OUR SERVICES/CAREGIVER TRAININGS
We believe that children and adults with disabilities should learn, work, and play in the same environments as every other person. We acknowledge that realizing inclusivity across society requires education to change cultures, beliefs, behaviors, and standard practices. It is our commitment as a group of multidisciplinary experts to teach, serve, and support persons with disabilities and those who support them. Families, caregivers, teachers, employers, friends, and beneficiaries — we work with everyone!
Number of days/hours: 5 days; 4 hours/day (1-2 days/week)
Description: MAC Georgia has developed a 24-hour training module dealing with social and emotional skills, with workshops based on this format. Content includes the development of emotional intelligence in children as well as in mentors. After training, teachers will be able to use appropriate activities and recognize acceptable response forms when developing emotional intelligence in their students. The module includes both monitoring and feedback.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend and participate in a minimum of 80% of the training (4 out of the 5 days).
Number of days/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training explores problem behaviors and introduces effective behavior management strategies. We recommend this training to any professional/para-professional working in the field of education and/or child protection.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend each day of training and score a minimum of 80% on the final test.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 8 hours
Description: Designed for laymen in the field of disabilities this training is for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the needs in the field. Topics discussed include general disability issues, specific medical needs, sensory disorders, emotional issues, and adaptive equipment.
Certification: Certification will be given to those who attend the full day of training.
Number of day/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: During the first day, this basic sensory integration course focuses on sensory integration theory, sensory integration dysfunction, and general strategies/recommendations when working with children who have sensory issues. The second day of training teaches attendees how to make sensory toys from various second-hand materials and discusses how they can be used. The course is designed for direct-care providers.
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total trainings and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of day/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This course reviews age-related challenges/difficulties faced by the elderly and introduces effective strategies and techniques to support them. Training topics include the following: Fall Prevention, Stroke and Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer's, Prevention of Pressure Sores, Feeding Techniques, Transfers, and Ambulation Devices
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of day/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This training provides an overview of the purpose and importance of play and effective intervention strategies with children. It is hands-on training and teaches the types of play, intervention strategies to encourage and foster creative play, and how to develop play activities.
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of day/hours: 5 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training provides an overview of disabilities, special educational needs, and effective intervention strategies to anyone interested in the field. It explores topics on developmental disorders, special educational needs, sensory and physical disabilities, emotional issues, teaching of basic academic skills, individual educational plans, and behavior management strategies.
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score of at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of day/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training focuses on the importance of promoting independence and functional skill development with children who have disabilities. The goal is to strengthen the attendee's skills/knowledge, so that they are better equipped to improve the child's ability to participate in everyday activities. Training topics include Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Posture, Play, Independent Living Skills, Activities of Daily Living, Range of Motion, and Functional Transfers.
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of day/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This course is designed for direct care providers of persons with disabilities. Over the course of the training, we work to build/improve understanding of independent living skills and provide the tools necessary to assist persons with disabilities in improving functional performance and maximizing independence in everyday activities. There are hands-on sessions to assist individuals in developing and strengthening their own skills. Topics include Safety Skills, Personal Hygiene, Dressing, Community Mobility, Money Management, Communication, and Sense of Self. The course demands active participation and intensive group work, so be prepared to interact!
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of days/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training is designed for daycare professionals. Our flexible and client-centered approach allows us to train and certify a designated member of an established day center to present our Independent Living training to day center staff. The course includes: Learning about course content and materials, how to present and facilitate a course using the handouts/materials of the Independent Living course, and how to address challenging participants and behaviors. The training is actively hands-on, with the potential for homework outside class hours.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend each day of training and score a minimum of 80% on the final test.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This training provides caregivers an overview of the anatomy and bodily systems responsible for feeding/swallowing, various feeding/swallowing issues, and interventions such as simple oral stimulations, proper positioning, and the incorporation of adaptive technology to encourage the initiation of oral feeding.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend 90% of total training and score a minimum of 80% on the final exam.
Number of days/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for appropriately implementing its six phases. Classes are very hands-on and interactive and are designed for professionals who are working with nonverbal children or children who have limited speech communication skills.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend the full training and score a minimum of 80% on the post-training exam.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This training gives an overview of mobility devices and the purpose/use of each device.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend the full training and score a minimum of 80% on the final exam.
Number of days/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This intermediate-level course focuses on general sensory integration theory, sensory integration concepts, and the incorporation of SI elements in the intervention process. It requires some working knowledge in the field and is designed for rehabilitation program professionals; such as ABA therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, assistant specialists, and psychologists.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of days/hours: First part: 4 days; 4 ½ hours/day — Second part: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: Accredited by the Georgian Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Affairs; this training is designed for newly formed day centers with no prior experience and for existing centers seeking to strengthen their overall knowledge and service provision. Consisting of two parts, it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for centers and their employees to provide high quality care to children with disabilities. Topics during the seven days of intensive training include an introduction to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRD) and the Convention on Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), as well as instruction in the following areas: Understanding developmental disorders and norms, sensory deficits, individual plan development/implementation, habilitation-rehabilitation strategies, case management, behavior and emotional issues, behavior management strategies, independent learning skills development, sensory integration techniques, and seating and positioning.
Certification: A certificate will be presented to all those who attend each day of training and score a minimum of 80% on the final test.
Number of days/hours: 4 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This course presents evidence-based classroom teaching strategies and the development of individual educational plans (IEPs). Focusing primarily on reading, writing, and arithmetic; it assists attendees to better assess the learning level of students, regardless of ability, and then to create and implement an effective individual learning plan as needed.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend each day of training and score a minimum of 80% on the final test.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This hands-on training teaches the types of transfers, transfer strategies, body mechanics during transfers, and how to minimize physical stress on the person performing the transfer. It is for caregivers who interact with a person who requires assistance with mobility.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This is a basic training course for pediatric day center staff and other direct-care providers. It focuses on teaching the skills to determine appropriate wheelchair size/fit for a child or an adult. It reviews the basics of wheelchairs, how to measure a person for a wheelchair, optimal positioning, and general wheelchair adaptations.
Number of days/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training includes both practical and theoretical sections, teaching skills that are necessary to determine appropriate wheelchair size/fit for a child or an adult. It reviews the basics of wheelchairs and how to adapt/manipulate a wheelchair according to an individual. Optimal positioning for specific disabilities and appropriate wheelchair user's mobility as in, for example, transfers are also covered. This training is appropriate for healthcare professionals and other stakeholders who are working in rehabilitation services.
Certification: Certification will be awarded to those who attend the full training and score a minimum of 80% on the post-training exam.
MAC provides evaluations and assessments of children with various special needs and/or disabilities. Evaluations of children with special needs are crucial for identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Our assessments offer recommendations on effective teaching and behavior management strategies, general adaptations, and activities/strategies that foster skill development and independence. We offer our services free of cost to Georgian day centers.
MAC Georgia’s multi-disciplinary team offers free individual evaluations and program consultations to day care centers and health-related services. With an emphasis on improving individual independence, our team works with individuals with disabilities to develop and implement activities that are tailored to the individual and that promote overall health and functioning. Through our process we work with the client to assess current needs and then make recommendations on how those challenges might be addressed, whether through modified interventions, new skills and approaches, or the introduction of assistive technology.
No matter the situation, our ultimate goal is always to enable and empower individuals to acquire skills and to receive the support necessary for them to actively participate in the world around them. Whether it is school, employment, athletics, or any other place or activity where the individual seeks to engage, we strive to ensure that he (or she) is provided the environment and tools necessary to reach his/her full potential.