IARF

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    • Membership Information
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  • Event Calendar
  • 2022 IARF Compensation Survey
  • About
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • 2023 Strategic Framework
    • 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW
  • Education
    • ABA Skills Series for Qs
    • United Front Initiative
    • Webinars
    • IARFuture
  • Conference
    • 2023 Call for Presentations
    • 2022 Conference
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Information & Resources
    • #ThisIsOurShot Campaign
    • NewsNotes & Briefs
    • Policy Action Center
    • Job Bank
  • Membership
    • Member Login
    • Membership Information
    • Supporting Members
  • Event Calendar
  • 2022 IARF Compensation Survey
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2022

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
3:00 PM- 4:00 PM

 
Narrowing the Inclusion Gap: From Volunteerism to Leadership
Presented by:
David Pufundt & William Claiborne
Envision Unlimited
 
Through David’s work with the Chicago Park District (CPD), Envision members were able to turn a one-day volunteer experience with the CPD’s pilot Environmental Stewardship program into an ongoing experience in which they were requested to tape, produce and edit 3 instructional videos for CPD with the Envision Media Club (paid $3,000), train future participants in the Environmental Stewardship program, present about the Environmental Stewardship program at multiple state/national /international conferences and host an in person training event, attended by CPD, REI, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo and The Nature Conservancy on how to work with individuals with developmental disabilities. This presentation will demonstrate, through the CPD Environmental Stewardship program, how to take an ordinary, passive volunteer experience and allow it to evolve into an extraordinary leadership opportunity for the individuals we support. It will show the role of a “life like any other”, the value of member leadership and the importance on relying on members’ abilities and skills. William Claiborne, David’s co-presenter and veteran of many presentations on this subject, will tell you what this project has meant to him personally and how it feels to not only be included, but to be a leader. Together David and William have developed a program for how to break down the barriers of inclusion with anyone seeking an opportunity to volunteer with the Chicago Park District and beyond.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Engaging members in leadership roles
  • Taking community relationships to the next level
  • Recognizing when to seize an opportunity for community inclusion and how to exploit it
 
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
 
Staff Shortage? GROW Your Own DSPs! (PART 1 & 2)
Presented by:
Rita Potter & Gene Stephens
Open Door Rehabilitation Center
 
Open Door has developed a new program to increase DSP staff retention and recruitment. This program focuses on "personal development" and offers participants a "common language" revolving around self-awareness and how they interact with others. This knowledge and skill introduce and welcomes DSP's into Open Door culture and actively engages with them. This foundation is then used to expand into the realm of the knowledge and skills needed to be the best DSP they can be and to further their ability to advance within the agency.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • How to create a training program for DSPs "personal development".
  • How to create an inclusive culture with DSPs.
  • How to give DSPs more responsibility without promoting them out of their strengths.
 
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
 
Beyond Breathing - building and maintaining a system of care for the self and your organization (PART 1 & PART 2)
Presented by:
Kristen Huffman-Gottschling, PhD, LCSW
PACTT Learning Center
 
In 2021, the National Association of Social Workers deemed self-care important enough to amend the NASW Code of Ethics to include self-care as "paramount for competent and ethical social work practice." While those in caring professions recognize its need, we are notorious for neglecting this critical part of our work. This workshop will focus first on building and sustaining habits of self-care for individuals in their workplaces. We will then shift to discuss developing an organizational action plan, thinking through how organizations can create a focus on self-care for their professionals.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will learn about the different areas of the self where a care plan can be created.
  • Participants will work together to problem solve barriers to implementing their plan of care
  • Participants will learn ways organizations can create structures to focus on self-care as an agency.
 
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Navigating Shame Culture (Part 1 & Part 2)
Presented by:
Cheri DeMoss, MA, LCPC, NCADCII, MAC, NCRS
Empowering Options
 
Clients not only live in today’s shame culture but were raised in families where shaming was the norm. Shame was used to control our clients when the adult around them were emotionally uncomfortable. Shame was used to justify most all forms of abuse, reactivity, and rage. Research has shown that shame demoralizes all people, especially children. It generates aggression, bullying, sadness, and depression in clients by making them feel bad about themselves. Being filled with a hopeless belief in shame is one of the main components of client struggles. This workshop focuses on where shame comes from. How it gets its power and how to loosen the vise-like grip it has over clients. We will also look closely at techniques, skills, and options to use when assisting clients in, not just, raising their self-esteem but reclaiming the self-acceptance they were born with.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Understanding where shame comes from and why it works
  • How to internally dismantle shame
  • Creating self-acceptance and raising self-esteem in a shame culture
 
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31ST
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
 
Incorporating Positive Psychology: Moving Past Roadblocks to a Renewed Mindset
Presented by:
Gina Brown & Amie Hoffman, BCBA

Trinity Services, Inc.
 
This presentation will help attendees define common roadblocks that they encounter in the workplace on a regular basis. It provides a brief overview of positive psychology and interactively explores how to use the tools learned to develop a positive mindset in order to enhance work performance and overcome those common challenges. The presentation will utilize a slideshow, short videos, and polls to interact with the audience.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Recognizing the barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential in the workplace
  • Understanding the basic concepts of positive psychology and how it applies to the workplace
  • The ability to incorporate the positive psychology tools learned to improve work performance

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Recruiting and Retaining Employees: Attracting Top Candidates While Avoiding Legal Pitfalls
Presented by:
Suzannah Overholt & Kelly Haab-Tallitsch
SmithAmundsen LLC
 
Employers are facing what has been called “the Great Resignation” as employees choose to change careers, job hop or retire early in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With another wave of resignations and job shuffling occurring in 2022, recruitment and retention continues to be one of the top business concerns. Flexibility and incentives appear to be key to success on both fronts – whether we are talking about financial incentives, training and advancement opportunities, or other more traditional benefits. Of course, changes in employment terms come with legal considerations.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Learn how to properly structure signing bonuses, retention bonuses, deferred compensation and other valuable methods of compensation
  • Learn incentives being offered to employees and the best practices for implementation
  • Learn when you need a non-compete agreement
  
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Specialized Telehealth for Individuals with IDD-The New Frontier
Presented by:
Maulik Trivedi, MD FACEP
StationMD
 
The total quality of medical care for individuals with IDD is elevated by employing an easy to use telehealth solution. The benefits of these specialized services improve outcomes, access, support DSP retention and engagement and improve the quality of life for the disability community. Access to a specialized clinicians that understand the clinical and non-clinical nuances of this population via telehealth, allows individuals to receive care from their home setting avoiding often traumatic, avoidable and expensive visits to the ER or urgent care.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Audience will learn the benefits of a specialized telemedicine solution for the population with IDD, and what that means for providers, DSPs, and the individuals themselves
  • Audience will learn how to implement a specialized telemedicine solution and how the total quality of care can be improved
  • Audience will learn how certain medical issues can be addressed via telemedicine and also the limitations of this type of solution
  
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
My25 – What? How? And One Agency’s Experiences
Presented by:
Gene Stephens, Open Door Rehabilitation Center & James D. Vail, My25
 
Despite the technology revolution that has changed how many of us work and live, meal service and grocery shopping in CILAs and ICFs has remained virtually unchanged since the turn of the century. Recognizing the importance of this area to people supported, the expectation of continuing DSP shortages, as well as the lack of systemization and the high cost of the resulting inefficiencies, Open Door strategically prioritized an initiative to improve operational effectiveness, lower labor and food costs, and simultaneously increase person-supported engagement and wellness. Open Door is experiencing favorable outcomes across the organization, such as reduced food and operational costs, and improved consumer health and satisfaction. Open Door continues to adjust its ongoing campaign to take advantage of increased funding opportunities, as well as additional efficiencies brought about from evolving technologies and lessons from others implementing similar initiatives. We are glad to share our experiences and what we hope to accomplish in the future.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Direct programming and financing benefits of utilizing My25.
  • How to mitigate a new generation of DSPs not having certain skill sets.
  • How to promote individual food choice(s) in a group home setting.
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Transforming Lives Through Work - IPS for All Disabilities
Presented by:
Eric Hoffman & Kim West
Bridgeway, Inc.
 
Bridgeway has been viewed as an IPS Pioneer as our agency has been using the Individual Placement and Support model of employment for all disability populations for over 16 years with great success. Expanding the IPS model beyond the scope of the mentally ill population can lead to employment success for all persons with disabilities. It is the best evidenced based supported employment model so “Let’s use the best for everyone.” Bridgeway was honored to be the recipient of the 2022 IPS International Community Learning Achievement Award as the Best IPS Site of the Year, not only in the United States but throughout the world. Community employment fits well in light of the changes that are occurring in the I/DD world within the state of Illinois and nationally regarding person centered planning, consumer choice, community access and inclusion, and achieving integrated competitive community employment. This session will address the 8 IPS key principles of the model and how the principles are practiced with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Strategies, best practices and an inspirational and an educational video will be shared.

Learning Objectives:
  • Expand knowledge and understanding that the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model can work well for the I/DD population.
  • Gain knowledge of how to address potential barriers often seen in the I/DD population and still achieve employment success.
  • Share Bridgeway’s best practices and inspirational stories.
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
 
Doctor Pingo and the Multiverse of Mindfulness (Part 1 & Part 2)
Presented by:
John Pingo, Ph.D., BCBA-D & Elizabeth Garcia

Goldie B. Floberg Center
 
Imagine a group of underdog superheroes facing off against a deadly, global threat. Wait! You don’t have to imagine it because you are those superheroes! You’ve faced off against not one, but two catastrophes! A deadly pandemic and a crushing national labor shortage! You’ve experienced and survived stresses that no providers in over a hundred years have experienced. You are superheroes by any definition of the term. Now is a time to renew your mind and spirit by adding mindfulness techniques to your repertoire of superpowers. Mindfulness techniques can help you find and be the best version of yourself in the multiverse. They can help you find the version of our universe where we can dream of more than just survival. They can be the magic shield you conjure to ward off the never-ending stresses you face as a human services superhero. They can be the all-seeing eye that helps you see through the fear, the frustration, and the anger, and perceive the good around you. Join us for a mindfulness packed two-hours of fun and reflection as we learn basic but powerful mindfulness techniques to deal with stress and overcome cognitive biases. Come to the first hour to learn what cognitive biases are, why we all have them, and how to recognize them. Come to the second hour to learn mindfulness techniques based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to overcome the parallel universe evil version of yourself driven by cognitive biases and to search your internal multiverse to find the version of you that you really want to be. If you want, just stop in for snacks and energy drinks!
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Understand the psychological phenomena of cognitive biases and how they create the parallel universe, evil version of each of us.
  • Search your internal multiverse to discover what you truly value and through these values, find the best multiversal variant of you.
  • Learn simple, but powerful mindfulness techniques that can help you better cope with the supervillain of stress and overcome cognitive biases.
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
 
The Training Game (Part 1 & Part 2)
Presented by:
Trina Sieling & Roberta Fugate

Trininty Services
 
Everything that we know about adult learners tells us that participants must be actively engaged during training for results to occur. When there is little activity, participants forget or fail to apply what is learned. Activity-based training is a great way to include people supported, who are all too often left out of employee training. Attendees will engage in training activities and will leave with everything needed to use them.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Participants will be able to incorporate activities into training.
  • Participants will be able to use activities to include people supported in training.
  • Participants will understand the benefits of activity-based training.
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
Maintaining a Positive Work Environment During Challenging Times
Presented by:
Debra Davis RN, BSN, CDDN
IntellectAbility
 
This presentation is geared towards managers and leaders who want to foster a positive work environment especially during these challenging times. We will discuss ways to support, motivate and develop your staff. We'll discuss how to identify and curb the negativity and toxicity that often occurs during times of stress. Finally, we will look at positive work environment, how to encourage it, and why providing a positive work culture is essential for not only you and your staff, but the people you and your staff support.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Learn the importance of positive work environments
  • Learn ways to help staff maintain a positive work environment
  • Learn importance of continued staff development during challenging times and why it matters to those receiving support
  
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
Understanding Illinois ABLE
 Presented by:
JJ Hanley
Director, Illinois ABLE
 
IL ABLE “Achieving a Better Life Experience” accounts give people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence while preserving benefits. A high-quality low-cost IL ABLE savings and investment account can be opened by an eligible individual, or authorized induvial, at any time, no matter what state you live in.

Opening and Managing IL ABLE Accounts by Organizational Rep Payees  – What You Need to Know
 
During this interactive session, staff, and executives at all levels of organizations and agencies will learn about the opportunity this presents, along with the rules around organizational representative payees opening and managing IL ABLE accounts for the individuals they serve. 
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Greater understanding of IL ABLE account basics and how an IL ABLE account can increase the financial independence of many individuals served by agencies.
  • New knowledge of when an organizational rep payee has the authority open and manage an IL ABLE account for an individual
  • New knowledge of the process that an organization or agency must follow to open an IL ABLE account for an individual

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
 
GoodLifeU: Workforce Schedule and Pay Strategies
Presented by:
Mike Strause & Megan Todd
GoodLife Innovations, Inc.
 
Dr. Strouse and the GoodLife research team have worked for over three decades on the development and use of innovative solutions for helping community service providers effectively manage direct labor cost, while providing best practice support for a variety of dependent populations. We’ve found that agencies who hold tightly to traditional approaches for scheduling and compensation often experience DSP instability. Now more than ever, agencies cannot afford any instability within the workforce. Labor costs are rising at an unprecedented rate fueled by a dramatically shrinking DSP workforce, increases in both functional minimum wage and insurance costs, and now the COVID pandemic. Organizations face turnover rates exceeding 50%. Reliance on part-time staff is excessive, representing nearly 30% of the workforce (and over 40% of residential services) with the highest turnover rates. New and safer considerations must be made for how to share staff across sites and organizations must urgently learn how to reduce the number of different people involved in care in order to protect those served. The solution includes innovative schedules that offer front/back and premium pay strategies that powerfully and positively impact DSP wages, capacity to work extra, stability, consistency, overall costs, etc. In a 40-year collaboration with the University of Kansas, GoodLife has developed strategies to help people with I/DD live with greater independence, while also improving the lives of the DSPs who make this possible. GoodLife U offers a comprehensive toolbox for measuring and addressing organizational (in)stability amidst the direct labor crisis. Strategies for payroll/benefits, scheduling, neighborhood and without-walls staffing, vacancy coordination, hiring how-to, policy, and funding will be discussed, and attendees will receive a review of several impact studies. At GoodLife (and a growing number of agencies across the country) these labor strategies have been put into action and have resulted in lower turnover, an increase in wages for DSPs by $1.63/hr (avg.), fewer vacancies, less reliance on part-time staff, fewer different people involved in care (resulting in higher quality care), improved stability, and more.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Identify and describe the causes of agency-inflicted workforce instability.
  • Recognize GoodLife U’s tested and proven win-win-win approaches for leveraging limited agency resources with advanced and innovative strategies for scheduling, benefits, and compensation in order to: reduce reliance on part-time positions improve schedules improve the capacity of DSPs to work extra increase DSP pay Increase time off Lower vacancies
  • Explore impact studies from several agencies across the country (representing more than $500M in annual budgeted services) where GoodLife’s labor solutions were analyzed and implemented
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
 
988 and CESSA: What's Happening in Illinois
 Presented by:
Lee Ann Reinert
Deputy Director of Policy, Planning and Innovation, DMH
 
Details coming soon!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Supporting and Managing Human Services Staff in a Post 2020 World (PART 1 & PART 2)
 
Presented by:
Elise Belknap PhD, NCC
Consultant
 
This workshop addresses the changing needs of human services staff and management styles of supervisors after the many events in 2020 that changed our lives. The content of the workshop combines interdisciplinary strategies and perspectives to help support staff wellness, address cultural competency, and strengthen work relationships.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Understand how nervous system activation affects work relationships and responses.
  • Reflect on the intentions vs impacts of the leadership strategies we use.
  • Explore ways to address accountability and be supportive.
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Intro to Motivational Interviewing: Practical Application For Front Line Staff (PART 1 & PART 2)
 
Presented by:
Missy Munday LCPC CADC
Cornerstone Services, Inc.
 
A high-level overview of motivational interviewing, focusing on understanding stages of change, core skills of OARS, and how to apply these concepts when working with individuals in behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment settings. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and work through real-life situations
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Overview main concepts of motivational interviewing
  • Understand how stage of change influences intervention strategy
  • Understand OARS with examples relevant to BH and SUD treatment staff
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 
Dual Diagnosis: Finding the Root of Behavior
 
Presented by:
Mele Manning RN CDDN
EverSpring Pharmacy
 
This session will offer clear and distinct definitions of an individual with a Diagnosis of both Intellectual and Developmental Disability and a Mental Illness. We will explore the way a constellation of care can provide guidance in determining the roots of certain behaviors. Pursuing strategies to support individuals with a Dual Diagnosis will also be discussed.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • Define and understand the parts of a Dual Diagnosis - IDD/MI
  • Understand how behaviors add to confusion surrounding Dual Diagnosis.
  • Strategies to effectively support the person with a Dual Diagnosis
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Movin' Out-Experiential Learning (How to conduct programming in the community)
 
Presented by:
Shelly Bishop & Johnny Carter
Sertoma Centre, Inc.
 
Experiential learning is "Learning by doing." Through presentation and interaction, we will review how everyone can benefit from programming that takes place outside the typical classroom setting. Shifting the mindset away from sheltered workshops and presented curriculum, to hands-on experiences in community settings. Community programming will build vocational skills, inclusion, civic involvement, social skills, and new levels of independence, by offering people served new experiences, exposure to different environments, and to learn by "doing" instead of just "seeing". Participants have taken more interest in planning their own activities and developing topics of learning that meet their personal preferences. Hands-on learning has increased confidence in each participant to engage in new opportunities, with and without staff support in their own community.
 
Learning Objectives:
  • How to create curriculum for community settings
  • How to implement community programming
  • How to usher in a new way of thinking about the possibilities of programming options
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) Illinois Year 3 Update
Presented by:
Dale Verstegan
Transcen Inc.
 
Details coming soon!
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©2023 Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. All Rights Reserved.
206 South 6th Street  |  Springfield, Illinois 62701  |  Phone: 217.801.9303
IARF is a proud member of ANCOR, NADSP and The National Council for Behavioral Health
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