Training Blog Jan 3, 2025

 Welcome 2025! May this year be the best yet. 

Things to Know:

. Last Day to Self-Register for Town Halls and EMR is Jan 15 

- Due Feb 1 - Post OSHA 301 Log 

Resources: 

The LGBTQ Employee Resource Group will meet Jan. 15 @ 2 p.m.  at Rocks State Park. rsvp to trystansill@maryland.gov 

Your Spanish Resources Are...
- 24/7 Spanish/English Bilingual Hotline: 410-934-0786: HR Spanish Bilingual Team's Hotline which is monitored 24/7.
- Spanish Off-Season Training: Scenario-based training around engaging with Spanish speakers in the field (more details below).
- Translation/Translator Request Form: HR Spanish Bilingual Team's request form for translators or a document to be translated.
- Workshop PPT: This has a review of the PTG & some activities to practice using the PTG.
- Phrase Translation Guide (PTG): This has some commonly used phrases by park staff translated into Spanish. It's in a plug-and-chug format with a focus on conversational Spanish.
- Medical Information Form (MIF): This was modeled after the MPS emergency response form. It's bilingual and focuses on circling answers to provide more information (to make it most accessible to Spanish & English monolinguals).
- Folder with resources: This folder has the PPT, PTG & MIF linked inside.
- Self-Service Toll Instructions: Image-centered instructions on the self-service toll at Sandy Point & North Point.
- A few additional phrases that have been brought up at Spanish Workshops: These will be added to the PTG.
- MPS Sign Database Translation: DNR signage database in English, Spanish & bilingual (English/Spanish).
Quick Guide: What to do if you need to...
- Get an urgent message across to a Spanish-speaking individual or group, especially in the case of an emergency or other serious scenario:
   - Call the 24/7 Spanish Bilingual Hotline (410-934-0786).
- Translate a document to Spanish: 
   - Submit it through the google form
- Have Spanish translators at an event: 
   - Submit it through the google form
- Ask a quick Spanish translation question: 
   - Call the Spanish Bilingual Hotline (410-934-0786)
   - Submit it through the google form
- Share an addition for the PTG, run into questions, or have comments: 
   - Call Isabel Layton (410-703-0455)
   - Text Isabel Layton (410-703-0455)
   - Email Isabel Layton (isabel.layton@maryland.gov)

Upcoming Grant Opportuntities: 

Green Street, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program

The Request for Proposals for the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program is now open! This grant program—funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection-- aims to help communities reduce stormwater runoff, increase urban green spaces, improve local water health and the Chesapeake Bay, and enhance community quality of life and livability. Virtual information sessions will be held in late January/early February after the holidays; please visit the website for more information. Application Deadline is March 10, 2025.

Semiquincentennial Grant Program

The National Park Service is now accepting applications for the fourth round of funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program. Grants support the physical preservation of a broad variety of cultural resources associated with the country's semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). Applications are due March 18, 2025.

Non-MPS Trainings: 

Managing Organizational Change - March 13th (NEW LISTING!)March 13, 2025

Click here for seating availability and additional information.

8:30am – 4:00pm

PSETC Sykesville, 6852 4th St, Sykesville, MD

Fee: $30 for Client Agencies (includes DPSCS) / $50 for non-client agencies

Approval Code: P48511 / C18932 

This course is designed to provide public safety managers and supervisors with the tools to manage planned change in their teams and organizations. Participants will examine techniques to produce behavior that enables change, and strategies and models for dealing with resistance to change. This course stresses the role of communication in managing orderly change. Topics to be covered include Three-Phase Transition Model of Change, leadership tasks and responsibilities, change communication strategies, identifying and managing resistance to change, and change implementation tools. 

Employee Engagement & Motivation - March 18th (NEW LISTING!)

March 18, 2025

Click here for seating availability and additional information.

8:30am – 4:00pm

PSETC Sykesville, 6852 4th St, Sykesville, MD

Fee: $30 for Client Agencies (includes DPSCS) / $50 for non-client agencies

Approval Code: P50382 / C19977

This course for managers and supervisors is designed to provide instruction on how to engage employees in a way that will motivate and retain them, and contribute to a successful work environment. Topics to be covered include the importance of engagement, types of motivation, rewards and recognition, motivating remote employees to keep them focused and engaged, and interpersonal relationships. 

Customer Service - March 31st (NEW LISTING!)

March 31, 2025

Click here for seating availability and additional information.

8:30am – 4:00pm

PSETC Sykesville, 6852 4th St, Sykesville, MD

Fee: $30 for Client Agencies (includes DPSCS) / $50 for non-client agencies

Approval Code: P45225 / C17843

This course is designed to enable public safety practitioners to learn to deal directly with customers. The course will examine a methodology for handling customer objections and the skills required to provide solutions to service issues and problems with upset individuals. Topics to be covered include types of difficult customers, assessing customer discontent, strategies for dealing with upset customers, and balancing organization and customer interests.

Winter General Membership Meeting

February 6, 2025 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (EST)

Please join MRPA for the 2024-2025 Winter General Membership Meeting.  Hear from the MRPA board and council members, as well as the MRPA staff.

Workshop: TBA

Price: Early bird price: $35 (expires Jan 24th), After Jan 24th: $40

Location: Cabin John Ice Rink (10610 Westlake Dr, Rockville, MD 20852)

Schedule:

• 9:00 am - 11:00 am: Registration/Ice Skating Activity

• 11:15 am: Workshop

• 12:15 pm: MRPA General Membership Meeting

• 1:00 pm: Lunch

Maryland Master Naturalist Training 

The PARC Branch is partnering with Robinson Nature Center to offer the Maryland Master Naturalist Training. Participants in this University of Maryland Extension program will receive 60 hours of classroom and hands-on training in ecology, geology, interpretation, native flora and fauna, and more.

https://extension.umd.edu/programs/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/master-naturalist-program/

 

LOCATION: ROBINSON NATURE CENTER  (Howard County)
Dates:  March 17 - May 19, 2025
Days:  Mondays, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, with two Saturday field trips

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS beginning November 15, 2024.

Contact Shannon Davis, shdavis@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-0404 for information/application.

Please Note:  There is no cost associated with this registration. Shannon Davis will receive your registration information and send you more information on how to apply. 

Newly Added MPS Trainings: 

• Jan 16- Pool Practice Time- This is for anyone that needs to brush up on their swimming skills/confidence or that needs to get in shape for lifeguarding 
• Jan 22- Inver ID with Master Naturalist - Insect Identification and Preservation 
• Jan 27-28- Close Quarters Defense: Level 1 
• Jan 29-30- Close Quarters Defense: Refresher