Presented By : Ben Petraitis
In accordance with the SRT Team and the YCS Training
Dept.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What is SRT?
 SRT (Situational Response Team) provides
assistance to agency and affiliate programs, helping to
create and maintain therapeutic environments.
 SRT is also responsible for supplementing and serving
as an immediate surplus to the staff of residential, incommunity programs, in-home care and
developmental disabilities programs throughout the
agency; able to work in a variety of roles at any
location.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Purpose of the SRT Team
 Be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to
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provide support to sites, programs and affiliates
Coverage whenever or wherever needed
Flexibility to step in and cover any staff position, to
include BA, RA, Senior RA or shift supervisor
Preventative and crisis-related interventions
Maintain client to staff ratios by providing coverage
due to vacation, training, maternity leave, inclement
weather, etc.
Assist in the opening of new programs
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What is an SRT BA?
 An SRT BA(Behavioral Assistant) conducts
themselves as the ultimate professional during their
shift; he or she takes pride in encouraging and
supporting the individuals that they care for, as well as
their fellow staff members.
 An SRT BA provides verbal and/or physical crisis
interventions to children, adolescents and adults with
behavioral issues, mental illnesses or developmental
disabilities in all residential and community based
settings.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What is a Professional?
Definition:
 A person following a profession, especially a learned or
skilled profession
 One who earns a living in a given or implied
occupation
 A skilled practitioner; an expert
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What is Professionalism?
Definition:
 Professional standing, techniques, attributes or ethics.
 The standards, views, and behavior of one who
engages in a skilled activity to make a livelihood.
 The root word of Professionalism is “profess” –
meaning to affirm or avow.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What are the
characteristics of
a direct-care
professional?
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
What are the characteristics of
a direct-care professional?
 Competence
 Reflection
 Maturity
 Empathy
 Diplomacy
 Responsible
 Judgment
 Dependable
 Insight
 Courageous
 Peacekeeping
 Mission-Minded
 Courteous
 Ethical
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
SRT Expectations
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Make informative on the spot decisions
Lead by example
Work independently or as a team member
Display constant professionalism and integrity
An SRT is held to higher standards and expectations
Provide the finest quality of customer service
Remember: You are always representing SRT.
Commitment , Compassion and Care at all times
and in everything you do
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Accountability
 Who are SRT’s accountable to?
 Supervisor
 SRT
 Person served
 Parent/Caregiver
 YCS
 Yourself
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Accountability
What are you accountable for?
 Your Actions and Words
 The care you give
 All documentation and follow-up
 Timesheets
 Conducting yourself in a professional manner
 Your appearance
 SRT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Professional Ethics
Every discipline has a Code of Ethics that it’s members
are expected to follow and adhere to.
What do you think would be included in a code of
ethics for direct-care professionals?
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Direct Care Staff Code of Ethics
 Person Centered Supports
My first allegiance is to the person I support; all activities
and functions I perform flow from this allegiance.
 Promoting Physical & Emotional Well-Being
I am responsible for supporting the emotional, physical and
personal well-being of the individuals receiving support
while being attentive and energetic in reducing their risk of
harm.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Code of Ethics cont’d
 Integrity & Responsibility
I will support the mission and vitality of my profession to
assist people in leading self-directed lives and to foster a
spirit of partnership with the people I support, other
professionals and the community.
 Confidentiality
I will safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy
of the people I support.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Code of Ethics cont’d
 Justice, Fairness & Equity
I will promote and practice justice, fairness and equity for
the people I support and the community as a whole. I will
affirm the human and civic rights and responsibilities of
the people I support.
 Respect
I will respect the human dignity and uniqueness of the
people I support. I will recognize each person I support as
valuable and help others to understand their value.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Code of Ethics cont’d
 Relationships
I will assist the people I support to develop and maintain
relationships.
 Self-Determination
I will assist the people I support to direct the course of their
own lives.
 Advocacy
I will advocate with the people I support for justice,
inclusion and full community participation.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Direct-care Professionals &
Consumers
Direct care providers promote independence, autonomy, decisionmaking and skills-building with and on behalf of consumers.
“Consumers” refers to individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities.
Effective direct-care providers are sensitive to cultural and
ethnic diversity and strive to model tolerance and healthy
social skills, as well as build esteem and confidence about
each individual’s unique gifts, talents and abilities.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Importance of Documentation
 You will come into contact with many documentation
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requirements as an SRT BA.
Documentation is a form of accountability
Accurate documentation can work to your benefit
when it is clear and factual.
Appropriate documentation can support treatment
goals for youth and their families.
Documentation can serve as proof of service delivery
Remember: If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Types of Documentation
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Document daily client observations/issues in unit log
Document incidents/physical controls on appropriate forms
Document vehicle usage and condition in appropriate logs
Document client behaviors as per program Behavior Management Plan
Any other relevant documentation as required by shift supervisor
Any other relevant documentation as required by SRT Administrator or
Coordinator.
Timesheets
ECR Documentation
Affiliate Documentation
Mileage
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Supervision of Client
Requirements
Supervision requirements include:
 Supervision of assigned clients dependent on program
requirements.
 Staff to client ratio varies according to program
requirements.
 Status of the client (e.g. yellow, red alert, one to one)
 Access to appropriate treatment based on treatment
objectives
 Maintenance of a safe, clean, and therapeutic
environment
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
“Alert Status”
Policy and Procedure
 YCS will utilize an “Alerts” system to monitor the
health and safety of all clients consistent with all state
regulations, including DDD-Division Circular #34
 The alert status system is based on clinician risk
assessments and facilitates appropriate levels of staff
supervision being available.
 When indicated by the Site Administrator, Clinician,
or Psychiatric MD or APN, a staff member must
remain at arm’s length from the client at all times (1:1
staffing) so that physical contact can be made
immediately, if necessary.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Alert Responsibilities
Alert Status
RED Alert = significant threat of harm to self or others
CA (Constant Awareness) – The resident must be
within 6 feet of staff at all times.
YELLOW Alert= exhibiting behaviors that concern staff
FA (Frequent Awareness) – The resident must be
within eyesight of staff at all times.
*GREEN Alert= No immediate health or safety concerns
*Normal Status – All clients, unless designated
yellow or red.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
SRT 1:1 Assignment
 One on one supervision is close observation of
students/individuals who have been identified as an
imminent danger to themselves or others.
 One on one observation is a prevention of suicide, selfmutilation, elopement, homicide, and/or combative,
destructive behavior.
 The staff assigned must maintain constant visual
supervision and must remain within arm’s length of
the individual at ALL times.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Responsibilities of SRT staff
 Staff/Client Interactions and Interventions
 Counsel and advise clients on facility rules and regulations
 Inform clients of their rights and insure same
Creative and consistent use of daily routines to meet individual client
needs, including upkeep of sleeping areas and housekeeping tasks
when applicable
Use of group living to promote socialization skills
Motivate and introduce clients to new activities in conjunction with
treatment goals
Appropriately communicate relevant ideas, information, feelings, and
observations with clients
Appropriately deescalate potential crisis situations and if necessary be
prepared to control client physically (in accordance with CPI/HWC
procedures and certifications)
 Prepare areas and lead and participate in any client activities
(including but not limited to mealtimes)
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Responsibilities cont.
 As an SRT you will be required to work with our clients
in terms of providing behavioral support and in some
programs, helping with daily living skills (hygiene,
food preparation, transport, etc.). Adaptability and
reliability are essential.
 Responsible for supplementing and serving as an
immediate surplus to the staff of residential, incommunity programs, in-home care and
developmental disabilities programs throughout the
agency; able to work in a variety of roles.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Professional Boundaries
 Maintain ethical, professional, and social relationship
boundaries with their clients, co-workers, supervisors and
subordinates.
 Be aware that the clients are always watching, imitating,
miscomprehending and/or emotionally responding to the
interactions they witness in and among staff.
 Avoid attire that may be perceived as sexually appealing or
provocative to clients or other staff (or otherwise inappropriate
for the work setting).
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
YCS Professional Boundaries
(from handbook)
 Staff shall not share any intimate details of their personal lives
with consumers no matter what the circumstance.
 YCS staff working for another agency shall not have dual
relationships with consumers.
 There shall be no personal, off premises post-discharge contact
with previous YCS consumers under any circumstances.
How could ignoring professional boundaries pose a conflict
of interest?
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Provider Contracted Services
 When you are sent to a residence or home you can only
provide the services that the agency is contracted to
provide.
 We can not provide any additional services due to
funding and/or contracts. If additional services is
requested or required there is a process that needs to
be followed to obtain authorization.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Professional Courtesy
 Greeting people
 Take initiative to greet the other person
 Introductions
 Asking for Permission
 Saying good-bye/good night
 Transitions
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Professional Courtesy
 Don’t discuss someone else’s physical attractiveness,
your desire, your personal interactions or their personal
life with other staff or clients
 Avoid referring to the professional competency of other
staff, clinical or medical professionals in the agency or its
affiliates in a disparaging way.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Workplace Romance
 Staff engaged in any social, romantic or sexual relationships
with other (appropriate) YCS staff must do so TOTALLY
discretely, during and after the relationship.
 Staff will not: engage in romantic or sexual relationships with
clients; have social interactions with clients outside of YCS
duties; or subject clients to sexual harassment.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Workplace Romance- Full Circle
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Your Impact…
 How are clients impacted by the interaction between staff
(positive and negative interactions)?
 How are work dynamics impacted when staff engage in social
relationships with other staff?
 How are clients and staff impacted when helping professionals
engage in peer-to-peer (romantic) relationships?
 Why do people often meet their significant others in the
workplace?
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Managing Social Emotions
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Disapproval
Disgust
Contempt
Anger
Gratitude
Appreciation
Sympathy
Compassion
Empathy
Understanding
Patient
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Tolerant
Guilty
Shame
Regret
Pride
Confidence
Unwanted
Disrespected
Elation
Content
Apathetic
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
SRT Work Environments
 Homecare
 Residential
 Schools
 Affiliate agency
 Newly opened programs
 Weather emergencies
 High intensity program/individual
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Therapeutic Environments
 The term "therapeutic environment" refers to any
environment that has, intentionally or otherwise, a
therapeutic effect on a particular individual.
 Such environments typically are designed to make the
client feel comfortable and, in some cases, to distract
the client from anything particularly unpleasant.
 Maximizing comfort and minimizing stress in a
therapeutic environment can greatly assist both staff
and clients, providing a comfortable and safe
environment that minimizes potential discomfort.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Abbreviations
 YCS provides a variety of services throughout the state
of New Jersey specific to the individual level of care
needed. All of the YCS Programs fall into one or more
of the following program descriptions.
 RTC, PCH, Transitional Residence, IRTS, Therapeutic
Nursery (TN), Sawtele Homes/Programs, and In Home
Programs. YCS also provides training and coverage for
Our House and 21 Plus (affiliates).
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Abbreviations
 RTC = Residential treatment center is a live-in health
care facility providing therapy for substance abuse,
mental illness, or other behavioral problems.
Residential treatment centers are generally clinically
focused and provide behavior management and
treatment for adolescents with serious issues.
 Examples within YCS: Kilbarchan; Kilbarchan II;
Muller I; Newark
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Descriptions
 Transitional Residential Facility= Program for
adults 18 years and older requiring psychiatric and cooccuring substance abuse treatment. Transitional
residential facilities provide structured, therapeutic
support in a residential setting with a wide range of
services focused on an individual’s recovery working to
facilitate returning to live in the community.
 Examples within YCS: Transitional Residence (STAR)
at Paul Moore Haven; Vineland; and Sicklerville
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Abbreviations
 Psychiatric Children’s Home (PCH) These
programs specialize in trauma focused cognitive
behavioral therapy.
 Examples within YCS: Malcolm House; Laurie Haven;
Cedar Brook; and Haddon Heights.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Descriptions
 Intensive Residential Service Unit (IRTS) The
IRTS Program provides a secure, safe environment for
7 males and females ages 11-14 with severe impairment
of social functioning.
 Examples within YCS: Kilbarchan IRTS; Holley IRTS
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Abbreviations
 Therapeutic Nursery (TN) Full day partial care
program serving children from 21 months to 5 years
old, with emotional and behavioral difficulties that
interfere with healthy functioning social relationships.
These programs are a part of the Helen May Strauss
Clinic that provide infant and preschool mental health
programs.
 Examples within YCS: Therapeutic Nursery-Essex and
Therapeutic Nursery- Hudson
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Descriptions
 Sawtelle Homes/DDD Programs Program initiated
by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities to
serve their most vulnerable aggressive and high risk
males and females up age 21 and older who have
diagnosis within the autism spectrum. Augmented
level of supervision and care.
 Examples within YCS: Any Program with the name
Sawtelle and or DDD in the title
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Descriptions
 YCS Sawtelle Home Care Behavioral Support
provides intensive behavioral for children and adults,
ages 5 and up , with acute developmental and
intellectual disabilities and co-occuring behavioral
disorders in their homes.
 The YCS Sawtelle Home Care staff are compromised of
entirely SRT.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Program Descriptions
Home Care Acronyms
 Intensive In Home (IIH) working on behaviors
 Individual Support Services (ISS) activities of daily
living
 Intensive In Community (IIC) therapeutic service
 Respite - give family a break
 Adult DDD Program (DDD)
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
YCS Schools
 The SRT team also provides coverage for the YCS
schools which provide an alternative educational
environment for students who are referred from their
respective public school districts and or DCP&P.
 There are 4 schools affiliated with YCS as an
alternative for students requiring special education.
 You must have fingerprints taken again for schools.
 Examples within YCS: Ernest M. May Academy; Fort
Lee Education Center (FLEC); George Washington
School; and Independence High School
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Personal Approach
“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive
element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates
the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a
teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life
miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of
inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all
situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be
escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or
dehumanized.”
Haim Ginott
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Keys to Being a SRT
 As an SRT you are expected to maintain a solid
professional attitude towards both consumers and
fellow employees.
 It is of the utmost importance for SRT to maintain
boundaries with consumers and fellow employees
especially because SRT are temporarily based at sites.
 As an SRT you are expected to perform your duties at
the highest level of care and have the ability to adjust
to various working situations.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Keys to Being a SRT
 Follow the chain of command when reporting an
incident whether the incident involves a situation at a
program or a fellow employee.
 The SRT functional table of organization is included
in your binder.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Remember the characteristics of
a direct-care professional?
 Competence
 Reflection
 Maturity
 Empathy
 Diplomacy
 Responsible
 Judgment
 Dependable
 Insight
 Courageous
 Peacekeeping
 Mission-Minded
 Courteous
 Ethical
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Please…
Think of the clients you serve and the difficulties they deal with
on a daily basis; doing so can serve as a significant and
profound reminder of your responsibilities and degree of
accountability as a helping professional and subsequently
how important you really are!
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE
Our Mission
 To partner with at-risk and special needs children,
youth and young adults to build happier, healthier,
more hopeful lives within families and communities.
COMMITMENT, COMPASSION AND CARE