Kolburne offers more than a job – it offers a career, and one we are committed to supporting from Day One.
Kolburne provides extensive training to all employees which reflects the licensing and regulatory standards set forth by the Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other state agencies.
New Employee Orientation
Upon hire, every new employee – regardless of position – attends an extensive New Employee Orientation (NEO) training program designed to acquaint staff with Kolburne’s treatment philosophy and the challenges they will face with our student population. Essential to the orientation is a review of Kolburne’s history, its mission, the characteristics of the population we serve, and our treatment philosophy, which focuses on trauma informed care and relationship-based milieu treatment. During this orientation period, staff will receive approximately 50 hours of training coupled with 8-16 hours of direct observation within their specific program area.
Ongoing Staff Development
Ongoing staff development is offered regularly within each program area in an effort to promote overall awareness of policies and procedures related to their role yet specific to the needs of our students.
Additionally, all staff are required to attend annual training in such areas as Medication Administration, Restraint Training (CPI), Blood-borne Pathogens, Student Supervision, Heightened Supervision, Runaways, Student Records, Mandated Reporting, and Sexual Harassment Prevention.
All staff with direct care responsibilities must also be CPR and First Aid Certified (every two years), and receive quarterly safety related training. Additional training is offered within each program area as necessary.
Tuition Reimbursement
To support the professional advancement of our union employees, Kolburne offers a tuition reimbursement benefit for college tuition reimbursement up to 9 credit hours annually. Teachers receive additional credit hour reimbursement to become certified or to maintain certification.
Advancement Opportunities
Kolburne has a long history of hiring from within. Many of Kolburne’s Team Supervisors, Clinical Staff, SPED teachers and other managerial staff started at Kolburne in direct care staff positions.
Despite the size of Kolburne and the number of staff it employs, we are a relationship-based community and all employees are known by their managers and program directors. Job performance is monitored and success is rewarded with opportunities for advancement.