As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Tell me, and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn.” At Bridge House, training and hands-on learning are essential to ensure that staff and the professional team are equipped to support residents in the safest and most supportive ways possible.

All Bridge House staff receive extensive training upon hire and are subsequently required to attend annual live trainings. Included are trainings required for compliance for State licensures such as suicide and self-harm prevention, therapeutic de-escalation techniques (AEGIS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training, and CPR certification. In addition to what is required by the State, Bridge House includes a series of trainings that are specific to our facility and our population. These trainings include an overview of our philosophy and mission, strategies for milieu management, and basic counseling skills.

New direct care staff complete at least 4 days of rigorous supervised hands-on training before working directly with residents. Our program staff is also taught monthly by Program Director James Healey, who reviews concepts relevant to our residents’ current needs. Additional training is needed, particularly when we have a resident in need of more specialized care and attention (for example, someone with diabetes, a seizure disorder, cultural considerations such as Kosher diets/religious accommodations, etc.) Our leadership team is particularly adept at creating specific training to accommodate those needs to ensure that our staff are equipped to support that resident.

These trainings, along with the continual communication with all staff about current milieu needs, keep our residents safe and ensure our staff have the continued education needed to maintain a healthy therapeutic milieu. In essence, training never stops at Bridge House, and we welcome opportunities to educate our staff regularly.

Philosophy and Statement: Description and orientation of the genesis of Bridge house. Where we fit in the continuum of care.
The population we serve and the services we provide.

Disease Model: The disease model of mental illness and addiction and the implications for assessment, diagnosis and
treatment of Bridge House residents.

Relationship Therapy: Basic introduction to helping professions and the healing factors of relationship therapy. What it
looks like and what it means to be in a helping relationship.

Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention: Continual observation of residents for signs and symptoms of self-harm and suicide.
Precautionary procedures.

Milieu Management: Basic components of milieu management and the strategic interventions that are utilized to
maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

Off-campus Activities: Procedures to follow to ensure the safety and therapeutic purpose of all off-campus activities.

Behavior Management: Introduction and implementation to AEGIS systems of behavior management, including
de-escalation techniques and restraints procedures. (2 days)

Basic Counseling Skills: The design and purpose of counseling skills.

Boundaries: Professional boundaries as a helping professional.

Group Therapy: Orientation to the basic concepts of small group dynamics and facilitation of group therapy.

Infection Control: Education about and procedures to follow to prevent and minimize the spread of infectious disease.

Blood-borne Pathogens: Education about and procedures to follow to prevent exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Medication Management: Policies and procedures associated with administering medication.

Urine Analysis: Orientation to the procedures associated with proper collection and testing of urine.

Blood Glucose Monitoring: Orientation to the procedure for glucose monitoring in diabetic residents.

Safety: Fire plan, evacuation plan, earthquake safety, and overall orientation to alarms, gas, and water shutoffs.

Harassment Prevention: Preventing workplace harassment and discrimination

CPR Certification (required every 2 years)