OADD 2014: Person-Centred Thinking and Building Social Capital Supporting an Included Life in the Community with Homes, Jobs, and Friends for People with Intellectual Disabilities
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The document discusses a transformation journey undertaken by LiveWorkPlay to support individuals with intellectual disabilities through community-based, person-centred approaches rather than segregated services. It emphasizes the importance of building relationships, social capital, and reciprocal connections within the community to foster inclusion and improve the quality of life for these individuals. The anticipated outcomes include greater community integration, family satisfaction, and positive changes in partner organizations advocating for inclusion.
OADD 2014: Person-Centred Thinking and Building Social Capital Supporting an Included Life in the Community with Homes, Jobs, and Friends for People with Intellectual Disabilities
- 1. Afternoon Session 6C 2:15-3:30pm, April 10, 2014 Person-Centred Thinking and Building Social Capital Supporting an Included Life in the Community with Homes, Jobs, and Friends for People with Intellectual Disabilities Keenan Wellar, MA and Julie Kingstone, MEd Co-Founders & Co-Leaders, LiveWorkPlay.ca Starting in 2008, LiveWorkPlay embarked on a journey of “de-programming” by making a shift from congregated programs to authentic community-based, person-centered, and assets-focused thinking and processes. Beyond exciting outcomes such as first homes, first jobs, and first experiences engaging in the community with other citizens, with respect to the experience of an included life, the impact is all about the development of reciprocal relationships and interdependence (social capital).
- 2. It always seems impossible. Until it is done. Nelson Mandela We can’t think differently if we don’t change our underlying assumptions about reality. Michael Kendrick Remediating Accommodating VALUING
- 3. We cannot hope to INCLUDE via thinking and practices that focus on EXCLUSION.
- 4. In many jurisdictions the courts are proving the only option for people with intellectual disabilities who want support for a non-segregated life. Is this what will drive change in Ontario? Or will doing the right thing be motivation enough?
- 5. Al Condeluci http://buildingsocialcapital.org/ Interdependence Network Helen Sanderson http://www.tlccanada.groupsite.com/ The Canadian Learning Community For Person-Centred Practices
- 6. What would you say great cutting edge work looks like today in human services? If people with disabilities are enjoying lives pretty much like other citizens, in terms of work, education, home life, participation in the community and so on, then you would have to say that is a huge improvement in quality of life. You judge it by the outcomes in the lives of the people. - Michael Kendrick
- 7. Most organizations in Developmental Services use statements like these. But is this representative of what our sector is doing in practice?
- 9. What Did You Think Of Our Video? We can hardly believe it when we watch it. Did we really build a parallel society for people with intellectual disabilities, thinking it was the path to inclusion?
- 10. Popularity is not a significant or critical measurement. We are called to a higher level of accountability.
- 11. The Day Program? THAT WAS EASY! But now…a robust network of welcoming people and places that includes a home, a job, friends, and enjoyable things to do in the community with many diverse relationships? For EACH and EVERY person we support? HARD!But it’s supposed to be about doing what is right, not what is easy…
- 12. Decisions = Paid Staff and/or Family Education = Day Program/Special Education Recreation = Segregated Program Employment = Sheltered Work Home = Institutional or “Special Model” Relationships = Paid Staff and/or Family What Are The Assumed Norms For People With Intellectual Disabilities?
- 13. How did we arrive at these assumptions? Aren’t we becoming more person-centred, assets-focused, and community-based?
- 14. Thank you for choosing Acme Support Services, where we proudly facilitate individual independence through person-centered planning! Now, let me start by outlining the list of fixed choices available to you!
- 15. SCARCITY ABUNDANCE (WHAT WE’VE LEARNED)
- 16. “THIS IS TUESDAY NIGHT LEAGUE BOWLING. PLEASE COME BACK ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND SIGN UP FOR SPECIAL NEEDS BOWLING.” BUT I’VE GOT A 180 AVERAGE!
- 17. THEN NOW A job isn’t everything or the only thing. When we talk about “employment first” and/or “housing first” it’s not about suggesting some sort of cure for having a disability. It’s about valuing people with disabilities as they are, and moving beyond the assumption that their life will be systems and staff-oriented instead of assets-based and community-focused.
- 18. Play collage NO DAY PROGRAM OR WORKSHOP? WHAT IF THEY CAN’T FIND OR KEEP A JOB? WHAT WILL THEY DO TO FILL THEIR TIME?
- 19. (Medical Model) Social Services (Community Model) Social Change Decisions = Paid Staff and/or Family Education = Day Program/Special Ed Recreation = Segregated Program Employment = Sheltered Work Home = Institutional Setting/Special Model Relationships = Paid Staff and/or Family Decisions = Self-Directed (With Chosen Help) Education = Inclusive Classrooms (All Ages) Recreation = Playing In Community (With Diverse Others) Employment = Work/Volunteerism (With Diverse Others) Home = House/Condo/Apartment Relationships = Family, Friends, Neighbours, Spouse, Unpaid Support, Paid Support TRANSFORMATION A Transformative Journey
- 20. MORE (AND MORE & MORE IMPORTANT) Family Friends Colleagues Co-Workers Classmates Neighbours Spouse ONLY AS NEEDED (AND LESS & LESS IMPORTANT) Residential Worker Program Worker Other Workers Doctors Psychologists Psychiatrists Social Workers HOW TO SUPPORT INCREASED SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES (IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS)
- 21. Do staff want to perform like stars? Sure! But we don’t want to be your world. (Inspired by Dave Hingsburger)
- 22. “Some things have to be believed to be seen.” ― Madeleine L'Engle (A Wrinkle In Time) My own place! A job (and cheque) I love! My football team!
- 23. The reality is, developmental services agencies tend to be not very skilled or practiced in the art or science of relationships. Traditionally, their talent lies in creating and managing programs and infrastructure. We need a different theory to get us where we need to be as facilitators of relationships for the people we are trusted and honoured with supporting. (Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/big-bang-friend)
- 24. THEORY OF CHANGE is a dialogue-based process that generates a description of a sequence of events that is expected to lead to a particular desired outcome’ This description is captured in a diagram and narrative to provide a guiding framework for the project team and stakeholders. A theory of change starts by identifying a clear ultimate goal and works backwards to establish preconditions for reaching that goal. At each step any assumptions are examined. The next step is to identify indicators. Only when these steps have been completed are the activities or interventions identified. In reality - often in response to a particular funding opportunity - many agencies in the developmental services sector (and in the non-profit community in general) may develop programs or projects based almost fully on unproven assumptions, and then work to align the program with the ultimate goal promised in the application and as required to obtain the funding. Not exactly a best practice for human services!
- 25. LiveWorkPlay: Our Theory Of Change
- 26. What is Our Anticipated DIRECT Impact 1) People with intellectual disabilities supported by LiveWorkPlay will experience life as more valued and included members of the community 2) Family members of those supported by LiveWorkPlay experience greater satisfaction with regard to the life of their child 3) LiveWorkPlay partners (individuals, organizations) experience positive changes, benefiting from and advocating for inclusive community
- 27. What is Our Anticipated INDIRECT Impact • Other service organizations employ improved practices for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities • Policymakers and thought leaders envision and enact more effective and efficient policies and resource allocation to support the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities
- 28. Through Direct and Indirect Impact… Our work is done when all persons with intellectual disabilities can experience and contribute to the community on an equal basis with other citizens.
- 29. What is Our Anticipated DIRECT Impact 1) People with intellectual disabilities supported by LiveWorkPlay will experience life as more valued and included members of the community
- 31. On-going Planning Independent Living In-Home Supports Natural Supports Life Coaching Referrals to Affordable Housing Paid Employment Employment Planning Job Matching & Development Job Coaching Long term maintenance Community Participation Support to join community activities and venues and travel Support to volunteer within the non-profit sector Support to develop friendships Friday night meet-ups Supporters Family Feasts New Year’s Eve Party Auction and Golf Tournament Annual Recognition Banquet LiveWorkPlay Supports
- 32. Our collaborative process: 1) develop person-centred plans based on interests, abilities, and possibilities; 2) identify sub-communities for making needed connections; 3) develop an understanding of sub-community operations and expectations 4) develop individual and organizational inclusion gatekeepers for ongoing success. We do this by supporting: Referrals to other services (income supports, affordable housing, health, transport,) Diversification and increased participation in ordinary community activities and places with other citizens Diversification and increased community contribution in ordinary activities and places with other citizens Diversification and increased social roles (employee, neighbour, friend, spouse, volunteer, owner, other) Diversification, growth, and maintenance of a network of unpaid and reciprocal personal relationships How we support people with intellectual disabilities to experience life as more valued and included members of the community:
- 33. MEMBERS BOARD Executive Staff Director of Operations Executive Staff Marketing & Communications 1 Employment Supports (2) Community Connectors (3) Living Supports (2) Coordinator of Volunteers and Support Networks (1) 100 Volunteers 1 Supports Coordinator (1) 2 LIVEWORKPLAY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2014 100+ Volunteers
- 35. Referrals to other services (income supports, affordable housing, health, transport)
- 36. Diversification and increased participation in ordinary community activities and places with other citizens
- 37. Diversification and increased community contribution in ordinary activities and places with other citizens
- 38. Diversification and increased social roles: employee, neighbour, friend, spouse, volunteer, owner, other) (Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/matt-cam)
- 39. Diversification, growth, and maintenance of a network of unpaid and reciprocal personal relationships (Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/jim-chris)
- 40. What is Our Anticipated DIRECT Impact 2) Family members of those supported by LiveWorkPlay experience greater satisfaction with their child’s life
- 41. The Parent Perspective (Watch video: http://bzbz.ca/betty-kyle)
- 42. What is Our Anticipated DIRECT Impact 3) LiveWorkPlay partners (individuals, organizations) experience positive changes, benefiting from and advocating for inclusive community
- 43. Watch the video: http://bzbz.ca/Jeremy-Short
- 44. Tracking and Measuring Our Progress
- 46. http://www.compasspoint.org/nextgenorgs A GREAT BASIS FOR CHALLENGING YOUR ORGANIZATION JUST WHEN YOU MIGHT BE THINKING “WOW, WE ARE AWESOME” COMES THE REALIZATION THAT STANDING STILL ALWAYS RESULTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL DECAY. RENEWAL REQUIRES CONSTANT VIGILANCE AND AN ENERGY FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT!
- 48. youtube.com/liveworkplayvideo liveworkplay.ca facebook.com/liveworkplayfans twitter.com/liveworkplay What Does The Public Know About Developmental Services?
- 49. We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. (Albert Einstein)
- 50. 50 Some of what happened - by trying!