Adult Services Training Academy
APS Supervisor Core
About Supervisor Core
APS Supervisor Core Competency training modules are based on research, national needs assessment data, stakeholder feedback, and evolving APS practice. Curriculum is developed with subject-matter experts in concert with the Supervisor Curriculum Advisory Committee (SCAC). Training is offered in a variety of curriculum lengths and modalities to accommodate supervisor's competing demands. The training is intended for supervisors both new and experienced. Please note: Training modules will be released on a rolling basis as they are piloted, finalized, and reviewed by NAPSA Education Review Committee. Please see below for anticipated release dates.
Registration Instructions
You only need to register if you have never taken an eLearning with us in the past.
- To ensure accurate recording of your APS E-Learning completions, please register using your County Email address. Click on the Register for E-Learning link below.
- Within one business day, you will receive an email containing your login credentials for our Cybertrain Learning Management System (LMS), granting you access to our catalog of APS E-Learning courses.
- A short walkthrough video will be attached to this email. Please review the information in the video to log in to the LMS and get started with your training.
- If you have any questions regarding the registration of your account, please feel
free to contact Damian Lee at dlee18@mail.fresnostate.edu or
Kyler Beck at kylerb@mail.fresnostate.edu.
If you require an updated transcript of the APS courses you have completed, kindly reach out to Cynthia Rodriguez at cynthia@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Please note that student transcripts will only be provided directly to the individual worker. If you are a supervisor seeking a transcript for a worker, please advise the worker to request their transcript directly from us. They may choose to share it with you at their own discretion.
Module 1 - Understanding Self as Supervisor
Course Description:
In this foundational 90-minute eLearning, 4-hour instructor led training, and 30-minute Transfer of Learning Activity on a trauma-informed framework for APS supervisors, participants will explore a trauma-informed care approach from biological, programmatic, and policy levels. Each modality can be taken separately or together for a more in-depth experience.
Thank you to our SME, Gabriela Grant, MA, for developing the curriculum and to Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, MSW, LCSW, for providing editing support and contributions to this project.
Instructor-Led Course Description:
Without a doubt, supervisors have one of the most multifaceted and difficult roles within APS programs. A clear understanding of key roles and responsibilities is instrumental for job success and satisfaction. Join us for this interactive, foundational training outlining the educational, supportive and administrative roles of APS supervision. Explore APS supervisor competencies, best practice tips around transitioning from peer to supervisor, and the importance of professional boundaries for supervisors.
© 2021. Developed by Amy Waszak for San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
eLearning Course Description:
APS professionals are exposed to complex situations every day. APS work is so challenging that effective, experienced APS professionals will ideally be independent, quick-thinkers. They must have a broad understanding of topics relating to health and aging, developmental disabilities, mental health, and cultural diversity. To support APS professionals, APS supervisors need to understand all the aspects of APS work in addition to the aspects of quality supervision. Because APS supervisors have one of the most multifaceted and difficult roles within APS programs, a clear understanding of their key roles and responsibilities is important for their success and job satisfaction. In this course we’ll explore the roles of effective supervision, including educational, supportive, and administrative roles. We will examine the tasks and competencies specific to APS Supervisors. Finally, we’ll discuss some issues that can come up when transitioning from peer to supervisor or transitioning into APS as a supervisor and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries.
© 2024. San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
Course Description:
In this interactive, foundational 90 minute eLearning or 2-hour Instructor-Led training on strengths-based development and supervision, identify and explore your strengths and how to apply a strengths-based supervisory approach with your staff. Tips, tools, and best practices will be shared for use on the job and in supervision. Each modality can be taken separately or together for a more-in-depth experience.
Thank you to our SME, Joanne Chen, MA, CPC for developing the curriculum for this project and to Brenda Wilson-Codispoti for coordinating this project.
Module 2 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Transformation
Course Description:
As an APS supervisor it is crucial to consider the complex and dynamic concepts of implicit bias and structural racism and gain an understanding of the impact on their roles, their staff, and their organizations. In this 3-hour experiential training and 60-minute transfer of learning activity, supervisors will be able to identify, reflect on and address their effect on multiple levels as well as be informed on how to continue this work upon completion of this training.
© 2022. Developed by Amanda Lee, LCSW, for San
Diego State University School of Social Work,
Academy for
Professional Excellence
Course Description:
In this 3-hour interactive training, and 1 hour transfer of learning activity, APS
supervisors will be introduced to the concepts of cultural humility and cultural responsiveness.
Through self-reflection and group discussion activities, participants will explore
ways to promote and practice these concepts individually, with staff, and within their
organizations. It is recommended that APS
supervisors first attend the prerequisite to this training Understanding Implicit
Bias and Structural Racism Module 2A as these courses were designed as two-part series.
© 2022. Developed by Amanda Lee, LCSW, and Sara
Kimber, LMFT, for San Diego State University School
of Social Work, Academy for
Professional Excellence.
Course Description:
In this interactive, multi-module training, learn what factors currently influence the way the public thinks about elder abuse and practice a new communication strategy developed by the National Center on Elder Abuse, in conjunction with the Frameworks Institute. Resources, toolkits and other helpful information will be shared to help participants continue the reframing process.
This multi-module training consists of a 60-minute eLearning and a 90-minute instructor-led booster. The 60-minute eLearning is designed to be completed prior to the instructor-led booster.
Module 3 - Supporting Team Building and Individual Development
Course Description:
In this interactive and dynamic introductory training, participants learn how to build and manage effective teams, maintain healthy teams, and assess their teams overall.
Developed by Jessica E. Paradee-Burke, MPA, for NAPSA.
Course Description:
The goal of this course is to provide APS supervisors with an understanding of their role as trainers/facilitators, principles of adult learning, training settings and techniques, and ways to assess transfer of learning.
Developed by Becky McGowan and Susan Staples for NAPSA.
Course Description:
As an APS Supervisor it is crucial to understand the role onboarding plays in the success of an APS professional. In this 60-minute eLearning course, learners will explore how onboarding effectively acclimates new APS professionals to the practice of Adult Protective Services, and to the organization as a whole. In addition, learners will discover the vital role APS supervisors have in the development of their new employees, including setting training milestones, evaluating an employee’s progress, providing support, and giving effective feedback.
Course Description:
The goal of this course is to provide APS supervisors with an understanding of their role as a coach to their staff. Supervisors will learn how to use these skills and techniques to facilitate staff’s development. Upon completion, supervisors will be able to explain the similarities and differences between coaching and mentoring, identify when coaching and mentoring should be used, explain how coaching plays a critical role in staff development to create high performing teams, and identify strengths and areas for development and improvement in coaching abilities.
Developed by Brenda Wilson-Codispoti for NAPSA.
Course Description:
As a supervisor, one of your many responsibilities is to enable training and development for your staff. Your role in this process is an active one; your involvement in the development of your staff directly impacts their transfer of learning, or the ability a person has to apply what they learn in training to their work. In this course, you’ll learn about the supervisor’s role in transfer of learning, including strategies you can use before and after training to give your staff the support they need to better apply the knowledge and skills they learn, and share that learning with your program and organization as a whole.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Define: transfer of learning.
- Describe: the Supervisor’s role in transfer of learning.
- Identify: tasks before and after training that enhance transfer of learning.
- Use: transfer of learning strategies to support staff development before and after training.
** Please note: the ASTA does not host this course and does not track student completion.
Module 4 - Case Consultation and Critical Thinking
Course Description:
Without a doubt, supervisors have one of the most multifaceted and difficult roles
within APS programs. A clear understanding of key roles and responsibilities when
it comes to case consultation is instrumental for job success and satisfaction. This
5-hour, interactive, 2-day training which includes a 30-minute Transfer of Learning
Activity will address specific, foundational roles of case
consultation and will incorporate a transfer of learning activity that will allow
APS Supervisors to apply their own unique skills to approach and lead the case consultation
process. Upon completion of the course participants will be able to explain the importance
of case consultation, identify constructive methods for case consultation within their
supervisory role, explain the different components, and be able to demonstrate effective
case consultation practice within a given case scenario.
© 2021. Developed by Jessica E. Burke, MPA, for San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
Course Description:
In this course, we explore a vital aspect of the work done by Adult Protective Services professionals, ensuring the safety and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities. In today’s world, the way we interact with our clients has evolved, and it’s essential for us to adapt and provide the best possible care. In the past, APS professionals primarily relied on telephone calls for non-face-to-face visits, which sometimes limited their ability to fully engage with those served. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a change emerged. APS professionals have embraced virtual investigations using video conferencing software, resulting in enhanced services that bring many benefits to our clients. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to supervise and support these non-face-to-face investigations effectively, ensuring the well-being and safety of the adults under our care.
© 2024. San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
Course Description:
This 3-hour virtual course was developed to provide APS supervisors with a foundation for effective supervision of APS investigations involving transnational financial fraud crimes. Upon completion, supervisors will be able to identify three roadblocks commonly encountered during APS investigations involving financial fraud crimes; identify three strategies for helping investigators address common roadblocks, describe four ways to help investigators practice financial fraud prevention with APS clients; and identify two action steps to share with investigators assisting repeat victims.
Developed by Laura Cook, Debbie Deem, Lori Delagrammatikas, and Susan Staples for NAPSA.
Course Description:
APS supervisors face multiple challenges with managing multifaceted roles and responsibilities that they carry out daily. One critical area of oversight is guiding staff with investigating, case planning, and navigating complex cases. In this 4-hour instructor-led interactive training and 1-hour transfer of learning activity we will explore examples of complex cases and the role of the APS supervisor in providing oversight of these investigations. You will learn about tools, best practices, and strategies that you can share with your staff to guide and support them through the investigation process and that promote quality assurance, alignment with agency policy and procedures, and ensure the well-being of the clients served in our communities.
© 2024. San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
Module 5 - Supervising for Accountability an Retention
Course Description:
Course Description:
This 4-hour online course was developed to provide supervisors resources and ideas for managing a mobile workforce. It is the result of many districts being required to supervise remotely due to the COVID 19 crisis of 2020. Upon completion of this course the participants will:
- Explore the benefits and challenges of a remote workforce.
- Understand the importance of effective communication in a remote workforce.
- Develop a written communication plan for their unit.
- Learn best practices for onboarding staff in a remote environment.
- Identify the five factors that contribute to performance issues and apply that knowledge to a performance scenario.
- Apply one best practice of team building in a remote environment and report result back to other course participants.
Developed for NAPSA in 2020, revised in 2021.
Course Description:
Managing staff performance issues and other challenges can be difficult for an APS Supervisor, and can involve navigating the complexity of supporting staff while at the same time upholding performance expectations. This course provides APS Supervisors with the foundational knowledge to effectively address staff challenges and performance issues from a trauma-informed, strengths-based perspective, using skilled communication techniques. This course provides information about what types of staff challenges and performance issues are commonly encountered in APS, and teaches specific step-by-step strategies for managing those issues. Participants have the opportunity to practice addressing performance issues using constructive and supportive strategies in small groups.
© 2023. Developed by Amy Waszak, LMFT, for San Diego State University School of Social Work, Academy for Professional Excellence.
Module 6 - Safety and Self Care
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Module 7 - Collaboration and Leadership
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Original Instructor-Led Modules
Foundations of Effective Supervision
Understanding Self As Supervisor
Working with Less