Voices of CPI Blog

Perspectives and insights from experts and partners.

Recent Blogs

Education
Awareness Helps Students and Staff Break the Trauma Cycle in the Classroom
Industry expert Dr. Lori Desautels shares how awareness of trauma and its effects on the body can help educators support students in need and break the cycle of trauma in the classroom.
Health Care
Supporting All Staff at California Pacific Medical Center
See how staff at California Pacific Medical Center were able to address workplace violence concerns using CPI training.
General
Introducing CPI’s 3rd Edition Training
Learn how CPI’s 3rd Edition training supports the real needs of Certified Instructors and their end learners.
Security
CPI Training Leads to Positive Outcomes at Pine Hills
Using CPI training, Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility was able to promote positive culture shifts and increase safety for staff and individuals living at Pine Hills.
Education
Building on Positive School Support with CPI
See what happened when Wauwatosa School District combined their existing PBIS program with CPI training to better support student success.
Health Care
Improving Patient Care at San Francisco General Hospital
See how the actions of one staff member at San Francisco General Hospital positively impacted a patient’s level of care.
Education
Building Bridges in Scotland County School System
Using CPI training, Scotland County schools created a comprehensive program to train anyone with student contact how to safely handle challenging situations and restore calm.
Education
How CPI’s Verbal Intervention™ Training Supports Student Success
This research study looks at the effectiveness of CPI training for education staff. It also demonstrates the value that CPI training has in improving staff confidence and student success.
Health Care
How to Change Organizational Culture in Health Care
Author D.C. Foster, Behavioral Health Intervention Specialist, shares how making one simple change to staff vocabulary has positively impacted hospital culture and patient care.
Dementia Care
Improving Care for People Living with Dementia
Using Dementia Capable Care Training, staff at The Summit at Park Hill were able to provide for patient needs and family member concerns in a positive way.
Education
Behavior is Biology: Understanding Essential Brain Science Behind Students’ Trauma
Industry experts Dr. Lori Desautels and Guy Stephens explore the brain-body connection to help you better understand how to support student success.
General
CPI Certified Instructors’ Conference Update: Hotel Reservations and All Things Indy
Here’s an update on the CPI Certified Instructors’ Conference taking place July 23-28 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Education
How Lafayette Schools Leveraged CPI Training for Success
With CPI training, Lafayette schools were able to address student needs and positively impact school culture and student achievement levels.
Education
Creating Safer Schools with CPI De-escalation Training
Using CPI training, district U-46 created a comprehensive program to train anyone with student contact how to safely handle challenging situations and restore calm.
Health Care
Supporting All Staff at Nash General Hospital with CPI Training
See how Nash General Hospital’s decision to introduce CPI training provided staff with the resources needed to quickly and safely de-escalate situations.
Health Care
A Unified Approach to De‑escalation Training at Gundersen Medical
See what happened when Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center introduced CPI’s de-escalation training.
Education
Bringing Safety to LA County Schools with CPI Training
When LA County Schools introduced CPI training it helped teachers reduce instances of challenging behavior and changed the entire school culture in a positive way.
General
When Working Alone
Leverage these CPI training program lone worker safety tips to keep your employees safe.
General
CPI’s Powerful Adult Teaching Methods
How do you help staff learn the strategies taught in training? Everyone’s learning style is unique, but most benefit from a mix of these powerful methods.
General
Dealing with Office Bullies: Developing Respect, Service, and Safety on the Job
Simply stated, workplace bullying is any negative behavior that demonstrates a lack of regard for other workers.
General
Critical Incident Management Training
What is incident management training and how can CPI help you manage the behaviors that emerge during a crisis?
General
Don’t Take It Personally
Get tips for rationally detaching when you're faced with rude or insulting behavior.
General
How to Manage Challenging Behavior in Your Training Environment
Challenging behavior is an opportunity. It gives you the perfect platform to model and teach the techniques of the CPI training programs.
Dementia Care
“Light Bulb Moments:” How an Investment in Dementia Capable Care Training Yielded Both Patient and Business Benefits
St. Croix Hospice’s decision to implement mandatory training for their full-time staff benefitted everyone from patients to potential partners.
Health Care
7 Steps to Establishing Workplace Violence Prevention Programs at Ambulatory Care Sites
Ambulatory care site staff often experience incidents of verbal and physical violence. These 7 steps will help you develop a workplace violence prevention program specific to their unique challenges.
Dementia Care
Living Well With Dementia One Moment at a Time
Individuals living with dementia often live in the moment. If caregivers meet them there, together they can share and experience quality of life.
Health Care
Stop Workplace Violence Against Health Care Workers
Workplace violence against health care workers is something often considered a “normal occurrence,” but it can be mitigated with these proactive strategies.
Health Care
How to Combat 5 Health Care Violence Prevention Training Pitfalls
These five approaches to initiating health care violence prevention training ultimately become pitfalls to your efforts. Explore and learn how to combat them.
Health Care
The Importance of Top-Down Leadership in Workplace Violence Prevention Efforts
The most effective way to begin building a facility wide WPVP program? It starts at the top. See how top-down leadership plays a critical role in ensuring successful implementation.
Dementia Care
Building a Dementia Capable Workforce
More than 20 years ago, Dementia Care Specialists began innovating ways to create a dementia capable society. That innovation continues.
Health Care
5 Considerations for a Successful Workplace Violence Prevention Program
You’re ready to form a workplace violence prevention program, but first, there are five key areas to consider in order to ensure your organization’s success.
Health Care
A Handbook to Improve Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
Health care organizations will benefit from this handbook to establish and build out the necessary components of a successful workplace violence prevention program.
Dementia Care
Understanding Alzheimer’s: It’s Important Every Day
Understanding Alzheimer’s is critical to achieving a Dementia Capable Society. It begins with raising awareness and overcoming the stigma.
Dementia Care
Overcoming the Challenges of Early-Stage Dementia Care
While there is no one way to care for someone with early-stage dementia, an empathic, person-centered approach that meets them where they are is key.
Education
Paraverbal Communication: How We Say What We Say
We’re often aware of how our tone, volume, and cadence impacts behavior, but understanding what’s beneath our paraverbal communication can help ensure success in the classroom.
Education
What to Say to a Bully: 31 Expert Recommendations
Lots of people struggle with the question of “what to say to a bully.” So we asked 31 thought leaders in bullying prevention for an answer.
Human Services
CPI Behavior Management Techniques Reduced Safety Interventions by 85%
Hillside of Atlanta reduced emergency safety interventions by 85 percent with Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® behavior management techniques.
Education
Beyond the Student: How Educators Can Help Alleviate Parental Anxiety
Educators play a key role in helping children re-acclimate to the classroom. But post-pandemic, there is a growing need for them to help alleviate parental anxiety around school transitions too.
Dementia Care
Thriving With a Dementia Diagnosis? Yes!
A dementia diagnosis does not have to lead to suffering, darkness, or despair. There is potential to experience quality of life with dementia.
General
CPI’s Top 10 De-Escalation Tips Revisited
CPI's top ten de-escalation tips are everyday crisis prevention strategies that can keep you and those you interact with safe.
Dementia Care
LGBT Elders and the Power of Person-Centered Dementia Care
LGBT elders with dementia deserve loving, supportive, and non-biased caregivers committed to delivering person-centered care.
Education
Now is the Time for Teacher Self-Reflection
Reflective practice in teaching can show how you’ve responded to past successes and challenges in the classroom and help prepare you for the new school year.
Dementia Care
Get Creative to Recruit and Retain Dementia Care Workers!
Finding quality dementia care workers is tough in today’s labor market. Consider adopting these five innovative recruitment and retention strategies.
Health Care
How CPI Training Supports Compliance with Workplace Violence Prevention Standards
Learn how CPI training supports compliance with requirements like the Joint Commission’s current workplace violence prevention standards.
Health Care
An Inside Look: How CPI Successfully Implements De‑escalation Training in Health Care Facilities
The impact of de-escalation training in health care facilities is often determined by how it is designed and executed. Explore CPI’s time-tested implementation process designed to maximize your ROI.
Health Care
Creating a Culture of Safety in Health Care Starts with Coordination
Just like delivering patient care, creating a culture of safety in health care requires a coordinated effort.
Dementia Care
Gardening Activities for Persons Living With Dementia
For persons living with dementia and other cognitive challenges, purposeful activities that relate to nature and gardening can be very therapeutic.
Education
Preparing for Difficult Conversations Along the Pathway to Student Success
Effective preparation for difficult conversations not only helps your students succeed; it helps you grow as an educator, too.
Education
Our Tone of Voice Tells the Truth
Our nonverbal communication signals safety or danger and our tone of voice matters more than the words we speak. This paraverbal communication is key to a successful classroom.
Health Care
18 Strategies for Building Rapport with Patients
Properly responding to agitated behavior and—better yet—preventing it, starts with building rapport with patients. This Certified Instructor shares his strategies for success.
Dementia Care
Caring for Dementia: The Where and the Who
Families seeking the best way for caring for dementia should prioritize the care providers, the quality of the care, and the options available.
Education
The Integrated Experience: Your Role in School Climate and Culture
Our behavior can influence not only our students, classrooms, and fellow staff members, but school climate and culture as well.
Education
How to Successfully Implement De-escalation Training in Schools
You’re ready to bring evidence-based de-escalation training to your school. But first, dive into the process CPI uses to ensure you are set up for success.
Education
De-escalation Strategies in the Classroom: One District’s Approach
Discover how Maryland’s largest school district went about successfully implementing de-escalation strategies in the classroom.
Education
Training that Emphasizes Safety, Consistency, and Restraints as a Last Resort
We believe that consistency in training requirements, definitions, and reporting will lead to more positive outcomes for children, families, and schools.
Dementia Care
Person-Centered Care is Key to Equality and Diversity in Dementia Care
Dementia care providers need to become more culturally aware and competent to gain the trust and respect of a diverse client population.
Dementia Care
Designing Dementia Capable Environments Workshop—EFA 2022
Dementia Care Specialists at CPI shares expert insight into how to design dementia friendly care environments at the Environments for Aging (EFA) Conference.
Health Care
10 Hospital Safety Tips for Visitors
Hospital safety tips for visitors are not a one-size-fits-all approach, but there are important choices to keep in mind when visiting a loved one in a health care setting.
Education
Educators, Practice Your Emotional Regulation Skills
Emotional regulation starts with understanding what is beneath the behavior that is creating agitation, irritation, anxiety, worry or anger.
Education
Add Classroom Design to Your Behavior Management Toolkit
An excerpt from our Creating Engaging Learning Environments eBook; bridging collaborative classroom design elements with CPI behavior management techniques.
Dementia Care
Living With Dementia Means Living in The Moment
Our hope for 2022 is that every person living with dementia is enabled to fulfill their potential and live with quality of life, in each moment.
Education
Unlocking the Power of Active Listening Leadership
Active listening leadership builds bridges of possibility while attending to the gaps of dissension that keep schools and organizations from thriving.
General
CPI Introduces the Certified Instructor Professional Association (CIPA)
The Professional Enrichment Series of speakers is available exclusively to CPI Certified Instructor Professional Association (CIPA) members.
Health Care
Top 5 Workplace Safety Resources for Health Care Professionals
Health care professionals will find these CPI prevention and de-escalation resources beneficial as they navigate through 2022.
Education
Caring for Students Exposed to Negative Peer Behavior
When students see negative peer behavior, don’t ignore it. Help them understand what’s behind the behavior and start creating cultures of felt safety.
Education
Support Students Who Present Challenging Behaviors
The best behavior management training not only helps educators address challenging behaviors in students; it helps the students themselves.
Education
What Makes a Resilient Educator?
A resilient educator is a critical component to student success and staff retention. Learn strategies for empowering yourself and your colleagues.
Education
Reading Resources for Teachers: Top 10 of 2021
Educators like you found these reading resources for teachers helpful this year. Download your personal copies and share the links with your fellow educators.
Dementia Care
A Holiday Message from Our Team
This holiday season, our team has a very special message to share.
Health Care
A Culture of Safety in Health Care? It Starts With Civility.
Health care environments mired in incivility will be hard-pressed to achieve a culture of safety. It takes collaboration and a commitment to change.
Education
Managing Student Behavior is About More Than You Think
Educators need to model emotional self-regulation before they can begin managing student behavior in a way that builds character and independence.
Dementia Care
Preparing the Holidays for People with Dementia
While holidays for people with dementia may not be the same as they were, knowing how to adapt traditions and celebrations can still bring joy to all.
Health Care
Hospital Security Directors: Bridging Departments for a Safer Facility
Hospital security directors are experts on workplace violence prevention, but a safe hospital requires that every department collaborate to reduce risks. This is where CPI comes in.
Education
Students Communicate Through Behavior. Are You Listening?
Once we understand that all behavior is communication, we begin to hear our students’ feelings, validate them, and manage a healthier learning environment for everyone.
Health Care
What To Do When an Agitated Patient Starts Screaming at You
Knowing how to respond to an agitated patient can mean the difference between de-escalating the situation or allowing it to escalate into a crisis.
Dementia Care
Serving Those Who Served: Dementia in Veterans
They served our country with honor. But when the physical and emotional toll of that service leads to dementia in veterans, it’s our turn to serve.
Education
Intuition vs. Logic: How Educators Can Keep Their Emotional Brain in Check
You can’t make rational decisions in your classroom if you are too emotional, but you need the emotional brain to rationally sort through options, too. CPI share strategies to help educators find that balance.
Behavioral Health
Support All Levels of Risk: Advanced Physical Intervention Training
Learn how CPI Advanced Physical Skills training extends beyond advanced physical interventions, providing problem-solving and decision-making skills that benefit all levels of risk.
Education
3 Ways To Turn Ultimatums Into Positive Student Interactions
Educators who know how to turn ultimatums into positive student interactions can strengthen relationships instead of challenging or damaging them.
Dementia Care
Optimizing Mental Health for those Living with Dementia and their Loved Ones
You can help those living with dementia and their loved ones “live well” by taking the time to understand and address their mental and emotional health.
Dementia Care
Chemical Restraints in Nursing Homes: Dementia Care Specialists Responds to NY Times Article
Dementia Care Specialists responds to a news article on the over-use of chemical restraints in nursing homes and explains why person-centered care is the answer to achieving better outcomes.
Dementia Care
Help People with Dementia and Their Loved Ones Thrive
You can help people with dementia by offering care, service and support that addresses the individual’s personhood as well as the needs of their loved ones.
Health Care
Joint Commission Best Practices for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
CPI focuses on the workplace violence prevention program best practice from the Joint Commission, outlined in their 2021 updated standards.
Health Care
How Crisis Intervention Training Helped a Hospital Reduce Workplace Violence
This study shows that putting just 2% of payroll toward crisis prevention training can reduce the potential for hospital workplace violence by 23%. 
Education
Three Strategies for Creating Positive Classroom Routines
Teachers who relentlessly model consistent positive classroom routines can help eliminate anxiety, insecurity, and challenging behaviors in their students.
Dementia Care
Understanding and Responding to Dementia Related Distress Behaviors
Preventing or reducing the incidences of distress behaviors in people living with dementia starts by successfully identifying the triggers.
Education
CPI Training Helped Me Address Student Trauma
Teachers have an important role to play in dealing with student trauma. CPI training can help you make a lasting, positive impact in children’s lives.
Dementia Care
It’s Vital to Identify and Support Clients with Dementia in Home Care
Home care clients living with dementia, or symptom positive and not diagnosed, need their family and care team working as one to maintain quality of life.
Education
4 Tips for Helping a Student with Anxiety
A new school year brings new experiences, and new anxieties. Helping a student with anxiety can be as simple as embracing these four strategies.
Education
Behavior is Communication: A Deeper Dive
Educators know that behavior is communication. But do you know what’s beneath the behavior as you interact with your students all day long?
Education
Make Being Supportive Your Superpower
Being supportive of an anxious person means we take the time to understand and share their feelings in a way that is empathic and nonjudgmental.
Education
Introduce Felt Safety to Your School
Encouraging teachers and students alike to express what they need to achieve felt safety can help school leaders create cultures of belonging and connection.
Health Care
Joint Commission Best Practices for Monitoring Safety Incidents
CPI gives you a closer look at one of the four best practices the Joint Commission outlined in their 2021 updated workplace violence prevention standards.
Education
The Importance of Positive School Climate and Classroom Culture
A positive school climate that supports and empowers teachers and students alike can drive a range of positive outcomes that extend far beyond the classroom.
Education
What is Trauma-Informed Teaching and a Trauma-Responsive School? 
In trauma-informed teaching and a trauma-responsive school, social and emotional learning occur throughout the day, creating a culture of safety and connection.
Education
Re-creating a Learning Environment
Creating a learning environment that stresses routine, connection, and quality over quantity can rebuild emotional and physical stamina lost during the pandemic.
Health Care
Joint Commission Best Practices for Training, Education, and Resources
CPI gives you a closer look at one of the four best practices the Joint Commission outlined in their 2021 updated workplace violence prevention standards.
Education
Our Nervous Systems and Trauma-Informed Teaching
Settled adult bodies produce settled student bodies: Prioritize emotional connection as a key element of trauma-informed teaching in upcoming school years.
Health Care
2021 Joint Commission Standards: Q&A
Review frequently asked questions surrounding the updated Joint Commission standards and find solutions to help guide you as you navigate meeting them with CPI.
Dementia Care
Supporting and educating families who have loved ones with dementia in senior living
You can help family members who don’t have regular, in-person contact with a loved one living with dementia feel informed and involved.
Dementia Care
How Do I Earn a Dementia Care Specialization? (Part 2 of 2)
Part two of this series explores questions to ask as you explore dementia care training and a specialist credential.
Dementia Care
What is a Dementia Care Specialist? (Part 1 of 2)
Part one of this series from CPI explores a Dementia Care Specialist title and what it means to earn a Dementia Care Specialization.
Dementia Care
COVID-19 and Memory Care
The April Dementia Care Specialists blog looks back at the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the memory care community and highlights the heroes that rallied around long-term care centers.
Behavioral Health
The Integrated Experience and the Power of Positive Behavior
Dive into the Integrated Experience and hear from CPI staff and Certified Instructors on ways to ensure the behaviors you’re influencing are positive and calm.
Education
New CPI Program for Educators: Classroom Culture Training
CPI’s new Classroom Culture Training is for education professionals interested in fostering a positive culture within each classroom.
Behavioral Health
The Powerful Decision-Making Tool That Helps Reduce Behavioral Risk Factors
CPI’s Decision-Making MatrixSM is a powerful tool that assesses behavioral risk factors and the steps you can take to prevent, plan for, and identify crises.
Behavioral Health
Managing the Noncompliant Person
CPI’s blog explains how to deal with a noncompliant person without losing your cool or chance at compliance.
Education
How Trauma-Informed Schools Help Every Student Succeed
CPI’s blog discusses how trauma-informed practices in schools can lead to a safer, more resilient student body, staff, and community.
Dementia Care
Cognitive Assessment Tools
CPI’s blog provides an introduction and overview of the Allen Cognitive Level Screen, one of the important cognitive assessment tools for dementia caregivers.
Education
How Teachers Can Help Students Be Successful
CPI’s blog provides supportive techniques teachers can apply to help students be successful during the school year.
Behavioral Health
What’s Behind the Aggression?
CPI’s blog discusses how the influence of precipitating factors can lead to aggressive behavior.
Behavioral Health
How to Avoid Power Struggles
Is there someone who constantly baits you into a power struggle? This will help you change things from negative to productive.
General
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care can help you more effectively support individuals in crisis; CPI has the resources that can help.
Dementia Care
Help for Caregivers of Dementia Patients: Person-Centered Care
CPI’s blog introduces you to person-centered care, with tips on how it provides help for caregivers of dementia patients.
Education
Facing Back-to-School Anxiety
Learn the impact COVID-19 had on teachers, and how CPI’s COPING ModelSM can help guide you in future situations related to back-to-school anxiety and crisis teaching.
Dementia Care
Essential Dementia Caregiver Tips
CPI’s blog shares how a person-centered perspective can provide help for caregivers of dementia patients.
General
THINK Before You Speak, PAUSE Before You Act
Want to minimize challenging behaviors and encourage learning? This article teaches us that pausing before we act can lead to great success in the classroom.
Behavioral Health
CPI's Crisis Development Model: An Opportunity for a Positive Outcome
Learn more about CPI’s Crisis Development ModelSM including how to identify behaviors at each level and effective staff approaches to crisis behavior.
General
4 Simple Ways to Foster Meaningful Respect at Work
Cultures of caring and safety are rooted in respect. But how do you establish a common language of respect when somebody else’s definition of it might be vastly different from yours? These tips will help.
Dementia Care
Compassion Fatigue Symptoms and Strategies
CPI’s blog breaks down compassion fatigue symptoms and provides strategies for recovery.
General
Virtual Learning for a Virtual World: CPI training keeps pace with an evolving world
The need for empathic person-centered care has led CPI to launch new virtual and blended training solutions that ensure well-being for every learner.
Behavioral Health
Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health Conditions
CPI's blog helps establish a mental health awareness and provides the steps you can take to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Dementia Care
5 Helpful Caregiving Tips for Those Living With Dementia
If you care for a loved one living with some form of dementia, these practical tips can make daily life better for them—and for you.
Behavioral Health
Ten Reflections on Person-Centered Care
10 CPI Certified Instructors share how they bring person-centered care to life in their teaching and their work.
Education
Classroom Management Techniques
If you are looking for ways to manage challenging classroom behavior, these six tips from CPI can assist you.
General
Tips on Effective Virtual Training
These five tips can help to ensure that your virtual training is a success!
General
Managing Distress After a Crisis
These nine tips will teach you how to shift your perspective after a crisis in order to maintain calm.
General
Tips for Managing Stressful Interactions at the Polls
These four techniques will help you avoid or de-escalate tense situations, keep stress low, and your environment calm.
Dementia Care
New Dementia Capable Care, 2nd Edition
Learn about the updates to CPI’s Dementia Capable Care program, and the benefits for you and your organization.
General
Guidelines to Train Your Staff Virtually During COVID-19
Learn tips, ideas, and strategies for delivering virtual training that maximizes staff competencies.
Education
New Training Requirements for VA School Resource Officers and School Security Officers
Are you complying with VA Senate Bill 171, requiring new training standards for school resource officers and school security officers?
General
Crisis Prevention Institute Update from Tony Jace, CEO
With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continuing to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19, we wanted to assure you that the Crisis Prevention Institute is actively monitoring developments in the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.
Retail
Verbal Intervention: 7 Effective Strategies
Get tips for safe, respectful, and effective verbal intervention.
Health Care
Responding to Abusive Patient Behavior
Discover the ten ways to defuse incidents, three pitfalls to avoid when training staff, and guidance on how to reduce the risks of restraints.
Dementia Care
Shaping Memory Care Spaces to Empower Individual Abilities EFA 2020
DCS's pre-conference workshop gives all dementia professionals the knowledge to create exceptional memory care spaces that empower residents.
General
Simplicity and Clarity in the Face of Terror: Honoring a Painful Anniversary
The simple and clear principles of CPI training are relevant not just to workplace violence, but also to mass crisis events.
Health Care
Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Rebuilding My Life
I help people who are undergoing brain injury rehabilitation rebuild their futures. But when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I needed help rebuilding my own.
General
Neurocounseling and Trauma
Helping someone cope and heal? Use the link between neurocounseling and trauma to help them re-pave the path that trauma laid in their brain.
General
Lacking Support for Your Training? Look No Further
CPI leadership gives you the tips and tricks you need to gain organization buy-in and set Instructors and training up for success.
Behavioral Health
Are You Using These 6 Core Strategies for Reducing Restraint and Seclusion?
Need help reducing restraint and seclusion? You can achieve your goals — with leadership, the Six Core Strategies, and the right staff training.
Security
How to Boost Security & Clinical Teamwork
By improving security and clinical teamwork, hospitals are reducing violence — often by 50% or more — and you can too.
Behavioral Health
Seclusion and Restraint in Psychiatric Hospitals & Units: Dramatically Reducing It
Want to decrease restraint use by 62% or more? Reducing seclusion and restraint in psychiatric hospitals & departments is possible with this proven approach.
Health Care
What Is CPI Training for Nurses?
If you’re wondering “What is CPI training for nurses?” It’s the key to making your job a lot easier – and there are studies that prove it.
Education
School Safety Grants: Where to Find Them and How to Apply
Finding funds for school safety training can be tough. This blog is designed to help you find school safety grants, and how to apply for them.
Health Care
Environment of Care Management—Is Your Security Plan as Strong as It Should Be?
Environment of Care standards aren’t just about compliance or accreditation—they’re the way to sustain a culture of safety for staff, patients, and visitors.
Behavioral Health
Psychiatric Policy and Procedures: 4 Tips for Shifting From Institutional to Individual
Want your psychiatric policy and procedures to really WORK at keeping staff & patients safe? Try these tips to make your rules less institutional and more individual.
Health Care
Need Strategies for How to Improve HCAHPS Scores? Try These
Knowing how to improve HCAHPS scores is crucial to being a market leader, vital to reimbursement, and critical to the reason hospitals exist: patient care.
Health Care
Teamwork in Healthcare: How Our Security & Psychiatry Teams Improved Patient Safety Together
Nurse Educator Sara Holland built a bridge between siloed departments toward teamwork in healthcare. The result? Dramatically improved patient outcomes.
Health Care
Hospital Culture: 5 Tips for Changing Yours
The right tools can help you turn your hospital culture around so you can safely manage (and PREVENT!) violence.
Health Care
Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Need effective methods for preventing workplace violence in healthcare? Get the right tools (and not the wrong ones) to keep everyone safe.
Retail
Considering Human Factors in Crisis Communication Plans
When an emergency happens at work, you need a solid plan in place to ensure that everyone is safe and prepared.
Human Services
A Veteran Crisis Manager Shares Her Tips for Culturally Sensitive Training
Recently, CPI Global Professional Manager Lesley Rynders blogged about the challenges of building a common language of respect and caring in the workplace—in particular, the fact that our unique cultural experiences can inform our individual perceptions of what “respect” and “caring” truly mean. Read on to learn how crisis managers develop their crisis management skills.
Dementia Care
Person-Centered Ways to Meet the Psychosocial Needs of the Elderly
The psychosocial needs of elderly residents in nursing homes can be better fulfilled through comprehensive person-centered care delivery—with added benefits to staff and organizational performance, too.
General
How CPI Training Made Us Confident Crisis Managers
Even the most experienced crisis managers were once first-time CPI Certified Instructors. Find out how they used their newfound skills to nurture cultures of compassionate, constructive crisis management in their workplaces.
Health Care
Rethinking Physical Restraints in the ICU: How Nurses Are Leading the Way
Physical restraints are frequently employed in the ICU setting, but are linked to an array of adverse outcomes. Nurses around the world are leading the charge to shift paradigms about this practice.
Behavioral Health
Trauma and Addiction: How to Support Lasting Recovery
Trauma and addiction are closely related—an experienced clinician shares the trauma-informed approaches that can support lasting recovery.
General
7 Key Questions Our Customers Ask About CPI Training
Investing in CPI training is an important decision—one that can have lasting benefits for your organization. Here are seven great questions we frequently hear from our customers (and the answers, of course!).
Education
What Out-of-School Suspensions Really Cost Students—and What Educators Can Do About It
In a single school year, more than 11 million days of instruction time were lost entirely due to out-of-school suspensions. Finding a solution has never been more imperative. Learn what you can do to make sustainable, positive changes in your school’s approach to behavior management.
Dementia Care
What I’ve Learned About Helping a Loved One with Dementia
Shifting your paradigm can awaken new possibilities for a positive experience in caring for a loved one with dementia. Senior Global Professional Instructor Dan Lonigro shares what he learned when he became a full-time caregiver for a parent with dementia.
Education
It’s Time to Think Globally About Ending Violence in Schools
A new UNICEF report confirms that the short-term and long-term effects of violence in schools are too great to be ignored. Learn more about five significant kinds of violence that impact students around the world, and what action you can take to help end violence in schools everywhere.
Human Services
Stay Even Safer When Conducting Off-Site Visits with These Expert Tips
If you’re visiting a client, student, or patient at home or elsewhere off-site, these newly expanded and updated tips from Senior Level Certified Instructor and clinician T.D. Loftus can help you stay safer.
General
Are You the Parent of an Adult Struggling with Addiction? Try These Tips
If you’re the parent of an adult struggling with substance abuse, these five strategies can help you care for yourself and your child in a constructive way that supports recovery.
Health Care
Debriefing: The Tool You Need to Improve Transparency and Trust
CRPs are changing the way clinical staff and those in their care interact after a crisis. Debriefing compliments a range of associated best practices by providing space to process trauma, evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention, and plan successfully for future prevention—ultimately enriching organizational cultures with person-centered values.
Health Care
Second Victims—Trauma, Treatment, and the Trouble with Tricky Terminology
As many as half of all clinical professionals will experience a traumatic patient-involved event. Sometimes referred to as “Second Victims”, is your culture of safety equipped to empower their recovery?
Health Care
How Many Hospital Violence Prevention Opportunities Are You Missing?
Some of the simplest hospital violence prevention opportunities are hiding in plain sight. Do you know how to spot them?
Dementia Care
Do Your Care Staff Have the Training They Need to Fulfill These CMS Requirements?
The latest CMS requirements insist that long-term care partners apply an interdisciplinary approach to person-centered care that supports an individual’s best abilities to thrive. Dementia Care Specialists has responded with a powerful new training solution and innovative, enhanced curriculum.
Dementia Care
6 Tips for Telling a Loved One It’s Time to Stop Driving
For many adults, driving is a critical part of maintaining a sense of independence and autonomy. A Dementia Care Specialists Global Professional shares her advice for broaching a conversation with a loved one about driving in a way that preserves their dignity—as well as their safety.
Education
Integration and Inclusion: 6 Steps to Student Success
To start developing an inclusive model at your school, integrate students with special education needs into mainstream learning environments. Laura Seckington shares her process for planning and developing an integrated classroom where all students can collaborate and thrive.
Dementia Care
How TMC Is Transforming Memory Care—With Training
After training more than 650 care partners across the country, this Dementia Capable Society Leader shared remarkable feedback.
General
What You CAN Do – Meaningful Action Matters in the Face of Violence
In the wake of yet another mass shooting, our belief is simple: every person deserves a safe and peaceful world, and each of us can play a part in making that world a reality, because no effort one person might make is too small to matter.
Education
Behavior Impacts Behavior: Diving Deeper Into Children’s Perspectives on Kindness and Caring
Review a recent survey by the Making Caring Common Project and the Cartoon Network and glean key feedback from grade schoolers about how they perceive kindness and caring—and how adults can help.
Dementia Care
When Person-Centered Care Becomes Policy
Person-centered care is no longer simply a best practice. It’s now a mandate to learn the life stories of the individuals in acute, post-acute, and long-term care settings—which means that positive outcomes are now more possible than ever.
Education
School Safety—It’s Time to Give Teachers the Training They Deserve
Educators engage directly with the next generation of citizens—so why aren’t we empowering them to do the best job they can, in the safest way possible?
Dementia Care
How We Can Help Those Living Alone With Alzheimer’s and Dementia
More than a million people with Alzheimer’s live alone in the US. It’s time to come together as a society to make sure that each and every one of them has the support they need.
General
What Are You Doing About Workplace Violence Prevention?
Workplaces are critical hubs where otherwise divergent populations intersect—which is why workplace violence prevention isn’t just about your organization, it’s about making a safer and more caring world for all people.
Behavioral Health
Want to Reduce the Risks of Restraint? Master Your Supportive Stance.
A Master Level Certified Instructor and experienced school psychologist shares a powerful story about the risks of restraint—and how we can keep ourselves and those in our care truly safe and supported during a crisis.
Human Services
How to Build a Healthy Organizational Culture in Human Services
Change isn’t only POSSIBLE when it comes to organizational culture in human services. It’s CRITICAL to providing the support clients need to recover, grow, and thrive.
Education
The Case for a Culture of Caring in Schools
Children are looking to adults more than ever to take a bold step forward in establishing cultures of caring and safety in their schools. Training can help cultivate lasting empathy and kindness in the community of the classroom—ultimately leading to a safer and more caring world for all of us.
Education
Restorative Practices Cultivate Caring, Empathy, and Community in Schools
Restorative practices support meaningful cultures of caring in which staff and students can connect, learn, and thrive.
Dementia Care
Geriatric Care Staff Want More Training On-Site—And It’s More Feasible Than You Think
On-site geriatric-focused education improves staff retention, supports positive outcomes for residents, and is a critical component to readying our culture to support the largest American population of elders yet.
Dementia Care
6 Ways to Advocate for Your Aging Loved One’s Health Needs
Advocating for an aging loved one can be challenging, but these simple strategies can help you stay organized and effective as liaison between elders and their care providers.
General
Does Your Training Meet OSHA Violence in the Workplace Guidelines?
Make sure your violence prevention training stacks up by checking its curriculum against OSHA violence in the workplace guidelines.
Education
Student Management Techniques from an Education Expert
Effective student management is rooted in experience—this veteran educator shares evidence-based strategies that really work.
General
Solid Strategies for Difficult Conversations at Work
Nobody likes to give bad news—but these pointers can help you facilitate difficult conversations at work in a professional, person-centered way.
Behavioral Health
Disruptive Behavior Can Be Safely Managed--These Tools Can Help
Understanding disruptive behavior can help you start an informed, actionable conversation with your staff about why ongoing training is so critical.
General
Take a Supportive Stance in Your Collegial Communication
Professional colleagues benefit from the same Empathic Listening and focused attention that we give to our clients—so why don’t we give it as generously? 
General
Conflict Resolution in the Workplace Starts With Confident Leadership
Conflict resolution in the workplace shouldn’t be avoided or feared—take the lead in promoting a caring and respectful work environment.
Dementia Care
7 Questions Every Alzheimer’s Caregiver Should Ask the Doctor
When the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, an ongoing conversation with your loved one’s physician can help ensure person-centered, quality care.
General
5 Practical Tips for Coping with Toxic Behaviors
Guest author Anna Ciulla returns with key insights on using limit setting to heal and strengthen relationships with loved ones.
General
The Underlying Factor
One hospital’s internal debriefing memo from a fateful week in 1963 still has powerful relevance today.
General
The Surprising Science of Practicing Gratitude
Engaging in a daily practice of conscious gratitude can transform the world around you—and make a profound difference in your mental health.
Education
Making Sense of School Climate Survey Results
School climate surveys can help improve staff retention and transform student outcomes, by matching specific pain points with practical fixes.
Behavioral Health
5 Effective Tools for Coping with Traumatic Memories
Trauma is a hidden epidemic, but recovery is possible—guest blogger Anna Ciulla shares resources that support lasting healing.
Dementia Care
Peconic Landing’s Harbor South Embodies the Vision of a Dementia Capable Society
With their recent Distinguished Provider recognition, Peconic Landing’s Harbor South community exemplifies engagement and empowerment as a dementia capable society.
Health Care
Decoding Horizontal Violence in Nursing
Nurses face the greatest risk of horizontal violence at work, but this risk can be reversed with the right organization-wide training and support.
General
A Surprising Way to Help Children and Adults Harness Empathy
Nobody wants their child to be a bully, but empathy levels are dropping among youth. One mom developed a powerful exercise to help children (and adults) reconnect to their compassion.
Dementia Care
Reflections of Gratitude from the Toni Finn Dementia Symposium
Kim Warchol shares her experience attending the Toni Finn Dementia Symposium and advocating for Dementia Capable Care.
Dementia Care
Beau Ridge Independent Living Earns Our Distinguished Provider Award
Beau Ridge Independent Living & Memory Care Assisted Living is the latest recipient of Dementia Care Specialists' Distinguished Provider recognition.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Allow Time for Decisions
A person’s stress rises when they feel rushed. Allowing time brings calm.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Allow Silence for Reflection
Silence can be a powerful communication tool when de-escalating an individual in crisis.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Choose Wisely What You Insist Upon
It's important to be thoughtful in deciding which rules are negotiable, and which are not.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Set Limits
Stock your toolbox with these tips, resources, and perspectives on using your CPI training at work and home. 
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Ignore Challenging Questions
Redirect challenging behavior and restore focus to the issue at hand.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Focus on Feelings
Sometimes just being present can be a powerful force of a calm in a crisis.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Avoid Overreacting
Keeping your cool in a crisis might be easier said than done, but it can facilitate real healing for a person in need.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Use Nonthreatening Nonverbals
A former prosecutor’s tip for connecting with jurors is readily adaptable to helping calm an individual in crisis.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Respect Personal Space
Defuse tension in a crisis by taking a Supportive Stance℠.
General
De-Escalation Tip of the Day: Be Empathic and Nonjudgmental
Mindful compassion can take a situation from conflict to connection.
General
Coping and Healing in a World Shaped by Crisis
Traumatic events can leave long shadows across our lives, but with resilience and courage, recovery is possible.
Education
5 Ways You Can Take a Supportive Stance in Your Classroom
With practical tips for a positive, effective approach, a seasoned instructor shares even more of her insights on integrating CPI into the special education setting.
Education
5 Strategies for a Stronger School Year
Blend CPI training and PBIS approaches for success in the classroom all year long.
General
We Asked CPI Instructors: Is Kindness Worth It?
What’s the true cost of kindness in the schedule of busy staff? CPI Certified Instructors answer.
A Safe Work Environment Starts With You
We’ve packed this post with free resources and training to help you jump-start a culture of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security℠ at your health care facility.
Dementia Care
Stories From the Front Lines of Memory Care
Why is dementia training so critical for staff? Because it can give memory care residents a second chance at enjoying life in a real way.
General
Radiant Reflections: FlexMKE 2017
Looking back at our 2017 Instructors’ Conference, we celebrate the relationships, growth, and camaraderie that make being a Certified Instructor so meaningful.
Behavioral Health
What Steps Can You Take to Set Healthy Boundaries?
Healthy boundaries are a key component of mental health. But what are they really, and how do you establish them in your relationships?
Behavioral Health
5 Easy Tips for Effective Limit Setting
Limit setting isn’t just a skill for crisis prevention; it’s a tool that can help you negotiate any challenge, big or small.
Dementia Care
Rosemary’s Face: A Portrait of Person-Centered Care
In the end, it’s what we can give that counts the most: the best quality of life possible, regardless of disease, dementia, or disability.
Retail
Substance Abuse in the Workplace: A Person-Centered Approach
A substance abuse policy protects the development of your workplace, and demonstrates your capacity for compassionate leadership.
Dementia Care
Dementia Training for CNAs: Memory Care Can’t Happen Without It
Treating key staff as assets instead of liabilities makes them better caregivers—and reduces the high rate of turnover that plagues memory care facilities.
Dementia Care
Adventures in Animal-Assisted Memory Care
All kinds of pets have therapeutic potential when it comes to memory care, just ask me, and my traveling petting zoo.
Dementia Care
Giving Your Parents Quality Time Improves Their Quality of Life
My mom has early onset-dementia. She was there for me when I needed her most, and now it’s time for me to be there for her.
Behavioral Health
A Code Gray With a Silver Lining
A successful implementation of CPI training meant that no physical intervention was needed to de-escalate a combative patient.
Behavioral Health
Neuroplasticity and Trauma: 5 Powerful Ways to Support Recovery
Empowering someone to cope and heal? Use the link between neuroplasticity and trauma to help them re-pave the path trauma laid in their brain.
General
IACET Accreditation Ensures More Opportunities for YOU Through CPI!
CPI is pleased to announce that we are now an accredited training provider through the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)!
Health Care
A Powerful Team-Building Exercise
With this activity, your staff will see how they’re stronger collectively as they work to achieve a goal.
Dementia Care
Activities for Dementia: How to Engage Seniors in Arts & Crafts
If you're looking for crafts for seniors with dementia, you'll love this excerpt from our Activity Planning Book!
Behavioral Health
5 Easy Tips for Effective Limit Setting
Creating a supportive environment for recovery in your family may not ultimately be up to you, but there are concrete things that anyone can do in pursuit of that goal.
Dementia Care
CMS Dementia Focused Survey: Top 10 Rules and How to Comply
With evidence-based, best-practice solutions, we can help you ensure compliance and avoid fines and citations.
Dementia Care
5 Memory Care Tips for Mother’s Day
Make Mother’s Day special for a person with dementia by taking a flexible, focused and hopeful approach to holiday traditions with these five ways to celebrate.
Human Services
If Your Job Robs Your Hope, Try This
Caring for a living is hard. Here's an incredible chance to make life easier for yourself and everyone around you.
Behavioral Health
A Candy Bar and a Handshake
Randy had no hope in his life. But when two caring people listened, they offered him a tipping point.
Behavioral Health
The Blessing of This Curse
I understand what it is to struggle every day. And I find that we're all more alike than different.
Behavioral Health
The Truth About Mental Illness
Myth: Mentally ill people are violent. Hidden truth: People with mental illness are more likely to be victims, rather than perpetrators, of violence.
General
How Working Together Stopped Our Organization From Shutting Down
What we learned through our struggle boiled down to one thing. Without it, no organization can progress.
Human Services
Mindful Practice: 12 Tips for the Busy Social Worker
These tips have worked for me, for other social workers, and anyone willing to give them a try!
Education
Welcoming Pivotal Education to the CPI Family
We have exciting news because we’re committed to helping educators and students everywhere THRIVE!
Dementia Care
Reduce Off-Label Meds for Dementia by Modifying the Home
Off-label medications are often prescribed for agitation, sleeplessness, and depression, but they have dangerous side effects.
Education
3 Ways to Teach Kids the Importance of Teamwork
With these fun strategies, kids will absorb lessons about how to conduct themselves in team-based situations—without even realizing they’re learning!
General
How We Pulled Dad Out of Depression
Mandatory retirement sent Dad into a downward spiral. Things kept getting worse, until we took 5 steps to help him recover.
Dementia Care
How to Build a Positive Relationship With Your Client's Family
Here are three powerful ways to provide peace of mind for your client and their family.
Dementia Care
Alzheimer’s Dementia: What Is This New Term?
When a person displays these symptoms of impaired functional cognition, they are said to have Alzheimer’s dementia.
Behavioral Health
Art Therapy: An Effective Addiction Treatment Method
Art therapy is all about replacing a negative coping technique with a positive one. Here's how to use it in the addiction recovery process.
General
Your Mind Is a Garden. Your Thoughts Are the Seeds.
“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.” Share this meme to spread the message of mindfulness!
Education
Come See CPI at the CEC Convention and Expo!
If you're going to the biggest special education event of the year, swing by our booth to ask questions, pick up free resources, or just say hello!
Education
The Secret Balance of How We Establish Rapport on Our School Buses
When an employee can jump in and say, “I’m CPI certified—do you need help?”, it brings a feeling of relief for the other staff member.
Behavioral Health
5 Tips for Helping a Troubled Family Member
When a family member is having problems, it can be hard to know how to help them. Try these tips to improve the situation.
Behavioral Health
What's the Likelihood of a Behavior?
A client wanted more alone time. Staff weren't sure if it was safe. Here's how we made the best choice.
General
I Am an Unfinished Circle
"I may not be perfect, nor am I complete. But I will try my earnest to keep those I meet safe from the monster inside of me."
Behavioral Health
A Surprising Way to Stay Safe From Fights
What should you do when someone strikes you? While that's a smart, practical question, there's a better one you should ask before a punch is even thrown.
Dementia Care
What’s Missing in Memory Care Facilities
One of the root causes of the problems we all seek to solve is simple in nature and vital to fix.
General
How to Handle the Health Effects of Bullying
The mental stress caused by bullying can lead to digestive issues, heart disease, and even allergies. Here's how to prevent health problems.
Health Care
Everything You Wanted to Know About Hospice Care but Were Afraid to Ask
Hospice care is an uncomfortable topic for many families. Here are some FAQs to help you understand a philosophy of care that acknowledges death while valuing life.
Education
A Surprisingly Simple Way to Get Kids Reading
A teacher sent a letter to a publishing house asking for children’s books. A week later she got a phone call asking, “Where should I back the truck up to?”
Education
How Can You Prevent School Violence in Texas?
Stay safe and keep your students safe. Here's a breakdown of a whitepaper on the resources available to you as an educator in Texas.
General
Debriefing Techniques: How to Use Them for Prevention
Take a deep dive into debriefing techniques, and improve staff consistency while you’re at it.
Education
How the Primal Brain Affects Behavior
What's going on when someone screams at you or gets upset? Something physiological is happening in their brain. And there are things you can do.
General
New Year, New You: 6 Ways to Get Clean
The pain of withdrawal can be horrific. But there are surprising ways to fight withdrawal and make the process as pain-free as possible.
Dementia Care
5 Tips for Designing a Dementia-Capable Memory Care Environment
Avoid pitfalls like a one-size-fits-all approach, and get expert advice on how to design a memory care facility that helps people with dementia thrive.
Dementia Care
A Therapist's Guide to Laws and Regulations in Dementia Care
Medicare denial practices are loosening. And you're more empowered than ever as a professional by the National Alzheimer's Project Act and the IMPACT Act.
Dementia Care
Dementia Training Urgency
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Dementia Care
Learn How to Design a Dementia-Friendly Living Space
Are you ready to raise the standard for memory care? Join dementia expert Sharon Host at the EFA Conference this February!
Dementia Care
Music and Dementia Expert Roundup
Music and Dementia: Music has the power to evoke the past for someone with dementia, and lift their heart with joy.
Behavioral Health
When a Cry for Help Is Hidden Behind Anger: 5 Ways to Help Someone Recover From Addiction
The brain of someone struggling with addiction is hardwired to undermine good judgment. But there are ways you can help them on the path to healing.
Education
Top 10 Resources for Educators
Whether you're looking to reduce class disruptions or just trying to get through the day, this year's top resources can help YOU and your students thrive!
General
Top 10 Resources for Crisis Prevention
Do you face serious problems that seem like they can't be reduced? Check out our most popular resources of 2016 to help you make things better.
Health Care
I Advocate for Restraint Reduction. Then My Sister Was Put in Restraints.
When what you fight for in your work becomes a battle in your personal life, your mission hits home hard.
Dementia Care
How Will the IMPACT Act Impact Your Dementia Care Community?
Find out how you can meet the requirements and make life better for your residents and their families.
General
What Inspires Me About My Job: A Company With a Purpose
From a vibrant, Red-Bull-chugging CEO to a mission that changes lives, I see a company that's driven by meaning, passion, and a belief in what we do.
General
The Road to Rational Detachment
An exciting trip I took expanded my love for the concept of Rational Detachment.
Behavioral Health
Your Ultimate Gift Guide for the Kid With Asperger’s in Your Life
Shopping is easy with these 7 tips, plus loads of insight into the Aspie world!
General
Strategies for Parents to Cope With Children’s Difficult Behavior
Parents, you are not alone! There are ways to handle the stress and make things better when your child is displaying difficult behaviors.
Behavioral Health
3 Keys to Help Staff Cope With Secondary Trauma
Hearing the shocking stories of our clients can have a devastating effect, especially over time. These keys can be the antidotes.
Dementia Care
The Medicare IMPACT Act and Dementia Care
With Dementia Capable Care, you can meet the challenges of the CMS Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Act, or the IMPACT Act.
Education
Emotional Self Regulation: Techniques for Teaching
Improve learning and life by teaching emotional self regulation skills.
General
The Skills That Saved Us on Southwest Flight 201
I was in the middle of the plane when a man started shouting and moving aggressively up the cabin.
Dementia Care
How Therapy in Home Health Helps Families With Dementia
When family members struggle to keep their loved ones at home, trained therapists can help in many ways.
General
The Terrible Things That Happen Without Compassion
Pain tries to tell us things. Here's why we need to listen.
General
CPI Is Not a Self-Defense Class
Sometimes your participants will want to release their inner ninja. But that's not what CPI is about.
General
7 Tips for Empathic Listening
Sometimes people simply need to be heard. Here’s how you can show them your compassion and empathy by listening.
General
The Value of Frequent Training
When you renew your learning in fresh new ways, you prevent training drift and build stronger skills.
Behavioral Health
How to Stay Safe During Home Visits
It can be scary being alone on someone else's turf. Try these 15 tips to practice prevention and stay safe.
Human Services
One Thing We Forget When We Care for a Living
Human services work works with humans. And let’s admit it: We aren’t the easiest species to get along with.
General
When Domestic Violence Intersects With Your Workplace
Domestic violence can spill over into the workplace, but you can prevent and respond to incidents—and meet victims' needs.
General
5 Things You Need to Know About Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training
What if you could deconstruct the chaos of crisis and defuse, rather than escalate, a situation?
General
Ordinary Heroes: Honoring the 15th Anniversary of 9/11
When an announcement over the loudspeaker urged people to stay at their desks, Rick Rescorla grabbed his bullhorn and walkie-talkie and saved 2,700 people.
Dementia Care
Improving Assisted Living for Residents With Dementia: Two Solutions
Too often, residents with Alzheimer's or dementia are not identified or treated appropriately. But the key for success can be turned in two ways.
Behavioral Health
4 Calming Techniques for Kids and Adults
The kids in this video explain how they pause and curb their negative emotions. This is something both kids and adults can do to find a place of calm.
General
Why Good Crisis Prevention Training Is Paramount
Behavioral health intervention specialist D.C. Foster explains how training builds skills for using proportionate interventions.
Education
A Surprising Way to Make This School Year More Productive
For more success, for more students, more of the time, you may find answers by asking an unexpected question.
General
3 Ways to Stop Chaos and Start Respect
What if you could turn on the news and see less hate? We’re all in this together. We need one another.
Dementia Care
“I Want to Go Home!” What Elopement and Wandering Mean for Individuals With Dementia
What should you do when someone with dementia tries to head out? Use these tips for prevention and to understand where the person is really trying to go.
General
Does Staff Training Prevent Harassment?
Training is essential to stop harassment. Here's what it needs to be effective.
Education
5 Ways to Improve Relationships With Educational Assistants & Paraprofessionals
Teachers, here's how to develop rapport with assistants and empower them to help your students learn both academically and behaviorally.
Dementia Care
A Caregiver's Guide: Maximizing Mealtime for People With Dementia
Try these tips from a registered dietitian (and make her nutritious chocolate pudding!) to help someone with dementia enjoy mealtime again.
Dementia Care
Preventing Falls for a Person With Dementia
Whether in a family home or a care facility, falls must - and can - be prevented. Learn how from an OT with special skills in dementia care.
Dementia Care
Validation Therapy: Should You Enter Your Client’s World and Agree With Their Reality?
A man dressed in his best suit to meet his sister when he was reminded that she was dead. This forever changed how I relate to people with dementia.
Dementia Care
What Is the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model?
The Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model helps improve quality of life for persons with dementia by finding things they can do at every stage of the disease.
Education
The Use of Touch: Haptics & Students With Special Needs
Haptics can send different messages in different situations. When is hands-on OK, and when is hands-off the best choice?
Behavioral Health
How Names and Labels Affect Patient Care
Labeling patients as borderlines, schizophrenics, crazies, and nuts shows little compassion and minimizes how a patient is a person who needs our help.
General
How These 3 C’s May Escalate a Situation With Someone in Crisis
If you do something for one of these three reasons, you're not only being motivated by the wrong approach. You're at risk of making the situation explode.
Education
10 Behavior Management Strategies for Educational Assistants & Paraprofessionals
With these strategies, you'll build a go-to tool kit for handling and preventing behavior problems.
Education
How Teachers Create Personal Learning Networks on Social Media
Find out how to create a personal learning network on social media to connect with the latest resources and news about education.
General
The Difference Between School Bullying and Workplace Bullying
There's a difference between why kids and adults bully, and the two motivations actually boil down to the same thing.
Education
Sensory Activities: Celebrate Summer Outdoors
5 fun sensory activities for helping kids with autism improve their cognitive and problem-solving abilities.
Dementia Care
Dementia and Driving
Taking away the car keys is tough for families and distressing for a person with dementia. Here are facts and tips to help.
General
How the Element of Surprise Helps You Conduct Staff Trainings
Try this activity when you're teaching your colleagues about anxiety and crisis development.
Behavioral Health
Our Results With CPI: Restraint Reduction and Client Empowerment
Restraint use has dropped by over 80%. I'm also very happy about what's been happening with at least 10 out of 16 clients.
General
Behavioral Strategies When Confronted With a Weapon
Read and share these simple tips on what to do if you're confronted with a weapon.
Education
6 Ways to Spend Your School’s Year-End Budget Wisely
Your fiscal year may wrap up on June 30, but you have time to unwrap smart safety tools for your school!
Education
School Safety: Strategies for Educators
The best school safety measures are simple, effective, low-cost and no-cost strategies you can put to use right away.
Education
Classroom Management Strategies for Educators
Need classroom management plans that work? Three veteran teachers discuss strategies you can use to stop taking the bait and start streamlining your time.
Dementia Care
12 Ways to Create an Empowering Dementia Environment
Here's how to help someone with dementia feel in control of their life and valued as a person with a history.
General
Try This Exercise in Your Next Crisis Prevention Training
This is a good team builder, and staff tell me it's enormously helpful for showing the value of debriefing and prevention.
Education
What Crisis Prevention Trainees Learned From a Mock Car Crash
As the emergency vehicles arrived on the scene, our trainees didn't know what to expect - not what they learned on Day 2 of training.
Education
10 Tips for Defusing Problem Behavior
Find out the best response for defusing behaviors before a spark can become a fire.
Education
Restraint Reduction With Positive Behavior Supports and CPI Training
With weekly training, we've dramatically reduced physical restraint. We've also gone from 100 lost workdays last year to just one this year.
Education
7 Strategies for Foster Parents
Whether a placement is successful depends on a lot of factors. Use these strategies in your compassionate goal to change a child's life for the better.
Human Services
Helping Children Cope With Traumatic Events
Do you support kids who cope with traumatic events? Use these caring strategies to help them build resilience and heal.
Dementia Care
The Glass Is Half Full for Dementia Care
See what we've been up to as we teach why there's hope for individuals, families, and caregivers on the dementia journey.
General
What IBM's Watson Thinks About CPI Certified Instructors
Watson, a program that analyzes writing styles, uncovered some intriguing trends about our customers’ personalities.
Dementia Care
5 Ways to Celebrate Your Superstar Profession This OT Month
OTs have unique skills to help people with dementia and their families live better lives. Celebrate with these tips.
General
How to Set Limits
Setting limits is one of the most powerful tools to promote positive behavior change for your clients, students, residents, patients, etc.
General
What Is #CWSS and How Can It Help You at Work?
This is so much more than four words. Find out what’s at the heart of what you and CPI do.
Human Services
If Only We Listen, They Will Be Heard
This poem shows how essential it is to care with compassion and patience. I hope it brings bright light to you and our elders.
Behavioral Health
Smart Online Tips for Parents of Children With Special Needs
Nothing matters more than protecting your child in the digital sphere and the real world. Use these tips for a safe online experience for your special child
Dementia Care
3 Simple Ways to Improve Dementia Care Immediately
If you haven't had training, here's what you can do right now to make a difference in someone's life.
Behavioral Health
An Open Letter to a Teacher From a Mom of a Child With Asperger's
Thank you for being so open-hearted with my child! It means so much knowing my son is being cared for as I hoped. It helps more than you can even imagine.
Education
How to Shine a Light on Autism in Your School
What do Play-Doh, light bulbs, and Talk to Me have in common? Try these tools for embracing differences during Autism Awareness Month!
Dementia Care
Precipitating Factors Associated With Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Because of the nature of Alzheimer’s, working with this population requires compassionate caregivers who are educated about psychopathology.
Dementia Care
Iowa Legislation SB 3112 to Require Training for Dementia Caregivers
Pending Iowa legislation SB 3112 establishes minimum training and evaluation requirements for staff working in Alzheimer's/dementia facilities.
Behavioral Health
8 Ways to Help a Child on the Autism Spectrum
When a child with autism is struggling, try these strategies to understand what they need and how to support them with empathy and respect.
General
Prevention Before Intervention: 3 Ways to De-Escalate
Master these three communication skills and you can prevent injuries and violence with your clientele.
General
Personal Resilience: How to Be Resilient When You’re a Caregiver
To stay strong in a crisis (and bounce back when it's over), flex your seven personal resilience muscles.
General
10 Techniques for Teaching Sensitive Topics in CPI Training
Whether you're educating staff on workplace bullying issues, mental illness, or something else, you can steer resistance toward constructive learning.
Health Care
A Pound of Prevention: Putting the P in CPI
The way we use CPI, we get in front of potential issues. In our hospital, it's about prevention in a great many ways.
Human Services
Catfishing: Teens Falling for Fake Online Identities
It is shocking the extent some teens will go to - catfishing fake online personas and often emotionally harming someone else.
Education
How to Manage Passive-Aggressive Behavior in Your Classroom
There are different levels of passive-aggressive behavior, and strategies for dealing with each. Try these keys to getting your classroom under control.
Education
What It Will Take to Reduce Restraint and Seclusion in Wisconsin Schools
An alarming number of students are being restrained or secluded in schools. But together we can make all our schools, students, and staff safer.
General
Here’s How You Can Manage Your Anger
We’ve all had moments when anger sparked regrettable reactions. Sometimes I buried my anger and brushed off issues until they became too much.
Education
Professional Development for Teachers: Now Every Educator Can Get CPI Training
Ever been through such effective professional development for teachers that you wanted to share it with every educator you know? Now you can!
General
3 Ways to Implement Training Now So You Don’t Pay Big Later
Picture you and your colleagues and clients feeling safer, physically and emotionally. Now try these tips to make your training program work for you.
Behavioral Health
Trauma-Informed Care in Crisis Work
Years ago, the way we thought about mental illness could do more harm than good. That's changing with trauma-informed care.
General
What Audi's Super Bowl Commercial Says About Person-Centered Care
A man sits alone and disenchanted. What his son does next rockets him out of despondency and back to feeling purpose.
Dementia Care
The Most Valuable Lessons I've Learned Were From a Dementia Patient
As an experienced OT, the most valuable lessons I've learned were not from my years of formal education. They were from patients like Karl.
Behavioral Health
How I Calmed an Upset Patient and Prevented a Bad Situation From Getting Worse
A man was yelling at staff, refusing to get out of the transport van. What I did isn’t typical in facilities like ours, but it calmed the situation down.
General
Team Intervention Strategies: How to Help Yourself and Others Stay Safe
"I can handle this on my own." Ever thought that - and then regretted it? Find out why you need team intervention strategies, and get tips for success.
Education
Special Education Strategies for General Education Teachers: Crossing the Divide
Something happened when I found myself in front of 40 special and general education professionals. We started breaking down walls.
General
How We Keep Experienced Hospital Workers Engaged in Training
How do you teach staff who say training doesn't work? This veteran Instructor has four tips for showing staff how CPI works in real life.
General
A 3-Step Response Strategy for Any Difficult Question
Whether someone's trying to pull you into a power struggle or they're just looking for information, take these steps to make your response a breeze.
General
“I Still Matter!” 4 Stories About Empathy
He didn't need my pity, just my respect. Here's how I erased the “in” from “invisible” and valued someone different from me.
General
What Our Customers Say About CPI Training Enhancements
We want you to have every strategy to manage and PREVENT a crisis. Here's what Certified Instructors say about the enhancements we've made to help you.
Security
Get Law Enforcement In-Service Training Hours With CPI Training
You can earn 26 training hours through boards such as the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
Behavioral Health
7 Tips to Help With Context Blindness and Autism
When someone has context blindness, they have trouble responding to more than one thing at a time. When others don't understand this, here's how to help.
General
Is the Internet Getting Worse for Our Kids?
We decided not to take this dark view of the Internet lying down. Here's how we can build a safe and positive Internet for children and teens.
Education
Secrets From a Behavior Intervention Pro: How to Get Your Students to Cooperate
I've developed a knack for getting kids to actually listen and cooperate with my directives. Here's what works.
Dementia Care
The Dementia Stages: A Care Roadmap
Discover how to identify the four dementia stages. It's like having a care roadmap to guide you with clarity.
Education
How to Talk a Student Down From Violence
A 10-year-old boy is threatening to kill everyone in the room. What this school safety assistant does next might surprise you, and it prevents harm.
Dementia Care
Making Wisconsin a Dementia Capable State
As advocates for people with dementia, their families, and their care partners, we give testimony to a legislative task force on Alzheimer’s and dementia.
General
How Our Training Model Improves Staff Retention and Client Outcomes
This investment paid off in staff satisfaction and retention, improvement in staff interventions, and progress toward our goals.
Education
Kansas School District Accepts Rachel’s Challenge to Reduce Bullying
When a Kansas school district needed to decide how to spend donated funds, one principal suggested a bullying reduction program to benefit all students.
Health Care
How We De-Escalate Aggressive Individuals in Our Healthcare Setting
Trouble calls can turn into stand-offs. Here are the steps I’ve learned from years of settling situations as a security captain in our psychiatric facility.
Education
It’s Time to Teach (and Learn!) Effective Classroom Management Strategies
Learn these classroom management strategies to support students with special needs, improve test scores, expand parental support, and reduce disruptions.
Dementia Care
How to Choose a Gift for Someone With Dementia
Loved ones with dementia can and should be part of the celebration. Here are two kinds of gifts you can give, plus tips for giving the best one: your time.
Dementia Care
Therapeutic Use of Self: How to Facilitate Positive Behaviors in Someone With Dementia
Dealing with difficult behaviors? Try the therapeutic use of self to help someone make positive behavior change.
Behavioral Health
How to Navigate the Holidays With Someone on the Autism Spectrum
Weird food. Loud noise. The holidays can overwhelm anyone on the spectrum. Try these tips to make your festivities less stressful and more fun for everyone.
Dementia Care
Providing Person-Centered Dementia Care for Our Veterans
After we trained staff across the board on our campus, even a resident who seemed to have no ability to function responded to dementia-capable techniques.
General
Managing Workplace Depression and Mental Health
While attitudes and practices at work can contribute to mental health problems, your workplace can contribute constructively to mental wellness. Here's how.
Dementia Care
VA Community Living Centers Awarded for Dementia Capable Care
“By interacting on a deeper level with our veterans, we learned that a man who 'wandered' into everyone’s room had been a mailman.”
Education
How (and Why) to Talk to Teens About Digital Citizenship
Sexting. Cyberbullying. These five digital citizenship conversation starters can get kids thinking about their digital footprint.
General
How to Manage Combative Alzheimer's Behavior Without Drugs
How can you prevent Mr. Smith from acting out violently during showers? Use this protocol to discover WHY he gets violent - and to plan your interventions.
General
A Car Almost Hit Me, and I Realized THIS
I grumbled to myself about how people are careless jerks...until I remembered that we all are, sometimes - but there's a way for us not to be.
Dementia Care
How to Establish Dementia Care Best Practices and Why They Matter
Want to be a leader in memory care? These principles will help you exceed industry standards, optimize resident quality of life, and strengthen staff skills
Education
Research Scientist Dr. Dorothy Espelage Explains Five School Bullying Misperceptions
Educational psychologist Dr. Dorothy Espelage helps raise awareness about the realities of school bullying by examining five common misperceptions.
Behavioral Health
How Therapeutic Writing Can Help Crisis Workers
Each day as a psych nurse I was exposed to other people’s pain. One night, unable to sleep, I discovered what helped me process my feelings about tragedy.
Education
Don't Let Your School Face Restraint Lawsuits
How does your school measure up? It’s not too late to do a check-up and make improvements. Policies and procedures are a start—but you need more than that.
Health Care
Top 5 Tips for Preventing Falls for Seniors
Try these five simple steps to reduce the chance of a patient falling.
Dementia Care
Take off the Cape: The Dual Role of Care Partner and Loved One Can Be Too Much, Even for a Superhero
Asking for help when you're a caregiver is in everyone's best interest. You can’t properly help someone else unless you take care of yourself too.
Human Services
9 Things Someone in Your Care Wants You to Know
When you choose to serve others, that desire to help fellow human beings makes you a very special person. This is a message of gratitude for all you do.
Education
What to Say to Stop Someone From Bullying
How do you help someone realize the harm they're causing? Start with one very important first step.
Education
Practice What You Preach: Stop Bullying for Kids AND Adults!
We will undo the hard work we put into educating our children on this very important matter if we fail to address bullying as an adult issue too.
Education
How We Should Prevent School Shootings and Other Acts of Terror
If violence is the language of the unheard, and all behavior is communication, let us all hear each other when we are simply anxious.
Behavioral Health
12 Ways to Help a Developmentally Traumatized Child
When a kid with trauma explodes like the Tasmanian Devil, here's what to say and do to get them back on track.
Education
Classic Classroom Management Book Turns 50
An evolving classic, Conflict in the Classroom helps teachers handle disruptive behavior safely.
Behavioral Health
The Amazing Abilities of Autism Service Dogs
When Teddy came into my life, I didn't know what to expect. But he has helped me in many positive ways.
Behavioral Health
ASD: A Catalyst for Creativity
Bypassing socially ingrained responses opens more paths to one-of-a-kind thinking when it comes to autism.
Education
Teach Kids These 3 Ways to Stop Bullying
Give kids these three courageous options and they'll know what to do when they see someone being hurt.
Dementia Care
Miss Colorado on Why You’re Way More Than “Just a Nurse”
Watch RN Kelley Johnson's powerful message about how nurses are the heart of care and how she reached a patient with kindness and skill.
Education
Senate Passes the Every Child Achieves Act; Bill Moves on to House
SB 1177 will require each state to adopt a State Plan requiring restraint and seclusion training to receive certain federal funds.
Behavioral Health
Tales From the Trauma Unit! Psychiatric Nurse Featured on Unrestrained, the CPI Podcast
Psychiatric nurse Laurie Barkin reveals the trauma and remarkable endurance of the patients who populate her award-winning 2011 book, The Comfort Garden.
Behavioral Health
How to Help Someone Who Has a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Anxiety. Flying off the handle. Not understanding cause-and-effect. FASD is an invisible disability with a host of symptoms. Here are strategies to help.
Dementia Care
Use This Life Story Questionnaire for More Person-Centered Dementia Care
The Life Story Questionnaire gives you a key to person-centered dementia care: understanding a person’s preferences, values, and motivation in life.
Dementia Care
Does Your Dementia Care Facility Meet These Standards?
Families and regulations are demanding more training, better activities, and dementia-friendly design. You can exceed standards and be a care leader.
Health Care
How Hospital Staff in China Are Preventing Healthcare Violence
Staff in Hong Kong and Beijing are learning strategies to handle (and PREVENT!) explosive situations.
Education
Your Back-to-School Special Ed Classroom Checklist
Try these seven tips from Laura Merkle to get your special education program started on the right foot!
Education
What’s the Difference Between an Individualized Education Plan and a 504 Plan?
These two types of supports can be tough to unravel, especially when you're already overwhelmed. Here's some help.
General
How 9 People React to This Hate Message Is Incredible
How would you feel if you read a message like this? See how witnessing hate can result in compassion.
Education
4th Graders’ Response to Autism May Surprise You
When fourth graders were asked to write anonymous questions about autism to classmates on the spectrum, the similarity of their concerns surprised experts.
Dementia Care
Study Suggests Watching Too Much TV Raises Risk of Alzheimer's
Sedentary lifestyles and social isolation seem to speed decline of cognitive function, researchers say.
Education
4 Powerful Ways to Reduce Racism and Discrimination in Schools
Here's how to challenge the assumptions, biases, and structures of racism and discrimination.
Education
Boys Don't Tell on Sugar-and-Spice-but-Not-So-Nice Girl Bullies
Girls bullying boys isn't talked about much, but it's still a problem. And there are solutions you can implement in any setting.
General
When a Hero Retires, His Legacy Lives On
Don Rolfe, an education specialist in Texas, dedicated his career to helping students succeed.
Behavioral Health
How Music Therapy Helped My Sons on the Autism Spectrum
Your child is diagnosed with autism. Where do you go from here? Watch and read this for a story about the power of music and hope!
General
This Risk Assessment Tool Helps You Deal With Difficult Behavior Better Than Ever
When someone threatens harm, the Decision-Making Matrix gives you even more ability to choose the safest intervention and make the best choice.
General
Before You Help, Think About This
If you want to provide true person-centered care, here’s what you need to consider first to keep from sounding judgmental.
Dementia Care
What's the Difference Between Dementia and Delirium?
These two different illnesses often coexist. Here are the details, plus strategies for helping someone who has one or both.
Dementia Care
Glacier Hills Senior Living Earns Our Distinguished Provider Award
Our latest winners build their care around each resident's individuality, preferences, and abilities.
Dementia Care
Music Soothes Last Moments for Father With Dementia
This interview tells a touching story about a “procedural memory” response between Tom and his son, Tim, who sang his father a song as he lay dying.
Dementia Care
How to Reduce Transfer Trauma for a Person With Dementia
Transfer trauma is a term used to describe the stress that an individual with dementia may experience when changing living environments.
General
The Savvy Professional’s Checklist for Handling Crisis Situations
Do you need go-to strategies for handling unexpected events? The first thing to do is to prepare, and this Crisis Response Planning Checklist can help.
Education
10 Ways to Help Reduce Bullying in Schools
From humiliation to death threats, school bullying has become an epidemic. But there are steps you can take to prevent it—and STOP it.
Dementia Care
How OTs Help People With Dementia Live to Their Fullest Potential
It’s natural to feel hopeless about a condition that doesn’t “get better.” Yet there's something hopeful that more people need to know.
Behavioral Health
What Swimming Can Do When You Have Asperger's
Swimming has changed my life in so many positive ways. I’m physically stronger, but I know I’m mentally stronger as well.
Dementia Care
Can You Win at a Video Game That Simulates Alzheimer’s/Dementia?
A new video game called Forget-Me-Knot aims to increase dementia awareness by immersing players in an unfamiliar environment meant to simulate Alzheimer’s.
Dementia Care
6 Things To Know About Someone With Dementia
I can still communicate. I can't talk the way I used to, but I can still communicate. Be patient as I try. This will help me feel connected.
Education
Should All Schools Be Trauma-Informed?
A class-action lawsuit, filed on behalf of teachers and students in Compton, might bring more sensitivity to all schools - for all students.
Dementia Care
Greendale, WI Memory Care Café Serves Up Community Support
Ferch’s Malt Shoppe & Grille has recently joined other restaurants on the forefront of respect for those with dementia by becoming a memory café.
General
CPI Delivers! To All Corners of the World
As I stood alongside that becalmed Arctic Sea, I couldn't help but be amazed: Look how far our message has spread.
Human Services
Two Things Children Need to Succeed in Life
At-risk groups, poverty, abuse. When a child has odds stacked against her how can we help her achieve a meaningful life? Jill Roche provides two key ideas.
Security
Why We Need to Debrief
I know how tired you sometimes feel. And that was after a day when no one tried to kill me or kill someone else in front of me.
General
What Does CPI Training REALLY Help You Do?
There's some mystery, and different understandings. But there's one big thing we strive to help you do in your work every day.
Education
My Top 10 Ed Tools for Kids With Autism
Special educator Laura Merkle shares her favorite ASD resources - from iPad apps to sensory toys to AugComm tools and more.
Education
What I Learned as an OT at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference
I often attend conferences for OTs and other health care professionals, but what I found at this education-focused opportunity was an eye-opening surprise.
General
Beating the Goldfish: 4 Strategies for Keeping Your Learners’ Attention
8 seconds. I have 8 seconds to get your attention. Goldfish have 9-second attention spans, and ours average 8 seconds. But we can trump 'em and FOCUS!
Dementia Care
Sleep Disturbances in Alzheimer's Are All Too Common
Older adults with Alzheimer's are prone to sleep disturbances. How do you treat without causing adverse effects?
Dementia Care
How the Colonnade Community Is Winning at Senior Care
What's the reward for making life better for seniors? For the Colonnade Senior Living community there are actually three rewards.
General
New Online Course! The Angry Smile
Do you work with passive-aggressive kids? Do you need to sharpen your intervention skills? This quick and informative course can help!
Dementia Care
“They Stole My Necklace!” How Do You Deal With Dementia?
Sometimes a complaint or an accusation isn't the real issue. It might be just a CLUE to the real issue, and maybe even a key to resolving the problem.
Dementia Care
10 Essential Self-Care Tips for Dementia Caregivers
Caregiving can be physically and emotionally depleting, but there are ways to maintain your health and rejuvenate your spirit.
Behavioral Health
What's It Like to Have a Child With Autism?
"If you saw her on a good day, you'd maybe think she was a little shy and kooky. You'll never see her on a bad day as she can't leave the house."
General
4 Things My New Puppy Taught Me About Human Behavior
As odd as it might sound, some of the principles we teach at CPI also apply to others in the animal kingdom, including dogs!
Security
The Most Important Tool for Police Officers Responding to a Person With Mental Illness
Police work is hard. Often the situation is already getting out of hand by the time the cops are called. What if a person with mental illness is involved?
Human Services
How to Help Someone With Developmental Disabilities Lead a Meaningful, Fulfilling Life
Even basic needs can be difficult for people with developmental disabilities to fully express. Here are ways to help people communicate what they need.
General
On the Road With a CPI Trainer
We know YOU commit precious time and resources to get to our classes, so we, in turn, weather storms to get to you!
Education
How Danita Taylor's Making a Difference for Her Students
"Every single student I work with matters and can succeed. My job is to help them discover for themselves that they are valued and are capable of success."
Health Care
SAMHSA's Suicide Safe App Helps Healthcare Providers Address Risk
This new, free app from SAMHSA helps primary care and behavioral health providers integrate suicide prevention strategies into their practice.
Behavioral Health
Top 10 Words to Know When Joining an Autism Support Group
When you join an autism support group online or in person, you’ll likely discover a whole new vocabulary. Here are 10 key terms to know before jumping in.
Health Care
What This Med Student Believes Is Either Totally Naive or Incredibly Possible
Cordelia Ross has hope that an alcoholic patient will finally recover. "At least that’s what the naïve med student in me wants to believe."
General
Easing the Effects of Daylight Savings Time on Kids With Autism
Because many kids with autism deeply value routine, daylight savings can be incredibly disruptive. But there are steps you can take to help a child adjust.
Education
3 Strategies for Getting Upset Students Back on Track
Elementary school principal Shannon Sobeck shares three of many helpful strategies to use when a student acts out.
Dementia Care
What Alzheimer’s Really Feels Like
One of the hardest things, says Rick Phelps, is realizing that dementia is taking your memories, and knowing you can't do anything about it.
General
Replace Aggression With Empathy, Stephen Hawking Says
"The human failing I would most like to correct is aggression...it threatens to destroy us all."
Dementia Care
Try This Powerful Care Model for People With Alzheimer's
You can make people's lives better using these three techniques.
Education
Students—Don’t Eat Alone Today
This student-led lunchtime initiative from Beyond Differences makes it easy for kids to overcome social isolation in their middle schools.
General
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
Who has the greatest impact of them all? Here are tips and inspiration on how YOU can change your work and your life.
General
I Found 3 Rewarding Ways to Make People’s Lives Better
Since 2008, I've used and taught incredible techniques to build relationships and help people solve problems.
Dementia Care
Dementia Care Specialist Reviews “Still Alice” Book
The phenomenal book Still Alice shows what it's like to change and decline, yet still remain who you are.
Dementia Care
Grind Dining Dishes Up New Menus for Memory Care
People with Alzheimer’s often can’t feed themselves, right? Not necessarily! This alternative to spoon-feeding promotes dignity and even happiness.
Dementia Care
Are Persons With Dementia Responsible for Crimes They Commit?
Persons with frontotemporal dementia were responsible for 37% of crimes as opposed to 8% with Alzheimer’s, per a recent study.
Behavioral Health
6 Intervention Strategies for Dealing With Hostile, Intoxicated People
"Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a constant inner battle," says Judith Schubert, president of CPI. "And the fight often reaches unintended victims."
Education
Bzzzz! Is Low-Level Classroom Noise Distracting Your Student?
We often hear that white noise is good for us. But what if it's TOO distracting for your child in school?
Education
How to Stop Kids From Calling Each Other Names
"Loser," "geek," "gay," "worthless," "retard," "freak." Words can lay kids open. Make your school a part of No Name-Calling Week.
General
Dontre Hamilton and Why Police Need Crisis Intervention Training
What would happen if all cops were trained in crisis prevention and intervention—and EVERYONE was educated about mental illnesses?
General
Where Do We Go From the Middle of the Road?
Families affected by police use of force feel immense pain, and it's also true that the job of a police officer is incredibly difficult.
Behavioral Health
Disruptive Behavior Can Be Safely Managed--These Tools Can Help
While trauma can affect a child's health and development, a new study highlights the power of helping a kid develop coping skills.
Education
What to Do When a Kid Screams, Swears, and Calls You Names
An enraged boy screamed curses at Maria Navone. But once she took a special approach, he was sitting on her knee, calmly showing her his artwork.
General
6 Simple Ways to Manage Your Boss’s Behavior
Ever wondered how to handle conflicts with your boss while keeping your relationship - and your job - intact?
Dementia Care
How to De-Stress From Caregiving
"Take care of yourself," everyone says. But how exactly do you do that when there are so many demands on your time and energy?
Education
Why Teachers Are Dropping Out
Half a million teachers leave the profession every year. Here's what needs to happen in higher and continuing ED to keep teachers teaching.
Human Services
How to Help People Handle Trauma
Strategies for attuning your own emotions can help you care for people who carry the weight of trauma.
Dementia Care
Beau Provence: A Distinguished Provider in Memory Care
In December, this Louisiana assisted living community received the highest credential in memory care for its commitment to exceptional, personalized care.
Dementia Care
Functional Cognitive Assessment and Partnering With Kindred Healthcare
Functional cognitive assessments help you provide the best approaches throughout the continuum of care for a person with Alzheimer's/dementia.
Retail
Workplace Violence: Are You at Risk? OSHA May Think So
If you have one or more of these risk factors at work, find out what you can do about it with CPI training programs.
General
5 Things to Do When Someone’s Rude to You
Ever greeted someone with a pleasant "Good morning" and received a less than pleasant response? Here's what to do.
Education
Behavior Improvement Plans: Are Yours on Target?
"Ready! Fire! Aim!" is one way to develop a behavior improvement plan (BIP)—but here's what works better.
It’s Pronounced Ole-VA-us
Schools around the world love the Olweus bullying prevention program, and they like pairing it with CPI training too!
Education
SymbolStix Teaches Students With Disabilities About Bullying Education
These visual tools and symbols help kids with disabilities understand bullying and communicate their needs.
Human Services
Born This Way Foundation Offers Hope for Teens
Lady Gaga's foundation helps embrace differences and celebrate individuality.
Education
Safe Social Media With the SodaPop App
Discover a social network where kids can post comments and photos free from online predators—and get help if they're being bullied.
Behavioral Health
What’s Your Concept of Trauma?
SAMHSA's concept and guidance give you tools to help people who carry the weight of trauma cope and heal.
Education
Cruel's Not Cool: How to Teach Kids to Be Kind
Why are people so mean to each other? Annie Fox has the answer—and solutions.
Bullying Prevention and The UnSlut Project
What does slut shaming have to do with bullying? Everything.
General
What Ten Famous Films Teach Us About Bullying
These ten famous films include scenes with constructive commentary about bullying.
Behavioral Health
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
Equipping those around our children with basic understanding of autism has a huge impact on their ability to move towards productive, independent adulthood.
Dementia Care
How Therapeutic Gardening Helps People With Alzheimer's and Dementia
Caring for plants provides a special kind of therapy that reaches beyond dementia and into memory and ability.
Education
Reducing Restraint in Indiana Schools: Senate Bill 345
Indiana's law requires school staff to be trained in prevention and de-escalation techniques.
Human Services
How to Help a Troubled Youth
What are your options when everything you try ends up escalating a kid's behavior instead of defusing it?
Education
CPI and LSCI on Conflict in the Classroom
How can you help troubled kids learn and grow? Get insight from the LSCI Institute, CPI's Dr. Randy Boardman, and other experts in education and psychology.
Behavioral Health
Memories of Madness: My Dad’s Bipolar Disorder
Like looking through a peephole, I'm on the outside looking in, so I will never truly understand what goes on inside my father's mind.
Behavioral Health
Let’s Call It What It Is: Death by Depression
After Robin Williams’ passing, maybe the one thing we can take away is to remember that depression can kill.
Human Services
CPI and LSCI Bring Hope, Care
We're collaborating with the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute to bring you integrated training programs for supporting vulnerable people.
Dementia Care
The 4 Keys to How Parc Provence Excels in Memory Care
From architecture to training to a care model that helps people with dementia to thrive, Parc Provence sets the bar.
Dementia Care
How a Paradigm Shift Helped Me Grow Professionally
If you pursue continuing education for professional development, growth, and to maintain licensure, I can help!
General
How SMEs Become SME's (Unrestrained Episode 2)
Susan Keith, CPI Director of Curriculum Development, talks about her experiences training and working with Certified Instructors to develop content.
General
Protecting Teens From Workplace Violence
Teens are often the last to receive training on handling robberies or assaults, but are often in positions of the most risk.
Dementia Care
How David Schonberg Is Changing Dementia Care
Is there a memory care community that can truly meet your loved one's needs? David Schonberg, pioneer in memory car facilities, thinks so.
Behavioral Health
How to Help Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
You carry intervention skills with you wherever you go. Here's how to use them.
Behavioral Health
Reducing Restraint in Mental Health Facilities in Texas
Texas Title 25, Chapter 41 requires staff training in restraint alternatives, least restrictive intervention methods, and use of restraint as a last resort.
Dementia Care
Parc Provence: A Distinguished Provider in Memory Care
The St.-Louis-area assisted living community received the highest credential in memory care at its 10-year anniversary celebration.
Behavioral Health
Diagnosing: Is It ADHD—Or Trauma?
Looking beyond behavior to underlying causes can reveal an unexpected diagnosis. We need to be able to treat emotional damage inflicted by traumatic events.
Dementia Care
Heritage at The Colonnade Presents: Dementia Care for Families
The memory care facility held a three-hour educational program for families on how to care for loved ones who have Alzheimer's and dementia.
General
Is Trauma-Informed Care Just Another Buzzword?
The police bring in a patient who's kicking and screaming. What the doctor does saves the patient's life, and defines a concept that's a very hot term.
Health Care
New Trauma TIP for Healthcare Professionals
This guide from SAMHSA can help you assist individuals whose health and behavior challenges stem from trauma.
General
Every Bump Is a Boost
What's one piece of advice your parents or grandparents gave you that's stuck with you?
Education
Common Care Standards for Schools
As we struggle to agree on the Common Core academic standards, we should also think about standards for Common Care.
Health Care
Can Crisis Prevention Training Prepare Nursing Students for the Job?
Nurses face huge challenges when caring for people who verbally or physically act out due to stress, trauma, pain, or any number of factors.
Education
What's in the School Discipline Consensus Report?
Blending multidisciplinary strategies with input from youth and families, the report details positive ways to keep kids in school and out of trouble.
Dementia Care
Spotlight on Design for Dementia Care: An Interview With PDC Midwest’s Amy Schoenemann
Amy Schoenemann, director of design development for PDC Midwest, an architect-led firm that specializes in senior living talks about designing for dementia.
Dementia Care
Schonberg's Winning Strategy for Memory Care Communities
Cutting-edge memory care leader David Schonberg builds pioneering assisted living communities from the ground up.
Education
ASD & Stopping Bullying With Empathy
Social skills training helps both students on the spectrum and neurotypical kids. Teaching students empathy is key to helping them communicate healthily.
Dementia Care
Making Memory Care Human: Innovating LTC Design
What struck me was how often I heard that while their firm "does" memory care, they want to do it better.
Behavioral Health
What Teens With Trauma Want You to Know
If your job is to help kids feel safe and cope with what they've been through, browse these resources.
Education
A Different Perspective on Teacher Appreciation
Appreciation is defined as “a feeling of being grateful for something.” This definition is well-represented in the Teacher Appreciation Week sentiments.
Dementia Care
The Power of Long-Term Memory (Part II)
Sometimes something as simple as going swimming can reawaken memories and recharge the spirit of a person with dementia.
Dementia Care
Favorite Group Activities For Persons With Dementia
When you're a caregiver, how do you keep things interesting for your loved one or client?
General
StealthWear (TM) Protective Clothing
To help you balance care with safety, we’ve partnered with StealthWear™ Clothing Inc. to offer their Active Aide™ line of protective clothing.
Dementia Care
Why Memory Care Must Be Flexible
Find out what goes into creating a flexible memory care environment built around residents' interests and abilities.
Education
Restraint and Prevention in the Ridgefield School District
How staff in one district deal with student behaviors such as hitting, kicking, and causing self-injury.
General
Does CPI Training Work?
It sure does! Here’s how de-escalation skills can help you defuse crisis situations quickly and effectively.
Education
School Fight Prevention Tips
How do you prevent fights in your school? Here are some strategies to help.
Dementia Care
VA Raises the Standard of Care for Vets With Dementia
Exciting news! We now have the opportunity to offer our trainings to 53 Veterans Administration facilities across the country.
General
Zip It or Quip It: Talking After an Incident
Communicating after a disagreement or crisis is an opportunity and can be relationship defining. Here are some pros and cons of speaking after a crisis.
Behavioral Health
How to Respect People Who Have Developmental Disabilities
Special Olympian John Franklin Stephens wrote a powerful post about intellectual and developmental disabilities that aims straight for your heart.
Education
Reducing Suspensions With Restorative Practices and SWPBIS
The new policy is designed to empower teachers with classroom management tools they can use before or instead of referring a student out of the classroom.
Federal Bill S2036: Keeping All Students Safe
Training can help educators handle problem behavior more safely.
General
CEU FAQs
Why are there so many different regulations for continuing education credits? How do I navigate the confusion?
Education
Trauma: When Life Deals Kids a Handful of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
Violence and abuse (Adverse Childhood Experiences) derail kids' health and development. Here's how to help them endure.
Dementia Care
Guides for Professional Caregivers to Help Families With Dementia
Your clients' friends and families probably have a lot of questions about Alzheimer's disease and dementia. These guides can help.
Restraint in Schools and the Keeping All Students Safe Act
Can prevention training and PBIS help educators keep their classrooms safe?
Improving Behaviour by Sanction Is Not the Only Way
I hope for a deeper emphasis on prevention, and more funds and time for school staff to get prevention training.
Dementia Care
Flying: What One Man Did for His Dad With Dementia
Tap into someone’s long-term memories of things they loved throughout their lifetime to help them feel joy and fulfillment.
Education
Classroom Management Techniques Every Teacher Can Use
Interested in ways to handle disruptive behavior in your school? See what Certified Instructors did to end violence.
General
Welcome From the Continuing Education Department!
Our training has continuing education approvals for a variety of professions in numerous states. Get ready to explore the world of continuing education!
Education
How I Feel After Reading "What I Saw"
Kitt saw someone with autism feeling afraid, and I see a powerful perspective that can teach us a lot.
General
Get Outta My Face: Preventing Problems by Respecting Personal Space
How much does someone’s comfort zone and personal space have to do with their behavior?
Education
The Empathic Educator
The Empathy Quotient is a self-administered screening tool for measuring empathy levels in people with autism. What do you score?
Education
How to Erase Meanness in Your School
What's your school doing to combat bullying? Sixth-grade teacher Eric Johnson started with just one word.
Education
School Climate: Helping Kids Succeed
What can you do to improve your school climate when you're dealing with mountains of referral forms and countless instances of misbehavior?
Retail
Strategies to Stop Workplace Bullying
These tips can help you whether you're a leader, a manager or supervisor, or any employee in your organization.
General
Restraint Reduction and CPI Training
Find out how CPI training, tips, and resources can help your organization with restraint reduction and meet state requirements.
Security
Hospital Security and Joint Commission Standards
What are your policies and procedures for keeping yourself and your patients safe? What can you do to keep them relevant and helpful?
Behavioral Health
5 Things "Difficult" People Are Really Saying
Here are five simple needs that people in crisis have—and how to meet those needs.
Behavioral Health
Behavior Intervention
Prevent dangerous behavior from escalating with these behavior intervention tips and training from CPI.
Human Services
How a Social Worker Uses CPI Training to Help Kids Calm Down
How do you handle situations that might turn violent? Find out about Angie Smith's verbal and nonverbal techniques.
General
The Holidays and Rational Detachment
You know that Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training helps individuals manage their anxiety levels at work, but it’s also useful during the holidays too.
Human Services
"Be a man, for crying out loud!"
Bullying and harassment in the workplace can happen to anyone. What are some of its behavioral signs? And how can we react in helpful ways?
Education
Master Level Certified Instructor Named Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Ron Walsh, superintendent of the Elk Mound Area School District in Wisconsin, has goals for every student: Community. Prosperity. Liberty. Equality.
Dementia Care
Create the Just-Right Challenge for National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Millions of people are affected by Alzheimer’s/dementia, and there will be millions more. Our goal is simple: working together to stop suffering and stigma.
Dementia Care
The Willows at Mallard Cove Awarded With Distinguished Provider Recognition
Dementia Care Specialists has awarded The Willows at Mallard Cove, Cincinnati, OH with Distinguished Provider recognition for dementia care.
General
5 Things You Might Not Know About Crisis Intervention
Simple, universal communication skills can help you at work, at home, and wherever you go.
General
5 Tips for National Preparedness Month and Beyond
Here are five important things to consider as you review and evaluate your violence prevention policies and procedures.
Education
What's Your State's Policy on Restraint and Seclusion in Schools?
Balancing teaching with behavior management can be tricky. CPI can give you skills to decrease problem behavior so you can focus on teaching.
General
The Meaning of Being Meritorious
Implementing training isn’t easy. That’s why we started identifying exceptional Certified Instructors who demonstrate high levels of expertise in training.
General
Do Me a Favor
I know it’s hard to believe, but the individuals in our care are actually doing us a favor when they yell, scream, and display acting-out behavior.
Dementia Care
Major Neurocognitive Disorder: The DSM-5’s New Term for Dementia
Whether we call the disease dementia or major neurocognitive disorder, quality memory care should focus on the whole person.
General
8 Tips for Respectful Online Communication at Work
Get tips for writing respectful emails—and what to do the next time you receive a not-so-great one.
Human Services
Changing Perceptions; Changing Care
How do your perceptions shape your patient care? Here's what you can do today to improve care for your patients--and yourself.
Behavioral Health
A Message From the Perspective of a Developmentally Traumatized Child
Mitch Abblett believes that empathy for the kids in our care is crucial.
Human Services
Heroes: A Dedication to All Who Work in Human Services
Do you need help dealing with difficult behavior? Here are some thoughts to help you rationally detach.
General
An Essential Key to Staying Calm During a Crisis
Rational Detachment is key to calming down when your heart beats fast and your breathing gets shallow.
General
Reducing Workplace Violence: Using Postvention for Prevention
How can you reduce incidents of workplace violence? Get five quick tips for making staff and service users safer.
Dementia Care
10 Tips to Ease the Caregiver Journey
Do you need tips to ensure the quality care that your loved one deserves? Get resources here.
Behavioral Health
DSM-5: New Diagnostic Criteria
How do new DSM-5 terms like Major Neurocognitive Disorder affect the person-centered approach to care that CPI promotes?
Health Care
Reducing Healthcare Violence
There is no acceptable level of violence in healthcare. We must equip staff with skills and strategies for reducing healthcare violence.
Education
Changing School Culture With Restorative Practices
Building strong student–teacher relationships and supporting positive behavior is key to transforming school climate.
Education
Verbal Intervention Training Helps Educators With Classroom Management
Find out how teachers who get training with CPI's verbal intervention materials report more confidence in effectively managing their classrooms.
Dementia Care
12 Things You Should Say to a Family Caregiver
What do caregivers want to hear the most? Find out how to help people who care for their loved ones.
Education
Resources for Coping With a Crisis at School
We've gathered resources to help you and your loved ones handle your response to the disaster in Oklahoma.
Behavioral Health
6 Tips for Creating a Compassionate Culture of Care
Get strategies for making sure that everyone gets the respect and dignity they deserve.
Behavioral Health
7 Essential Elements of Healthcare Excellence
Want to worry less about violence in your facility so you can focus more on quality patient care and healthcare excellence? Try these tips.
General
4 Quick Tips for Managing Workplace Bullying
It's everyone’s responsibility to address bullying. Here are a few tips and ways we can help you train staff to prevent workplace violence and bullying.
Dementia Care
Provision Living - Summit at Park Hills 2
There was a decrease in quality with her grooming tasks and difficulty with dressing. She demonstrated poor safety awareness with her power chair operation and was putting herself and others at risk for injury.
Dementia Care
Provision Living - Summit at Park Hills 1
We noticed a decline in her cognitive abilities and difficulty fully recovering with each infection and hospitalization.
Retail
In the Heat of the Moment
Raquelle Solon reflects on how she keeps her cool during heated encounters - and invites you to learn how you can handle difficult situations too.
Education
Improving School Culture With Restorative Justice
Restorative justice teaches kids how to handle things better, and it's helped the Ralph J. Bunche Academy reduce suspensions by half.
General
Employee Debriefing Strategies
Debriefing employees after crisis events has been a widely debated practice. It’s important to differentiate CPI’s post-crisis debriefing model from others.
Dementia Care
Provision Living: Raising the Standard for Memory Care
Hear Maureen Rodgers talk about Provision Living's commitment to deepening their skills to raise the standard of care for those with Alzheimer's.
Dementia Care
Follow Your Heart to Raise the Standard for Memory Care!
Check out this awesome infographic that conveys the importance of caring for people with Alzheimer's with passion and heart!
Education
Reducing Restraint: Thoughts on Balancing Safety
Let's work together to reduce the need for physical restraint and to ensure safety for students, teachers, staff, patients, and families.
Dementia Care
Poetry Program Sparks Joy for Persons With Dementia
"We’re creating a poem about love, and I want to ask you, when you hear the word love, what do you think of? What comes to mind for you?"
Dementia Care
Breakthrough Legislation: Medicare to Cover Therapy for Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease
In this video, I talk about a landmark ruling that benefits persons with Alzheimer’s/dementia and their families immensely.
Health Care
CPI at the ANA Conference: Helping You Reach the CORE of Quality
Visit us at the ANA's Nursing Quality Conference in Atlanta and tell us how we can help craft a solution for your facility!
Behavioral Health
12 Awesome Books About Autism and Asperger’s
Check out this post about how you can get the resources and the tools to work successfully with individuals on the autism spectrum.
General
You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
Find out how being aware of the causes of difficult behavior can help you improve your interactions with others.
Dementia Care
Dementia Capable Care Training at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center
Check out this video about the wonderful work of dementia-care staff members at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center!
Strategies for Reducing Restraint & Seclusion
“We take heart in all the organizations that have reduced or eliminated the use of restraint and seclusion by changing their cultures of care and implementing our offerings.”
Behavioral Health
NREPP Reviews 6 Core Strategies to Prevent Conflict & Violence
Find out how Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training parallels the Six Core Strategies to Prevent Conflict and Violence: Reducing Seclusion and Restraint.
Behavioral Health
Behavior Modification Techniques
We can help you center your care on positive techniques that ensure dignity and safety for yourself, your staff, and the individuals you support.
General
CPI Extends Its Mission to the Wonderful People of China!
We're extending our community of caring to China! Click to learn about how we're beginning our work of helping the vulnerable people there.
Dementia Care
Terra Osbourne
The resident was withdrawing, and wouldn’t allow the staff to bathe her or help her much with ADL’s.
Education
Beyond Seclusion and Restraint: Creating Positive Learning Environments for All Students
Restraint-free classrooms are perfectly possible—even for kids with problem behaviors—when we rethink class environments and interactions.
Dementia Care
How to Gain Family Support When Your Loved One Has Dementia
"When communicating with your siblings, try to be concrete and objective about your mom’s changes and challenges and the help she requires."
Behavioral Health
10 Ways to Enhance Relationships and Communication for Individuals With Special Needs
When someone w/ special needs doesn't communicate the way we expect, it's easy to lose patience or dismiss their attempts. But with the right tools, that doesn't have to happen.
Education
9 Tips for Interacting With Individuals With Autism
Here's my interpretation of Sarah Stup's 9 Ways to Interact With People With Autism.
Dementia Care
The Sound of Music Matters for Persons With Alzheimer's Disease
“Those precious memories that he had held onto all his life were still preserved in spite of him being at the end of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Dementia Care
How to Use Music to Awaken Precious Memories in Persons With Alzheimer's
Kim Warchol shares a moving story about how music gave her a key to unlocking precious memories for a man with end-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Retail
Behavior Management Strategies
Safe, effective behavior management training and techniques provide strategies for stopping problem behavior and boosting positive, productive behavior.
General
The Power of Community
Vulnerable people, young and old, can often feel alone, and a sense of community takes more than just the four walls that may form much of their world.
CPI.Industries.10
A Community of Caring
What does the word “community” mean to you?
General
Conflict Management Training
Looking for conflict management training and resources? Try these strategies to meet the needs of all parties and achieve conflict resolution.
Education
Applying PBIS to Decrease Bullying
Learn how PBIS provides an effective model for reducing challenging behaviors, including bullying behaviors, and get more resources for reducing bullying.
Behavioral Health
Reinforce Positive Behavior Through Choice
When you look at a child through a child-centered lens, what do you see?
Dementia Care
Caring for Persons With Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Because FTD often strikes at a younger age, it can affect ability to perform job responsibilities, and so hinder a person’s ability to earn a living.
Human Services
Region Ten Celebrates "Earthshaking" Training Implementation
While many Instructors worry about training distractions such as phone use, Missy Rand rolled along with one large disruption: a 5.8 magnitude earthquake.
Human Services
Expecting the Unexpected: Responding to Unpredictable Behavior
Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a constant inner battle. Anger and hostility can be frightening, so staff responses can help or hinder crisis resolution.
Dementia Care
Using Home Health Services for Persons With Dementia
With the number of people with dementia on the rise, there is a real need to support these people and to educate caregivers, families, and providers.
Behavioral Health
Celebrating Autism Awareness Month
The more we learn about and understand individuals with autism spectrum disorders, the richer and more rewarding our relationships with them will become.
General
The Challenges in Defining Workplace Bullying
Unfortunately, bullying doesn't end at graduation. Bullying at work is a worldwide issue, but has difficulty being defined.
Bullying in School: The Traumatic Effects of Bullying on Children
School leaders should be vigilant in sending a clear message to bullies that bullying is not tolerated in their setting.
Education
Enhancing Respectfulness Through Restorative Practices
Using interventions, students are learning more positive behaviors and productive ways to respond when they feel that another student has harmed them.
Dementia Care
DCS Helps VA Medical Center Focus on Best Abilities
With veterans needing more long-term dementia care, it’s often a race between staff understanding the disease and the increasing number of clients.
Behavioral Health
Top 10 Recommended Trauma-Informed Care Online Resources
Here we present ten of our favorite online resources dedicated to the practice of trauma-informed care.
Behavioral Health
Top 10 Recommended ASD Websites
These organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of all affected by autism through education, advocacy, services, research, and support.
Dementia Care
How to Engage Senior-Living Residents in Meaningful Activities
When you empower seniors to engage in activities on their own initiative, this fosters participation without forcing it.
Health Care
Choosing a Rehab Facility for a Loved One
Keeping a cool head, putting your loved one first, and drawing on the following tips will get you through the process with as little stress as possible.
General
Inappropriate Customer Behavior: How Do You Respond to It?
An individual tells a receptionist that if she was mistaken about his deductible, he was “going to come back and take the difference out of her hide.”
General
Training Tips: CPI Electronic Presentations
Learn more about the Prepare Training® Electronic Presentations, and how they can reinforce the points you make during training.
Education
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports on the School Bus
Many of us have implemented school-wide PBIS in our buildings, but how many of us have considered extending these strategies to the school bus?
General
HUFF
Here’s an easy-to-follow approach for using the information in the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® program using the acronym HUFF.
Crisis Planning Checklist
If you face danger at work, you need simple and clear guidelines to ease your actions and decisions.
Health Care
Restraint Use: Culture of Assumptions
The culture of a hospital unit not only lies in the culture of the organization, but also a dynamic process defined and reinforced every day by its staff.
Behavioral Health
The Culture of Disability
As human service providers, we can serve as resources to persons within the culture of disability who do not have access to accommodations and technology.
General
Cultural Competence in Crisis Intervention
It's important for us to feel validated and respected—particularly in crisis situations. Cultural competence can be key.
General
Tertiary Prevention: Tier 3 in the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Framework
Tertiary supports are specialized and intensive for individuals who exhibit very high-risk behaviors.
General
Phrases to Use While Training
In this post I’ll explain some of the phrases that I’ve used to explain concepts in our training programs, like the ‘crisis werewolf’ and ‘verbal vomit.’
Wyoming Department of Education, Chapter 42: Seclusion and Restraints in School
As of December 1, 2011, Wyoming school districts must develop and implement a policy related to the use of restraint and seclusion.
General
What Is Fair and Reasonable
What may seem reasonable to us may not be reasonable or fair to the person we are setting limits with. So how do we know whether we’re being fair or not?
General
When It All Goes Wrong
Nothing causes anxiety like uncontrollable changes in plan. What we can control is our response to this anxiety, making the situation better or much worse.
General
Crisis Intervention Music on the Beach
There is an old saying that music soothes the savage beast. I would have to agree with that. Music can also excite, bewilder, or even upset people.
General
Powerful Simplicity
During crisis situations, simple and clear guidelines for directing our decisions and actions work best.
Behavioral Health
Staying Well When You Have a Mental Illness
When you have a mental illness, your overall health is vital to your recovery. Find ways to aid your recovery and help you feel better overall.
General
Empathy Exercise
While empathy is one of the cornerstones of the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® program, it can be difficult to put into practice.
Dementia Care
Behavior Is Communication
Want to prevent difficult behaviors? Learn the secret language of what a person is really trying to tell you.
General
Workplace Bullying Resources and References
CPI offers resources to raise awareness about workplace bullying and help you maintain respectful, service-oriented, and safe workplaces.
Education
Grabbing a Bully by the Horns
A bully doesn't care about gender, race, age, culture, or ability. However, a bully does care about finding new ways to torment their targeted victim.
Human Services
Fostering Emotionally Safe Environments for Caregiving
As a teacher, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, or a child humanized or de-humanized.
Dementia Care
September is World Alzheimer’s Month
Since September is World Alzheimer’s month, I’d invite you to view this CPI video, “Unlocking Abilities: Nurturing Capabilities to Improve Quality of Life.”
Health Care
Domestic Violence: What Can Nurses Do?
Nurses play a vital role in helping victims of domestic violence and abuse. So it is imperative to train them in assessing and responding to victims.
Security
Find Risk Before It Finds You
Learn proven assessment methods that may help you be proactive rather than reactive when implementing safety measures in your organization.
Education
School Bullying Resources and References
Developing an understanding of bullying and the facts and myths that surround it is critical to dealing effectively with bullying behaviors.
General
Combating the Varieties of Violence at Work
Bullying behaviors include verbal and nonverbal behaviors, written communication, and the manner and style in which we use the words we choose.
Education
School Bullying Can Take a Toll on Your Child's Mental Health
Many children being picked on by bullies feel the need to suffer in silence. But bullying is rarely a problem that takes care of itself. We need to act.
General
Getting a Handle on a Hands-Off Policy
While a hands-off policy is an excellent goal, it often takes time for restraint reduction efforts to be fruitful enough to deem a facility restraint-free.
General
What Is and What Is Not Acceptable?
Are nontraditional types of crisis interventions acceptable? We’d love to hear what you think.
Dementia Care
6 Best Practices for Activities Programming in Dementia Care Units
All activities can be meaningful when you have my top 6 tips for best practices in dementia care activity programming.
Security
To Continuum or Not to Continuum . . . That Is the Question
Having been a security executive, I believe we need to give security professionals more tools to identify and de-escalate crisis behaviors.
Behavioral Health
Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew
Believe that you can make a difference for me. It requires accommodation and adaptation, but expect more and you will get more.
General
Tornadoes Bring Awareness to Other Safety Concerns
Proper precautions save lives when tornado sirens sound. Similarly, violence prevention training gives employees the chance to mitigate crisis situations.
Behavioral Health
Self-Injurious Behavior in People With Developmental Disabilities
What additional resources are available to Certified Instructors on peripheral topics related to the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program?
CPI.Industries.3|4|6|10
Using Training in Verbal Skills to Reduce the Use of Seclusion and Restraint
Find out what the Pine Rest staff did, and the misconceptions they overcame, to dramatically reduce restraint and seclusion with CPI training.
Secondary Prevention: Tier 2 in the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Framework
This post is the second in a series of three, and examines the second level of the Positive Behavioral Interventions Supports framework.
Dementia Care
Treating Psychotic Symptoms in Persons With Dementia
Agitation is a common problem seen in persons with dementia. The first step to lessening it is to discover and treat the cause for the psychotic symptoms.
General
Crisis Management Training
CPI’s crisis management programs emphasize prevention, intervention, and nonphysical methods for managing disruptive behavior.
General
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is a very real issue. CPI offers professional workplace violence training to help you prevent violence in the workplace.
Retail
Verbal Intervention
Apply these seven simple and versatile principles for effective verbal intervention.
Education
School Bus Safety
Check out these school bus safety tips to keep drivers and passengers safe.
Behavioral Health
Restraint and Seclusion
Explore a selection of resources for preventing and reducing restraint and seclusion.
General
Physical Intervention Training
Physical intervention training should stress positive de-escalation skills as the most important, using physical intervention only as a last resort.
General
Crisis Response Team Training
Here are seven easy tips to developing a highly effective crisis response team and promoting a culture of care.
General
De-escalation Techniques
Watch a preview of CPI’s Preventive Techniques II DVD to learn how you can use your nonverbal behavior to safely manage the disruptive behavior of others.
Dementia Care
Alzheimer's Care Training
The need for staff training to successfully care for people with Alzheimer's is expanding. A person-centered care philosophy is crucial.
Behavioral Health
Autism Training
Check out these two courses offered by CPI to train your staff to assist those on the autism spectrum.
General
Crisis Intervention Training
CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training focuses on methods to prevent problem situations before they can occur.
General
Positional Asphyxia
Learn more about restraint-related positional asphyxia and get tips and resources for reducing it in your workplace.
General
De-escalation Tips
CPI's verbal de-escalation training can help keep a disruption from turning into a full-blown crisis situation.
General
Behavior Management
CPI provides safe behavior management training, programs, best practices and innovative resources to professionals around the world.
General
Positive Behavior Support
Explore a variety of strategies related to Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) from various expert sources.
General
Postvention Clarity
Postvention is probably one of the least understood and most underrated elements of an overall intervention policy.
General
Pastrami on Rye
After watching an employee at a deli remain in control while being yelled at, I asked him what he usually did to manage disgruntled customers.
General
Respect, Service and Safety—Everyone Wins!
We typically think about customer relationship management as a technical function but it really involves much more than great software.
Retail
Taking Threats Seriously: Establishing a Threat Assessment Team and Developing Organizational Procedures
Organizations are increasingly called upon to assess and respond to threats of workplace violence and other situations where targeted violence is possible.
General
Domestic Violence Statistics and Your Workplace
With the prevalence of domestic violence and the amount of time we spend working, domestic violence is seeping into the workplace and can’t be overlooked.
General
Auditing Disaster Prevention
An auditing process can help employers use corporate values to infuse respect and tolerance into employees’ behaviors and prevent workplace emergencies.
Human Services
A Manager's Guide to Handling Painful Anniversaries in the Workplace
Our lives change when something awful happens. Some of us lose friends and family. We’re all affected. Here’s what you can do to help yourself and others.
General
Maximize Role-Play Benefits
I had always heard that role-plays were a drag for participants. But why? Aren’t there many benefits to this form of learning?
Human Services
PBIS Values: Person-Centered and Strength-Based
Two key values that have been pivotal to PBIS since its earliest days are "person-centered" and "strength-based."
General
Skill Building—Strategies for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Looking for info on skill building? In the PBIS framework, it's one of the three key aspects to developing Behavior Intervention Plans.
Education
School Bullying and Our New Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Refresher Option
There's no question that school bullying is a critical issue. CPI now offers a refresh to help you teach staff about this important topic.
General
Staff Responses and Giving Praise—Strategies for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Effectively supporting positive behaviors involves making changes in three areas: the environment, staff responses, and skill building.
Education
Environmental Strategies for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
This post is the first of three in a series that will address these key aspects to consider when developing Behavior Intervention Plans.
Dementia Care
New Resource From Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
While researchers are working hard to find a cure to Alzheimer’s, we must do what we can to educate and support professional and family care partners.
General
Safe and Secure Travel
Flying is a privilege, not a right, even when we wish we could just tap the heels of our ruby slippers and magically appear at our destinations.
Dementia Care
How to Code and Bill Your Interventions for Patients With Dementia
This article presents a synopsis of correct coding to help insure clinical reimbursement.
Dementia Care
How to Reduce Weight Loss Associated With Alzheimer's Disease
Unfortunately, persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias are at a very high risk for weight loss.
General
Restraint When and Why
A person is screaming, swearing, and threatening you. What can you do to make sure your reaction is appropriate?
Dementia Care
Middle Stage Dementia: Techniques to Maximize Function
Studies indicate that currently most individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias are functioning in the early stage.
Dementia Care
How Dementia Stages Impact Nursing in Long-Term Care
Recognition of the specific hallmarks in each dementia stage enables nurses to celebrate the resident and the abilities that remain beyond the diagnoses.
Dementia Care
Activity Intervention for Alzheimer's & Related Dementias: Medicare Regulations for SNF/ALF
Skilled therapeutic intervention disperses daily activities to elicit a sense of worth in persons with progressive degenerative diseases. How do we do that?
Dementia Care
Sensory Stimulation Programs for Persons in Allen Level 1 and 2
Persons functioning in Allen level 1 and 2 will greatly benefit from a sensory stimulation maintenance program.
Dementia Care
An Update on the Happenings of The Allen Cognitive Network
I encourage you to learn more about the Allen Cognitive Network. There is much value in being able to share ideas, visions, accomplishments, and challenges.
Dementia Care
A Review of the Dementias Related to Alzheimer's Disease
We often read the phrase “Alzheimer's and related dementias.” I’d like to provide an up-to-date overview of some common “related dementias.”
Dementia Care
Regulation Updates Impacting Dementia/Alzheimer Therapy Intervention
As the health care industry attempts to battle rising costs and insure appropriate coverage for beneficiaries and regulations are becoming more restrictive.
Dementia Care
Serving People with Dementia: An Update "The Barrier to Serve May not Be What You Think!"
As the end of 2008 approaches, it’s time to sit down and review the happenings of the past year related to the provision of Dementia Therapy services.
Dementia Care
Preserving the Dignity of a Person With Alzheimer’s Disease
What contributes to loss of dignity when a person is afflicted with Alzheimer's or a related dementia? What are the consequences? Let's discuss.
Dementia Care
An Interdisciplinary Dementia Approach in Long-Term Care
Long-term care communities tend to be rooted in the medical model—simply meeting nursing and medical needs at the expense of quality of life needs.
Dementia Care
Assessment and Scoring of Higher Functioning Patients Using the LACLS and Routine Task Inventory
Often the administration and scoring of higher level patients is a challenge. For one, these are individuals who are typically independent in routine ADLs.
Dementia Care
Top 5 Home Care Assessment Tips for Therapists
Providing therapy at home can be challenging and rewarding. These strategies can help you discover what a patient needs and what their support systems are.
Dementia Care
New Diagnosis to Support Cognitive Intervention
Code 780.93 gives experienced therapists an opportunity to further diagnose mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Dementia Care
Initial Assessment Process Recommendations
We are often asked which order the Allen assessments should be administered to achieve the best results. Claudia Allen suggests this process.
Dementia Care
Identifying Opportunities to Serve Individuals With Dementia
I continue to be disappointed in the inadequate therapy intervention that I see occurring for a resident of a long-term care environment who has dementia.
Dementia Care
Home Health Care: Addressing Behavioral Issues in the Person With Dementia
When caregivers provide total care, they unwittingly remove clients’ sense of independence. We call this excess disability. How do we respond?
Dementia Care
Middle Stage Dementia: Learning to Identify Allen Level 3 Modes in Functional Activities
The topic for this month is focused on successfully serving the person who is functioning in the Middle Stage of dementia.
Dementia Care
Early Indicators of Mild or Early Stage Dementia
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and related dementias can enable physicians to prescribe a cognitive enhancing medication such as Aricept.
Behavioral Health
A Quick Trick for Verbal Intervention
So you know that the tone, volume, and cadence of your voice impacts someone's behavior. Now try this and see how it helps you prevent a crisis.
Dementia Care
The "Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold" Model—Understanding and Minimizing Challenging Behavior
The Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Model can provide a frame or reference to understand and reduce the challenging behaviors associated with ADRD.
Dementia Care
Using Allen Cognitive Theory in Acute Geriatric Psychiatry
These guidelines for implementing the Allen Theory from the occupational therapy perspective can be adapted to other settings and as treatment methods.
Dementia Care
Using MDS Data to Guide Your Dementia Therapy Practice
How many people in your facility are reported to have Alzheimer's or related dementias? There is a way to find out.
Dementia Care
Determining Capacity as It Relates to Financial and Legal Transactions
As people live longer due to advancements in medicine, the percentage of persons with dementia rise. Alzheimer's is now being considered an epidemic.
Dementia Care
A Discussion of Cognitive Screening Instruments and Executive Functions
It’s imperative that a therapist/facility have a procedure to proactively identify cognitive impairment as we can’t rely on early diagnosis or self-reports.
Dementia Care
A Current Discussion of The Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model and Our Ability to Serve Persons
I would like to share two important items discussed in the recent Allen Cognitive Network Board in February 2007 with the members of this community.
Dementia Care
Using Clinical Reasoning to Avoid Denials for Interventions Related to Cognitive Impairment
Medical necessity, reasonable and necessary, and the need for skilled therapy must be evident when a claim is reviewed.
Dementia Care
Tips to Reduce Bathing and Showering Challenges—A Therapist's Role
Professional and family caregivers often report bathing the most challenging area of dementia care. Here are some strategies to make things easier.
Dementia Care
The Adapted FAST: Introduction and Application
FAST, standing for Functional Assessment Staging Tool, is a tool designed by Dr. Barry Reisberg to assess the stage of dementia of people with Alzheimer's.
General
What's in a Face? Adaptations of the CPI Classroom Model for Teaching Hearing Impaired Participants
How can we understand the concept of tone, volume, and cadence in a different light when considering deaf and hearing impaired participants?
General
Training Staff with Varying Abilities and Special Needs
Training staff with special needs adds complexity to teaching the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® program. Get creative as you adapt to participant needs.
General
Seven Signs A Weapon Is Being Concealed
Often the indicators that an individual is hiding a weapon go undetected. That’s why security professionals must be able to recognizes behaviors.
Education
More Than Just the "Restraint Class"
Staff know now that CPI training teaches us how to avoid physical intervention by focusing on early verbal intervention.
Human Services
Prevention as Public Policy
Former US Attorney General, Janet Reno, speaks about creative solutions to keep our troubled youth out of prisons.
Education
Out of the Classroom -- Into the Street -- Applying Classroom Management Techniques During Crise
Many classroom management techniques have become essential for successfully intervening with emotionally disturbed or behaviorally disordered students.
General
The Nonverbal Escalation Continuum
Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbet, an autistic savant in "Rainman," has brought a great deal of attention to the severe developmental disorder of autism.
Health Care
Adverse Effects Associated With Physical Restraint
This article reviews the literature concerning actual and potential causes of deaths proximal to the use of physical restraint.
General
Linguistic Barriers to Effective Communication
An effective dialogue with an individual who may be showing signs of anxiety can divert energy from an "acting out" scenario to a more rational one.
General
Who's In Control?
Whose behavior do I have to control first when a child starts screaming at me?
Behavioral Health
How to Stay Safe During Home Visits
The goal of MIAW is to encourage all NAMI organizations and affiliates to work together on mental illness outreach, education, and advocacy all year long.
Education
Top 10 Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) Online Resources
We have compiled a list of the top 10 resources for you to explore with information that you can use within your own organization.
Dementia Care
The Use of Music in Dementia Care
For years I’ve been using music to reach into the memories of my clients with dementia. Learn the many benefits to using music as a therapeutic modality.
Dementia Care
Using Functional Assessments to Determine Mental Capacity in the Person With Dementia
Functional assessment scales describe patterns of behavior at all stages of dementia and provide reference for understanding how the disease may unfold.
Dementia Care
Psychiatric Illnesses in Persons With Dementia
Psychiatric problems can be a challenge when it comes to determining cognitive levels and treatment plans. Follow these steps to address this comorbidity.
General
What's In A Response?
“Give a rational response” is the underlying theme for every intervention CPI promotes. It's a commonsense strategy that works well when given a chance.
General
A Surprising Trick to Answering Challenging Questions
The person who knows the answer is the last person you might expect. Try this to put the brakes on never-ending questions and power struggles.
Dementia Care
Using Allen Cognitive Level Knowledge to Assess for MCI
Early recognition of executive skills deficits may assist in maintaining independence and quality of life for persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Dementia Care
Providing Care and QOL for the Person in the Late Stages of Dementia Utilizing the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Theory
Though functional skills are lost, people with late-stage dementia continue to have the ability to feel loved or lonely, sad or happy and secure.
Dementia Care
Scanning the Environment
The concept of "scanning the environment" (the title of the Allen Cognitive Mode 4.6), is often misinterpreted.
Dementia Care
Advocating for the Use of the Cognitive Disabilities Model in Determining Capacity
Using the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model developed by Claudia Allen may be the most accurate way to determine impairment in a client's capacity.
Dementia Care
Working With Families
When our clients have cognitive deficits, we need their families to become part of the treatment, cueing them to continue to perform at their best ability.
Dementia Care
Documentation of Therapy Services for Persons With Dementia in Home Care
Palmetto GBA published a policy to help home health agencies use Medicare to fund teaching and training for caregivers with Alzheimer’s patients.
Dementia Care
"Therapeutic Use of Self": The Concept of Action and Reaction in Dementia Care
Try the therapeutic use of self, and you have a tremendous key to making life better for someone with Alzheimer's—and less stressful for their caregivers.
Dementia Care
Monitoring of Medications Is Important in Behavior Management
Medications should always be evaluated when considering a possible cause for a change in behaviors or a decline in functional or cognitive status.
General
Who's On My Crisis Response Team?
What is a crisis response team? Who can be on it? How many staff are recommended for the team? How do you summon and utilize one?
Education
Keeping Students and Schools Safe
An expert on school violence who co-wrote the book Innocent Targets talks about the need for supportive adult bonds to create bullying-free school climates.
Education
The Importance of Taking a Strength-Based Perspective
Why are some people successful with students when others have given up? I believe it's because they have 8 strength-based behaviors that draw out success.
Human Services
Antidote to Learned Helplessness: Empowering Youth Through Service
A powerful practical reclaiming strategy for youth at risk is to tap their potential for serving others. This counters a sense of learned helplessness.
Human Services
Take Care, Not Take Down
As Certified Instructors, it is especially important to be mindful of what we say. We are role models, and staff follow our lead.
Behavioral Health
After We Lost Andrew
Andrew McClain, 11, died while he was restrained face down on the floor of a Connecticut psychiatric hospital.
Education
Reasons to Reduce the Use of Restraint
The practice of using restraint has been an integral part of programming in residential and public school settings for many years.
Education
You Can't Spell L-E-A-R-N-I-N-G Without Safety
If you ask people what the role of educators is, they would say to teach children. But that role takes a back seat to providing a safe learning environment.
Education
National Zogby Survey Reveals Trends in School Violence
CPI commissioned-study shows students more prone to violence—teacher training is critical in managing disruptive behavior.
Human Services
Too Late to Change a Decision
Jason had been staying at the alternative school for a couple of weeks when a panicked act of noncompliance cost him his life.
General
What is Your Role?
It seems that crisis behavior never takes a rest and the need for our training grows. The behaviors that educators face get more challenging every year.
Education
Game Plan
This is a suggested course of action for teachers, but it can be used as a template for anyone who wants to get back on the wagon with crisis management.
Education
Policy Trouble
Does your policy spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e? This discussion came up today in the form of a question from a participant.
General
Carbonated Beverages
This smaller program gave me the chance to appreciate some local culture and generate ideas with educators about how to stay in control during a crisis.
General
Cat Up a Tree
We have a bad habit of ignoring threats. People can be threatened at work daily, but if we don’t address them, we won’t be ready when a crisis happens.
General
Sayonara
Back in the valley of the sun where I used to live. Phoenix may be hot, but it can be a beautiful place too.
General