Background

The Safe Crisis Management training program was initially developed in 1982 as a combined effort of Norbert "Nobby" Belanger and Joseph K. Mullen. Belanger worked as a staff trainer for the Mansfield School (Mental Retardation Facility) in Mansfield, Connecticut and had a background in the martial arts, which he learned at the Kodakan in Japan while in the U.S. Air Force. Initially, he worked for the Mansfield School as a residential aide while pursuing a degree in Marine Biology at the University of Connecticut. Belanger became a staff trainer for Mansfield after the institution administrators asked him to use his background in the martial arts to provide staff with a methodology of safe physical intervention to be used with acting-out residents. The administrator's request was prompted because the facility was under federal investigation for patient abuse. The methodology Belanger created was originally called "Safety Mechanics". At that same time, Joe Mullen, MSW was working as the Director of Training for the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judge's Commission. Prior to this position, Mullen worked for more than ten years for the Loysville Youth Development Center, a delinquent youth facility. While working with youth at the Loysville Center, Mullen became familiar with surface behavior-management techniques and helped develop some non-physical intervention methods to manage acting-out behavior. These interventions were premised by guaranteeing the safety (physical and psychological) of the residents. When these two principals combined their respective experience and information, the first version of SCM (at that time called Safe Physical Management) was born. Their partnership was short lived, however, because of Belanger's health. Thus the original partnership, "SPM Associates" ended and Mullen created his own company - JKM Training.

Over a period of several years, Mullen continued to develop material and refine concepts and physical techniques from other sources. In particular, he placed strong emphasis on developing the theory base and non-physical aspects of the curriculum. For the latter, he drew from his own experience with Drs.: Howard Polsky, Nicholas Long and Albert Trieshman. Their work and the works of numerous other professionals, as well as his experience in training both education and social service staff around the country, shaped the curriculum. During the 1990's, there became a higher demand for the program, now known as Safe Crisis Management (SCM) thus, what had been a part-time effort for Mullen needed a full-time response. To cope with this demand, the training company added staff resources.

During the 1980’s, Mullen responded to requests from the Training Resource Center at Eastern Kentucky University and brought the curriculum to the state operated program for delinquents in that Commonwealth. Soon after, he connected with Charley Cheek, MS who was working in private residential services for Maryhurst in Louisville, Kentucky. Charley’s enthusiasm for the program and skill as a trainer led him to become the first training associate of the company. This connection was soon followed by the second training associate, Steve Laidacker, Ed.D. who was experienced in both residential care and alternative schools in Pennsylvania. These two associates have evolved to become full-time, senior instructors for the company. In addition, JKM Training has enlisted the skills of numerous other training associates who work on a subcontracting basis. This cadre of experienced professionals allows JKM Training to boast, “We’ve been there, and we’ve done it!” The company is exceptionally proud that all of its instructors are credentialed professionals with substantial experience. In 1996, Joe Mullen Jr. joined the company that was then incorporated. He participated in the company at an early age as a player in SCM training videos and again as a Training Assistant while attending college. Equipped with a degree in Public Administration, Mullen, Jr. assumed the position of Director of Operations and provided a capacity for marketing and advertising which resulted in significant expansion.

Presently, JKM Training, Inc. provides training on a regular basis to schools and social-service agencies throughout the United States and Internationally. In addition to the SCM program, the company offers training in a variety of related areas. In all programs, an attempt is made to provide state-of-the-art information to participants. The materials are continuously revised to comply with federal, state and local standards. The material that follows is the fourth major revision of the SCM training program. This revision was prompted by a number of issues. First, an increased amount of conceptual material has been added to the curriculum. Second, JKM Training has contributed to the development of new standards for crisis intervention and behavior management on both the state and national level. These new standards are reflected in the revised curriculum.

We know this revision of the curriculum is not the last. The ever-evolving knowledge base of professional practice and our pledge to stay current with this evolution mandates periodic updates. For today, we are pleased to present SAFE CRISIS MANAGEMENT, c.2006

In addition to the Safe Crisis Management Training Program, JKM Training, Inc. currently offers training in a variety of areas including:

In all programs, we provide State of the Art information. To that end we are continuously revising our training materials.

To Register For a Workshop or For More Information Please Contact:

JKM Training, Inc.

36 South Pitt Street ~ Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013

Call Toll Free 1-866-960-4SCM

Fax: (717) 960-0458