• Enhance Your Nursing Facility's Behavioral Health Services With the COE-NF Needs Assessment Tool
• COE-NF Behavioral Health Ambassador Program Guide
• Nursing Facility Guidance: Effective Communication for Direct Care Staff
• Office Hours
  • Managing Substance Use Disorders in Nursing Facilities 
  • CARES® Serious Mental Illness™
• COE-NF Resources
  • Behavioral Health Needs Assessment
  • Behavioral Health Ambassador Program Guide 
• Did You Know?
• Save the Date: Upcoming Training
• You Matter

• Targeted training 
• Resources 
• Behavioral health interventions  
• Routine care strategies and care planning recommendations that complement your current behavioral health services

• Click Here to download the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment without examples
• Click Here to download the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment with examples 

A Facility Assessment Approach to Behavioral Health

Watch the recorded training to learn about the practical application of the Behavioral Health Needs Assessment. A short pre-test is required to access the recording.

• Ensure effective communication with residents and their families.
• Address communication needs based on individual residents' preferences, abilities, and disabilities, including physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments.
• Promote a respectful and supportive communication environment, which includes avoiding stigmatizing language and encouraging positive, empathetic interactions.
• Include effective communication as mandatory training for direct care staff. 

• Building trust: Clear and respectful communication helps establish a strong bond between residents, their families, and staff.
• Improving care outcomes: Proper communication ensures health care information is accurately conveyed and understood, which leads to better care decisions.
• Enhancing resident dignity: Residents who can communicate their needs and preferences feel more in control of their care and experience greater autonomy.
• Reducing misunderstandings: Effective communication minimizes errors, improves team collaboration, and helps prevent conflicts or misunderstandings.

• Recognize and Address Individual Communication Needs: Every resident has unique communication needs, so it's important to assess their abilities at admission and whenever changes occur, including checking for hearing or speech impairments, cognitive challenges, or language barriers. Be sure to provide accommodations such as visual aids, interpreters, or large-print materials and include their communication preferences in care plans to ensure their needs are met.
• Use Clear, Respectful and Empathetic Language​​​​​​:  Engage with residents using clear, respectful, and empathetic language to build understanding and strengthen connections. Avoid jargon or technical terms that might cause confusion. Instead, use straightforward language to explain mental health, medical or care-related information. Speak at a suitable volume and pace, considering hearing or cognitive challenges. Be patient and allow residents the time they need to express themselves. If they have difficulty understanding, repeat or rephrase as needed and confirm their understanding by asking them to explain in their own words.
• Eliminate Stigmatizing Language: Use person-centered language that honors the resident’s identity. For example, say, "A person diagnosed with schizophrenia " instead of "A schizophrenic." Avoid negative or judgmental terms that may cause residents to feel shame or embarrassment about their conditions. Replace words like “difficult,” “problematic,” or “uncooperative” with more neutral or positive alternatives such as "alternative views" or "disagree." Emphasize residents' strengths by focusing on what they can do and providing support rather than highlighting their limitations. This approach fosters a more inclusive and respectful atmosphere.
• Encourage Family and Resident Involvement​​​​​​:  Involving residents and their families in care planning is crucial. Ask residents about their care and communication preferences and respect their choices. Engaging families provides valuable context and ensures care plans are clear and agreed upon. Additionally, offer translation or interpretation services to facilitate conversations when language is a barrier. 
• Provide Regular Staff Training​​​​​​:  Regular training is essential for maintaining consistent and effective communication among staff. The COE-NF provides effective communication training and resources to help foster a compassionate and supportive environment.

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Nonverbal Communication: Learn the importance of nonverbal communication. 
• Language Matters: Review a list of preferred language options for discussing substance use conditions to reduce negativity and stigma associated with these disorders.
• The Power of Empathy: Discover practical ways to build connections with residents by employing empathy.

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in Nursing Facilities: Using A 5-Step Approach to Care

• Describe the differences between SMI and dementia.
• Address misperceptions about SMI.
• Describe the recovery model.
• List the five steps in the approach for SMI CARES.

Strategies for Managing Residents With SMI in Long-Term Care

Utilizing Methadone to Treat Residents for Pain and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in Nursing Facilities: A Comprehensive Guide

• Learn how to differentiate the indication (reason) for methadone, whether for pain or opioid use disorder.
• Review the process for coordinating methadone logistics with the opioid treatment program.
• Explore the effective utilization of the COE-NF Methadone Checklist to develop policies and procedures that support the care of residents on methadone.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

• Common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.  
• How to interact with a person in crisis. 
• How to connect a person with help.  
• Expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care.