Training Programs: Course Descriptions

Gentle Teaching – Introduction to Gentleness

Gentle Teaching does not focus on changing the people we support, co-workers or family members.  It does not seek compliance or obedience.  It focuses on teaching individuals to feel safe with others.  Feeling safe is a basic need of all human beings. In order for this to happen, we must look at ourselves as caregivers with our families and in our jobs.  Looking at ourselves is assessing how we use our Tools (our hands, eyes, words and presence) to facilitate an understanding of safety with those around us.
This course is an introduction to gentleness, in an on-going initiative to facilitate cultures of gentleness for people with developmental disabilities. This course was developed under the mentorship of Dr. John J. McGee, utilizing training material and videos he has developed in his experiences in 26 countries. The course is conducted by Nancy Nicolaus and Tracy Mauk, Gentle Teaching Educators. This course is intended for individuals and agencies new to the concepts of Gentle Teaching; and is a pre-requisite to Creating Gentle Cultures training.

Enrollment: 50 Maximum per session

Eligible participants must be residents or providers within Jackson County. There is a $10 non-refundable registration fee.
Non Jackson residents or providers may register if space is available. There is a $35 registration fee.
Attendance at both days of training is required for certificate of attendance.

Creating Gentle Cultures with John McGee, Ph D.
Creating Gentle Cultures is an advanced course to facilitate cultures of gentleness for people with developmental disabilities. It focuses on teaching individuals and agency personnel how to develop environments were everyone feels safe with others. In order for this to happen, we must look at human needs from birth to death. Looking at ourselves as caregivers includes examining how we treat each other within our families and within our organizations. This training is intended for individuals who have participated in the two day introductory course or have previously participated in the 4 day training held at Eitas. This course will address the mentoring process, organizational change process in developing gentle cultures and clinical aspects of disabilities. The world renowned Dr. John J. McGee is the presenter and will share his 40 year experience in 26 countries mending broken hearts and creating gentle cultures.

Enrollment: 50 Maximum per session

Eligible participants must be residents or providers within Jackson County. There is a $10 non- refundable registration fee.
Non Jackson residents or providers may register if space is available. There is a $50 registration fee.
Attendance at all 3 days of training is required for certificate of attendance.

Medication, CPR, and First Aid Classes

Medication Aide

 (The following description applies to all Medication Aide Classes.)
Individuals successfully completing this 16-hour course and accompanying examination will be certified as a Medication Aide through Department of Mental Health. 
Participants must attend the full three day course.  The course will be taught from the 1993   Level I Medication Aide Guide.

Medication Students Please Note: The EITAS is no longer able to provide copies of lost or missing Medication Administration Certificates to individuals or agencies. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own Medication Administration Certificate upon issuance by MALA. If yours becomes misplaced or lost, duplicate copies are available from MALA - (573) 635-8750 - at a cost of $12.00 each.

Medication Update
This course is designed for individuals needing to renew their certification as a Medication Aide. (The Department of Mental Health requires an update every 2 years.) To register for this course, students must forward a copy of their Level I Medication Aide certificate with the registration form
Enrollment: 15 Maximum

Adult CPR
Learn basic life support skills. Individuals successfully completing this course and examination will be certified in CPR through the American Heart Association for a two-year period. (Participants should be aware that some work sites, as well as the American Red Cross, require yearly renewal.)
Enrollment: 20 Maximum

First Aid
Individuals successfully completing this course and examination will be certified in First Aid through the National Safety Council. Participants will be certified for three years.
Enrollment: 20 Maximum

*** By Arrangement***

Individuals or agency personnel interested in taking Tips and Techniques or Infant/Child CPR should call the Training Program at 822-8900 for more information. Thank you.

Tips and Techniques for Assisting Individuals with Personal Hygiene and Care
Great class for direct-care staff! The instructor will provide information on assisting persons with developmental disabilities with daily living skills. This interactive class will address feeding, lifting, bathing and grooming, toileting, universal precautions as well as privacy and respect.

Instructor: Lisa Bara, RN (A minimum of 4 persons is needed to schedule this training and the maximum enrollment is 15.)

Infant/Child CPR
Learn basic life support skills. This training focuses on CPR for children ages 0 - 8. Individuals successfully completing this 4-hour course and oral examination will be certified in CPR through the American Heart Association for a two-year period. (Participants should be aware that some work sites, as well as the American Red Cross, require yearly renewal.)
Enrollment: 12 Maximum