Communications from Staff

Following are copies of emails I received this week from two of our team members. They show the impact we are having on people; the people we support, our families and the rehab community.



Received June 23, 2009

Hi George,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you about a revelation I had recently. When I started working for the agency and learned about Shift Happens I thought it was wonderful. It made such good sense and seemed so easy. Over the years I've seen how it has worked so well with those we serve. I guess I never thought how it would carry over into my personal life until I became a mom. Now that Natalie is two I often find myself using the techniques that I was taught as part of the shift happens approach, whether it is with potty training, teaching her how to get dressed, dealing with her tantrums, or preparing her to be a big sister.

Then last night she started reinforcing me when I was folding laundry. It made me stop and smile and think maybe she's a future Delarc employee?


Amy Anderson
Medicaid Service Coordinator
The Arc of Delaware County




Received June 25, 2009

I was at an ISP meeting today in another county at a different agency, and was shocked to hear how unhappy people were with their jobs, administration etc at their respective agency. I felt bad for them that they are not as happy in their jobs as I am, and without making it sound like I am bragging to them, I said well we do this and we do that at the Delarc and how many of these folks were wowed and wished they could have that and things were run like the Delarc.

Along the same lines, I attend many trainings for Start up Brokerage and MSC training and I seem to get more attention than the trainer because I say at the Delarc we already do..... whatever the topic may be. I have had other trainees come to me for more about what we do and completely bypass the person facilitating the training!

I just am sending this email I guess to say that I am so glad to be where I am and that from what I see out there we are head and shoulders above the rest!

Aza Hoyt

I want to thank Amy and Aza for giving me permission to share their thoughts with you. Most of all, though, I want to thank them for being part of the Delarc Team.

Unanticpated Benefits

Hi there. In our books and when speaking to groups about our proactive philosophy and positive approach we always emphasize that, while our primary concern is and always will be with the children and adults we support, the Shift Happens model also offers many important benefits to us in our private lives.

Today I received the following from one our organizations brightest stars. With her permission I have placed it on the blog as a prime example of that point.

Thanks Arlene.

Good Morning George,

I felt I had to share this with you to show you how my life has changed since working with the Arc.

My daughter called yesterday in tears that her Grandfather had passed away. She told me how terrible she felt that she had not visited him for quite a while and now it was too late. Prior to working for the Arc, I would have gone to her, consoled her and probably enabled her feelings of guilt. A light bulb seemed to come on over my head and since learning of our philosophy and principles I thought to myself, "what a teachable moment"!! I, of course, extended my condolences over her loss and then told her how very important it is to "stop and smell the roses" and that all of us should take the time out of our busy lives to visit or call our loved ones, our friends, the elderly and the sick as we never know what the next day will bring. It is a hard lesson for my daughter to learn, but it certainly is a life lesson that we all should learn that when we have caring relationships, we need to keep them flourishing not only for those we care about but for ourselves.

I truly live the Arc way, not only at work but in my personal life and I am truly grateful that I have found this agency. I wanted to share this with you as little moments such as these should be shared!! Thank you for allowing me to be part of an organization that truly makes a difference in people's lives, no matter how small the difference--it matters!!
Arlene J Goedel
Administrative Assistant
RFI
190 Prospect Avenue
Walton, NY

THOSE WE SERVE COME FIRST
COMMIT TO EXCELLENCE
BE DEDICATED
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION
COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
BE INNOVATIVE

News update.

Update:

1 Delarc celebrated its annual meeting / dinner / award ceremony on Friday June 12. It was a huge success. Over 225 people in attendance, an all time high, and, to over whelming delight, all of them lit a figurative “fire cracker” at the conclusion of the meeting.

2 On June 30 we will conduct our last conference call with the Action Tems in Georgia. Our contract expires that day. It has been an extraordinary success. All six participating agencies report making significant improvements in their culture and performance. They all are very grateful to the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) for providing this service. All wish to continue making the Shift and for the contract to be renewed in the next fiscal year.
DHR has informed us their budget is very uncertain. Based on the results they have expressed high interest in developing a year 3 contract. The very poor fiscal climate is a significant obstacle. The reorganization which the State legislature very recently approved presents a different issue. How long will it take to create the new structure; for the new Director to set his vision; and to determine if this project fits within the any possible new priorities are all important questions.


3 In mid August the EDA (Executive Directors, Association) will sponsor its third 2 day Shift Happens Executive Team conference. The purpose will be to present a detailed overview of the Shift Happens Model. So far 12 different teams have participated in sessions conducted in NYC and Geneva.
The EDA has taken a bold step with this training and is in a position to take a national leadership role in reducing and eliminating the use of physical intervention and restraint with people with developmental disabilities.

4 The rate of growth the children and adults Delarc supports has always been high but it seems to me the rate has significantly increased over the last two years.
Why?
I think there are a few answers:
- Our leadership team is more focused on learning and growth than it has ever been. It has worked diligently to standardize operations and to make those standards extraordinary.
- Our recruitment, orientation and training practices are continually fine tuned.
- A large number of new curricula have been created. Methods are also improving.
- Respectful, empowering, supportive monitoring at all levels assures accountability.
- The fire for continual improvement shines bright in both our newest and most veteran team members. People in this organization, like no other, embrace change.
Lots of people would add many other things to this list, but these are the things that grab me, at the moment.

5 We have learned President Obama has created a Social Innovation Fund the purpose of which, as we understand it, is to find pockets of excellence in the not for profit sector and to study and bring their success to scale.
This is new and information is sketchy. However we are tracking it and have had a preliminary conversation with one of NYS Sen. Gillenbrand’s representatives. We asked for the Senators assistance and advocacy in accessing this fund. We firmly believe the Shift Happens Model is exactly the type of success they are looking for.
Wish us luck.