When it comes to the dynamics of human interaction, the nimbler our approach to adversity, the more likely we’ll be able to come out on top. And when it comes to adversity, there’s not much that can top a global pandemic.

Take the coronavirus, for example. Very quickly, it has changed the way we do just about everything today – how we conduct business, how we experience live music, and even how we shop for groceries. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it also changed how we at CPI go about managing challenging behaviors and reducing conflict for the well-being of everyone. Because nothing, not even a global health pandemic, is going to take us off that course.

And while it certainly sped up the pace for the launch of our virtual training programs, it was an inevitable reality of which we had already begun working towards. COVID-19 simply required us to strategize, develop, and implement sooner than anticipated.

Enter the CPI virtual/blended learning experience.

Because the pandemic increased the need for empathic person-centered care, CPI launched new virtual/blended solutions designed to deliver this critical training in a format that ensured the health and well-being of every participant

5 reasons your organization should consider using the virtual/blended delivery option:

1. Frontloading Learning

When learners complete the online modules of the blended learning format, they learn the CPI terms and definitions that help them organize their thinking about crisis and develop a shared language for communicating with their colleagues. Learners complete these modules at a pace that’s comfortable and effective for them.

Using this approach makes it more likely that all learners enter the training on a level playing field. Also, by frontloading the learning, Certified Instructors can increase efficiency by spending the majority of the virtual training time focusing on strengthening learners’ understanding and application of the intervention skills.

2. Adaptability

You know your organization best. You know the needs, behaviors, and Precipitating Factors of the people you serve. You know your policies, environments, and barriers to effective transfer of training and successful implementation. You also know your staff in terms of strengths, areas of need, fears, and concerns.

With all of this internal knowledge and the foundational learning already completed, Certified Instructors can use the classroom time to enhance the skillsets that staff members are likely to need.

This may be developing awareness and engaging in discussions about staff nonverbal and paraverbal communication.
It could include drills to practice how to manage defensive level behaviors and set simple, reasonable, and respectful limits.
Maybe there are specific situations that staff have had difficulty managing, and some additional practice and planning would be beneficial.
Perhaps there are certain service users who go into crisis more frequently and/or with more intensity. Staff members can brainstorm how to best work with these individuals when crisis occurs.

Because learners begin the virtual training with a basic understanding of CPI terms, definitions, concepts, and behavioral models, they’re better suited to apply the course content to the individuals with whom they work. By using these approaches, staff members are likely to complete the training with an increased level of confidence and competence in managing crisis situations.

3. Convenience

Learning can be stressful for some people. With virtual/blended learning, learners have the opportunity to complete the online modules in a self-paced fashion in a wide variety of settings. Some people may prefer to do the modules in the comfort of their own home. Others may choose to block out some time on their work schedule to complete the modules.

While completing the online modules, learners can start and stop as needed. This allows them to take time to reflect in private, as opposed to in the presence of an audience of their peers. It also enables staff to complete the modules in chunks, if needed. Learners can spend time before shifts, after shifts, or during downtime (if that is something that exists) to complete the online portion of the program.

4. Fidelity

Each Instructor facilitates their training slightly differently than the next. We all have our own styles, experiences, examples, and perceptions. This means that two learners can attend two separate CPI trainings with two different Instructors and have two vastly different experiences.

With the virtual/blended experience, each learner receives the exact same delivery of the foundational terms, definitions, and concepts. This enables organizations to minimize training drift and maximize consistency in training delivery, while also allowing Instructors to deliver the training in a manner that’s consistent with their own styles, personalities, and experiences. It also ensures that a common language will be established before the participants begin training.

5. Less Time Training = Less Expense

Yes, budgets are an ongoing pain in the pocket. And yes, there are costs to preventing violence in the workplace. But in many cases, the most expensive aspect of training relates to staffing, and not to expenses such as materials and Instructor certification. We need to pay employees for the time they spend in training, and sometimes this means paying overtime costs. We often must pay for replacement staff to fill in for those who are in training. And we sometimes have to pay our Instructors for the time they spend facilitating training.

These expenses can add up quickly, especially considering that most organizations provide training on at least an annual basis, and training around behavior management is a need that does not appear to be going away any time soon.

By using virtual/blended learning, staff can learn the foundational material by completing the online modules, which takes approximately two hours, depending on several factors pertaining to the learner.

If you’d like to learn more about using virtual/blended learning, give us a call at 888.426.2184. We’d love to share more information about it with you and show you how it can benefit your organization.

Empowering Success in a Virtual World: CPI Training Evolves with You