February 2008
UCP South Florida Joins SPIN In Training's Top 125
Each year Training Magazine ranks and honors the Top 125 companies for their training programs and on Monday evening, February 4th in Atlanta, United Cerebral Palsy-South Florida joined SPIN as the only non-profit companies on the list.
This is the first time UCP-South Florida of Miami has made the list and they are ranked 94th. SPIN (Special People in the Northeast) of Philadelphia is in the Top 125 for the fifth time and are ranked 23rd in these latest rankings.
Training Magazine conducts extensive research for the Top 125 through a multi-tiered nomination, application and interview process. In many cases, companies are nominated by vendors, while others respond to mass mailings and marketing initiatives targeted at Training magazine's 45,000-plus circulation base. Companies who wish to be ranked answer a detailed questionnaire providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Training magazine's editorial staff evaluates the information provided and conducts follow-up interviews, where appropriate, on the many qualitative questions.
UCP-South Florida and SPIN have another thing in common as well – both use the College of Direct Support as part of their respective training programs.
Accepting the award for UCP South Florida was Marta Morin, the Executive Director of the agency’s Miami Cerebral Palsy Residential Services.
Among her reasons for getting this award, Morin talked about CDS. “Embracing and integrating the College of Direct Support and College of Frontline Supervision and Management in everything we do has been key,” Morin said. “This has played a key role in forging ahead with all of our initiatives in attempting to professionalizing staff who work in the field of developmental disabilities; to make it a meaningful job that folks can be proud of as a career. There is no doubt CDS has enhanced the lives of the people we serve, along with the lives of our own staff.”
Here is what Training Magazine had to say in listing the factors leading to UCP South Florida’s ranking: “UCP Miami Residential Services was selected as #94 for their use of the College of Direct Support (CDS), which is a web-based learning management system consisting of over 100 lessons for direct care staff and over 114 lessons in The College of Frontline Supervision and Management available 24/7, enabling learners -- Direct Support Professionals, supervisors, and managers -- to improve their skills in caring for people living with disabilities. The agency acquired additional computers to allow for greater DSP computer access (many of them do not own computers at home) and arranged flexible work schedules so the staff could take the courses on company time.”
Judy Dotzman, Corporate Officer for Professional Development at SPIN, was in Atlanta to accept the award for the agency. In 2002 SPIN was ranked 87th, and in 2004 it came in at 37th. It moved up the rankings to 28th in 2005 and last year was rated 20th.
SPIN, Inc. is a non-profit human service agency founded in 1970 by parents of children with disabilities whose first objective was the establishment of a summer camp. Since its founding 35 years ago, the agency has supported the development of a variety of innovative programs for children, adults and families throughout Philadelphia, PA. Today, SPIN, Inc. serves more than 2,000 people annually.
“SPIN is very honored and proud for the past six years to be ranked among the global elite as a top training organization internationally,” Dotzman said. “SPIN invests and believes deeply in its workforce by providing innovative and effective professional development programs to support SPIN employees to be members of a workforce whose skills and competencies are second to none in our industry.”
A complete list of the Top 125 companies will be in the February issue of Training magazine, and it will include a profile of the top five companies and news about the companies now in the Top 125 Hall of Fame. For a profile of each of the Top 5 companies in Training’s Top 125, visit www.trainingmag.com. For additional information about the training efforts of all 125 companies, see the February 2008 issue. To order a copy, call 646-654-7210, or e-mail jennifer.ginsberg@nielsen.com.
CDS to Hold Administrator's Forum April 13 During ANCOR's 2008 Conference
The College of Direct Support (CDS) will present its 3rd annual CDS Administrator’s Forum on Sunday, April 13, at the Sheraton Hotel in conjunction with ANCOR’s 2008 Management Practices Conference in New Orleans. The ANCOR conference will be April 13-15 at the Sheraton.
The Forum, which is free and open to CDS users and those interested in CDS, will begin with registration and morning refreshments at 9:30 and the first session will start at 10 a.m. The afternoon session will begin with a complimentary lunch and run until 4 p.m.
CDS welcomes to the Forum ANCOR members and non-members alike.
It will be led by Bill Tapp, CDS National Director, and on hand as part of the program will be Amy Hewitt, Senior Research Associate and Director of Interdisciplinary Training at the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota. The CDS curriculum is developed by the University of Minnesota. They will be joined by CDS staff members Jim Hicks, Donna Kosak, Annie Woodruff, Michelle Kael and Tom King.
Others from the University of Minnesota will be Charlie Lakin, Sheryl Larson and Nancy McCulloh.
“This Forum is a wonderful time for sharing your best ideas with everyone and to ask the questions you need answering about CDS,” Tapp said. “It’s a great opportunity to hear how others are using CDS and learn about some fresh approaches to problems and practices.”
If you have areas of concern or have specific issues that you would want covered at The Forum, please send them to Michelle Kael at the CDS at mkael@collegeofdirectsupport.com or call her at the CDS toll free number – 1.877.353.2767.
The Forum will include a session for advanced users of CDS and another for beginners and those interested in CDS. It will provide informative updates on CDS, new courses and courses under development, a time to share best practices and insights into how other organizations are using CDS and will include an expanded Q&A session.
Also on the agenda will be a review and a sharing of information about various ways in which the CDS is being used across the U.S., where CDS is going in the future and an update on the national credentialing program by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).
Part of the presentation will include an overview of all new developments within CDS, including the switch to a new 5.0 platform, information about plans for a separate website for CDS Administrators, plus plans for blogs and podcasts and our new markets.
“Basically, we’ll be discussing CDS now and the future vision of the College of Direct Support,” Tapp said.
Administrators will be asked for feedback about CDS – what they like and don’t like – and any changes they would like to see in the delivery platform and in the curriculum, Tapp added. “We want to have problems identified that need to be addressed and to build on the strengths of the CDS that our users like,” Tapp said.
Another area for discussion will relate to the CDS and its role within the context of national Direct Support workforce issues.
Seating is limited, so you are urged to contact Michelle Kael at 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. This is important because we need to order an adequate number of lunches for attendees.
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.
ANCOR Foundation Walk to Help 20 Katrina Victims
Since 2005, the ANCOR Foundation has held an informal walk during ANCOR’s Management Practices Conference and Trade Show to help increase awareness of the critical role that communities play in helping individuals with disabilities live meaningful lives.
Two years ago, ANCOR was to have held its Management Practices Conference in New Orleans, LA. However, because of Hurricane Katrina, the conference had to be held in another city.
As the ANCOR community returns to New Orleans in April for the 2008 conference (April 13-15), the ANCOR Foundation is pleased to be dedicating the proceeds from the ANCOR Foundation 2008 Walk for Disaster to 20 victims in the New Orleans area. The consumers are in need of critical items such as furniture, clothing and vital home repairs. To date, we have estimated the current level of need for these 20 consumers returning to their own apartments or homes as approximately $10,000.
The ANCOR Foundation 2008 Walk for Disaster will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, from noon to 1:30 pm (CT). The cost to participate is $30 per person.
This year’s event will be different compared to years past. This year, conference attendees wishing to participate in the ANCOR Foundation 2008 Walk for Disaster will have the opportunity to go to Woldenberg National Park, which is located a short walk from the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, where they will enjoy a catered lunch with friends and colleagues. The ANCOR Foundation 2008 Walk for Disaster will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, from noon to 1:30 pm (CT). The cost to participate is $30 per person.
For those wishing to do more, opportunities abound. Such simple acts as collecting $1 pledges from agency staff , making a personal donation, or serving as a corporate sponsor at the $100, $250, $500, or $1,000 level, you can have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities both today and in the future.
For registration details and information on the 2008 Walk, click on this link to the ANCOR web site: www.ancor.org/foundation/activities.htm.
ANCOR Foundation Announces Recipients of the 2008 Community Builder Awards
The ANCOR Foundation is presenting to KFI, Inc. of Maine and the Honorable State Senator Cynthia Nava of New Mexico its prestigious 2008 Community Builder Awards in the provider and community/community member categories of this national recognition effort.
This year’s recipients reflect the notion that the strongest communities are those that embrace the gifts and talents of all people, including those with disabilities. Both KFI, Inc. and Senator Nava have worked tirelessly to ensure that individuals with disabilities can live, work, and contribute to community life, regardless of the challenges they may face.
KFI, located in Millinocket, ME, was developed in the 1960’s as a specialized school for individuals who were not being served in the public school system. KFI has continued to evolve into a robust, community-based organization supporting 100 adults with disabilities through residential and day supports. Everyone who receives support from KFI has his or her own residence, whether as a renter or homeowner. KFI does not own any housing and works with representatives from the housing, employment, civic, volunteer, and recreation sectors to create meaningful opportunities for the people they support.
The recipient of this year’s Community Builder Award in the community/community member category, Senator Nava, has dedicated her life to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. Throughout her life, she has been involved in the field of education and this emphasis continues to drive her work today. Currently, she serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee in the New Mexico legislature (she has been a state senator for 16 years) and as chair of the Special Education Committee. In this position, she frequently draws upon her previous experience as an Educational Diagnostician, Special Education Instructor, school psychologist, and Home Instructor for a Family Infant Toddler program serving children with or at risk for developmental delays. Currently, she is the superintendent of the Gadsden School District in southern New Mexico.
KFI, Inc. and Sen. Nava will be awarded the Community Builder Award during the ANCOR Management Practices Conference and Trade Show on Monday, April 14th in New Orleans, LA. A special break-out session where individuals will share their award-winning practices as well as a special recognition ceremony in the recipients’ communities will follow.
Brian Haddock, Marbridge Ranch CDS Administrator, Shares How His Assisted Living Facility Uses CDS
Meet Brian Haddock, the director of Marbridge Ranch in Manchaca, Texas. Marbridge is the College of Direct Support’s first Assisted Living facility and its first customer in Texas, and from what Brian tells us, CDS is working well and as he says, “We are very glad to have found the CDS and look forward to a long relationship.”
In his role as Marbridge’s director, he also is the facility’s CDS Administrator. He has been with Marbridge for eight years. He is a 1995 graduate of Texas State University with a BA degree in Visual Communications. From 1991 to 1999 he worked at Pegasus Schools Inc., moving from a Direct Support Professional to its vice president of operations. In 1999 he joined Marbridge as Director of Marbridge Ranch.
Marbridge consists of The Ranch and the Village at Marbridge, both licensed Assisted Living facilities with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
“We work with all types of cognitive challenges including Autism, Aspergers, Down’s Syndrome, Brain Injury, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome and we have residents with ADHD, Post Developmental Delay, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Mental Retardation,” he said.
However, Marbridge does not fit the definition of what most envision an assisted living facility to be. Its residents range in age from 18 to 75.
As the CDS Administrator, Brian agreed to do a Q&A with us to share his and Marbridge’s experiences with the CDS.
Q. How long have you been an administrator?
A. I have been the CDS administrator for Marbridge since we began using it in September 2007.
Q. What have you learned from being the CDS Administrator?
A. I have learned that although we provide a “lo-tech” service there are excellent resources out there for us if we use the current technology.
Q. Has the CDS made an impact on your agency and in what ways?
A. The CDS content has allowed us to vastly increase the amount of training material offered to new and existing staff. It has helped us to ensure consistency of training among our two facilities.
Q. What are the roadblocks you have encountered?
A. One of the biggest challenges is simply finding time for the staff to separate from their responsibilities and take advantage of the content. We have set up computer stations in quiet areas at both facilities and have a laptop available for staff to check out to ensure that everyone has access to a computer, but the biggest challenge is time.
Q. How did the staff initially react to the CDS and what is the reaction of new staff coming in about the CDS training?
A. I would say approximately 75% of the Direct Care Staff bought in quickly and began working through the initial assignment of six modules. We offered a financial incentive ($100) to the first three staff to complete the modules, which sparked some interest and healthy competition right away. Of the other 25% who were slower to adapt, the majority reported having “no time” and a small portion needed computer training.
New hires have generally been quick to adapt, as it is explained to them as a mandatory part of their orientation process. Since we are the only organization in Texas utilizing the CDS all of our hires are being exposed to a training opportunity they did not get anywhere else in the state, and they are also very interested in the opportunity for certification through NADSP (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals).
Q. Did everyone in your agency from the top down buy in to CDS?
A. Our Board of Directors was quick to see the benefits and buy into using the CDS. That helped tremendously in having the financial approval early on, and being able to focus on how to encourage buy-in from the Direct Support staff. Prior to the Board hearing about the CDS, all our Directors and Senior Management were given the opportunity to demo the site. There was unanimous confirmation that we should be using the CDS in our organization.
Q. What else do you do besides being the CDS Administrator?
A. My position at Marbridge is Ranch Director, a Type A Large Assisted Living Facility on 170 acres in South Austin, TX. As such I oversee approximately 80 residents and 25 staff. I was researching training opportunities and certification programs online when I came across the CDS and the NADSP. I was very excited about the possibilities and wanted to stay involved after getting Board approval, so I took the role of Administrator for the CDS.
Q. What are your likes and dislikes about CDS?
A. I like the fact that the content is available 24/7. We have three shifts that run round the clock so it was important that everyone have access to the material at their availability, even if that meant at 3 a.m. in the morning. The reporting features are also very helpful to identify who has been taking advantage of the content, and who may be having difficulty and need assistance or encouragement.
Q. What is the number of learners you have trained and oversee on the system?
A. As the administrator for the CDS I did the initial training with the staff from our two assisted living facilities, and Training and Education Dept., which totaled about 65 people. After the initial roll out, the Directors for each area have handled the training and orientation of new hires to the CDS for their area. I currently oversee 21 learners for the Ranch and we have 68 total active learners at this time.
Q. How many people do you support and in what settings?
A. I oversee 80 adult men and women with various cognitive challenges. They live in a dormitory style environment on 170 acres with training buildings on site that provide over 120 different training opportunities in areas ranging from job skills to cooking, to equestrian training. Residents who want to work can do so on site, with the opportunity for community employment when ready. The residents are very active in the Special Olympics at the Regional and State Level.
Q. How have you customized for CDS for your agency?
A. Marbridge has made six CDS modules (consisting of 37 lessons) mandatory orientation training for all new staff within six months of hire, and is requiring all current staff to complete them by March 2008 (six months from roll out).
Q. Have you done content linking with CDS and integrated it into your existing training?
A. No, not yet.
Q. Do you use the survey tools and if so, how?
A. I was exposed to them during a CDS Administrator training in California a few months ago in 2007, which was very helpful, but have not had time to begin using them yet.
Q. What other points you would like to make about CDS?
A. I found the CDS by looking for certification programs for our Direct Support Staff. I found the NADSP online, which led us to the College of Direct Support. The management team at Marbridge feels that both are of such benefit to our staff and our organization that we are covering the DSP-Registered application fee ($50) for all staff that complete the initial assignment of six modules. Our first 13 staff received their pins and certificates in early January 2008, and another seven are ready to send their applications in. The staff is proud of this and are much more confident in their skills, which shows in how they interact with our residents. We are very glad to have found the CDS and look forward to a long relationship.
Latest Evaluation Brief Offers Technology Tips, Advice for Using CDS
The most recent Evaluation Brief for the College of Direct Support (CDS), written by Derek Nord at the University of Minnesota, points out the importance of understanding the technology skills of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and the barriers facing them in using the CDS.
Nord is a Project Coordinator at the Institute on Community Integration, part of the university’s Research and Training Center on Community Living. Nord’s Evaluation reports on the ongoing evaluation process that has produced preliminary information on the computing abilities of DSPs using the CDS Learning Management System platform. The report breaks down how DSPs rate their computer skills along with how they access and use the Internet.
This latest Evaluation Brief is available on the CDS website under “Publications” and also is available on the CDS learners’ website from which you can print it out and makes copies.
You may contact Nord about the Evaluation Brief via email at nord0364@umn.edu or by calling him directly at 612.624.0386.
A Reminder for ’08: New CDS Courses
As you think about 2008, here’s a heads-up on some new courses you will be seeing come online as the year unfolds in the College of Direct Support curriculum and in the College of Frontline Supervision and Management.
The development of the CDS curriculum is done by the Research and Training Center at the University of Minnesota through the Institute on Community Integration. Annually, four courses or new tools are added to the CDS course lineup at no additional charge.
Here’s a list of what’s coming in 2008.
Watch for it - Due out soon!
Working with Families and Support Networks
Description: Everyone has family and support networks in their lives. These are the people who surround you. These are people with whom you develop relationships. They add quality, meaning and enjoyment to enrich your life. People with disabilities who receive support are not any different. They have families and support networks which are intensely important to the quality of their lives. This course will help you understand the importance of support networks including families. It will help you develop working partnerships with families and others in these support networks. You will learn the importance of family and other types of support networks as well as learning about the skills needed to work effectively with both.
Upcoming CDS Courses -- Due out in 2008
Civil Rights and Advocacy
Description: Having human and civil rights is one thing, but exercising those rights is something very different. All people, regardless of ability, can be empowered and energized when they exercise their rights and stand up for what they want. This course was developed to help you understand more fully your role in supporting individuals with disabilities to stand up for their rights. You will learn what it takes to be an effective advocate for and with the people you support, and the challenges often faced by people with disabilities when they attempt to exercise their rights. Finally, you will learn what strategies to overcome these challenges.
This course also provides essential background information to help you understand the importance of advocacy in exercising rights. You will learn about the history of the disability rights movement and about the various laws, rules, and regulations that help to define the rights of people with disabilities. Thanks to the disability rights movement, people with disabilities are gaining the independence and freedom they have always deserved, but have not always had. This course will help you understand fully the role you play in supporting the expression of these rights.
Disability Intensive Mini-Courses
Description: The Disability Intensive Mini-Course is a specialized course within CDS. You will learn about different types of disabilities in these mini-courses. This course is different from other CDS courses because each lesson is a Mini-Course introducing the learner to specific disabilities.
Each Mini-Course or lesson will define and describe the nature of the disability. Each will offer information about the causes, characteristics and symptoms of the disability. Each Mini-Course provides stories from people who have the disability. In addition, family members will share how the disability affects their life. These stories will tell what it is like to live with the disability. Each Mini-Course will discuss how the disability affects people in their day-to-day life and will help you identify support strategies that work well when supporting people who have the disability. You will find helpful resources and references about the disability. The Mini-Courses will also offer suggestions about other CDS courses that are helpful when supporting people with the disability.
The following Mini-Courses are currently in development and due out this year:
Mini-Course #1 - Autism
Mini-Course #2 - Brain Injury
Mini-Course #3 - Cerebral Palsy
Home and Community Living
Description: What makes a home, home? Direct Support Professionals will explore this as they learn how to assist people to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. This could be a family home, group home, shared apartment or other living arrangement. The Home and Community Living course will help the learner understand their role in supporting a person with a disability with home and community-based living related tasks. Instruction is provided in the areas of cleaning, decorating, laundry, yard and lawn care, and basic home maintenance. Helping a person keep his or her home safe, well-maintained, and comfortable greatly contributes to quality of life.
Upcoming Course in the College of Frontline Supervision and Management:
Preparing for the Supervisor’s Job:
Description: This course is an introduction to the role of a frontline supervisor (FLS). It is for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) or others who might be considering the position. The lessons include a description of the role of frontline supervisors (FLS). It is contrasted with the role of DSPs. It includes basic information on four foundational skills critical to supervision. The course outlines both the rewards and the challenges of becoming a frontline supervisor. It asks learners to assess their readiness for a supervisory position. This course is for people who want to make a good decision about whether or not to pursue a supervisory position. However, it is likely valuable to current supervisors. This is especially true for those who have not had training as a frontline supervisor.
Watch our newsletters for course updates in each issue.
ISS Kansas Discusses Uses, Ethics, Impact of CDS in Our Latest Partner Profile
There are a number of things about the College of Direct Support (CDS) that ISS Kansas Executive Director Kathy Stiffler likes and appreciates. It has caused the retention rate of staff to increase while turnover has been dramatically cut.
She likes the Code of Ethics used, which was developed by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP). The variety of learning methods employed by CDS is lauded. They like the flexibility of CDS.
To learn the specifics of the ISS Kansas-CDS partnership, click on ISS Kansas Partner Profile for the rest of the story.
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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