Who should take this course?

This course is designed for Michigan Adult Foster Care (AFC) and other group living providers, including owners, administrators, managers, and direct care staff who support residents with mental illness, dementia, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, or complex behavioral histories.

What will I learn in this challenging behaviors course?

You will learn how to recognize early warning signs and triggers, apply trauma-informed care principles, use verbal and environmental de-escalation strategies, maintain safety for residents and staff, document incidents appropriately, and work with clinicians to build and follow effective behavior support plans.

Does this course qualify for Michigan Adult Foster Care CEUs?

Yes. This course is part of Direct Care Training & Resource Center, Inc.’s Michigan Adult Foster Care CEU catalog and is designed to support ongoing training and compliance for licensed AFC homes.

Will I receive a certificate after completion?

Yes. Upon successful completion of all lessons and the final assessment, you will receive a downloadable certificate you can place in personnel and licensing files as proof of Michigan AFC CEU completion.

Texas - Special On-Line Training for Direct Service Personnel

1

Chapter 1 - The Challenge of Aggressive Behavior
- Lesson A - What to Expect in the Section and Course
- Lesson B - Types of Aggression and Why Aggression Might Occur-Generally
- Lesson C - Aggression Among Alzheimer's Patients
- Lesson D - Our Response to Aggression
- Lesson E - Quiz/Review on Aggression
2

Chapter 2 - Prevention & Containment of Communicable Diseases: Blood Borne Pathogens
- Lesson A - What are Blood Borne Pathogens?
- Lesson B - Modes of Transmission
- Lesson C - PPE, Work Place Practice Controls
- Lesson D - Personal Protective Equipment
- Lesson E - Hygiene Practices
- Lesson F - Decontamination and Sterilization
- Lesson G - Emergency Procedures
- Lesson H - Quiz/Review on Prevention & Containment of Communicable Disease
3

Chapter 3 - Rendering Personal Care Safely and With Dignity
- Lesson A - Dignity Defined and How it Gets Compromised When Care is Needed...
- Lesson B - How You Can Respond to Promote The Dignity of Those in Your Care
- Lesson C - The Connection Between Improper Sexual Behavior in Care and Dignity
- Lesson D - Quiz/Review for Rendering Personal Care Safely and With Dignity
4

Chapter 4 - Person Centered Planning
- Lesson A - The Goals of This Section
- Lesson B - Person Centered Planning Defined and its Applicability to Your Work
- Lesson C - How to Make Use of Person-Centered Planning
- Lesson D - How Person Centered Planning Benefits from Multiple Contributions
- Lesson E - Supportive Connections: Family, Friends and Others
- Lesson F - Quiz/Review for Person Centered Planning Section
5

Chapter 5 - Transfer and Ambulation
- Lesson A - The Objectives of the Course
- Lesson B - The Anatomy of the Back
- Lesson C - The Muscles of the Back
- Lesson D - The Function of the Back and How to Protect It
- Lesson E - The Issue of Back Pain
- Lesson F - Protecting Your Back During Lifts and Transfers
- Lesson G - Additional Tips for a Healthy Back
- Lesson H - Quiz/Review: Transfer and Ambulation Section
6

Chapter 6 - Fire Safety and Prevention
- Lesson A - 3 Key Elements of Fire Safety Alertness
- Lesson B - Interior Finish Concerns for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
- Lesson C - Smoke Detection Equipment Recommendations
- Lesson D - Fire Extinguisher Recommendations
- Lesson E - Recommendations for Means of Egress in Institutional Care (Non-Home Care Environments)
- Lesson F - Flame Producing Equipment
- Lesson G - Special Notes Regarding General Fire Safety
- Lesson H - Emergency Response in Residential Care
- Lesson I - Quiz Review on Fire Safety
7

Chapter 7 - The Art of Effective Communication
- Lesson A - We All Have to Communicate
- Lesson B - Communicating with Colleagues, Care Recipients and Others
- Lesson C - Review for The Art of Communication in Care
8

Chapter 8 - Managing Non-Violent Challenging Behaviors
- Lesson A - The Challenges that Are Non-Violent
- Lesson B - The Special Challenge of Certain Behaviors - What Are They?
- Lesson C - Review for Non-Violent Challenging Behaviors
9

Chapter 9 - Mental Health & Substance Abuse
- Lesson A - Substance Abuse is Real Among Multiple Populations
- Lesson B - The Diagnosis Affect and How to Help
- Lesson C - Mental Illness and Substane Abuse Section Review
10

Chapter 10 - How Best to Deal With Difficult Situations: The Art of Conflict Resolution
- Lesson A - Why People Skills Matter and Contribute to Effective Conflict Resolution
- Lesson B - Specific Situations Where Conflict May Be Present
- Lesson C - Conflict Resolution Strategies that Work
- Lesson D - Review Section on Conflict Resolution
11

Chapter 11 - Caring for the Caregiver
- Lesson A - Why Caring for the Caregiver Matters...
- Lesson B - How Caring for the Caregiver Can Be Handled
- Lesson C - Section Review on Caring for the Caregiver
12

Chapter 12 - Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease and Serving Those Managing Them
- Lesson A - What Are Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease?
- Lesson B - What to Expect from a Dementia/Alzheimer's Sufferer?
- Lesson C - Appropriate Responses to Certain Behaviors
- Lesson D - Review Section on Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Recognizing Triggers & Risk Factors

Learn how history, trauma, environment, and medical conditions contribute to challenging behaviors and how to spot early warning signs in residents before situations spiral.

De-Escalation & Communication Skills

Build a toolbox of verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques, boundary-setting approaches, and calm communication strategies tailored for AFC and other group living environments.

Behavior Plans, Safety & Documentation

Understand how to follow and support behavior plans, maintain safety for residents and staff, and document incidents in ways that support clinical collaboration and licensing compliance.

What You’ll Gain

Michigan Adult Foster Care CEU credit as part of an approved training catalog.
Confidence in preventing, redirecting, and de-escalating challenging resident behaviors.
Improved teamwork between direct care staff, supervisors, and clinical professionals.
Documentation habits that support risk management, compliance, and better care planning.
A certificate of completion suitable for personnel files and licensing reviews.

Start Learning

This focused Michigan AFC CEU course helps group home leaders build a safer, calmer environment for residents living with mental illness, dementia, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, and other complex needs.