Uncluttered Minds

Yesterday afternoon the Leadership Team met to review the first draft of our proposal to introduce the Shift Happens proactive philosophy and positive approach into the NYS OMRDD system (see last post).

What an incredible group of people! After a brief introduction I distributed the draft, broke them into small groups and asked them to do their thing. And what a thing they did. Their observations, comments, criticisms, inputs, changes and questions were all on the money. At the end of the meeting we had a whole new, and needless to say, better document.

Almost 20 years ago, the late Fred McDonald, a consultant, was hired by our Board of Directors to lead a strategic planning process. He worked with us 3 to 5 days a month for over a year and in the process came to know our staff very well. At one point he commented to me about the awe he felt when working with them. He said that no matter how busy they were or what the topic, when he spoke to them individually or as a group he marvelled at their "uncluttered minds".

Quite a few of the members have changed since then; some have remained but to this day when you get these folks together their minds remain uncluttered. This does not mean they are not busy. Nor does it mean they don't live full and abundant lives. Quite the contrary. The abundance of their lives and the importance and busy ness of their jobs is what makes their ability to put everything else aside, listen to the question or examine the issue and focus clearly, thoughtfully and thoroughly on the matter at hand continues to excite and inspire me.

They never fail to impress me and they never, ever fail to accomplish the job. And, in this case, the proposal we are developing has benefited greatly.

What an talented, amazing and fun group of people. How lucky The Arc of Delaware County is to have so many fine people.

Shifting New York

Over the spring and summer the Executive Directors Association of NYSARC (EDA) sponsored three regional training sessions for Executive Teams. The results were strong and a conference call is scheduled for later this week to discuss possible next steps. While timing may not be right for some and others may have other priorities, it seems very likely several organizations will be interested in more training or consultations.

At the third session, three high level officials from the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) attended. They felt the material offered serious implications for their organization and today our CFO, Teresa Skinner and I met with them and several other officials along with the EDA Chair. The meeting couldn’t have gone better. All agree the Shift Happens model is worth bringing forward to District offices for further review. A Nov. 4 date was set to introduce them to the model.

At the same time we will be developing a state wide plan/proposal. One of the foundation pieces will be to develop a pilot the model within the Broome District.

While all this is going on we continue to work with Orange County AHRC.

New York may not be Shifting yet, but it looks like it is about to.

Outcomes for People

I recentlly asked our Leadership Team what they thought Delarc's major accomplishments over the last year have been. In no priority order, here is what they said:

--- Delarc's Person Centered Planning process has significantly evolved and is producing amazing results for people. The additions this year have made it easier for people to understand, particpate and take the lead in the process. More people are running their meetings, asserting themselves and setting ambitious goals.

--- This then has lead to a dramtic increase in meaningful community inclusive activity / participation.

--- The number of adult education classes offered to our folks by community members has increased. The variety of such classes has been very well received and has motivated all involved.

--- The openness of the community and its willingness to include our folks in their activities, businesses and events has increased in numbers and in spirit. The community is beginning to see our folks in a whole new light.

--- The progress we are making in working with local schools and BOCES to improve the transition process has been exciting and offers much promise for the future.

--- More individuals who have never earned any income are now doing so for the first time in their lives.

--- The number and diversity of organizations interested in our proactive philosophy and positive approach has exploded ... all by word of mouth.

I'm sure if I gave them more time this list would be a lot longer. None the less, it is still something of which our entire organization is proud. The cool thing about this group is that this success motivates them to continue learning, try harder and do more for the people they support.

Very exciting!

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.