November and December Visits
The Clinical Coordinator for CARES (Crisis Assessment Response and Enhances Services), Ke’Nesha Jones joined ABCD’s Residential Committee to present on Behavioral De-Escalation. “Consistency is what is most important with the IDD population,” she started and from there discussed objectives, the value of Functional Behavioral Assessment, the role of aggression, triggers, the best way to address behavioral issues, the importance of language and listening, how to address anger, what to avoid, and techniques and strategies. She ended the hour-long presentation stressing the importance that the person feels safe, of verbal and non-verbal cues, creating opportunities for de-escalation to occur and recognizing when back up is needed. Another great presentation. Members shared that CARES has attended their staff meetings and group homes, encouraging other ABCD members to take advantage of this valuable resource. We thank Ke’Nesha and CARES for the valuable education and support they provide to our community.
Shari Stengel, Vocational Rehab Counselor for DVR and her colleagues Maria Ongoco and Alison Kent joined the SCA to give an overview of and answer questions about services for adults and teens in transition. DVR is a state agency which is designed to help people with disabilities to prepare for and enter employment. There is no risk to the individual to give them a call – services are at no cost, and an individual can come back any time. Services specialize in catering to the clients which have documented disabilities. DVR works with all disability groups, except for the blind and visually impaired which has their own employment support. The process for an adult is referral, assignment to a counsellor, intake, vocational assessment, and determining what services are needed. (experience, training, securing work, etc.) The goal is to get people working in a career. DVR also provides transition services for HS students. In this realm, they supplement what schools are doing. Their goal is to primarily job exploration, workforce readiness, learning, advocacy and post-secondary option. We appreciate DVR staff joining the SCA to provide an important overview and answer questions.
Representatives from DDD’s Transition to Adult Life and Employment program, Nkechi Okoli and Christina Gonzalez joined day program directors and support coordinators to talk about NJ’s Employment First Initiative and the interface between DVRS and DDD. DDD’s Employment First Initiative is focused on helping individuals attain real work for real pay. Ms. Okoli explained competitive integrated employment (CIE) and the myriads of benefits to the individual; the “4 Es of Employment Success; Roles of the individual, family, support coordinator and DDD provider; state agencies and resources; and the process to access services. She emphasized that the key is to get to know the person. She then detailed how the program is implemented, the step by step process an individual goes through from DVRS to DDD funding, instances when the individual’s DDD budget can be utilized for employment, DVRS services, employment resources, a quick introduction to SEARCH, SAME (state employment) and LEAD (federal employment, and various employment resources. Participants asked some great questions and had some good ideas— follow-up to come. We thank Nkechi and Christina for a very thorough presentation.
CQL’s Vice President of Services and Systems Excellence, Katherine Dunbar joined the QA Forum. In addition to accreditation, CQL provides training, certification, research and consultation. Recent research has shown that by treating staff with respect and abuse, neglect and exploitation will decrease. Some of the “gems” picked up from the discussion were, organizations need to be looked at as a whole and not siloed, scolding doesn’t work, hold organizations accountable for progress, rights impacts systems more than anything, creative problem solving can be lost in the shuffle of compliance, presume competence, the biggest retention tool is a good manager, invest in quality staff and we tend to over support out of fear. Like what you are reading? Check out the many free resources on their website
Kevin Liebkemann, Chief Section Council Disability Rights at LSNJ presented before SCA and CFOO Forum on SSA overpayment basics and the new rules which went into effect on November 1, 2024. Kevin covered a lot of ground and made it accessible to his audience. In addition to describing what overpayments are he detailed the 4 options one has in the event this occurred. He also shared the new rules explaining why they are all beneficial to the population that we serve. Kevin provided the group with access to more information via applicable web addresses strategies for success, practical considerations, and recommended that when advocating for an individual, bring the new rules because local SSA may not be fully aware of the changes. ABCD is grateful to Kevin and the LSNJ staff for always being available to guide and educate out community.
If you need legal advice, contact their statewide Legal Hotline at 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529) or click here to submit your Online Intake. Services are provided at no charge, but you must be financially eligible to qualify, and representation is not guaranteed. You can also visit their online legal reference website, www.LSNJLAW.org. or contact one of our Regional Legal Services programs.
