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Chris Hench , MSW, CEO, JARC Kristi Davis , CTRS, Recreation Coordinator, JARC

Chris Hench , MSW, CEO, JARC Kristi Davis , CTRS, Recreation Coordinator, JARC. Our project was inspired by the work of Dr. Al Condeluci. Making Community Connections is JARC’s approach to supporting people with disabilities to be OF, not just IN the community .

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Chris Hench , MSW, CEO, JARC Kristi Davis , CTRS, Recreation Coordinator, JARC

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  1. Chris Hench, MSW, CEO, JARC • Kristi Davis, CTRS, Recreation Coordinator, JARC

  2. Our project was inspired by the work of Dr. Al Condeluci

  3. Making Community Connections is JARC’s approach to supporting people with disabilities to be OF, not just IN the community.

  4. Residing in the community Primary relationships with paid staff Primarily recognized as a person with a disability Minimal interaction with other community members Being a valued member of the community Authentic friendships Recognized as an individual with unique gifts, abilities, personality, etc. A sense of belonging IN vs. OF

  5. Being OF the community, not just IN the community means being appreciated acknowledged accepted by community members.

  6. MCC is NOT… Volunteer relationships Relationships with others with disabilities Relationships with people who are paid to be in person’s life Dependent on degree of disability Ever finished

  7. MCC is… Real relationships that are intense and intimate, that endure, and are reciprocal.

  8. Loneliness… • Single greatest risk factor to physical, spiritual and emotional health • Linked to illness and death • Far more common in people with disabilities than the general population

  9. Benefits Decrease isolation Opportunities for full expression of interests Opportunities to select friends based on personal choice rather than perceived deficits Wider & richer experiences and knowledge Increase self-esteem Good for people without disabilities, too

  10. Developing a Connection Strategy Starts with an assessment If person cannot speak, express interests, or complete the interest survey, discuss the person’s interests with people who know her well or observe her in a variety of activities. Opportunities Interests

  11. 3 steps to making a connection based on opportunity • Identifying opportunities (Starbucks, place of worship, neighborhood, work, etc.) • Turning opportunities into connections. • Turning connections into friendships

  12. Opportunities Real life example: Steve likes to take walks in his neighborhood. He is a dog-lover. Sometimes neighbors take walks with their dogs.

  13. Opportunities Turning opportunities into connections Teach social skills if necessary (eye contact, shaking hands, neat appearance, friendly but not intrusive). Steve needed to learn how to have a reciprocal conversation.

  14. Opportunities Repetition and frequency – We encouraged Steve to go for a walk at about the same time every day, after dinner when others tend to be outside walking; he started to see a neighbor every day. Social prosthetics – The neighbor wore a political button. We suggested that Steve use that as a topic to start a conversation. After several meetings, we suggested Steve offer to walk the dog.

  15. Opportunities Don’t stop with 1 connection -- Even while Steve was out walking, we didn’t stop trying to make connections (e.g. with the security guard at his complex). 80/20 Rule – We spend 80% of the time working on making a connection with a neighbor and 20% of the time on new connections.

  16. Opportunities Turning connections into friendships Once connection exists, take it to the next level - We suggested Steve ask the man if he would like to go bowling together. Bruised tongue syndrome - The staff let Steve do most of the talking. Encourage and assist with reciprocity. Breaking bread – Steve asked his neighbor to go for an ice cream.

  17. Opportunities Steve is now friends with his neighbor! The neighbor even asks Steve to watch the dog when he’s out of town.

  18. Opportunities Staff communication is a key Use log, notes, meetings, etc., so that everyone is supporting the effort. Without consistent support and follow-through, the connection will be lost.

  19. Not all opportunities will turn into friendships. Some relationships remain at the ‘connection’ stage. That’s ok as long as others turn into friendships.

  20. Interest Based on the assessment, identify groups that relate to person’s interest Identify Community Guide Send Guide to meeting(s) beforehand Is group suitable? Yes, supportive and not competitive. (If not, keep looking.) What are group norms? Dress, language, etc. Who is the ‘bridge-builder’ (the unofficial leader)? The president and one other member were friendly and open. The guide tells the bridge-builders; “I have a friend I think would like this group. May I bring her next time?”

  21. Interest Personality of Guide is CRITICAL Must believe each person has inherent gifts and capabilities Must be tenacious and committed Must believe the community will accept the person Must have a vision for the person and be able to convey that vision to her Cannot use jargon (home not group home; person not consumer; work not workshop) Can teach social skills

  22. Interest Guide attends a meeting with the person Introduces person to the ‘bridge-builder’ Models behavior for others. For example, being patient when understanding someone’s speech. Supports person to participate/interact with others, while respecting norms of the group

  23. Interest When time is right, Guide facilitates 1:1 connection with other member, such as inviting someone out for coffee after a meeting. Continue to support relationship with group and individual. Help person prepare for group activities, improve social skills, practice reciprocity, save money, etc. Phase out if possible; look for natural supports for encouragement and transportation.

  24. JULIE

  25. Example of Interest-based Connection Julie could not express what she would like to do, but she is very social and loves to show people her vacation photographs. We asked Julie if she would like to join a Camera Club. She said ‘Yes!’ Hired a guide who researched photography clubs in the area.

  26. Interest Guide visited a couple of different camera clubs. The Motor City Camera Club seemed the friendliest. The Guide identified the person who seemed to be popular with everyone (the bridge-builder). Guide took Julie to the club and introduced her the bridge-builder. Guide continued to take Julie to every meeting possible. Guide assisted Julie between meetings by buying a camera, taking pictures and preparing prints.

  27. Julie sat next to the bridge-builder at meetings and developed a closer relationship with her. • Julie’s photographs won thrid prize in two blind-judged contests; Her work was exhibited at the Birmingham Community House • Julie accompanied the Camera Club to the Bruce Peninsula and on a fall color tour in Ohio. • Today, Julie is an active, respected member of the Camera Club.

  28. JULIE WITH FRIENDS AT MOTOR CITY CAMERA CLUB TRIP TO BRUCE PENINSULA

  29. Other Successes

  30. ABBIE AT FARMINGTON WALKERS OUTING

  31. MARLENE WITH BINGO FRIEND ANN

  32. DEIDRE WITH WRITERS’ RENDEZVOUS MEMBERS

  33. LEONARD WITH WENDY, OWNER OF DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW

  34. TWO DJs – JOE AND PARIS

  35. MICHAEL WITH HIS FRIEND,GOLF INSTRUCTOR SHAWN

  36. HAROLD AT TOASTMASTERS

  37. STEVE AT SIERRA CLUB OUTING

  38. Usher with the Russian Acculturation Club

  39. Tobi at Gleaners

  40. Connection sites brainstorming

  41. Doggie Day Care Motor City Camera Club Writer’s Rendezvous Neighborhood BINGO parlor Farmington Hills walkers Sierra Club Knitting Club Ceramics class JARC Connection Sites

  42. Florist Shop • Places of worship (Religious study group, choir, usher, greeter) • Classical Music Appreciation Club • Epilepsy Foundation • Private event DJ • Service organizations • Volunteering

  43. Golf group • Toastmasters • Friendly visitor to elderly • Camp Bow Wow • Sojourn Bears International • Russian Acculturation Club • Scrapbook Zone

  44. Possible Pitfalls • Unwelcoming groups • People who fail to keep commitments • Classes that are not on-going • Guides that don’t get it

  45. Funding • First attempt with minimal funding; pilot program with 5 participants. • Staffing by employees with other full-time jobs. • Minimal progress was made.

  46. Funding • Secured 3-year grant from the Jewish Fund. • Approx. $50,000/year. • 35 connections were made!

  47. Measurable Outcomes For friendship: 6 contacts (phone calls, birthday cards, 1:1 visits over 6 months) For interest: 6 + interactions, such as being asked to take a role in the group, being invited out outside the group Pre- and post “Close friends scale” – at least 1 more close friend for 75% of people (data still incomplete) 38 people have met goal of 6 + interactions or contacts

  48. Implementing Without a Grant For people with own CLS staffing, make it a PCP goal Many people have recreational, socialization and community integration goals that would encompass these activities

  49. Implementing Without a Grant For people in group homes or with shared staffing Consistency and frequency critical Staff must communicate with each other Go out in smallest groups possible Use all your staff for ideas Creative staffing

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