Spectrum Society has tried to be thoughtful about the focus of our supports for 25 years, and this is our story about becoming a learning organization. Originally presented by Susan Stanfield and Ernie Baatz at the InclusionBC 2013 Conference in Vancouver B.C.
2. Early influences
Wolfensberger
◦ Valued social roles
◦ Normative ways and means
Lou Brown
◦ “Pre-” means never
◦ Functional skills in real(not simulated)
environments
TASH
3. “Spectrum Society’s mission is to provide
services to people with disabilities that
will allow them to function more
productively and independently in the
community.” (1988)
6. One person at a time
• Build on strengths and interests
• Normative options
– Paid employment
– Volunteer work
– Recreation
– Adult education
• Generic resources
– Local businesses
– Community organizations
– Recreation centres
– Colleges
7. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Compliance focus
– Health and safety
– Risk management
• Staff training
– Personal care
– Nutrition
– Medications
– Behaviour management
8.
9. Monitoring and Reporting
• Staff evaluations
• Daily recording
• Quarterly reports
• Orientation checklists
• Health and safety reports
• Emergency drills
10. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Values focus
– Hire staff with good values
– Managers with good discernment
• Training focus
– Positive programming
– Communication
– Team-building
11.
12.
13. Others we’ve learned from
• David Pitonyak
• John Lord
• Michael Kendrick
• Pat Fratangelo (OCL)
• Lyle and Mary Romer (TLC)
• John O’Brien and Connie Lyle-O’Brien
• Mary Kealy
• Janet Klees
16. Lessons from this project
• Everyone wants relationships;
• Everyone has something to contribute in
relationship;
• Our traditional program models and
hierarchies can get in the way of natural
relationships;
• Putting relationships at the top of the agenda
leads to a whole different conversation
17. Strategic Planning
• 10 focus groups
• What’s working / not working?
• 2020 vision
• Different methods
– PATH
– Focus groups
– Interviews
– Team meetings
18. Strategic Plan 2010-2013:
“Commitment to Partnership”
1. Strengthen the capacity of individuals to develop
and tap relationships, networks and community
partnerships;
2. Shift to a more person-directed approach to
service;
3. Become recognized as a model of excellence in
supporting self governance, locally and beyond;
4. Nurture a culture of learning and leadership;
5. Develop a self sustaining social enterprise /
business arm of Spectrum
19. “Spectrum Society’s mission is to provide services
to people with disabilities that will allow them to
function more productively and independently in
the community.” (1988)
“Spectrum Society’s mission is to support people
with disabilities to experience full citizenship and
genuine belonging in community.” (2010)
22. Lessons from the Better Networks
project
• Systems can get in the way
• We need to ask better questions
• Everyone has a right to direct his/her life
• No news isn’t necessarily good news
23. Sharing authority (A+B model)
• Discovery vs. intake
• Negotiation – eg. Host Agency agreement
• Individualized budgets
• Recruitment and interviews
• Scheduling
• Orientations and training
• Authentic leadership roles
24. What constitutes “quality
individualized services”?
• Relationship focus
– Building personal support networks
– Supported decision-making
– Natural supports as a first option
• The changing role of support
– Connector role
– Direction vs. facilitation
29. What we’re still wondering...
• Quality individualized services vs. quality of
life?
– What’s the difference?
– Which should be our focus?
• Person-centred planning
– Independent facilitation?
– Planning for services or planning for life?
From the beginning, our focus has been on providing quality individualized services. Our assumptions about this have changed over the years. Initially, the focus was on health and safety, and consistency.
Traditional organizational structure
Monitoring compliance vs. monitoring quality?
Second iteration – building on earlier focus, moving beyond health and safety
Realization that people were surrounded by staff and services
What is the difference between the two?
Small projects as a vehicle for agency transformation
Latest iteration
Our first social enterprise
Our first book
Monthly e-newsletter
Training, workshops, facilitation – Aaron Johannes, Director of Research, Training and Development at Spectrum