LONDONDERRY-On Friday, Nov. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Neighborhood Connections offers a special edition of its "Soup and Sandwich" series for all emergency responders.
Dr. Kendra LaRoche, executive director of the Special Needs Support Center, a White River Junction–based nonprofit that provides support for people with disabilities, will provide an overview of disability awareness and de-escalation training, and she will offer continuing education credit for all attendees who may benefit from it.
Emergency responders are often the first to assist individuals with disabilities in times of stress or crisis. Disability awareness and de-escalation training helps police, fire, and EMT personnel build awareness, empathy, and skills needed to respond safely and effectively.
The course links evidence-based de-escalation strategies with an understanding of how the brain processes emotion and stress. Through interactive instruction and real-world scenarios, participants learn techniques for emotional regulation, validation, and active listening while gaining practical insight into mental health, intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities. The training also introduces communication tools that support clear, respectful, and person-centered interactions.
"Upon completion, participants will be able to identify visible and invisible disabilities and understand how they affect behavior and communication; apply de-escalation strategies using validation, empathy, and active listening; recognize the neurological connection between emotion, stress, and behavior; use communication boards and identification tools to improve safety and understanding during emergency encounters; and reflect on past experiences to strengthen professional judgment in future situations," organizers write.
The public is also welcome.
For more information or to reserve a spot, call Neighborhood Connections at 802-824-4343 so organizers can plan accurately for lunch.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.