This series will provide participants with the latest information regarding the aging process. Participants will gain knowledge and sensitivity about the realities of late life, which will enhance their ability to understand, interact and relate more effectively with older consumers.

In short, this series will prepare staff in aging service agencies to serve older adults responsively and effectively. This series is recommended for anyone who works directly or indirectly with older adults. This program is particularly helpful for people new to the field of aging or the aging services network, or for seasoned professionals looking for a refresher on the latest findings and best practices. 

Unit 1: Psychological Changes with Aging – Sessions 1 & 2

  Maureen Gibney, Psy.D., Neuropsychologist & Trainer

 Faculty – Drexel University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

 Unit 2:Social Changes with Aging – Sessions 3 & 4

 Nancy Morrow, MSW, Trainer/Consultant, Faculty - UPENN School of Social Policy and Practice

Unit 3:  Physical Changes with Aging – Sessions 5 & 6

 Mary Anne Sheehan, RN, Trainer/Consultant

 **NB - PLEASE ADD ALL SESSION DATES TO YOUR CALENDAR!**

DATES & TIMES:  Sessions will meet from 9:00 AM – Noon

#1 - Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025– Virtual Via Zoom

#4 - Tuesday, Nov. 25, 20245 – Virtual Via Zoom

#2 - Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 – Virtual Via Zoom

#5 – Tuesday, Dec.9, 2025 – Virtual Via Zoom

#3 - Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 – Virtual Via Zoom

#6 – Thursday, Dec. 18, 2024 – Virtual Via Zoom

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: Half-day

Course Description:

Productivity isn't just about getting more done, it's about taking ownership of how you manage your time, energy, and responsibilities. Personal Productivity: Taking Ownership empowers individuals to become more intentional, focused, and proactive in their daily work. Through practical tools and mindset shifts, this course helps participants build habits that support consistent performance and goal achievement.

Participants will explore how to overcome distractions, manage procrastination, and align tasks with personal and organizational goals. This training is ideal for professionals looking to increase effectiveness, reduce stress, and take full responsibility for their success.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define personal productivity and its impact on individual and team success.                     
• Analyze how habits, routines, and mindset affect daily effectiveness.                     
• Apply time management techniques to structure and prioritize tasks.                     
• Identify common productivity blockers such as procrastination or perfectionism.                     
• Create systems to track progress and follow through on commitments.                     
• Manage competing demands with increased clarity and confidence.                     
• Develop action plans that align personal values with professional goals.                     
• Strengthen personal accountability and commitment to continuous improvement.

DATES & TIME: 

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Kelli Vrla

Wednesday, April 11, 2026

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Kelli Vrla

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: Half-day

Course Description:

A respectful workplace is the foundation of a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing organization. Respect in the Workplace provides participants with the awareness, tools, and language needed to recognize the value of diverse perspectives and to contribute to a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.

This course addresses everyday behaviors, unconscious bias, and communication practices that shape team dynamics. Through discussion, self-reflection, and interactive activities, participants will explore how respect influences morale, trust, and collaboration—and how to ensure it is consistently demonstrated in all workplace interactions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define what respect looks like in a modern, diverse workplace.
• Recognize the impact of respectful and disrespectful behaviors on individuals and teams.
• Explore how unconscious bias and assumptions can affect interactions and decisions.
• Demonstrate inclusive communication strategies that build mutual respect.
• Address disrespectful behavior constructively and professionally.
• Model respectful behavior in leadership, collaboration, and customer service roles.
• Contribute to a team culture that values listening, empathy, and fairness.
• Commit to ongoing personal accountability in fostering workplace respect.

DATES & TIME:

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Kelli Vrla

Tuesday, April 10, 2026

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Kelli Vrla

Format: Virtual | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: 15 Half-day Sessions.

**NB - PLEASE ADD ALL SESSION DATES TO YOUR CALENDAR!**

Course Description: 

 The program requires participants to complete 45 hours of classroom training (15 half-day sessions).  The curriculum tries to balance theoretical and applied considerations, emphasizing state- of- the- art understandings of the current geriatric behavioral health literature as well as best clinical practices.  Major topical areas include:

• An overview of the aging process, focusing on the behavioral health implications of aging
• A survey of behavioral illness in late life, including schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and depression
• A consideration of alcohol abuse and dementia in older adults

The curriculum also includes:

• Case analysis
• Material on negotiating systems, ethics and the role of advocacy
• Behavioral health under managed care which examines the changing context of current behavioral health
• A short unit on complementary or alternative approaches to health and behavioral health.

To date, 500+ participants from a variety of agencies have completed the program. The full 45 hour program will be offered once each year. Participants have up to 2 years or 2 program cycles to complete coursework for the full Certificate Program. Three CEUs will be awarded for each of the fifteen sessions.

 Who Should Attend:   Staff of the behavioral health system and the aging system are the primary audiences the program was created to engage all staff serving older persons with behavioral health needs beyond these systems will also benefit from this comprehensive focus on the behavioral health issues of aging adults. 

Program Faculty: 

Maureen Gibney, PsyD, who has served as a neuropsychologist, teacher, and trainer, covers the opening half of the curriculum. Faculty – Drexel University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Nancy Morrow, MSW, draws on more than 35 years of experience in a variety of roles in community-based long-term care and geriatric behavioral health. She provides training and consultation services in aging and teaches in the MSW program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice. Nancy facilitates the applied aspects of the Program's later sections.

Behavioral Health & Aging Certificate Program Schedule: 2026

 Sessions will meet from 9:00AM - Noon, virtually - via Zoom 

Unit 1: Psychological Changes

1/13/26        Session 1: Psychological Concerns in Late Life

1/15/26        Session 2:  Physical Changes and Illness in Later Life

1/20/26       Session 3:  Social Issues in Later Life  

Unit 2:  Mental Illness in Later Life  

1/27/26       Session 1:  Chronic Mental Illness

2/3/26         Session 2:  Recognizing Depression

2/10/26       Session 3: Schizophrenia

Unit 3:   Dementia

2/17/26        Session 1:  Overview of Dementia

2/24/26        Session 2:  Specific Dementia and Excess Disability

3/3/26          Session 3:   Caregiver Concerns and Delirium

Unit 4:  Case Analysis

3/10/26        Session 1: Case Applications: Drawing on Units 1-3                         

3/17/26       Session 2: Case Applications Cont’d, w/ Attention on            Working w/ Families                                  

Unit 5:  Working Within Systems

3/24/26       Session 1: Understanding the Aging and the Mental Health                       Systems - Networking and Cross-System Issues

3/31/26        Session 2: Advocating on Behalf of Older Consumers -                              Ethical Issues

4/7/26           Session 3: Trends in Behavioral Health and Aging I: LTSS                         Managed Care, Integrated Care Models, Behavioral Health                         Under Managed Care

4/14/26        Session 4: Trends in Behavioral Health and Aging II: Social                      Health, Age-Friendly Movement, Agism

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: Half-day

Course Description:

As workplaces continue to evolve, mastering the hybrid work environment is essential for maximizing productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. This interactive training equips participants with the tools and techniques needed to thrive in a flexible setting where some team members work remotely while others are on-site. Participants will explore strategies for communication, accountability, time management, and maintaining a strong team culture across locations.

Whether you're a manager leading a hybrid team or an employee adapting to a split schedule, this session offers practical insights and real-world applications to help you stay engaged, connected, and efficient.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Establish clear expectations and communication norms for hybrid teams.                     
• Utilize digital tools effectively to support remote collaboration.                     
• Maintain team cohesion and culture regardless of physical location.                     
• Create equitable work experiences for both remote and in-office employees.                     
• Implement time management techniques suited for hybrid schedules.                     
• Navigate the challenges of virtual meetings and avoid common pitfalls.                     
• Foster accountability and trust in a blended work environment.                     
• Adapt workflows and productivity practices to suit a flexible setting.

DATE & TIMES

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

9:00 AM – Noon  – Trainer: Elise Woodworth

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Dianne Young

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: Half-day

Course Description:

Today’s fast-paced work environment demands the ability to juggle competing tasks, shifting priorities, and tight deadlines—without sacrificing quality or burning out. Managing Multiple Priorities, Projects, and Deadlines equips professionals with proven techniques to organize their workload, optimize time, and stay focused under pressure.

Through interactive exercises and practical tools, participants will learn how to prioritize effectively, manage interruptions, align tasks with goals, and communicate expectations clearly. Whether managing one project or many, this course provides a system for staying productive and in control—no matter how busy the day gets.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Assess and categorize priorities using practical prioritization frameworks.                     
• Plan and schedule tasks using project management and time-blocking tools.                     
• Organize multiple responsibilities to improve focus and reduce overwhelm.                     
• Identify barriers to productivity and implement strategies to overcome them.                     
• Adapt to shifting priorities with flexibility and professionalism.                     
• Communicate timelines and workload boundaries effectively with others.                     
• Track progress and stay accountable to goals and deadlines.                     
• Apply time and task management techniques to real-world work scenarios.

DATE & TIME:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

9:00 AM – Noon  – Trainer: Elise Woodworth

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

9:00 AM – Noon  – Trainer: Dianne Young

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational to Intermediate | Duration: Half-day

Course Description

An engaged workforce is a productive workforce—but motivation doesn’t happen by chance. Employee Engagement and Motivation explores what truly drives employee satisfaction, loyalty, and high performance. This course equips leaders and supervisors with practical strategies to create a workplace where people feel valued, connected, and inspired to do their best work.

Through research-backed insights, real-world examples, and interactive activities, participants will discover how to tap into intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, recognize individual and team needs, and build a culture of continuous engagement. Whether leading a small team or a large department, this course helps you turn motivation into measurable results.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define key drivers of employee engagement and workplace motivation.
• Recognize the signs of disengagement and identify root causes.
• Apply motivational theories (e.g., Maslow, Herzberg, Self-Determination Theory) to practical leadership actions.
• Tailor engagement strategies to meet individual and team needs.
• Create recognition and reward systems that reinforce positive performance.
• Communicate with empathy, clarity, and purpose to foster trust and connection.
• Implement low-cost, high-impact actions that build day-to-day engagement. 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of engagement initiatives using feedback and performance indicators. 

DATES & TIME:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM  – Trainer: Elise Woodworth

Wednesday, April 11, 2026

9:00 AM – Noon  – Trainer: Kelli Vrla

Format: In-Person | Level: Foundational | Duration: Half-day

Course Description:

This three-hour in-person course is presented by the CPR/AED Public Awareness & Training Network (C-P-A-T Network). Joseph Russell, Executive Director and AHA Instructor, or one of his staff, will present the sessions.

 Content will follow the American Heart Association Heartsaver AED Course.

After the CPR portion of this workshop, you will know:

• PA Good Samaritan Laws      
• Adult/Child/Infant CPR      
• Adult/Child/Infant AED (Automated External Defibrillator) 
• Adult/Child/Infant Choking

After the First Aid portion of the workshop, you will know:

• General First Aid Principles - universal precautions, scene safety
• Medical Emergencies – allergic reactions (epi pen), opioid overdose (Narcan), asthma, heart attack, stroke, seizures      
• Injury Emergencies – traumatic injuries such as bleeding, falls, burns, chemical, electrical, etc.

If you are confirmed for a session and cannot attend, please contact Tom Shea via cell phone (215-715-7020) so someone on the wait list can replace you.

DATES & TIME:

All Training sessions will be IN-PERSON, at PCA, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM

• July 17, 2025
• August 14, 2025
• September 18, 2025
• November 13, 2025
• January 16, 2026
• March 20, 2026
• May 22, 2026
• July 17, 2026
• September 18, 2026
• November 13 2026