SMITHFIELD – Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island recently announced the successful completion on Nov. 18 of a first-ever specialized training program for certified nursing assistants focusing on caring for behavioral health needs.
A dozen CNAs graduated from the training, meant to enhance their ability to care for people with significant behavioral health needs.
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The eight-week course was sponsored by Neighborhood and based on a curriculum created and delivered at Rhode Island College’s Institute for Education in Healthcare.
“Earlier this year, we were talking with our partners in the long-term care community about workforce development and their need for specialized training to help their staff work with patients who have significant behavioral health needs,” said Alison Croke, vice president of Neighborhood’s Medicaid/Medicare program. “The team at Neighborhood decided to sponsor the development of just such a training program as part of our ongoing work to help our members live independently, in their own homes, whenever possible.”
The participants in the first-ever training were chosen by the supervisors of their respective home care agencies. They spent eight Saturdays at Rhode Island College, focusing intensely on the needs of the populations they serve. They paid particular attention to addressing the mental health needs of their patients as well as the connection between behavioral issues and substance abuse.
RIC Assistant Professor Marianne Raimondo customized this training specifically for professionals working in home care. It is based on earlier courses taught by Raimondo, who is also the executive director of RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare.
“It has been exciting to watch the certified nursing assistants engage in this training and connect the learning to their patients,” Raimondo said.
Gail Cline, one of the CNAs who completed the training, called the entire experience “a great resource” when it comes to “better understanding and assisting my clients as well as family members and other people in general.”
Another graduate, Arelis Almonte, said the training gave her much-needed information about how to identify “depression, anxiety, dementia, stress, schizophrenia and other illnesses, making it easier for the caregiver and the patient to interact in a more effective way.”
Registered nurse Lori Ellison, the administrator at Cowesett Home Care, was one of the advocates who pushed for the creation of this program. She says the students took away valuable, relevant information.
“This behavioral health training program has empowered our paraprofessional staff with the necessary tools to provide care to clients suffering from mental illness and substance abuse,” Ellison said.
Peter Marino, president and CEO at Neighborhood, addressed the graduates at their closing ceremony and described them as “pioneers” doing vital work in the community.
“Your connection with Neighborhood’s most vulnerable members makes you a valuable resource for them when they’re trying to deal with the issues that brought you to their doorstep,” Marino told the students. “You play a critical role in helping folks get well, stay well and have the opportunity to live in their homes and age gracefully.”
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
