The Pro-ACT Philosophy
Pro-ACT is based upon a set of Principles that focus on maintaining client dignity while keeping clients and staff safe. With a focus on offering professionals the skills needed to reduce or avoid restraint, the Pro-ACT curriculum provides Train-the-Trainer programming as well as Employee In-service training and is designed to:
- Respect client rights;
- Build a non-coercive treatment environment;
- Minimize the risks associated with emergency response to assaultive behavior;
- Emphasize the role of supervision of employee behavior;
- Support continuous upgrading of skills and knowledge;
- Be free of gender bias;
- Emphasize team skills;
- Provide experience in problem solving.
Pro-ACT is Principles, Not Technique
While specific, consistent techniques can be reassuring in the training room, they are not consistently effective. No two violent emergencies are exactly alike. Similarly, no two clients are alike. Why then would there be an expectation that a single consistent technique would work in such varied settings? There can be no single right answer.
Because simple techniques aren’t effective, the Pro-ACT curriculum builds a framework of Principles that guide critical thinking and establish parameters within which to problem-solve. These Principles incorporate issues of professionalism, preparedness, de-escalation, teamwork, risk assessment, and crisis communication into a framework for decision-making.
Pro-ACT Principles and Restraint
Development and implementation of an individualized primary, intervention, or treatment plan is the most important tool for maintaining safety. The need for restraint, then, can be viewed as a breakdown in the primary plan. When the primary plan breaks down and assault occurs it is considered a treatment failure. In such instances, restraint may be the determined choice, but only as a last resort. Guidelines for restraint include specific Principles, each of which requires careful assessment and critical thinking prior to, during, and following application.
Pro-ACT, Inc. offers the following Train-the Trainer and Employee In-service options:
Employee training options:
A list of training dates & locations as well as registration information is available on the Pro-ACT, Inc. website.