Resident Rights
What form can residents complete to share concerns, even when their concern falls outside the prohibited-actions list?
A grievance form.
Change this statement to reflect our philosophy: "You never do anything right. I’m tired of dealing with you."
I know it’s hard to learn new things, but the staff at Merrimac are willing to teach you.
What is the cornerstone of our behavior program that helps build rapport with residents?
Praise and encouragement
A resident quietly serves five minutes but cannot state the reason for the time-out. What should the staff do next?
Issue another 5-minute timeout
Name three prohibited practices when scoring residents' point.
When is it okay to deviate from the CBT schedule?
Never, unless the supervisor approves
A staff member pinches a resident to correct their behavior. What prohibited action is this?
Corporal punishment- intentionally causing physical pain or discomfort
What term does it mean to remain emotionally neutral and avoid power struggles?
Disinvolvement/Don’t pick up the rope.
Staff offers a $5 Crisis Compliance coupon for finishing a routine chore that they do on a regular basis without issue. Explain what should have happened and why.
The $5 coupon is for crisis compliance or notification about dangerous contraband. A $1 Merrimac Buck can recognize baby steps or new and improved behavior.
A resident earns a time-out while moving from the multipurpose room to the gym. When should staff assign it, and where should the resident complete it?
The consequence should be assigned and served at the destination so they don’t act up more on the way.
What is the difference between earning a 3 and 4 in the ignore category? Give an example of behavior that earns a 4.
A 3 means meeting expectations. A 4 means consistently ignoring situations that are difficult to ignore- for example, continuing an assigned task while a peer receives a consequence, walking past another unit or the control room without looking in, or not speaking to a staff while in movement (may say other answers not including these).
What are 3 types of shows/programs that the residents are prohibited to watch.
All lock-up facilities, drugs, murder documentaries/shows and local and violent-related news.
Name three people or agencies residents cannot be denied contact with.
Their attorney, probation officer, regulatory authority, or supervising agency representative.
What does ABC stand for in the ABC model?
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence. Please explain your answer.
What is the ratio of positive and negative feedback that creates the most behavior change?
5:1
This word describes time-outs as what process that removes reinforcement for inappropriate behavior?
Extinction.
What should staff do when a resident questions their points?
Ask the resident which specific behaviors they believe earned more points, Listen, remain neutral, and be willing to correct the score when appropriate.
Name three Merrimac philosophies
A staff member tells a resident, “You aren’t Christian, so your pastor can’t visit.” What prohibited action does this demonstrate?
Religious discrimination- denying a visit based on the resident’s religious beliefs or perceived beliefs.
A resident insults you while peers laugh. How can you demonstrate both disinvolvement and encouragement?
Remain neutral, avoid arguing or taking the insult personally, issue correct consequences, and later praise the resident’s next appropriate effort or behavior.
Name any four components of giving effective praise according to the Boys Town Model
A resident has excessive movement during a time-out, what should be considered before upgrading to 30/5?
YSN, mental or physical health diagnosis, behavior support plan in place.
What is the purpose of weekly goals, when are goals identified each week and when are they reviewed?
The purpose of weekly goals is to have residents focus on improving a particular problematic behavior that interferes with overall functioning, they are identified on Friday, and progress is assessed 3 times a day.
During goal review, what three things should residents explain? Are staff supposed to get input from other residents and tell the resident during group if they got a plus or minus?
Residents should state their goal, review their goal steps, and explain why they did or did not meet it. Yes, and yes.
Name five of the prohibited actions
Name three goals of discipline
What two systems must staff use together consistently to promote behavior change?
The reward system (points, coupons, and levels/privileges) and the extinction system (time-outs).
Which fits the category for property-damage for a 30/30/5: ripping a page from a book or causing serious damage costing over $200 or requiring maintenance intervention?
Serious damage costing over $200 or requiring maintenance intervention. Ripping one page from a book alone does not meet that criterion.
When there are staff transitions during a goal review period (day to evening shift), and the departing staff recommends a minus for the next goal reviewed period, what should staff do?
Staff should communicate directly with the oncoming staff with an explanation for the minus that is goal-specific.
Name any four components that make our behavior program effective.