APS New Social Worker Induction is crafted to empower new social workers with the essential skills for a thriving career in Adult Protective Services (APS). This dynamic series offers a blend of immersive learning experiences, including interactive lectures, hands-on exercises, lively Q&A discussions, captivating multimedia presentations and practical takeaways. With a focus on real-world application, our training incorporates transfer-of-learning activities designed to sharpen critical thinking, enhance online skill building and give participants the confidence to excel in their APS roles.
Trainings will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for most courses. An official training calendar will be sent upon enrollment. All classes are held virtually via Zoom.
Topics and Dates
- Overview of APS – December 16, 2025
- Building Disability Awareness & Overcoming Bias – December 18, 2025
- Interviewing and Documentation Skills – January 6, 2026
- Field Safety for Social Workers – January 8, 2026
- Mental Illness 101 – January 13, 2026
- Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease – January 15, 2026
- Motivational Interviewing – January 27, 2026
- Self-Neglect in Older Adults – January 29, 2026
- Risk Assessment, Investigations, and Case Planning – February 3, 2026
- Documenting the APS Case – February 5, 2026
- Screening for Decision-Making Capacity – February 10, 2026
- Formal Tools that Assess Decision Making Capacity – February 10, 2026
- Engaging in Difficult Conversations – February 12, 2026
- Implicit Bias – February 19, 2026
- Secondary Trauma & Self Care – February 26, 2026
Learning Objectives:
After attending this series, participants will be able to:
- Obtain interview techniques for engaging older and dependent adults effectively
- Understand the importance of decision-making capacity screening and explore key capacity-related definitions
- Develop strategies for difficult conversations about sensitive topics like hoarding, dementia and sexual abuse
- Expand knowledge of mental health categories and diagnoses affecting adults
- Learn about risk assessment: its purpose, key indicators, factors, and domains
- Build awareness of how subtle thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence client interactions and care outcomes
Learners will be enrolled in all training dates in the series. Participants who complete all sessions will receive a certificate of completion.