Catalog

This course focuses on working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to understand and support this population effectively. The course covers a variety of topics that are relevant to I/DD, providing a comprehensive understanding of the unique behavioral health challenges that individuals with I/DD face. 

You will gain insights into the specific behavioral, emotional, social, and medical challenges individuals with I/DD may experience and how these challenges can manifest in various settings. You will see that medical conditions are often at the core of challenging behavior in individuals with I/DD.

Furthermore, the course will emphasize the importance of person-centered approaches and individualized care when working with individuals with I/DD. You will explore strategies for establishing rapport, building trust, and effectively communicating with individuals with communication difficulties. Collaboration with families, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams will be crucial to supporting individuals with I/DD. You will understand the importance of involving family members and caregivers in the treatment process and collaborating across Colorado's system of care. 

Completing this course will enhance your ability to provide compassionate and effective support for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, promoting their behavioral health and overall well-being.

This training provides an understanding of trauma-informed care tailored to children and adolescents. Participants will gain insights into the impact of trauma on young individuals and learn evidence-based practices to effectively support and promote healthy outcomes in this vulnerable population. This training will focus primarily on the following developmental stages:

1. Early school age (age 5-7)

2. Middle school age (age 8-12)

3. Early adolescence (age 13-17)

Screening protocols are essential for helping individuals with brain injuries access the care they need. Brain injuries can significantly impact a person's health, function, and well-being, putting them at higher risk for various physical and mental health challenges. This course focuses on the tools and strategies necessary to assess and evaluate the impact of brain injuries accurately. You'll learn how to gather detailed information about an individual's injury history, conduct comprehensive health history interviews, and recognize when specialist care is needed.

In addition to addressing the direct effects of brain injuries, this course also explores the unique challenges faced by individuals as they adjust to life post-injury. These challenges often include communication difficulties, mood disturbances, and cognitive issues, which can complicate access to care — especially for those with co-occurring behavioral health conditions. By understanding these added complexities, you will be better equipped to support both patients and their caregivers, tailoring treatment plans to meet each individual's specific needs.

One in 36 individuals in the U.S. is autistic. This course is designed to provide knowledge and skill development for healthcare providers working with neurodivergent patients. It covers common characteristics of autistic individuals with average to above-average cognitive abilities, as well as risk factors such as associated medical concerns and suicide. Additionally, treatment, research, and cultural considerations are discussed. This course will help providers develop the cultural competency skills needed to care for this population.

Many youth with brain injuries may experience difficulties with emotional regulation due to changes in brain function. As a behavioral health professional, you should be prepared to provide immediate and long-term care that includes strategies and support to help youth manage emotions to effectively cope with frustration, anger, anxiety, and depression, among other things.

As a group, people with disabilities fare far worse than their nondisabled counterparts across a broad range of health indicators and social determinants of health. Adults with disabilities are four times more likely than people with no disabilities to report their health to be fair or poor (40.3% vs. 9.9%). The absence of professional training on disability competency for healthcare practitioners is one of the most significant barriers preventing people with disabilities from receiving appropriate and effective health care.

This introductory course on disability is designed to provide behavioral health professionals with knowledge and skills to better understand and support individuals who have disabilities. This course covers a wide range of topics, including the many identities of people with disabilities, and the social determinants of health, ableism, and the previous models of care that have negatively impacted the well-being of the disabled community. It also highlights what disability-competent care looks like, and the importance of activism, continuous learning, and the disability justice movement.