The Academy was established with a clear mission: to empower agencies within Ohio’s developmental disabilities services system through exceptional training and collaborative partnerships, ultimately enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. From the very beginning, the Academy has been dedicated to delivering training of the highest caliber and adhering to the most rigorous standards.
Since its inception, the Academy’s impactful training program has expanded its reach significantly, now serving a wide spectrum of the human services sector. This includes not only the developmental disabilities field but also educational institutions, the healthcare sector, retail, and first responders.
The Academy offers flexible and accessible training options to meet diverse needs. Talented and experienced instructors deliver engaging onsite training directly to human services agencies. Furthermore, a comprehensive suite of virtual learning opportunities is available, including on-demand modules and interactive live sessions. To further support agency growth, the Academy provides valuable training materials designed to bolster internal training, mentoring, and professional development initiatives.
Onsite training
The Academy offers a comprehensive range of training classes, conveniently delivered at your agency’s location or at one of our dedicated Academy sites. Our team of professionals brings extensive expertise across a variety of topics and excels at developing and customizing classes to precisely address the unique needs of each agency. We encourage you to connect with us to explore how we can support your specific training requirements. We frequently provide several distinct types of training and courses, including the following:
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Medication administration certification
These courses meet all state requirements and include skill checks. We provide varying levels of training including Category 1 (for the initial certification), Category 2 (g-tube/j-tube), Category 3 (insulin), and other stand-alone training options.
Initial and annual mandatory provider certification
This training satisfies state requirements and provides a certificate compliant with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities rules and requirements.. Available as well as a “take and Teach” curriculum to be taught internally at your organization.
CPR and First Aid
These trainings meet state requirements and includes training of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage. Participants who complete this class are given a certification through the American Red Cross that is valid for two years.
Expectations for Frontline Employees: Communication and Conduct
This class focuses on equipping frontline employees with essential communication skills and promoting respectful conduct in their interactions. The course emphasizes the importance of building trusting relationships through effective verbal and non-verbal communication. Participants will learn to recognize and utilize various forms of non-verbal communication, avoid intimidating behaviors, employ supportive language, and handle challenging situations with emotional intelligence. Ultimately, the class aims to foster a respectful and empowering environment for both employees and the individuals they support.
Crisis intervention
This training delves into the critical elements of felt safety, meaningful connection, and effective regulation within crisis situations. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of trauma, stress, and the cultivation of resilience. The overarching goal is to empower individuals to provide enhanced support to those navigating crises or other significant challenges. Learn More About Crisis Intervention Training
Home Maintenance and Housekeeping
This class provides frontline employees with essential knowledge and skills for maintaining a safe and comfortable home environment for the individuals they support. The course covers a range of topics, including identifying and reporting home issues, performing simple household repairs, understanding what makes a house a home, basic outdoor tasks, implementing safety checks, protecting against fire and other dangers, storing flammable materials, chemical safety, and basic cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures, along with food management and steps to prevent foodborne illness.
Nutrition and Healthy Meal Planning
This class provides an overview of nutrition and healthy meal planning, emphasizing the MyPlate guidelines and the importance of balanced food choices. Students will learn about the five food groups, recommended daily targets, and the health benefits of each food group, including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. The class also covers essential nutrients like carbohydrates, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as important considerations for dietary needs and deficiencies.
As We Age: Issues and Illnesses Related to Aging
This class provides an overview of common health issues and illnesses associated with aging, including hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, falls, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, urinary incontinence, and depression. For each condition, the class covers the causes, dangers, management, and prevention and treatment strategies. In addition to specific diseases, the class also addresses sensory changes in older adults, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and multiple chronic conditions.
Geriatric Care and the Aging Process
This course is designed for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to enhance their ability to provide quality, person-centered care for older adults. Participants will learn to distinguish between normal age-related changes and concerning health or behavioral shifts, crucial for timely intervention and support. The curriculum covers essential topics such as identifying and responding to elder abuse, promoting optimal nutrition, facilitating personalized physical activity, implementing stress management techniques, and fostering a sense of purpose and engagement in the lives of seniors.
Recognition of Emergencies and Effective Response
is designed to equip employees with the knowledge and skills necessary for emergency preparedness and response. It covers essential topics such as staying informed about community emergencies, understanding when to shelter in place or evacuate, and preparing for various situations including fires, severe weather (thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes, heat, and cold), and health care emergencies like choking and falls. The program emphasizes creating disaster plans, assembling emergency supply kits, knowing community warning signals, and implementing specific actions for different types of emergencies, ensuring employees and the people they support are ready to act when critical situations arise.
Additional topics available, contact the Academy for more information
Partner with The Academy for Tailored Training Solutions:
Contact us today to discuss your unique training requirements and discover how our customizable series can significantly enhance the skills and professional development of your team.
Take & Teach Curriculum: Empower Your In-House Training
Take & Teach Curriculum: In-House Staff Development
Unlock high-quality and efficient in-house staff development with our Take & Teach Curriculum. These professionally developed and comprehensive training resources provide everything needed to conduct effective professional development within your organization, making them ideal for organizations with existing trainers seeking convenient and affordable in-house training.
Key Benefits of Take & Teach
Tired of expensive external training that doesn’t quite fit? Take control of employee development with Take and Teach and experience the difference:
- Save Money: Eliminate costly outside trainers and per-employee fees with our reusable curriculum packages.
- Train at Your Pace: Implement training when it best suits your team’s schedule and needs.
- Customize Your Content: Adapt the materials to directly address your agency’s unique challenges and goals.
- Boost Comprehension: Modern design and clear layouts make learning accessible and engaging for all employees.
- Foster Critical Thinking: Thought-provoking discussions and activities encourage real-world application of skills.
Components of a Take & Teach Training
Each Take & Teach training includes:
- Visually Engaging Presentations: Professionally designed slides to captivate learners and illustrate key concepts.
- Detailed Instructor Resources: Comprehensive guidance for trainers, including detailed instructors notes and an instructor manual, ensuring consistent and accurate delivery of information.
- User-Friendly Student Manuals: Practical resources for participants to follow along, take notes, and reference key information.
- Interactive Learning: Opportunities for hands-on learning, engaging discussion prompts, and skill development and demonstration through activities and exercises.
- Assessment Tools: Methods for evaluating learning and ensuring comprehension.
- Professionally Bound Manuals: High-quality materials that reflect your commitment to excellence
To further support professional growth, we also offer dedicated Coaching and Mentoring Workbooks (link to that section of the store), providing structured frameworks for internal coaching and mentoring initiatives.
Visit our store to learn more about these products.
Initial, annual, and 30-day mandatory DSP training that is DODD-compliant
Expansive supervisor series
Frontline employee professional development series
Purchase training materials online
We also offer training materials which may be purchased online. Please feel free to explore these offerings.
Contact us today
The Academy for Professional Development is a trusted company providing high quality training to professionals who serve those with developmental disabilities. We serve agencies and entities throughout Ohio and can provide services throughout the United States. Our training programs cover a broad spectrum of topics ranging from mandatory provider certifications to customized team building. Contact us by telephone at 513.237.2449, by email, or click the button below to be taken to our online contact form. We look forward to discussing how we can help you.