Staff Support and Training

Tri-Counties Regional Center embraces a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement through high quality learning opportunities for employees, service providers, community partners and individuals and families receiving services and supports. Training and development at TCRC is grounded in Integral Theory; imparting a holistic view of personal development to provide learning concerned with the exploration of four domains of development including: • intentional (self-knowledge, personal values, personal integrity, personal worldview, personal commitment, personal interests and passions, personal experiences, self-worth, leadership style), behavioral (performance excellence, personal skills and abilities, behaviors, decisions) • cultural (collective meaning-making, shared group vision, shared identity and history, community building, group consciousness development, group values) • social (group performance, profit, strategic planning, operations management, organizational structure, rules and procedures, information systems)

A rolling three-year Training and Development Plan outlines training needs and methods of delivery as well as cycles of planning, implementation and evaluation for learning initiatives. The plan assists managers by providing an outline of steps to training individuals within each department and assists department staff in understanding how they fit into larger scheme of the organization. In addition training and development opportunities serve as a vehicle for social change to assist individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and their circles of support to acquire skills and knowledge that will contribute to greater acceptance and integration of persons served in the community.

Project LEAD - Leadership Education and Development

Project LEAD provides an exciting framework for developing leadership capacity by outlining learning and development workshops recommended for various levels at TCRC. Individuals are encouraged to complete the foundation courses suggested for all staff. Individuals can also consider the recommended courses for more advanced positions in order to master skills needed for assuming greater levels of responsibility within the organization. In addition Managers and Directors, as members of the TCRC Leadership Team, have opportunities for self-assessment and development of higher level skills and competencies through periodic trainings with internal and external subject matter experts.

Coaching Opportunities

Coaching is a practical goal-oriented form of one-on-one learning focused on behavioral change. Coaching may be formal or informal, and may include short term skill intervention, or long term process improvement to support performance review goals and person-centered initiatives. TCRC staff use coaching on a regular basis to fulfill their responsibilities. A service coordinator might use coaching to support an individual or family receiving TCRC services. A resource developer might coach a prospective service provider that is navigating the vendorization process. An administrative staff member may coach a colleague who is learning about a new business process. And a manager may coach an employee wanting to develop interpersonal skills to become a more competitive candidate for an agency promotion. Employees interested in receiving coaching can contact their supervising manager or the Organizational Development Manager.

Service Coordinator Orientation

Service Coordinator Orientation for the Department of Service and Supports is conducted twice annually, when there is a minimum of five new service coordinators to be trained. The twelve day orientation consists of a series of in-depth learning modules designed to help new employees be successful in their new service coordination roles. Training days are conducted both centrally in Santa Barbara and at regional locations as determined by the curriculum.

New Employee Welcome

TCRC conducts New Employee Welcome (NEW) on the fourth Monday of each month in Santa Barbara, provided that there are a minimum of five new employees to participate in the class. The course provides an overview of the California Department of Developmental Services, the Lanterman Act and the Regional Center system, including information about the mission, vision and values of TCRC and its organizational and operational structure. NEW introduces new employees to principles of person centered thinking, ethics, and communicating with people with disabilities. In addition new employees receive information about performance review practices, SEIU, sexual harassment prevention, and safety in the workplace.

Residential Services Orientation

Residential Services Orientation (RSO) is conducted twice annually during the first week of May and November for prospective residential care providers. The RSO is a two day training that covers TCRC mission, philosophy, policies and procedures, Title 17 & 22 regulations, and business practices. For more information and to register for an upcoming Residential Services Orientation please contact Vi Nguyen, Organizational Development Associate at vnguyen@tri-counties.org

Continuing Education

TCRC is currently approved by Community Care Licensing as a vendor of ARF continuing education units for Residential Care Administrators. We are also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a provider of continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs.

Tri-Counties Regional Center