The Guidance Center’s Education and Prevention program staff from 6 counties participated in the second annual training and team building day on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at the Elk Visitor Center in Benezette PA.
Stoney Greenburg from The Guidance Center’s Crisis program provided an interactive session to support staff’s safety and offered tips for ways to de-escalate tense situations that may occur during home visits. Staff were introduced to the concept of the OODA loop, a decision cycle by which an individual may react to an event. www.oodaloop.com
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Relaxation stations throughout the Elk Visitor Center property afforded staff some self-care time to take a meditation walk, plant herbs, make a jar of bath salts with essential oils and dried flowers, try out yoga, and draw or do some adult coloring.
Brenda Gaffey, the Parents as Teachers Program Director highlighted information from the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals that included: Gun Safety, Dealing with Threatening Dogs, Personal Safety, Car Safety, and Handling Frustrating situations.
Todd Taylor, from the Elk Visitor Center gave an overview of the history of the elk herd in PA and highlighted opportunities for families, groups, and individuals who may visit the Center. The Education and Prevention program staff are better prepared to offer this information about the Elk Visitor Center as an option for a community resource connection for our families.
The evaluation responses from the day resulted in 29 staff agreeing that the objectives of the training were clearly defined, the venue was appropriate, the content relevant, and information useful in their work/one staff neutral. All staff appreciated the location at the Elk Viewing Center with the opportunity to be outside throughout the day. Staff valued the time spent with co-workers from different programs in other counties and office locations. Denise Bean, Executive Director, expressed appreciation for the work that staff provide and acknowledged the efforts of the group to support families who are part of The Guidance Center’s Education and Prevention program services.
