Trainings
Healthy Relationships Training
About
This training was created out of a need for better training, education and services, and awareness around sexuality and healthy relationships for folks with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD).
It is provided by Amelia Kyewich-Kaneholani, M.Ed, and Zosimo Arista Jr., MSW, who are the Program Specialists of Kauai and Oahu, respectively. They have completed the 3-day Elevatus Training on Becoming a Sexuality Educator and Trainer.
There are also three other trainers in Hawaiʻi: 1) Professor Rhonda Black from UH Manoa; 2) Kim Shields, RN, MSN, CPHQ, from Bayada Home Care; and 3) Lily Chan-Harris from Employment Network Hawaiʻi.
Statement of need:
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Based on Adult Protective Services (APS), an estimated 25/700 (3.5%) of all reported cases concerning a person with I/DD were about abuse/neglect. The number of actual cases is likely underreported.
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The current training and education for mandated reporters of APS is inadequate.
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Such training is usually only 30 minutes, with most of the time spent on forms and definitions, leaving only 5 minutes on how to report sexual abuse.
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Sexuality training and education within programs serving folks with I/DD is sparse and not mandated by any state or county agency.
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The Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) and a few other agencies have offered training in the past when resources were available.
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Community awareness of potential for, and how to respond to, victimization/abuse of people with I/DD is poor and must be improved.
Vision statement:
All youth and adults with I/DD, ages 16 and above, including those with communication issues, will live in a positive and healthy environment, and a supportive and safe community statewide.
5-Year Goal:
To develop a sustainable support system relating to sexuality and healthy relationships that reaches all youth and adults with I/DD, statewide, particularly those with communication issues.
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As part of the DD Council’s 5-year state plan, we are working on providing this training to Medicaid Waiver 1915(c) agency providers, non-profit organizations serve folks with I/DD, parents and families affected by I/DD, and adults with I/DD.
Training modules:
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Sexual self-advocacy
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Messages about sexuality
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Sexual development and disability
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Personal barriers
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Answering questions
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Responding to behaviors
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Working with parents/guardians
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Trauma-informed approach
Training objectives:
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Helping people with disabilities become sexual self-advocates
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Identify values and attitudes, and how those impact individuals with disabilities
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Teach staff and parents how to talk about sexuality with participants and their children, respectively
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Demonstrate effective training techniques to use with staff, parents, and people with disabilities.
For more information about upcoming trainings or to book a training for your agency, please contact Zosimo Arista at (808) 586-8169.
Feeling Safe, Being Safe (FSBS)
Emergency Preparedness Training
The Self-Advocacy Advisory Council (SAAC) is providing emergency preparedness training for individuals with disabilities, and access and functional needs. Each participant will complete a Feeling Safe, Being Safe worksheet and magnet. They will also learn how to put an emergency kit together.
If you are interested, please call Zosimo Arista, Jr., at (808) 586-8169.