HCBS Training

Coaching and mentoring systems were mentioned in earlier modules to make sure that when a team invests in training like Person-Centered Thinking and that staff are supported in learning these skills over time. Research on staff training in education and human services shows that training alone does not result in important changes in HCBS. Staff need a chance to try out new skills while they work and talk to other people about what they are learning. The story below describes how one HCBS provider used coaches to support staff learning new skills. Learn more about how to evaluate different coaching methods by visiting the Module 7 Resource Page .

Evaluating Efforts of  Person-Centered Thinking Training

One medium-sized organization supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at home and work invested in Person-Centered Thinking training.  Two staff became certified trainers in this approach. The certified trainers provided Person-Centered Thinking training to new and current staff as part of staff development.  The organization also sent 12 staff to be trained as Person-Centered Thinking coaches. The coaches represented direct support staff, managers, and supervisors. The organization added enough coaches to make sure that there was coach supporting  staff members in each of the homes and programs providing HCBS. 

Coaches recorded the names of the staff they supported and the date when each PCT tool was introduced. During these sessions, the coach first modeled how to use each tool and then asked the staff person to try using the tool on their own. The dates on this table show when the coach observed the staff person using the tool. Visit the Module 7 Resource Page for more information about Person-Centered Thinking.

Coach Tracking Tool

Name of Coach: 

Date Indicates Successful Completion of Coaching With Each Staff

Staff Name	Good Day	Working/Not Working	Best Day Worst	Positive Rituals	Like and Admire	Relationship Map	Notes
Tamika	8/2	8/2	8/2	8/16	8/16	8/16	Great sessions
Andrew	8/3	8/3	8/3	8/3	8/4	8/4	Helpful to repeat all sessions
Anab	8/2	8/2	8/3	8/3	8/6	8/6	Used on her own!
Akima	8/9	8/9	8/9	8/9	8/9	8/9	Great!
Joe	9/6	9/6	9/7	9/7	9/7	9/8	Repeat positive ritual

Person-Centered Thinking Coaches

All 12 coaches and at least one of the trainers attended meetings every other month to debrief, celebrate progress, and problem solve. Each coach was asked to complete the Learning Community Coaches form (shown below) before a meeting two times a year. The trainers gathered the information before the coach meetings and summarized the results on an Excel spreadsheet that a team member set up for the coaches to use. The  spreadsheet was set up with formulas so that all the trainers needed to do was enter the numbers and their information automatically populated a graph. The trainers used this information to organize additional learning activities for the coaches. Once the data showed that the coaches felt confident using the tools, they were asked to use this same process with staff they support.  Over time, the evaluation showed that people felt increasingly confident using the tools. Visit the Module 7 Resource Page for more information about Person-Centered Thinking Coaches and The Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices.

Scale for using it yourself

0 = not using

1 = just started, still learning how and when

2 = have learned how

3 = competent and confident but have to remind myself to use it, still forget

4 = habit, I use it whenever it is helpful

To/For	Donut	Communication Chart	Matching Staff	Working/Not Working	Learning Log	4 + 1	Rituals and Routines
-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
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