviewed the following documents: Orientation Outline that included days 1 through 10 as training days. Day 4 includes “Emergency Intervention Policy.” Day 5 “Review DSP training.

LPA interviewed 6 staff during the investigation. According to the documents provided, all 6 staff are the most recently hired staff who work for North Valley Services (NVS). 5 of 6 staff stated that they received training to prepare them to work with clients in their homes before being asked to work alone. 5 of 6 staff stated they felt prepared to work with clients who may exhibit physically aggressive behaviors after receiving the training. 3 of 6 staff stated they are Professional Crisis Management (PCM) certified.

Administrator stated that new staff attend a four-day class, and NVS tries to get new staff on crisis communication and behavior tools before they work with clients. It could take a good 3 months before NVS can get new staff in a PCM training after they are hired.

It was determined that new staff do receive appropriate training to prepare them to work with clients who may exhibit physically aggressive behaviors in their homes before being asked to work alone. This allegation is unsubstantiated.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the findings are UNSUBSTANTIATED. No deficiencies cited. Exit interview conducted and a copy of the report was provided to administrator Tonya Foster.