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 have not had direct training contact “eyes” on staff that your in-house Instructors or Master Instructors have trained and have no way of assessing their capabilities. Only the organization or school can do that. Please consider the assets and liabilities of your staff when making your training decisions. Federal and State guidelines, recommendations and orders regarding COVID-19 protocols by Governors are moving targets.  Two weeks ago, groups were limited to 50 people.  This week, they are limited to 10.  Some States are instituting virtual lock-downs “shelter-in-place” and insisting that everyone stay home.  As of this moment, the Federal guidelines on the CDC and White House websites are still limiting groups to 10.  We urge you to follow the recommendations of your State and Federal authorities check the CDC website daily, if not twice a day, for its latest information and recommendations.   CDC Website March 20, 2020 HWC's Training Guidelines  For Organizations and Schools Conducting In-house "Basic Physical" Training. Remote or "Virtual" Training Protocol for Experienced HWC "Basic" Students. Experienced Basic Student means a basic student who has been previously trained in-person, at least once within a 12-month period by an in-house HWC Instructor.  Organizations and Schools using both prone and supine holds: Focus on the physical restraint components. Review everything in the training manual remotely, including Standing PRTs and the "Empty Handed Takedown Drill" and all of the safety precautions and protocols contained in Module 7 of the Instructor Manual. Do not allow remote or virtual participants to perform a takedown with another person.  There is no one to "spot" for them remotely and we do not want staff injured because they were without direct hands-on supervision. Remote and virtual participants can perform a correct "Escort Position" and a pass to a standing PRT.  They cannot perform the takedown. See below for seated and supine instructions. Organizations and Schools using supine holds only: Same as above with the preliminary exercises and safety protocols. To teach the PRT in the seated configuration, staff should start from the seated position. When teaching the supine hold, staff should START FROM THE "PRT SETTLE POSITION". Staff can then practice the pass to the two-person hold and the "1-2-3 Rock" to the supine configuration. IT WILL BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO TEACH AND TO CORRECT MISTAKES REMOTELY. At best this is a temporary training stopgap for experienced staff.  It should not replace annual refreshers when the emergency is over.  Remote or “Virtual” Training Protocol for first time HWC "Basic" students. Please don't.  There is no safe way to take them through the physical restraint components without direct supervision by an Instructor.  Training Protocol For Conducting Hands-on Training. As of today, groups are still limited to 10.  Make sure everyone follows CDC recommended safety protocols including washing their hands before training, on breaks and at the conclusion of training and follow the other common-sense guidelines by CDC. If you choose to suspend all "Basic" training until June 1st, you have our full support. This is an extraordinary and unprecedented time in our nation's history.  We all want to behave reasonably and responsibly. Everyone is doing the best they/you/we can to ensure everyone's safety with respect to institutional safety and physical restraint matters - balanced against the reality and limitations imposed by this viral emergency.  While most, if not all schools are closed, many are still staffing 24/7 care facilities and hospitals.  We applaud you for your devotion. As important as training is, maintaining the health of everyone in the HWC family is first and foremost and that includes your students and clients.  If you're staff get sick, your clients will get sick, too. Update: States are starting to re-open.  Click here to see the safety training protocols HWC is implementing. If you need any assistance from us for any reason, do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 845-255-4031 Do not hesitate to call me directly on my cell 24/7: 845-380-7585 Bruce Chapman, President, Handle With Care And the Entire HWC Team    

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.