Work Training Center is a nonprofit organization providing services to people with disabilities.
Printer-friendly versionSOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
The Social Skills Training Program (SSTP) is designed to provide programming and training for adults who have behavioral concerns which prevent them from placement in conventional Adult Day Programs and vocational services. The concept and philosophy of the program came from a recognized need that some individuals required more supervision than the general population served, usually for their own and others’ safety, or because the behaviors were interfering with attainment of personal growth and development. The SSTP currently operates within three of our Adult Day Programs. These programs are: Joe McGie Center (JMC) in Chico, Creative Learning Center (CLC) in Paradise, and the Sierra Center (SC) in Oroville. The SSTP provides supervision and training using a positive behavior support philosophy to adults who demonstrate significant excess behaviors at a staffing ratio of one staff person to every three adults, and in some cases on a one:one basis.
The individuals enrolled in SSTP participate in community based activities and attend classes at the base program (JMC, CLC, and SC), as determined by the interdisciplinary team. The goal of the program is to apply training to assist in the development of social skills and other appropriate behaviors which permit each individual to function in a community integrated day or vocational program without the need for specialized behavior management services. The SSTP staff are specially trained in behavioral techniques which are positive, non-aversive in nature, and offer natural consequences. The program shapes the appropriate behaviors in the setting in which they are needed. Each individual becomes familiar with the daily routine of community employment and activities and/or center based classes and activities, work with the conventional program instructors and staff members throughout the day and establish relationships with peers, and others in the community.
The training techniques utilized in the SSTP are based on providing positive and successful activities for each person. A non-aversive positive behavior management approach is utilized. Each person is provided with numerous successful interactions throughout the day in a variety of settings. The program utilizes antecedent control when possible, and attempts to set the stage for the person to be involved throughout the day in situations which result in successful and positively reinforced natural conclusions.