Wednesday
1:00p - 2:00p
Enhancing Practice for Activities & Social Services Staff - Part 2
Kaile Hilliard, BA, MSW, LCSW, SMQT - Granite Peak Healthcare Solutions
This 4-hour training is designed for activities and social services staff working in long-term care and assisted living settings. The program focuses on practical strategies that directly impact quality of life, survey readiness, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Participants will gain tools to strengthen trauma-informed practices, improve assessments, engage staff, implement non-pharmacological interventions, and manage survey expectations with confidence.
The training is structured in four focused sessions with interactive case studies, roleplays, and group discussions to ensure learning translates into daily practice.
Key Topics:
Trauma-Informed Care: Understanding the principles of trauma-informed care and learning how to talk with residents and families in ways that build trust and uncover meaningful information for care planning and quality of life.
Using Assessments Effectively: Turning assessments into actionable care plans, identifying red flags, and learning strategies to engage staff in meaningful follow-through.
Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Pain: Exploring activity-based and psychosocial interventions that support comfort and quality of life, while meeting CMS expectations for non-pharm strategies.
Survey Management Strategies: Preparing documentation, systems, and staff for survey readiness, with emphasis on common pitfalls for activities and social services departments.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Apply trauma-informed care principles in resident and family interactions to enhance care planning.
Translate assessment findings into individualized, practical interventions that staff can carry out.
Identify and implement non-pharmacological strategies to manage pain and improve resident well-being.
Prepare for survey by strengthening documentation, communication, and staff readiness.
Kaile Hilliard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, regulatory consultant, and former state surveyor with over 17 years of experience in long-term care. She is a proud graduate of Colorado State University’s School of Social Work, where she earned her Master of Social Work degree.
As the CEO of Granite Peak Healthcare Solutions, Kaile has worked with facilities across the country to strengthen compliance systems, improve resident quality of life, and achieve successful survey outcomes. Her career spans skilled nursing, assisted living, and critical access hospitals, with deep expertise in survey readiness, QAPI, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Kaile has developed and led numerous trainings for nursing, social services, and activities staff, focusing on practical strategies that support both regulatory compliance and resident-centered care. Her background makes her uniquely suited to speak on these topics: she understands the regulatory lens of surveyors, the day-to-day realities faced by frontline staff, and the critical role activities and social services play in addressing psychosocial needs, implementing non-pharmacological interventions, and ensuring every resident’s quality of life is prioritized.