Kim CappsJanessa Gerber

OptionsBloomington, IndianaSeptember 23, 2010

Holistic Services within a Team Structure

MissionPartnering with peoplewith disabilities and ourcommunities to bring

aboutself-directed and

fulfilledlives through

education,information, and

support.

Options ServicesSupported LivingGroup HomesCommunity

HabilitationSupported

EmploymentBehavior SupportRespiteAffordable HousingTechnology Supports

Who We Serve: 300 people in South-central Indiana

Mental Retardation 36% Autism 20% Cerebral Palsy 7% Psychiatric Disability 5% Traumatic Brain Injury

3% Physical Disability 3% Sensory 1% Other Disability 24%

0-5 4% 6-17 17% 18-40 43% 41-65 28% 66-85 4% 86+ 2% Unknown 2%

Disability Age

Options facilitates personal independence and engagement of people in civic and social lifeThe outcomes…

people have:JobsHomesRelationships

IndividualsWorkVolunteerParticipate in

governmentPurchase goods and

servicesVote

Our Values HolisticIndividual needs

versus programsCommunity works

bestThe people who

know someone best are best able to support them

Services Structure

Network 6

Network 1

Network 5

Network 2

3 Supported Employment Managers,

Supported Employment Coordinator,

2 Directors of Services, Ancillary Staff

Network 3

Network Coordinator 4 Team Managers

Network Coordinator4 Team Managers

Network Coordinator3 Team Managers

Network Coordinator4 Team Managers

Network Coordinator5 Team Managers

Options and Supported Employment

A little about the agency when we first started Employment Services:Less than $3 mill

annual budgetAround 100 employeesGood reputation in

living services but no employment focus

Financially unstable

Options NowAround $8 million per

yearOver 300 employeesEmployment well

establishedWaiver services still

the major driver

Think of one person you serve

Write down all the people who work with that person

Add them up

How did we get here?

Why Supported Employment

People said that they wanted it.

Fit our missionPartnering with people

with disabilities and our communities to bring about self-directed and enriched lives through education, information and support

Represented our values

Influencing FactorsStaff capacityLocal resourcesGood jobsDesire to improve

quality of lives

BarriersLimited experienceResidential focus…

hard to redirect people to jobs

Limited financial resources

Being the little kid on the block

Winning over your funders

How It WorksTeam basedCross functionalResource persons

In other words…

It’s everybody’s job

DennisResidential staffEmployment

supports

Mindy’s StoryOngoing supportsDSPs provide direct

supportEmployment staff

provide oversight and support to DSPs.

The How To…Assess strengths and weaknessesDetermine whether it fitsGather informationDetermine the financial impactPlan, market, follow throughTRAINJust do it!

Tackling the External Challenges

Competition

Skeptical Funders & Referral Sources

Tackling the External Challenges

CARFBusiness ClimateKnowledge of Supported

EmploymentEconomy

Tackling the Internal Challenges

Lack of Comfort with Change Expertise/Confidence

Experience Other Priorities Hiring Practices

Tackling the Internal Challenges

Providing Holistic Services Integrating systems Training

Staff Buy-In

Experiencing Success Community

Diversity Works Business Leadership Network

Community Transition Councils Networking for Support

VocationalRehabilitation

Experiencing Success

Board Leadership

Staff Buy-In

Outcomes

Outcomes

34% have jobs25% have their own homes85% say they spend a great deal of time in the community96% say services have made a positive differenceAverage Employment Tenure is 2.4 years

Final Thoughts

Start Slowly .. But StartPrepare and Support

Staff Be Prepared for a Slow

Financial StartMeet Regularly and

CelebrateSuccess breeds success