Trainings

At Creative Works, we know that the quality of our services is directly dependent upon the level of training and professional development we provide to our staff. We want to make sure they have every tool available to feel confident in their skills and the expertise needed to provide the best support to our participants. We have developed a comprehensive set of trainings that are regularly updated so that we can deliver the newest material in the most engaging way. Please explore the classes offered below.

Maine College of Direct Support

The Direct Support Professional (DSP) certification is a lifetime, professional certification earned through the Maine College of Direct Support (CDS). In order to provide supports as a DSP, this is the nationally accredited certificate required. Students are signed up electronically, and then complete 45 hours of coursework through a blend of online learning and live, in-person workshops and discussions offered at Creative Works. We offer a $300 stipend to new Direct Support staff who complete this certification within the first three months of hire.

CPR/First Aid

The American Heart Association First Aid and Adult CPR and AED (FAAC) course is a required certification for all DSPs providing supports to adults with disabilities. It is a four to five hour course where students receive a two-year FAAC certification upon successful completion. In the first part of the class, students learn and get hands-on experience with universal precautions, basic first aid, medical emergencies, injury emergencies, and environmental emergencies. In the second part of the course, students practice delivering high quality CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and are trained in proper AED (automated external defibrillator) use.

CRMA

The Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA) course is a requirement for all DSPs who pass medications. In this class, students learn about legal responsibilities in medication administration, medication and side effects knowledge, documentation, and more. Successful completion of this course certifies staff to pass medications to participants for two years. Our in-house Registered Nurse offers a refresher course and recertification available to all currently certified CRMAs.

Mandt

The Mandt System 17-hour nationally accredited course teaches students relational, conceptual, and technical strategies for building healthy relationships and providing positive behavioral supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This class emphasizes preserving the fundamental right to be treated with dignity and respect. Both the full course and the recertification course are offered by our in-house Mandt instructor. Successful completion of this course certifies staff in positive behavioral interventions for one year, and is an agency requirement for all Creative Works DSPs.

QBISP

The Qualified Brain Injury Support Provider (QBISP) is a Maine-accredited 16-hour course required for any Creative Works staff providing direct support to individuals with brain injury. In this class, students will learn basic neurobiology and neuropsychology, and strategies for providing supports to people with Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury, with a special emphasis on building therapeutic rapport. Upon successful completion of the course, staff are certified to provide supports to individuals with brain injury for a year. To maintain the certification, staff are required to independently complete 10 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) each year after completion of the course.