Recognition of Direct Support Professionals – Are We Doing Enough?

As designated by the U.S. Senate, the week of September 14th marked the National Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week. The week was set aside to heighten national awareness of the important role DSPs play in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Many agencies, including SUS, celebrated this week by praising their DSPs through recognition and awards.

Private agencies weren’t alone is the celebration. Councils such as the Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities Committee (QCDD)  on Aging, presented awards for outstanding DSPs at their annual conference on September 22nd. I was honored with the privilege of presenting 12 awards to the DSPs chosen by their agencies and had the opportunity to say thank you to these everyday heroes who act as a friend, teacher, and family for the people we serve. But as I stood in front of the room of 171 people with 12 awards in my hand, I couldn’t help to wonder, are we doing enough to demonstrate high regard for their role and value to individuals and their families?

For many years agencies such as SUS, and provider associations have joined together to enhance the status of Direct Support Professionals. The College for Direct Support Professionals , an internet-based college for DSPs, provides a tuition-free opportunity to receive college credit for courses related to disability issues. The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP),  developed a national credentialing program for DSPs. Each fall, the New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA) hosts a state-wide Direct Support Professional Conferences recognizing our DSPs.

Yet, the question remains, are we doing enough to support and recognize the DSPs we rely upon to ensure the health, welfare and safety of people with developmental disabilities? And if not, what else can we do?

Anne Marie Russo
Director, Developmental Disabilities Services

SUS Weighs In on the Health Care Debate

Posted by Judith Jackson, Chief of Staff

Our government’s efforts to overhaul the health care system has given rise to a health care debate in town halls, lunch rooms, Sunday morning talk shows and living rooms across the nation.  Health care reform in its most non-political form is advocacy for the best possible health care services for each and every citizen.  The government proposes reform that will ensure that Americans get the high-quality, affordable care they need and deserve, starting with an investment in critical prevention and wellness initiatives that help keep Americans healthy; not unlike SUS’ own commitment to health and wellness for the persons we serve.

High quality, affordable services are also the focus of CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an accrediting body with a rigorous set of internationally recognized administrative and program standards which attest to the quality of services provided by an organization.

SUS recently elected to have our Employment Program, Clubhouse and Day Habilitation Programs surveyed by CARF against these standards of excellence.  After 3 days of review of our service delivery systems, documentation practices, physical plant, and interviews with staff, participants and board members, CARF concluded that we had demonstrated exemplary conformance to the CARF standards and awarded us 3-year accreditation.  We believe this achievement is an indication of our organization’s dedication to improving the quality of life of persons served, and thereby improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

This self-imposed review by an external body reflects the values that SUS and the health care reformist have in common:  continuous quality improvement, self-determination and a commitment to a high quality person-centered environment.

What if there were a ’CARF’ for a national Health Care system? Imagine an independent, bi-partisan body that determines accreditation and, once accredited, the health care entity would be viewed by insurers, payers and government regulators as setting the standard for health care excellence. If this were the case, would there really be anything to debate?

Consumers Who Inspire Us

Arriving home in New York City after completion of his military service, Bruce W. was already suffering from depression. He found himself without a job and all of his friends deceased, gone or incarcerated. Forced to live in unhappy conditions and “after a few failed jobs and negative life choices” Bruce found himself facing homelessness. His grandfather helped him to enter the shelter system. But, just when things started to get better, his grandfather became ill and died. Then Bruce felt depression take over. Bruce notes his “wake up call” occurring after a 4 day self-seclusion in a room. He sought help for depression and “linked up with the V.A. (Veterans Administration) and eventually SUS as a place, finally, since the military, where respected and a part of a team”.

So inspired by the recovery power of giving back, Bruce W. documented his experience in the SUS peer counseling program – sixteen-weeks of intensive engagement with the core principles and methods of listening, empathy, trust, and conflict resolution.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Bruce notes “I have a warrior spirit .and any allies in the battle that’s great…” What if you found that spirit to fight your challenge(s)? Bruce went from feeling like a stranger in his home town to retreating to a room and avoiding the world to seeking help. Now he is helping others.

The power of human resiliency is inspiring and is exemplified by Bruce’s story. Learn more by viewing his photo book or clicking here and hearing more directly from Bruce about his story and his recovery.

Please share your thoughts about Bruce’s journey and any other stories about putting together a new and meaningful life.

Recovery: Help Me Help You

by David L. Hertz, Ed.D, Chief Development Officer

The recent tragedy of Michael Jackson’s sudden death has led to public knowledge of his private battle with addiction.  Even with his superstar status, it appears he had access to treatment but had no real supports to get him through his struggle.  As actress Jamie Lee Curtis noted in a recent piece for The Huffington Post,  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis/king-of-pain_b_240998.html “recovery from drug addiction is the single greatest accomplishment of my life… but it takes work — hard, painful work — but the help is there, in every town and career, drug/drink freed members of society, from every single walk and talk of life to help and guide.”

One thing about treatment is that it’s hard to get when you don’t have a phone or a place to live. This means the most vulnerable and susceptible can easily be ignored or passed over for help. SUS consumers who were recent graduates of the SUS Peer Counseling program were previously homeless and diagnosed with a mental illness before coming to SUS.  Many were substance abusers or incarcerated.

“The emotional high I feel today is only matched by the emotional depths I sank to when my wife and twin daughters died in a car crash and I began years of homelessness and drug addiction.”

“I’m 62 years old. My mother is 90 and sitting in the audience. I say to her, in front of all of you, ‘I’m sorry. So sorry, for the years of hell I put you through. I promise in what ever years are left to me, to make you as proud of me as I possibly can.”

“The last thing I graduated was jump school before going to Viet Nam.”

“For years I called myself a ‘psych-veggie’ and now I call myself a man in full recovery.”

These remarks were made by some of the recent graduates of the SUS Peer Counseling program; sixteen-weeks of intensive engagement with the core principles and methods of listening, empathy, trust, and conflict resolution.

Beyond the treatment, we know that recovery is more than just not drinking or using drugs; it is about putting together a new and meaningful life in which alcohol and drugs no longer have a place.  Now, some graduates will be employed by SUS as counselors in our wellness programs, many will be similarly employed in other agencies, and some will simply utilize the valuable lessons learned as they pursue their individual goals.

Whatever path they take, each will experience, in the words of Donna Colonna, SUS’ CEO, “the recovery power of giving back.” By achieving their own greater independence, they will demonstrate a multiplier-effect upon the lives of others still struggling to manage mental illness and achieve self-fulfillment.

In the year ahead, SUS will be sharing more about its’ Peer Counseling program. We invite you to stay tuned and learn how this program serves the mission of independence and gives rise to personal success stories that can inspire us all.

Celebrating Independence

There will be cultural staples across the U.S. over the long weekend that accompany Independence Day. Barbecues, family, picnics, fireworks. Many Americans will turn a watchful eye to loved ones in the Armed Services and to countries like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Honduras.

At SUS, we share the same traditions, touch stones and reminders but they come from slightly different perspectives.  Our focus on CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE actually began in June this year as it was the theme of our annual gala held June 3 at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Our gala celebrated 30 years of providing service to help challenged New Yorkers achieve independence in their lives. Some of these New Yorkers are veterans of the Armed Forces who had a hard time coping with coming home and living civilian lives. Some are New Yorkers making a transition from streets or shelter to a residence in the SUS supportive service network.  Additionally, there are senior New Yorkers unable to go outside to a barbecue or picnic without our dedicated home care attendants as well as developmentally disabled individuals for whom SUS is their everyday family.

The quality of service from SUS inspires consumers to move toward self-determination, self-reliance, self-sufficiency.  Just a few weeks ago, we held the graduation for our first “class” of the peer-to-peer program. It was emotional for all of us when we heard fifteen SUS consumers talk about their personal road to recovery – moving from the powerless state of addiction, and in most cases homelessness, to now inspiring themselves to give back to their peers.  For some consumers, this is the first time they held a diploma and now they have options for moving forward in their lives.

Our work is to move individuals from our service to their INDEPENDENCE.  Our programs acknowledge vulnerability and needs of consumers but at the same time encourage nurturing ‘human resilience.’ This striving for independence drives the agency as we move forward to refine and build upon our past success. You can view our progress through our multi-media storytelling project.  Please click to see the first of several video episodes about our consumers. For photographs of our proud population click. For more information, register here to be on our mailing list.

As you enjoy the weekend, survey your family, your friends, your neighborhood and your community for someone who is challenged with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, a developmental disability, aging, homelessness, drug addiction and ask yourself who takes care of that person? How do they do it? Do they have help? What are the costs and burdens posed by their challenge? We ask ourselves these questions everyday and then we go to work on the answers.

On the Business of Doing Good

Posted by David L. Hertz, Chief Development Officer, Services for the UnderServed:

Michelle

Video production by Indigo Productions

Michelle and her daughter were homeless. In addition to their housing situation, Michelle was not managing her health. Her diagnosis of AIDS requires her to take 16 pills a day and to see her doctor on a regular basis. Michelle and her daughter feel blessed to have a home of their own.

Sylvia’s Story

Video production by Indigo Productions

Sylvia used to be homeless and has slept on park benches. Living in her own studio apartment at our Marcy/Hart residence, she does not have the extra stress of figuring out where she is going to sleep. Sylvia has been able to focus on her sobriety and her other health issues.

Marie’s Story

Video production by Indigo Productions

“We work with them step by step and we can see the progress that they’ve made…. I always tell them that ‘We will always be there for you.’”

Winnie’s Story

Video production by Indigo Productions

Winnie was nervous about working. She didn’t think she had the necessary skills to contribute in an office environment. The Employment Services staff coached her through her insecurities, her job application and interviews, and visited her on-the-job. It wasn’t as difficult as Winnie first thought.