Training Resident Advisors: a Product-Process Competency Approach

Abstract

The resident advisor (RA) is viewed as an essential deliverer of services to the handicapped as the human services field responds to deinstitutionalization. The complexity and importance of the RA's role is related to RA training programs. The article discusses a product-process competency approach (PPCA) for training RAs, in which goals are translated into competencies from which instructional objectives are derived. The PPCA incorporates the input of significant others (e.g., administrators, agency providers, service consumers) in developing competencies and monitoring training efforts. Suggestions are presented for creating flexible RA training programs based on this approach. The critical need for intensive, systematic RA training programs is discussed in terms of the future of deinstitutionalization.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Dellinger, J. K., & Shope, L.J. Selected characteristics and working conditions of direct service staff in Pennsylvania CLAs: A preliminary study. Mental Retardation, 1978, 16, 19-20.

Fiorelli, J.S. The role of direct service personnel in providing alternative living arrangement services: A search for definition. In J. S. Fiorelli (Ed.), A curricular model for preservice training of alternative living arrangement direct service personnel. Philadelphia: Developmental Disabilities Center, Temple University, 1979. (a)

Fiorelli, J. S. (Ed.). A curricular model for preservice training of alternative living arrangement direct service personnel . Philadelphia: Developmental Disabilities Center, Temple University, 1979. (b)

Fiorelli J.S. , Heverly, M. , & Conroy, J.W. Alternative living arrangement staff training resources in Pennsylvania: A statewide inventory. Evaluation and Research Technical Report 79-4-(2). Philadelphia: Developmental Disabilities Program, Temple University, 1979.

Halderman v. Pennhurst, Civil No. 74-1345 (E.D. Pa. Dec.) 1977.

Johnson, D.W. , & Johnson F.P. Joining together: Group theory and group skills. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1975 .

Mager, R.F. Preparing instructional objectives (2nd ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Fearon Publishers , 1975.

Margolis H. Perspectives for competency interpretation and utilization. In J. S. Fiorelli (Ed.), A curricular model for preservice training of alternative living arrangement direct service personnel . Philadelphia: Developmental Disabilities Center, Temple University, 1979.

Meddock, T.D. , & Margolis, H. Resident advisor training evaluation system. Philadelphia : Developmental Disabilities Center, Temple University , 1979.

10.

Miller, H.G. , Williams, R.G. , & Haladyna, T.M. Beyond facts: Objective ways to measure thinking . Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Educational Technology Publications, 1978.

11.

New York ARC v. Rockefeller, 337 F. Suppl. 754 (D. N.Y., 1973).

12.

O'Connor, G. Home is a good place: A national perspective on community residential facilities for developmentally disabled persons (Monograph No. 2). Washington, D.C.: American Association on Mental Deficiency , 1976.

13.

OMR residential services position paper. Harrisburg, Pa.: Office of Mental Retardation, Department of Public Welfare, June 1979.

14.

Wilcox, B. A competency-based approach to preparing teachers of the severely and profoundly handicapped. In E. Sontag , J. Smith , & N. Certo (Eds.), Educational programming for the severely and profoundly handicapped. Reston, Va.: Council for Exceptional Children, 1977.

15.

Wyatt v. Stickney, 344 F. Suppl. 373, 396 (MD Ala. 1972) att'd 503 F. 2d 1305 (5th Cir. 1974).

16.

Handley, E. , & Berman, B. Special interest group meeting of human services trainers. Paper presented at the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association on Mental Deficiency, Miami, May 1979 .