The Verbal Intervention & De-escalation Renewal course equips participants with practical strategies to defuse challenging situations before they escalate into crisis. Grounded in the principles of trauma-informed care and respectful, person-centered communication, this non-physical training program empowers staff in school settings to recognize early warning signs, assess risk, and respond with confidence using proven de-escalation techniques. Participants will leave with the skills needed to create safer, more supportive environments through thoughtful and proactive verbal engagement. This course meets the requirements for annual renewal of the initial course. Must be taken within one calendar year of the initial course.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Identify the Crisis Development Model and describe how behavior influences behavior in escalating situations.
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Recognize verbal and nonverbal signs of agitation or anxiety and apply appropriate response strategies at each stage.
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Demonstrate the use of the Decision-Making Matrix to assess risk and determine the most effective course of action.
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Apply trauma-informed, person-cen