T-TAP: Strategies

In 1999, the Developmental Disabilities Services of the Cobb and Douglas Counties Community Services Boards operated four sheltered workshop programs. The state funding streams reinforced facility-based services, and the majority of the parents of the folks attending the workshop was elderly and did not want changes to be made in the service system. Additionally, several of the staff had worked in the program for many years and were also most comfortable with the facility-based model. At that time, shifting from a facility-based program to one providing community based supports was not a priority for the Boards or leadership staff.

Strategy to Address Barrier

The overall conversion process involved the following strategies:

- Flatten the management structure

- Shift staff roles from providing facility-based services to community-based supports. A carefully planned program of staff
development is key to the success of this shift in staff roles to community-based supports.

- Phase-out sub-minimum wage contracts

- Form self-directed work teams

- Close one facility site

- Convert the other sites to a community-based resource

- Meet with families individually and in small groups Case Example of Organization Change Strategy

The following staff development activities were conducted to support staff as the moved from providing facility based services to community-based supports:

1999 - Converted traditional sheltered workshop staff to community-based employment consultants placing more emphasis on supported employment. New CEO was hired who was open to innovation.

2000 - Instituted weekly on-site training curriculum using the Supported Employment handbook “A Customer Driven
Approach for Persons with Significant Disabilities” published by the VCU RRTC. These weekly chapter-by-chapter training sessions laid the foundation for providing employment services and prepared staff for the next level of new skill acquisition.

2001 - Provided new skill sets to all Employment Consultants using The University of Georgia/Human Services Management Institute to provide on-line job coach certification to 25 staff.

2002 - All participants graduated from The University of Georgia job coach certification. Monthly on-site trainings were begun with Cary Griffin, Dave Hammis, Melinda Mast, Mark Hill, and Steve Hall to further the staff skills in:

* WorkWorld Software/Decision Support Technology

* Vocational Profiling

* Systematic Instruction

* Self-employment, Resource ownership, Business-within-a-business and job carving

* Social Security Work Incentives

* Using One-Stop generic supports to job develop

Allegan County Community Mental Health
The Arc of Stanly County, Inc.
Career Support Systems, Inc.
The Cobb/Douglas Community Services Boards (CSBs)
KFI
Rise, Inc.
Tri County Tec

This website was developed by T-TAP, funded by a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (Number E 9-4-2-01217). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply the endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor. Virginia Commonwealth University, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, political affiliation, or disability. Privacy Policy. If special accommodations or language translation are needed contact Katherine Inge at: kinge@atlas.vcu.edu or Voice (804) 828 - 1851 | TTY (804) 828 - 2494.