Scales Training Company LLC

I’ve had some incredible conversations this week with leaders from several organizations across North Carolina.

One of my goals has been to help address the many misconceptions, inconsistencies, and areas of confusion surrounding staff training, state guidelines, agency policies, least restrictive practices, alternatives to restrictive interventions, “hands-off/no-touch” philosophies, and other topics that continue to create challenges across multiple sectors of Health and Human Services.

These discussions have been productive, insightful, and, most importantly, focused on improving outcomes for the people we serve. The information gathered will become part of a broader analysis that we plan to bring into a series of higher-level conversations in the near future.

By no means am I suggesting that we have all the answers. We don’t. But we do know what we know. Through our work with behavioral health providers, residential programs, schools, foster care agencies, community organizations, healthcare professionals, government entities, and other service providers, we’ve had the opportunity to hear perspectives from the front lines. Those perspectives matter, and we believe they deserve a seat at the table as conversations about improvement continue.

I also recognize that training is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Workforce challenges, policy interpretation, funding concerns, regulatory expectations, leadership development, and operational barriers all play a role in the quality of services being delivered throughout our communities.

But meaningful change has to start somewhere.

If we can help create greater clarity, consistency, accountability, and understanding around training and support practices, then we can take another step toward reducing abuse, neglect, preventable harm, and service failures while improving outcomes for those who depend on these systems every day.

We’re committed to doing our part…… Let’s get to work.

Marcus Scales
CEO, Scales Training Company

Stories like this are difficult to read

The work we do in behavioral health, autism services, substance use treatment, and IDD supports is not easy.

Some days involve crisis. Some days involve aggression. Some days involve grief, frustration, exhaustion, and burnout.

But no difficult day, stressful situation, or challenging behavior ever justifies harming the people we are entrusted to support.

Every individual deserves dignity, respect, safety, and compassionate care.

As professionals, we have a responsibility to recognize when stress, compassion fatigue, burnout, or secondary trauma are impacting our ability to serve effectively. Organizations have a responsibility to provide training, supervision, support, and resources that help staff respond safely and appropriately during difficult moments.

Awareness matters.
Training matters.
Leadership matters.
Accountability matters.

The individuals we serve are often at their most vulnerable. They deserve professionals who are prepared, supported, and committed to protecting their well-being every single day.



I FELT HIS PAIN” | An Arizona family is outraged after surveillance video showed an autism therapist kicking a 5-year-old nonverbal child in the face. Now, the employee faces charges:

'You should be ashamed of yourself': Surveillance video shows autism therapist kicking 5-year-old child in face An employee at an Arizona autism therapy center was arrested and fired after surveillance video showed him allegedly kicking a nonverbal 5-year-old in the face.

I’m taking some time to intentionally invest my presence into every component of our business.

I want to make sure that every function, every process, and every team member has a clear understanding of what we do, what our standards are, and how each piece connects to the bigger picture.

I may get on everyone’s nerves a little bit along the way 😂, but my goal is simple: I want everyone to understand how I see Scales Training Company, where we’re headed, and why the details matter.

When people understand the purpose behind the process, they can see how their role contributes to something much larger than a single task.

Growth requires clarity. Clarity requires communication. And communication requires presence…….. So for this season, I’m making sure I’m present.

Marcus

If agency leaders would sit in a training class along side their staff…. Put the various titles down that can create the perception or the reality of separation depending on the agency…. And put on the same title as trainee…. Those leaders might just get to hear firsthand how amazing the staff they manage truly are…. Some of the best solutions are discussed in classes but sadly it’s never heard by the agency because leaders sometime think taking a training is beneath them…. Or not time well spent for them….. or I’m not required to because I’m not a direct support worker….. all the excuses….

I challenge every leader to sign up to take classes they expect and require their staff to take….. trust me it will be valuable to the culture and operations of your company! Or don’t trust me and continue to keep the separation within your organizations!

That’s the thought!

Marcus
CEO

We are out of the office today celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary….. what a blessing it is to do life together like we do it!! It’s not always roses and sunshine but it is always the best days of my life to do all of it with you…… love you babe…. To my friend, my girlfriend, my wife, my business partner…. Happy Anniversary …… FYI…. If anyone needs us…. You won’t get us today!! Leave a message 😉

We work in a field that can be extremely cruel….. the cycle of substance use addiction takes a toll on everyone connected to the person struggling….. families….. children….. spouses….. friends….. professionals….. entire communities…..

We see it week in and week out….. many of us have experienced it within our own families and personal lives….. You try not to become numb to the devastating outcomes that can happen when someone continues playing roulette with their life through addiction….. and at the same time….. you hold on to the success stories….. the people who fight their way back….. the people who choose recovery….. the families that heal….. because those stories matter too….. and there are many beautiful examples of hope!

But at some point….. we have to be honest enough to say that different approaches and stronger collaboration are needed….. Every single day there is another story about an overdose….. another family shattered….. another life lost too soon….. and for every public story involving a celebrity or athlete….. there are countless more everyday people whose names never make headlines….. but whose lives meant everything to someone…..

We can no longer only address the substance use issue without also addressing the underlying mental health struggles that so many people are desperately trying to numb…..

We have to continue educating ourselves on prevention….. continue educating ourselves on mental health….. continue creating real solutions….. continue holding government systems accountable….. and continue holding agencies accountable that claim to provide healing and recovery services….. Because the reality is….. not every program is truly helping people heal…..

The organizations and professionals who genuinely support the whole person….. and support the family system as well….. should be elevated….. supported….. funded….. and protected so they can continue making an impact in the lives of others.

Yeah….. maybe I’m on my soapbox this morning…..But if you kept reading….. maybe this message hit home for you too…..

Whether you are:
• Someone currently struggling but still trying……
• A loved one affected by addiction……
• A professional working in the field……
• Or a business owner providing services……

Let’s keep pushing for real impact…..Let’s collaborate instead of compete….. Let’s hold accountability instead of turning a deaf ear to the BS that damages this field and hurts vulnerable people….. I know one thing for certain….. myself and my team are going to continue doing our part!

Marcus
A Concerned but hopeful CEO

Check them out if you are looking for quality services and care!!