Organizational Change in Action

1. Organizational Change in Action The Arc of the Ozarks Organizational Change Initiative June 2009- August 2010

2. The Arc of the Ozarks Service Area

3. The Arc of the Ozarks Programs  Residential Services (Group Homes & ISL) Behavioral Residential Services (Group Homes & ISL) Day Programs Community Integration Supported Employment (Competitive & Subminimum Wage workcrew) Education/ Recreation (Continuing Education, Saturday Recreation, Special Events & Summer Recreation)

4. Why Change? Requests from individuals receiving services to earn a paycheck or improve their wages Requests from parents/guardians for individualized services Requests from funding sources to have a more meaningful day

5. When Opportunity Knocks� April 2009 Received information that the MO Planning Council sent out a request for investment May 2009 Attended informational meeting and submitted Request for Investment to the MO Planning Council June 2009 Received notification that The Arc had been awarded the grant

6. The Change Begins! In July 2009, The Arc of the Ozarks hired consultants Darla Wilkerson and Debra Luecking to assist with planning and implementation Conducted employment demographic surveys to create a baseline Conducted Focus Group meetings with individuals receiving services, parents/guardians, funding sources, staff, and community resources

7. Initial Results Survey indicated: 7% of individuals who received services from The Arc were employed earning at least minimum wage in an integrated setting 10% of individuals receiving services were actively seeking competitive employment 37% of individuals served were participating in volunteer or sub-minimum wage work 45% were receiving services through a center-based day program or at home. All focus groups indicated a need for change

8. The Arc of the Ozarks Organizational Activities Created the Organizational Change Guidance Team to champion our efforts

9. The Guidance Team Guidance Team is comprised of: Day Program Management Day Program Direct Support Staff Employment Program Management Employment Program Direct Support Staff Residential Program Management Residential Program Direct Support Staff Behavioral Support Program Management Administrative staff from Accounting, Training, Public Relations, and Human Resources

10. The Questions Why aren�t people working now? What will it take to get them working? How will staff respond? How will the community respond? Is now the right time?

11. The Vision The Arc will be the provider of premier cutting-edge services by working in partnership with those we support and members of the community. It is our belief that everyone who wants to work should be competitively employed. Those we serve will have the opportunity to discover their unique talents and pursue their goals

12. The Mission The Arc of the Ozarks: To support individuals with disabilities in directing their own lives as valued members of the community. Organizational Change Initiative: To support individuals in achieving their goals and aspirations through gainful employment.

13. Guiding Principles Each individual is unique and capable of directing his/her own life The role of the organization is to promote an individualized network of supports Everyone belongs to a community and shares responsibility for building family and community relationships Each person has the right and responsibility to make decisions that direct his/her career Competitive employment is possible for everyone

14. Developing a Strategic Plan First, we identified our challenges� Structure Staff Development/Training Communication Policies & Procedures Financial Community Resources Public Image Quality Assurance

15. Developing a Strategic Plan Created Action Steps to address challenges Formed subcommittees to work on action steps Subcommittees set timelines for action steps to be accomplished by

16. Staff Development Guidance Team members received training on Person-centered Career Planning Training included how to help individuals learn how to facilitate their own meetings Additional training for day program staff on setting up informational interviews and employer contacts

17. Blending Funding The Rapid Response Project Partnership between VR and DMH/DD Established who would fund for which part of services Automatically made referrals from The Arc to VR eligible for services Individuals referred receive authorization up front for Job Development, Task Analysis, and maximum amount of Coaching hours

18. The First Core Team ** Where the rubber meets the road** - Made up of members from residential, day program, and employment - Members address issues the direct support staff face - Members will mentor and advise other staff through the change process

19. Individualized Career Planning Process Decided to utilize the Career Discovery Guide from the MO Planning Council www.mpcdd.com Staff assist individuals in determining their conditions, preferences, contributions, and support needs Staff assist individuals in facilitating their own career planning meetings Individuals utilize their personal networks to find employment

20. Individualized Career Planning Sharon�s Story

21. Stay tuned for the future� Challenges still to figure out include: Realigning staff values and attitudes Creative scheduling once individuals are employed What to do when individuals receiving services choose not to work Balancing work and non-work activities (making sure all are community based Closing the doors to the day program Eliminating our subminimum wage certificate

22. Stay tuned for the future� Our next step??? Expand to the next county for services!!!!

23. Questions? My contact information: Lori Pace, Director of Employment Solutions The Arc of the Ozarks Lpace@thearcoftheozarks.org (417) 868-7210