Education Archives - Ontario Centres for Learning, Research, and Innovation in Long-Term Care

Workplace Mental Health in LTC for Early Adopters: Leadership Training and Support Program

Deadline to submit expressions of interest: Monday, May 31, 2021, 12 a.m. (midnight)

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Accelerate Your Workplace Mental Health Strategy

The Ontario Centre for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) invites leaders in long-term care to take your workplace mental health strategy to the next level. Learn how to build an organizational culture that promotes and protects the mental health of all team members, and improves workforce productivity, recruitment and retention.

The Ontario CLRI is developing a new program that will build capacity within Ontario’s LTC sector to adopt the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (CSA Group, 2013). The National Standard is sponsored by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and provides a systematic framework for leaders in LTC to create and sustain organizational policies, processes and programs that enhance employee mental health and prevent psychological harm. Our goal is to foster a happier, healthier, more resilient workforce who will ultimately be more capable of providing quality care for residents.

Participants in our eight-month Workplace Mental Health in LTC for Early Adopters program will receive free training, professional coaching, and peer support to accelerate their journey towards adopting the National Standard. Learn about the benefits of the Standard, assess your organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement, engage your team members to identify solutions, develop an action plan that works best for your LTC home, and create an evaluation framework to measure your progress.

Many LTC homes are already working hard to address workplace mental health and well-being. Whether you’re just starting out or well ahead on your journey, join us and share your knowledge and experience. Participants will be invited to evaluate all aspects of the early adopter program and help us design a sustainable support system for Ontario’s LTC sector.

Why Now?

Emerging research shows that frontline workers in LTC are experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, grief and post-traumatic stress. These conditions contribute to rising disability claims, absenteeism, presenteeism, high staff turnover and recruitment challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified these issues and highlighted the need for change in Ontario’s LTC system. The Ontario government’s Long-Term Care Staffing Study (July 2020) recommends adopting the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Now is the time for recovery and renewal.

Eligibility

The Ontario CLRI’s Workplace Mental Health in LTC program is open to any provincially recognized LTC home or LTC management organization in Ontario.

Applications will be accepted from anyone in a leadership role related to, or responsible for, planning and supporting the health and safety of team members in Ontario LTC homes, including (but not limited to) executive directors, administrators, legal counsel, human resource managers, educators, directors of care, nurse managers, or health and safety professionals. A leader can be a decision-maker (a person who has some power to make changes) or an influencer (someone who is well-connected and good at communication). Ideally, applicants should be planning to stay with their current organization for at least the next 3-5 years.

The Expression of Interest Application Form should be completed by the individual who will be your organization’s lead participant in the Workplace Mental Health in LTC for Early Adopters: Leadership Training and Support Program. Lead participants are expected to actively take part in all aspects of the program, including the certificate course. See below for details.

NOTE: Only one application should be submitted per LTC home or LTC management organization. Separate applications will be accepted from both an LTC home and its management organization, and/or separate LTC homes within the same organization.

Up to 20 applicants will be selected to participate in the early adopter program.

Requirements

To participate in this program, you must have support from senior leadership in your organization. Successful applicants will be required to submit a letter of support signed by their supervisor, executive director, or board chair. The letter should outline your organization’s commitment to promoting workplace mental health. It should include a recommendation for your participation in the program and comment on your ability to be a “champion” for psychological health and safety within your organization. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-June, and a letter of support must be submitted by June 30, 2021 to confirm your spot. A letter of support is not required with your initial application.

Successful applicants are expected to actively participate in all elements of the program:

Attend the orientation session (2 hours);
Complete the Psychological Health and Safety Certificate course (42 hours);
Participate in a community of practice with other course participants;
Facilitate an organizational self-assessment to identify existing resources, risk factors, and opportunities for growth;
Engage leaders and team members in your LTC home to conduct planning activities;
Serve as a liaison with the Ontario CLRI; and
Participate in evaluation activities to assess and improve the Ontario CLRI program.

See additional requirements listed under Certificate Course below.

Schedule (2021-2022)

The following dates are subject to change. The Ontario CLRI will collaborate with participants to finalize the program dates. Scheduling accommodations will be made whenever possible.

Deadline for applications: May 31, 2021, 12 a.m. (midnight)
Notification of successful applicants: mid-June
Deadline to submit a letter of support: June 30, 2021
Orientation session: date and time TBC
Certificate course (approximately 42 hours total, including self-directed study):
Summer 2021
Time: mornings, 9:30 am-12:30 pm ET
Dates: July 19, 20, 21, 22 and August 16, 17, 18, 19
Fall 2021
Time: mornings, 9:30 am-12:30 pm ET
Dates: September 20, 21, 22, 23 and October 18, 19, 20, 21
NOTE: Only one of the two course options above may be offered. Final dates will be determined according to participant availability.
Coaching and community of practice support: September 2021-February 2022
Planning, assessment, and engagement activities within your LTC home: September 2021-February 2022
Program evaluation: July 2021-February 2022

Additional learning opportunities for leaders, educators, and team members will be explored during the program. Training dates will be determined according to need and availability.

Certificate Course

The Ontario CLRI is partnering with York University’s Health Leadership and Learning Network to deliver a Psychological Health and Safety Certificate course for LTC leaders. The course is delivered virtually, including a blend of instructor-led sessions and self-directed modules (approximately 42 hours in total). Participants will also complete an Action Learning Project that draws on real-life needs from your LTC home. Projects can be completed in groups or by individuals, and project presentations are made within the student cohort. See the complete course outline.

No prerequisite knowledge is required for this training course.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Identify key concepts and principles of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and the implications for your organization;
Identify factors that promote and detract from psychological safety in the workplace;
Understand the current legal, business and social landscapes supporting the push for workplace psychological health and safety;
Apply practical tools to help assess and address organizational risk factors;
Implement approaches to improve workplace relationships, individual and team performance, employee engagement, and absence/disability management;
Use benchmark and outcome measures; and
Understand how to navigate existing resources that support Standard implementation.

A certificate of completion will be issued by York University, including a digital credential.

Training Requirements

This is an online course. To ensure a high-quality learning experience, you will need the following to participate:

Desktop or laptop computer with a camera, microphone and speaker;
Access to a phone to ensure the audio experience is consistent;
Access to high-speed Internet; and
A quiet and private space for the learning sessions.

Certificate of Completion Requirements

The certificate will not be issued if the following requirements are not met:

Attendance at all scheduled sessions;
Completion of all on-demand learning; and
Participation in the Action Learning Project.

Code of Conduct

The York University Student Conduct Policy will apply to this course to help ensure a safe, supportive, and confidential learning environment. York University instructors are bound by a confidentiality agreement as it relates to your organization’s information, in order to instruct in this course.

How to Submit an Expression of Interest

Please read the “Eligibility” and “Requirements” sections above.

All expressions of interest must be submitted via the online Application Form.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 31, 2021, at 12 a.m. (midnight).

About the Ontario CLRI

The Ontario CLRI is a capacity-building program funded in part by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The program is hosted across three sites: Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto, Bruyère in Ottawa, and the RIA in Waterloo. Together, we act as a resource to enhance the health and well-being of everyone who lives and works in long-term care (LTC). We do this by providing education and training, sharing research and innovations, and developing resources for LTC homes. We work collaboratively with the LTC sector to find solutions for priority issues.

For More Information

To learn more about the Workplace Mental Health in LTC initiative, or find resources to support implementation of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, visit Workplace Mental Health in LTC.

Questions or Comments?

For questions about the Call for Expressions of Interest or more information about the Workplace Mental Health in LTC for Early Adopters program, contact:

Scott Mitchell
Knowledge Broker
Ontario CLRI
416-553-7382
scott.mitchell@the-ria-ca