Resource Topic: Safety

Workplace Mental Health in LTC:
Training and Support Program for Implementation Teams

Deadline to submit expressions of interest: Friday, September 29, 2023

Program dates: October 2, 2023 to March 26, 2024 (see program schedule below)

Information webinar: September 15, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm (presentation slides)

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Accelerate Your Workplace Mental Health Strategy | Eligibility | Team Application |
Requirements | Program Schedule | How to Submit | For More Information

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. Our goal is to foster a happier, healthier, more resilient workforce who will ultimately be more capable of providing quality care for residents.

The Workplace Mental Health in LTC program provides free training and coaching support to help Ontario LTC homes develop an implementation plan 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.

The Workplace Mental Health in LTC program will help participants:

• Learn about workplace mental health
• Understand the benefits of adopting the National Standard
• Assess organizational strengths and opportunities for improvement
• Engage team members to identify solutions
• Develop an action plan that meets identified needs while reflecting current resources and realities, and
• Create an evaluation framework to measure your progress.

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.

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.

Team Application

Who Will Participate in the Program?

Workplace Mental Health in LTC provides training and coaching support for your implementation team (up to three participants from each organization, including the lead applicant). Implementation teams will be responsible for learning about the National Standard, conducting an organizational assessment, engaging others in the planning process, and developing an action plan for your LTC home. Training workshops and coaching sessions will be open to all implementation team members (see the program schedule below).

In addition, some workshops may be offered to your management team and members of your Joint Health and Safety Committee. Free mental health education programs will also be available for all staff members.

Who Should Submit the Application?

The Expression of Interest Application Form should be completed by the individual who will be your organization’s lead participant in the program. The lead participant will be a member of your implementation team and the primary point of contact for your organization.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to enroll up to two additional implementation team members to participate in core training and coaching activities. Names and contact information for all three implementation team members will be requested on the application form.

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, 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 power to make changes) or an influencer (someone who is well-connected and good at communication).

Requirements

Letter of Support

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 your supervisor, executive director, or administrator. The letter should outline your organization’s commitment to promoting workplace mental health and express support for your implementation team’s participation in the program.

The letter of support must be submitted by October 6, 2023 to Katrina Street at katrina.street@the-ria.ca.

Ontario CLRI eLearning Hub User Account

User accounts on the Ontario CLRI eLearning Hub will be created for each member of your implementation team, in order to access program resources. Participants will receive an email notification with login details.

Technical Requirements

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.

Active Participation

Implementation team members are required to actively participate in all elements of the program:

• Attend the orientation session
• Complete all training courses
• Participate in group coaching check-ins
• Engage other leaders and team members in your LTC home to participate in program activities
• Complete workplan assignments, and
• Participate in program evaluation activities, including feedback surveys, an organizational readiness assessment, and a final interview.

Program Schedule

Program dates: October 2, 2023 to March 26, 2024

All training courses will be offered on multiples dates, allowing participants to choose the date/time that best fits their schedule. All dates are subject to change.

Courses and Group Check-In Sessions

• Implementation Team Orientation Session (1 hour)
• Being a Mindful Employee (1.5 hours)
• WeCARE: How to Help Someone Who Is Struggling and Create a Caring Workplace Culture (40 minutes)
• The Working Mind LTC for Managers (7 hours) (via the PSW Education Fund)
• Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace: Creating a Foundation for Success (6 hours)
• Group Check-In Session #1: Introduction to the National PHS Standard (2 hours)
• Group Check-In Session #2: Identifying Occupational Hazards in LTC (2 hours)
• R2 for Leaders: Building Resilient Organizations (8 hours)
• Group Check-In Session #3: Psychosocial Factors and Workplace Surveys (2 hours)
• On the Agenda for Facilitators (2 hours)
• Role of the Joint Health and Safety Committee in a Psychological Health and Safety Program (2 hours)
• Group Check-In Session #4: Evaluating Your PHS Program (2 hours)
• Readiness Survey and Follow-Up Interview (1 hour)
• Final Group Presentations (2 hours)

All scheduled training courses and check-in sessions will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.

Total estimated time commitment (for implementation teams): 40 hours of scheduled courses and coaching sessions, plus reading and workplan activities. The time commitment for other managers and staff in your LTC home will vary, depending on their level of participation.

How to Submit an Expression of Interest

Please read the Call for Expressions of Interest carefully, including the Eligibility, Team Application, Requirements, and Program Schedule sections above.

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 program. The lead participant will be a member of your implementation team and the primary point of contact for your organization. Download a Sample Application Form.

Application deadline: September 29, 2023

ATTENTION:

• Space is limited. Applicants will be notified about their acceptance into the program as applications are received.
• Please submit only one application per LTC home.

Apply Now

For More Information

Join our Information Webinar: September 15, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm (registration required).

To learn more about the Workplace Mental Health in LTC program, 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 program, contact:

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

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.