Training Direct Care Employees in Active Engagement

Abstract

Active engagement is important in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities being served in residential programs. In addition, focusing on socially significant goals and communication is essential to ensure quality treatment. The following study examined the use of employee training in combination with positive reinforcement and in vivo coaching and modeling in a Behavioral Skills Training model to increase the efficacy and consistency of active engagement from direct care employees aimed toward clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting. The results of the current study demonstrated that direct care workers can be trained to increase active engagement with residents with developmental disabilities. Further, the study demonstrated that the instructional training method alone reflected a small increase in skill acquisition. However, more socially significant changes resulted from the establishment of the in vivo modeling component of Behavior Skills Training in relation to the skill development of direct care employees.