Training &
Facilitation
Our Approach
We believe training is at the core of successful programs. Your program might be thoughtfully designed with measurable goals, but to truly be successful, there must be training systems that teach, empower and motivate staff to carry them out. Our approach to designing trainings and presentations, no matter the medium, be it symposia, work-shops, webinars, or on line learning systems, is rooted in principals of adult learning and an imperative to be creative and engaging. We can develop training to support a single element of a program geared to one stakeholder or a complex training system to support a broad range of stakeholder needs.
In Action
The Challenge: Supervisory Education
A fast-growing nonprofit recognized the need to establish an internal supervisory training program to support and develop mid-level supervisors, many of whom were in the challenging situation of supervising staff who recently had been their peers. In collaboration with the chief programming officer and human resources, Grunewald Consulting created a 6-hour hands-on training program. The course established a shared understanding of supervisory roles and functions and provided tools and templates to support supervisors' work.
Role plays, exercises and discussions were incorporated throughout the training to explore and address specific challenges staff were encountering.
After the initial pilot presentation of the training we codified a detailed training manual and participant workbook, coached internal staff on presenting future trainings, and developed supplementary offerings, including an experiential workshop on power and supervision.
Grunewald Consulting received uniformly high marks. Participants expressed more confidence in their supervisory roles, and management felt they had gained comprehensive tools to continue and grow the program.
The Challenge: Case Management Training Systems
A large social services organization was awarded a multi-million dollar contract to manage a disaster case management program following Hurricane Sandy. Grunewald Consulting with a partner was contracted to develop a flexible multifaceted training program to support the learning and development of case mangers hired to provide recovery assistance to thousands of New Yorkers. In order to address the multiple challenges of this project we:
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Launched quickly in a highly politically-charged environment.
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Ensured the highest quality of work and consistency among all providers whose workforce had varying degrees of experience.
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Promoted knowledge of disability, immigrant and other issues to ensure equal access to programs for all New Yorkers.
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Supported peer-to-peer learning and networking among hundreds of case managers from dozens of agencies working in all five boroughs.
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Instilled a shared understanding of complex government disaster recovery systems.
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Promoted knowledge of a vast array of disaster-specific programs, including eligibility guidelines and processes in an ever-changing recovery environment.
The foundation of the system we developed was a two-day course for new case managers, supplemented with regular in-person workshops and webinars on specific service topics as well as numerous networking information-sharing forums. Over the nearly two-year partnership, we adjusted our support as the organization grew and was able to continue the work with internal resources. The program, which we felt privileged to help grow, still serves as a national model for excellence in disaster case management.
The Challenge: Home Health Agency Preparedness
A home health agency concerned about their ability to ensure their clients need’s were met during disasters, engaged the services of Grunewald Consulting. Together we developed an innovative approach to increasing their organization’s and clients' resilience. First we trained staff on personal preparedness and organizational emergency plans. Then we developed a hands-on workshop for older adults and people with disabilities.
After receiving instruction on training delivery and co-instructing pilot sessions, agency staff continued to present workshops throughout their service area. The project accomplished a number of goals: it provided an important service to the community, raised an awareness in the community of agencies services, and increased the ability of the agency to continue to provide vital services during emergencies.