Essential Foundation in Collaborative Problem Solving® Training (Level 1)
Think:Kids invites educators, residential program staff, mental health clinicians, and anyone who is living with or helping kids with challenging behavior to learn more about Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS), the revolutionary, evidence-based approach for helping children develop the skills they need to manage their behavior.
This course is conducted online, over 3-sessions:
- Monday, July 22 : 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET / 7:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
- Tuesday, July 23: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET / 7:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
- Wednesday, July 24: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET / 7:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
Essential Foundation covers all aspects of the Collaborative Problem Solving approach. Through lectures, role-play, video examples, case studies, and breakout groups, participants learn how to identify the causes of unmet expectations and concerning behavior and how to address those causes using a relational and replicable process. After completing the course, participants are eligible to take Advanced Concepts in Collaborative Problem Solving (Level 2).
Upon completion, you will be able to:
- Describe why a new approach is needed for working with individuals with challenging behaviors.
- Explain that a person's behavior is influenced by their thinking skills rather than their motivation to behave well
- Understand that implicit bias may impact judgment about a person's behavior.
- Differentiate between problems to be solved and challenging behaviors when doing a CPS Assessment.
- Identify how responses to situations are consistent with Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C.
- Use Collaborative Problem Solving to build skills and address problems, not just challenging behaviors.
- Solve problems collaboratively with others.
Tuition
- Individuals: $595 USD for all 3 sessions
- Groups of 5 or more: $535 USD each attendee, for all for sessions
Payment Policy: Credit/debit card is preferred for registration payment. Please email us at ThinkKidsInfo@Partners.org if you pay by check/invoice.
Financial Assistance: If you require financial assistance, please apply for assistance by completing this form. Funds are limited, and the application does not guarantee an award. The application is due 2 weeks before the training begins.
Training Cancellation Policy: Non-refundable. Substitutions are permitted.
Course Requirements
- When registering, you are signing up for all three days. Attendance is required for each day as the learning builds upon the previous session's content.
- All participants must join via their own device. If joining as a group, each person should be on an individual device.
- Prerequisite: Prior exposure to Collaborative Problem Solving including attending a CPS Introductory Training, a CPS Parent Class, or watching this recording is strongly recommended but not required.
Think: Kids/MGH is an Accredited Provider of Continuing Education Units (CE) and Professional Development Points (PDP)
- Educators: We are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 12 PDPs.
- Social Workers: This program has been approved for 12 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D91572.
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors:This program has been approved by MaMHCA/MCEAP for 12 CEs.
- Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Other: A certificate of attendance will be provided for 12 units which can be submitted to the corresponding professional organization for consideration.
About Your Instructors
Larry Lam, LCSW, MPH provides a range of services at Think:Kids to those who are learning to utilize Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) in their personal and/or professional lives. He facilitates training and coaching sessions, teaches advanced concepts as an instructor in our Certification Program, and consults with organizations who are working towards implementation and sustainability of CPS.
Prior to working full-time at Think:Kids, Larry spent many years working with youth, families, and staff in foster care in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. He spent over 9 years leading CPS implementation efforts in child welfare that included training and coaching of staff and parents. He has been using CPS in his work since first learning the model in 2013. He has been dedicated to spreading the philosophy in his professional life and grounding himself in the philosophy at home as he raises children of his own.
Larry received his BS in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He also holds Master’s degrees in both Social Work and Public Health from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
