News & Events

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LIVE Virtual Trainings

Tools for Creating Calm in Times of Distress: Part 1

Event Date: October 5, 2023

2 - 2:30 p.m. EST

ACCME credits will be offered.

This 2-part training series is designed to provide information, strategies, and engagement tools that can be used to create calm for the distressed resident, while ensuring the delivery of effective care. Participants will improve their self-awareness regarding their own reactions to distress, in addition to discussing risk, safety factors and concrete tools for creating calm.

Learning Objectives:
1. Develop greater empathy and understanding related to distress.
2. Gain insight into personal reactions to distressed residents.
3. Review tools for responding to distress that will improve staff and resident engagement. 4.Identify risk and safety boundaries.

Speaker: Mathew R Roosa, LCSW-R

Addressing Co-occurring Disorders in Nursing Facilities

Event Date: October 11, 2023

2 - 3 p.m. EST

ACCME credits will be offered.

Substance use disorders and mental illness overlap at the rate of 50-70%. Compared to individuals with a single diagnosis, those with co-occurring disorders experience more instances of hospitalizations, suicide attempts, actual suicides and relapse. Topics covered in this presentation include the definition of a co-occurring disorder; how substance use disorders and mental illness interact; person-centered recovery; integrated co-occurring disorders treatment; stage-based interventions; and how to support residents with co-occurring disorders.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define co-occurring disorders.
2. Articulate seven (7) ways substance use disorders and mental illness interact with each other for residents with co-occurring disorders.
3. Explain the differences between three (3) types of co-occurring disorders treatment.
4. Be able to provide services and make referrals based upon a resident’s level of readiness to change
5. Provide support for residents with co-occurring disorders.

Speaker: Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC

An Overview of Bipolar Disorder for Nursing Facility Staff

Event Date: October 17, 2023

2 - 2:30 p.m. EST

ACCME credits will be offered.

This half-hour training is a basic introduction to understanding bipolar disorder, its onset, symptoms and treatments. Participants will also learn approaches to support residents experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Gain an understanding of bipolar disorder
  2. Recognize and understand signs and symptoms of mania and depression
  3. Learn appropriate responses of engagement with residents

Speaker: Bryan G. Stephens, LPC Founder and CEO of TalkForward

Past Virtual Trainings

Opioid Use Disorder Management in Nursing Facilities

Event Date: September 28, 2023

1 - 1:30 p.m. EST

This training will provide an overview of opioid use disorders (OUD) in nursing facilities, offer valuable insights, explore medication options, and equip nursing facility staff with an understanding of how to manage this complex issue among residents with a diagnosis of OUD.

Learning Objectives

  1. Learn the epidemiology of OUD and why there is an increase of resident admissions with this disorder.
  2. Learn how to assess for opioid cravings/withdrawal and how this differs from a pain assessment.
  3. Identify medical complications for OUD and conditions most likely seen in post-acute and long-term care settings.
  4. Identify concepts in treatment for OUD:
    • Medications: buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone.
    • Behavioral strategies.
    • Mutual support groups

Trauma Informed Care Training – Part 4: Grounding as an Essential Strategy to Calm an Activated Nervous System

Event Date: September 21, 2023

2 - 3 p.m. EST

We’ll discuss the grounding techniques a resident can use when emotionally stimulated and experiencing distress. Integrating grounding strategies into care plans will give staff more capacity to uphold trauma-informed principles such as safety, trust, empowerment and collaboration.

Objectives:

  1. Define the concept of grounding and why this method of distraction supports a person with an activated nervous system.
  2. Name three grounding strategies.
  3. Consider collaborating with residents and their families to integrate these strategies into the care plan.

Person-Centered Care in Nursing Facilities: How to Make it Work

Event Date: September 20, 2023

2 - 2:30 p.m. EST

This interactive virtual training will review the importance of person-centered care, offer practical tools to identify and mitigate the impact of implicit bias around mental health, address substance use disorders and misuse, and inform on how cultural humility improves the staff/resident connection.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe person-centered care as it relates to nursing facilities.
  2. Identify how bias induces assumptions that impact communications and rapport building.
  3. Identify the benefits of an “individualized” approach to resident engagement.
  4. Learn how person-centered strategies can help residents achieve care plan goals.

COE-NF Newsletter – September 2023

This month’s newsletter will define recovery and provide key principles and approaches to supporting the recovery process. This approach will provide a higher quality of care to residents with behavioral health disorders and also help nursing facilities comply with regulatory guidance.

COE-NF Newsletter – August 2023

In this month’s newsletter, we will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day and explore overdose prevention measures that can be taken to support residents who are prescribed an opioid.

COE-NF Newsletter – July 2023

In this month’s newsletter, we will define trauma and learn how a trauma-informed model can address the unique needs of residents with a history of trauma and triggers. This approach will provide higher quality care to residents and be compliant with nursing facility regulatory guidance regarding trauma-informed care.

How can we help

For any questions on our services, or to find out more about how we can help, please provide some basic information on your facility by clicking on the link below.

Our Newsletter

Get all the latest information from the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities.

the center of excellence for behavioral health in nursing facilities (COE-NF)

Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the COE-NF offers Certified Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Staff a centralized resource hub with easy access to trainings, technical assistance and additional resources, at no cost.

What We Do

We help nursing facilities to improve the quality of life and care provided for residents who are experiencing a variety of behavioral health disorders, with a focus on Serious Mental Illness (SMI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-Occurring Disorders (COD).

Who We Help

We provide direct technical assistance, evidence-based training, and resources that are appropriate for every member of your long-term care facility — from those providing day-to-day direct care, to clinical and administrative staff.