Technical Q & A

Certifications and Licenses that have or are coming due. HWC is extending Instructor Certifications for 3 months.  If your Company’s License and Instructor Re-/Certification is coming due from now (and for some organizations from a few weeks ago) until June 1, 2020, we are issuing 3-month extensions.  After June 1, 2020 we will still issue extensions as circumstances dictate (i) some states are slower to re-open; (2) some schools are closed and staffing is out; (3) scheduling cannot be coordinated to a later date.  We are working with clients to ensure clients maintain certification and licensing a way that is ethical, moral and preserves the integrity and safety of the program.  Please call the office if you need an extension or for any questions. Re: Basic Training Agencies and schools are requesting guidance on how to handle the task of conducting initial training and refresher training for their staff at the "Basic" level and the feasibility of conducting virtual or remote training by Skype and other media. We have conducted in-person training with all client organizations and schools since inception in 1984.  We have had “eyes” on every person we directly trained.  We know they are capable, or we would not have Certified them.  We ha…

Question: Is there a protocol or  recommendations for getting students down from a desk or shelf?  For example, if a teacher is instructing a group of students and one of them suddenly stands on the table, is there a preferred method of safely redirecting them?  Prevention is surely the best method but I would really appreciate any feedback. Answer: You don't give the age or functional level of the student, but if it's more dangerous for you and the student to try to physically remove him than it is to do nothing, do nothing. Craft consequences into the IEP/IBP which are sufficiently significant to extinguish the behavior.

Question: During our latest staff training we had the pleasure of a young flexible staff member who showed off his skills when restrained in a face up (supine) position.  The staff memberwas able to roll upward onto his upper back and shoulders and deliver knee strikes (with force) to our heads. Granted we would not elect to use this hold for someone like him who has no restrictions for the standard prone position but for demonstration and training we were at a loss for an answer. Answer: Most people do not have the flexibility to present the problem you describe, which is why it normally not necessary to have a leg person. In the scenario you present, you will need a person to control the client's legs. For his safety, make sure the person assigned to control the legs 1) stays low on the way in (using one of the people on the shoulders to block the resident's view) and 2) he aims for the waist and works down to the legs.