December 2007
Happy Holidays
As December begins, the College of Direct Support team wants to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your continuing interest, support and involvement with the College of Direct Support. From administrators to Direct Support Professionals, we appreciate your help in raising the bar and creating better lives for all.
January 2008 will mark the beginning of the fourth year that the CDS has been in use. Today, the CDS is being used in more than 30 states, British Columbia and even Australia! We are pleased that we have over 65,000 active learners online at any given time.
From a dream to reality, it is each of you who are working to build a profession of direct support.
We wish each of you the Merriest of Holidays and All the Best for the New Year to Come!
New 'Arc@Work' Program Directed at Improved Training and Reducing Risks
The Arc of the U.S., Philadelphia Insurance Co. and the College of Direct Support (CDS) have joined together in a new program – “The Arc@Work” – to provide the highest quality of service and supports to individuals and families through training and safety awareness.
The program was kicked off during the recent Arc of the U.S. national conference in Dallas.
Here’s how the program works.
Member chapters of The Arc of the U.S. are eligible for a 5% discount on liability and commercial insurance underwritten by Philadelphia Insurance Companies if 50% of the chapter’s employees complete the first six specified online courses for Direct Support Professionals provided by CDS. Participating in CDS through TheArc@Work provides chapters of The Arc with an annual license fee to utilize CDS online curriculum as part of their staff training programs, and at a special price well below the price offered directly through CDS.
The price for an unlimited number of employees and volunteers in the respective chapters to use the CDS curriculum is $38 per person served by the chapter plus an annual administrator’s fee of $2,800, which provide the learning management administrative functions for a designated administrator for the CDS program.
"The College of Direct Support Learning Management System provides all employees with the highest quality on-line training curriculum developed in subject areas that have been identified as most important for people in direct support roles," said Michael Coburn, the chief operating officer of The Arc of the U.S.
"CDS has partnered with The Arc and Philadelphia Insurance to help all chapters of The Arc incorporate the highest quality and most comprehensive on-line training program so that all of your employees have access to training any time and any place that is best for them," said Bill Tapp, National Director of the CDS. "We know that your direct support staff members work odd hours, making it difficult to implement a comprehensive and continuing training program for all staff. The Arc@Work can easily be implemented and administered which gives your chapter a world-class, highly effective staff training and development program through the CDS."
Coburn also said that "Chapters of The Arc will be eligible for this discount at renewal time, which can save thousands of dollars on annual business and liability insurance premium."
If a Chapter of The Arc is not currently a customer of Philadelphia Insurance, The Arc has appointed Colonial Insurance Agency, an independent agency, to work with those chapters on a review and assess potential savings through this program or help them obtain the most comprehensive insurance coverage at the best price. If it is determined that a Chapter of The Arc would benefit from The Arc@Work program, Colonial will work with it to transition coverage to Philadelphia, Coburn said.
If you are already a Philadelphia Policy holder, Chapters of The Arc can immediately take advantage of the insurance savings program. The chapter’s broker and a regional representative of Philadelphia Insurance Co. will work to optimize savings for the chapter, he added.
Philadelphia Insurance has identified 11 courses within the CDS curriculum that will help all employees of Chapters of The Arc safeguard against accidents and other risks and perils associated with the work done on a daily basis. Philadelphia’s risk management professionals believe that the training staff receives through CDS will make the workplace safer and provide a higher level of safety for employees and the people each chapter serves and supports.
Tapp explained that Chapters of The Arc may also want their DSPs to consider participating in the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) National Credentialing Program to recognize and reward employees. “It is well known that professional recognition helps increase morale and self-esteem for employees in any profession – there is great need to honor and recognize those who dedicate their time serving and supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” he said.
Information on the NADSP program can be found at www.nadsp.org.
Chapters of The Arc wishing to participate in The Arc@Work will enroll through The Arc to obtain the preferred pricing and will be linked directly to the College of Direct Support. This is an annual agreement. Chapters interested in participating in the risk management/liability discount program will be able to enroll during defined open enrollment periods. Contact Elizabeth Muniot if you are interested in participating or call her at 301-565-5450.
Arc Mercer Wins 2 Laptops, Use of CDS For 1 Year at Arc@Work Drawing In Dallas
When Steve Cook attended the recent national conference of The Arc of the U.S. in Dallas, he brought home more than his suitcase.
Cook, the Executive Director of The Arc/Mercer in Ewing, N.J., had his chapter’s name pulled from a large box used for a drawing that gives his Arc chapter two free laptop computers and access to the College of Direct Support for a year, free of charge. The drawing was part of the rollout and announcement about the new “Arc@Work” program.
The CDS, The Arc of the U.S., and the Philadelphia Insurance Companies are partners in the “The Arc@Work” program that offers all Arc chapters access to the CDS professional training curriculum at a reduced price and a 5 percent discount on their risk management insurance.
Arc Mercer, founded in 1950, today supports more than 1,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Arc Mercer has 12 residential facilities and also is the designated training center for all developmental disabilities training in Mercer County.
“This was really interesting for us, because our board president (Dan Antonellis) and I heard Bill Tapp’s presentation at The Arc convention and that night we prepared a resolution to present to our board to adopt the College of Direct Support,” he said. “Then when we got home we found out that we had won the drawing on the night we were to vote on this.”
Cook, Arc Mercer’s executive director for the past six months, says the Arc chapter will integrate CDS into its training curriculum beginning after the first of the year. “We can’t wait to get started,” he said. “What a wonderful gift for us.”
The CDS and Its Board
by Gail Bottoms
We have had a big problem in the U.S.
Support for people with disabilities has been a mess!
No people are trained to support one on one,
or this has only just been a few or none
supporting people old or young.
But change is coming….it’s almost here.
A board is working to make it clear…..
…..that you can train people for this big job, and
people who are trained won’t feel like slobs.
People want to know what to do….
and they can support people to be accepted too!
People with disabilities often feel out of place.
They want to feel accepted instead of just a case.
When people are trained and feel that they can do the job,
… no matter what,
they can see you as a friend,
and see the good qualities you’ve got!
When people are trained sadness will be less and
and happiness will spread.
I see brighter days for all just ahead!
So we met in Atlanta at the Drury Hotel to plan
so that all who care will understand
that training their staff is a must,
because people who are trained bring about trust.
And people with disabilities will benefit most,
when training is offered from coast to coast.
So we’re meeting here in Minneapolis too……….
to plan and make this dream come true.
All on this wonderful board is the key,
……for support for people with disabilities you see.
We are working together
To make sure it’s clear,
that training can come even to the boondocks, you hear!
If you have a computer…
And someone who knows how to use it, it is near.
You can train your staff, or learn on your own.
If you have questions, just pick up the phone.
So we’re meeting here in Minnesota too.
We’re doing our best …. and seriously too!
To make sure this great tool gets to you.
Love, Gail
(Gail Bottoms, a member of the College of Direct Support’s National Advisory Board and a self advocate, is a native of Griffin, GA, and former president of People First of Georgia. In the mid 1990’s Gail became active in the disability rights movement and began speaking around the country on behalf of the rights of people with disabilities. She has recently published her first book of poetry, "From the Inside Out." A CD comes with the book on which she reads her poems. Gail is a mother, a daughter, a wife and now a grandmother who fills her poetry with her life and her feelings.)
Next CDS Administrator’s Forum Set for April 13 in New Orleans
The 3rd annual College of Direct Support Administrator’s Forum will be held on Sunday, April 13 in conjunction with ANCOR’s 2008 Management Practices Conference in New Orleans. The ANCOR conference will be April 13-15 at the Sheraton Hotel.
Dr. Amy Hewitt, Senior Research Associate and Director of Interdisciplinary Training of the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota, will lead the forum.
The CDS Administrator’s Forum also will be held at the Sheraton from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donna Kosak and Annie Woodruff of the CDS staff will work with Hewitt on facilitating the sessions, which will include a session for advanced users of the CDS and another for beginners and those interested in the CDS.
Also on hand will be Bill Tapp, National Director of the CDS.
The forum, which is free, will include a complimentary lunch. It is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the CDS. The session, open to ANCOR members and non-members alike, will provide informative updates on the CDS, a time to share best practices and insights into how other organizations are using the CDS and will include an expanded Q&A session.
"This forum is a wonderful time for sharing your best ideas with everyone and to ask the questions you need answering about the CDS," Tapp said. "It’s a great opportunity to hear how others are using the CDS and learn about some fresh approaches to problems and practices."
Seating is limited, so you are urged to contact Michelle Kael at the CDS to make reservations for the forum. Call Michelle at 1-877-353-2767 (toll free) or email her at mkael@collegeofdirectsupport.com if you plan to attend.
Participants in the CDS Administrators’ Forum will receive the ANCOR member registration rate for the conference. Early bird registration fees for the conference are available until March 1. For more information about the CDS, visit its website at www.collegeofdirectsupport.com and for additional information about the ANCOR conference, go to www.ancor.org.
New Courses in 2008 Coming
As you think about 2008, here’s a heads-up on some new courses you will be seeing come online as the year unfolds.
Two new courses are in the pipeline to be released in early 2008 along with two mini-courses.
The new courses are “Preparing for the Supervisor’s Job in Human Services” and “Working With Families and Other Support Networks.” The mini-courses are on Autism and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Here are brief descriptions of the new courses coming soon.
"Preparing for the Supervisor’s Job in Human Services": This course is an introduction to the role of a frontline supervisor (FLS) position. It is for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or others who might be considering the position. This course is for people who want to make a good decision about whether or not to pursue a supervisory position. This course will also be valuable to current supervisors.
"Working with Families and Other Support Networks": This course is about how DSPs build working relationships and partnerships with the support networks of the people they support. It will help you develop working relationships with families and other support networks and develop partnerships that support dreams. You will learn the importance of family and support networks as well as learning what skills are needed to work effectively with both.
Autism:
This course is an overview of autism and is important because there are increasing numbers of persons identified with autism. Although autism was once considered a rare disability, the numbers of people receiving an autism diagnosis increases each day. As a result, it is important for professionals who work with persons with disabilities to have a good understanding of autism.
Brain Injury:
This mini-course will provide DSPs and supervisors with an overview of brain injury. The course will: define the disability; inform the learner about key statistics related to the disability; discuss the causes of brain injury; and consider issues related to how DSPs can best support individuals with a brain injury. Additionally, the course will share stories of people with brain injury, their family members and DSPs who support them.
Lori Sedlezky Joins UM, CDS Team
Lori Sedlezky is the latest addition to the staff at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. She will be working with the ICI and the College of Direct Support (and some new partners) in a leadership role as CDS moves into the aging market, authoring CDS courses and supervising the ICI’s Graduate students.
Sedlezky has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and has previously worked at ICI in both early intervention and adult and community services. She was a lead author in the Department of Labor curriculum (Removing the Revolving Door, Supporting an Immigrant Workforce and Peer Empowerment) and has already authored two CDS courses -- Personal Support and Home Living Skills.
She worked at Arc Greater Twin Cities for the past many years where she served in several leadership roles. Her most recent Arc GTC role was in developing, piloting and implementing a new and important program for individuals and families called the Lifetime Assistance Program.
"Her vision, leadership and management skills have resulted in a successful program that will serve many, many families for years to come and will move Arc into a new and much needed program area," said Amy Hewitt, Senior Research Associate and Director of Interdisciplinary Training of the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota.
Hewitt says Sedlezky will begin work in early January 2008.
New CDS Brochures Available
Two new brochures about the College of Direct Support have been published and are available on the CDS website www.collegeofdirectsupport.com.
Both brochures can be found under the “Publications” button on the home page and can be downloaded for your use.
The first brochure is our small brochure that includes new informational inserts about various aspects of the CDS that can answer many of your questions. The other brochure is our large one that lists all CDS and College of Frontline Supervision and Management courses, the most “Frequently Asked Questions” about the CDS, the listing of our National Board of Editors and our National Advisory Board and much more.
If you have questions about the brochures, contact Tom King, CDS Director of Communications, at tking@collegeofdirectsupport.com or by calling our toll free number at 877.353.2767.
Moore Center Scholarship Program: A 'Partnership out of the Box'
Here’s an interesting partnership – T.D. Banknorth of Manchester, N.H., Moore Center Services and the College of Direct Support.
Read on.
For the second year in a row T.D. Banknorth is teaming up with Moore Center Services to offer statewide scholarships for Direct Support Staff to enroll in the College of Direct Support (CDS).
T.D. Banknorth allocated $12,000 for this program. TD Banknorth Inc. is a leading banking and financial services company headquartered in Portland, Maine and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TD Bank Financial Group with banking divisions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
Fourteen scholarship slots will be filled by a Direct Support Staff member working for an Area Agency or for a Vendor Agency in New Hampshire. Managers and directors will nominate a Direst Support Professional from their respective organizations who would benefit from the curriculum.
In addition to funding the coursework, the grant provides a further incentive for Direct Support Staff to complete CDS on their own time. If they do, they will be eligible for a completion stipend of $400.
Mission Statement: The College of Direct Support is a learning gateway for contemporary best practices for Direct Support Professionals. By incorporating web-based learning, backed by nationally recognized curricula, the CDS is designed to promote a profession of direct support.
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tel :: 877-353-2767 (toll-free) | fax :: 865-531-4708
www.collegeofdirectsupport.com
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