FAQ

The answer is determined by each individual agency or organization. Many choose to train and certify all of their personnel, while others limit certification to those persons with direct care responsibilities. In some situations, regulatory bodies clearly define requirements for training.

Since the development of the Pro-ACT Principles over 40 years ago, professionals who have been trained include, child and youth care workers, recreation therapists, nurses, nurses’ aides, psychiatric technicians, mental health workers, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, security personnel, corrections officers, social workers, psychologists, and physicians.

Anyone working in a treatment setting where there is a potential for violent behavior is a qualified candidate for Pro-ACT certification.

The 4-day In-service Instructor course is the foundation of the Pro-ACT training and provides instruction and Principles related to professionalism, preparation, communication, crisis de-escalation and evasion.

The 5th day is an additional course: Pro-ACT Restraint Certification. In the additional day of training, participants learn and practice Principles of restraint.

No, the Restraint Certification course must be taken on the Friday immediately following attendance at the Monday-Thursday Pro-ACT course in which you participate.

The term “evidence-based” practice originated in the medical field to describe treatments and practices that have been shown to be effective based on the results of replicated, rigorous research with randomized, controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses and systematic peer reviews. The term has since been adopted in fields outside of medicine including education, mental and behavioral health, and other social services. Evidence-based practices in the social sciences should demonstrate evidence of an intervention’s impact on specified outcomes in studies with RCTs or strong quasi-experimental (with pre/post-test and comparison group, but no randomization) design, and be published in peer-reviewed journals or detailed evaluation reports.

There has been very limited research on the effectiveness of crisis intervention programs. This is largely due to the challenges of conducting such research including the infeasibility of randomization, difficulty collecting relevant and accurate data due to the nature of crisis situations, and ethical considerations (e.g., need for informed and voluntary consent, involvement of vulnerable populations and individuals in distress).

The research that has been conducted on the effectiveness of crisis intervention programs, including Pro-ACT, shows reductions in the incidence of seclusion/restraint and positive changes in staff attitudes. However, none of that research meets the requirements for Evidence-based Practices. Limitations of the existing research include a limited number of settings and client types, absence of equivalent comparison groups, and the presence of potentially significant confounding variables (e.g., changes in documentation and debriefing practices, primary plan management, routines and policies as well as other culture change initiatives). None of the existing research on the effectiveness of crisis intervention programs has been subjected to peer review.

Pro-ACT Training is, however, a Best Practice. Best practices are generally accepted methods that have proven themselves over time. While Best Practices do not have the rigorous research basis of Evidence-based Practices, they do reflect a careful consideration of relevant, clinical research and a thorough review of standard discipline-specific practices and approaches.

Pro-ACT Training emphasizes critical thinking and continued assessment to meet the needs of clients while increasing safety and minimizing risks. The focus is on preventing crises through respectful interactions with clients grounded in current concepts of trauma-informed care, intervening at the earliest possible point in the assault crisis cycle using reasonable force response, implementing a robust documentation/debriefing process to identify improvements in client supports, and encouraging a culture that supports ongoing training and professional development.

Pro-ACT certification is good for one year and renewable for up to one additional year. To maintain certification, an In-service Instructor must complete 28 hours of basic in-service instruction within the facility in which they are employed during the first twelve months of certification. If an In-service Instructor is also Restraint-certified, they must conduct an additional 7 hours of restraint training.

If the required amount of training is completed and the documentation submitted as required, certification is extended for an additional 12 months. After two years, a certified In-service Instructor must be recertified.

Advantage e-Learning is an online training option that can be accessed by your employees anywhere they have a computer and internet service. The Advantage content covers the first half of Pro-ACT certification training, providing employees with the fundamental skills they need to effectively and safely interact with clients while also providing a range of de-escalation strategies. Advantage can be used to begin the training certification process now with the final portion of training completed at a later date.

Pro-ACT makes training available through open registration and contractual agreement. Open registration training dates can be found on the website. Organizations interested in arranging a Pro-ACT training for employees of their organizations are welcome to contact the Pro-ACT, Inc. office at the address or phone number listed below or by sending an e-mail to info@proacttraining.com.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing that provides full coverage and allows for ease of movement. It is essential that shoes be flat with closed toes, closed heels, and non-skid soles. Persons who do not comply with the dress code may be excluded from participation, jeopardizing their own certification.

During the time of COVID-19 precautions, all participants will be expected to wear a mask that covers nose and mouth throughout the entire training. Participants can bring and wear their own mask or use those provided by the Pro-ACT Trainer.

Because you, as an In-service Instructor, provide the certification, and the decision to certify is yours along with your agency Sponsor, the choice to train remotely is based upon your ability to accurately assess a participant’s skills. Certification should be based upon the assessment criteria provided in the evaluation section of your manual. Pro-ACT, Inc. provides that rubric for evaluating competency of each Principle with the Beginner Level being the minimum standard for certification.