APEX Academy
Apex Care Professional Continuing Education Program
Stay current and grow with our monthly virtual workshops.
We offer a series of 12 monthly virtual continuing education sessions, providing our Care Professionals with a convenient way to stay updated on industry trends and best practices. These workshops will be delivered live, featuring interactive discussions and providing handouts and practical tools to enhance learning. This approach not only supports the professional development of our current team but also attracts skilled and experienced candidates, making Apex Social Group a top choice for those seeking ongoing growth and development.
01: January
New Year, New Start: How to Keep Your Work New And Engaging
The start of the new year is a time for renewal and self-reflection. In this workshop, we will talk about how you can keep your work as a Care Professional new and engaging. We will provide ideas on how you can continue to stay engaged in your work in the New Year and keep it fresh day-to-day. We will also facilitate a discussion on what you can do to care for yourself so that you and your host family can be successful all year long.
02: February
Communication: Positive Conversations
Communication styles are unique to each person. They are the ways we interact and exchange information with each other. This workshop will discuss how you can celebrate good news, navigate difficult conversations with your host families, and use communication skills effectively throughout your career. We will touch upon how to give and ask for feedback, and review the differences in communication from a cultural standpoint. We will provide you with best practices for effective and positive communication.
03: March
Using a Whole Child & Family Approach
At Apex we encourage you to use a whole child and family approach. In this discussion, we will talk about what this approach means and how you can use it to best serve your host family and empower your host child(ren). We will also review how this strategy can be applied to yourself and your life to enhance your experience and journey in the Apex program and beyond, as well as the benefits of using a family-centered approach and strong caregiver training.
04: April
Managing Challenging Behavior
In this workshop, you will learn basic strategies to managing your Host Children's challenging behaviors. We will discuss what challenging behaviors are, why children engage in them and what you can do to partner with your Host Family and Host Child's therapy team (if applicable) to address their behavior. Most importantly, we will discuss the fundamentals of replacement behaviors and how to teach your Host Children new skills.
05: May
Working in an Interdisciplinary Care Team
Working in an interdisciplinary team can be both rewarding and challenging. We will discuss what an interdisciplinary team means and how you can be a productive team player. We will further discuss how and when you should share your ideas with teammates, and what to do when they are challenged. This workshop will review what a care team is, your role in it and how you can best support your Host Children as part of an interdisciplinary care team.
06: June
School Breaks: Preventing Regression
“Engaging Children During School Breaks”. Many children experience some regression during school breaks in their growth, learning and development. While this is expected and most children can catch up quickly, some children take more time to adjust. In the workshop we will discuss strategies for engaging with children during school breaks and how to continue to invest in their growth and development in fun and educational ways.
07: July
Promoting Easy Transitions
Transitions are hard, but they can be made easier by understanding why your Host Children have difficulty with them and what you can do to help promote a smooth transition. In this workshop, we will review best practices for creating easy transitions and how to individualize your approach when doing so. We will discuss how you can involve your Host Family in making transitions easier and how to promote consistency.
08: August
The Importance of Parenting: What’s Your Host Family’s Style?
There are many different parenting styles so getting to know your Host Family's specific style is important. This workshop covers different types of parenting styles and provides you with advice on how you can adapt your style to complement your Host Family's style. We will review how you can collaborate with your Host Parents and share your professional opinion to best help your Host Children make positive outcomes.
09: September
Building Connections with your Host Children and Host Parents
Building solid relationships with your host children and host parents is the key element in a successful match. In this discussion, we will teach you the ins and outs of building a strong rapport with your family and how that will benefit you throughout your time in your placement. We will introduce everyday methods you can use to maintain your connections, even when you are facing challenging moments.
10: October
Planning Engaging Activities with your Host Children
Engaging with your host children in meaningful, fun and educational activities. In this discussion, we will discuss how to create activity schedules, plan your week for success, and modify activities based on your host children's strengths and abilities.
11: November
Navigating the Holidays: Practical Solutions for a Busy Time of Year
In this session, we will talk about how to keep lines of communication open with your host family, and how to make the most of your weekly meeting time. We will also discuss how to plan for success during the holidays with your host children including planning for more indoor activities, helping your host kids with the changing schedules and potential overstimulation that comes with the holiday season. We will discuss how to be flexible, having a back up plan and anticipating behavior changes.
12: December
Disabilities: Expanding your Knowledge through Resources & Volunteering
In this session, we will give a general overview of disabilities in the US and offer resources that may help you learn more and grow in your professional knowledge. We will also discuss how to find volunteer opportunities in your community where you can engage with the disability community and make a difference.