Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change
Advisory Committee Meeting, Topeka, Kansas
December 15, 2004
Meeting Summary

Attendance (New members*):

• Clarissa Ashdown, SRS
• Sarah Emrick, CCL
• Dolores Engel, Department of Labor
• Marcie Grace, CCL
• Dan Hermreck, TARC
• Michele Heydon, Sunflower Supports Company
• Bobbie Keller, DSNWK
• Shelly May, KCDD
• Larry McManaman, Hartford
• Gary Merklein, DSNWK
• Angie Reinking, SACK
• Kathy Stiffler, ISS
• Mary Jo Temple, CLASS LTD
• Tracy Rusche, Nemaha County Training Center *
• Megan Schultejans, Nemaha County Training Center *
• Dorothy Guyot, CLASS LTD *
• Bonnie Duden, Kansas Apprenticeship Council
• Kathy Olson, KUCDD
• Patty Black Moore, KUCDD

Project Funding

Clarissa Ashdown reported on the status of the proposed SRS funding of Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change project. She anticipates that a positive announcement will be forthcoming by the end of January.

Clarissa announced that she has recommended that the CDS be fully funded for all Kansas service providers in the next fiscal year and continued funding of Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change project activities.

College of Direct Support

Kathy Olson reported on the increases in CDS participation over the 3 months since our last meeting. She noted that MC Strategies has allowed current partners who have paid their $2800 administration fee to continue to have access to the complete online course. She expects that as soon as MC Strategies receives their money as outlined in the contract that new CDS participants will be recruited.

Kathy Stiffler met with Bryce / Board of Regents. Issue: regarding how to get CDS accepted to receive college credit from Kansas community colleges, vocational schools, universities. We anticipate continuing efforts in this area.

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Second Year and Final Report

The KMFC Final Report detailing the project work and accomplishments was submitted by the University of Minnesota staff to the KCDD. University of Minnesota staff will meet in January to create a project report to be used by Project Partners. Kathy Olson and Kathy Stiffler reviewed the components of the report for the group.

The suggestions were offered by the group for the final report for distribution:

• The report should be user friendly.
• The report should be 4-8 pages, preferably 4.
• Maybe showcase one organization (for overall impact) when everything was done
• Maybe examples of exemplary practice and outcome for each intervention, 1 or 3 partners for each intervention. Emphasis on whom had the best result. Stories may be useful.
• Need enough hard data and justification to support the continuation of the project.
• Arrange it by interventions. Include rural/urban examples, large/small organizations, etc.
• This agency had this problem and this is what they did and as a result the problem has decreased.
• Be sure to include DSNWK example: staff traveled more time than the training lasted. With CDS, this is no longer an issue.
• Clarissa says plan should include Apprenticeship issues.

Reports on Conference Presentations/Booth

• InterHab, Larry McManaman reported that we had lots of positive response for booth. The presentations were well attended and received. People signing up for more information at the presentations will be contacted.
• NADDA, Amy and Shelly co-presented an overview of the project to about 25 attendees. Oklahoma was very interested. We hope they will contact us.
• SACK, Kelly Smith and Kathy Olson presented some project material, Angie Reinking and Kathy Walter talked to DSPs at the SACK Conference. Thanks to Marcie Grace for sending the KADSP information to them for distribution. Again, presentations well done!

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KADSP

Marcie reported on the activities of the KADSP chapter. The chapter plans to use phone conferences for month meetings and quarterly face-to-face meetings. Twelve inquiries for more information were collected at the InterHab Conference and 5 from the SACK conference.

It was suggested that the KADSP should have an informational brochure. Marcie will develop one.

The KADSP website will also hopefully be operational by the first of the year. The url is expected to be: http://www.kadsp.lsi.ku.edu. Suggestions for additional links were requested. Other suggestions may be forwarded to Patty.

Overview of website: Kansas Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (KADSP) Web Site
Proposed url: http://www.kadsp.lsi.ku.edu

Home Page–

• Includes Mission
• What is the NADSP?
• How much do you know about the job duties of a DSP?
• Facts to think about
• Contact information for Marcie Grace, group advisor

NADSP Guiding Principles Page–

• List goals of national organization, prioritized

About Us Page–

• How did we get here?
  • Lists current member by organizations
• What now?
• Where do we go from here?
• Action

Our Goals Page–

• List of KADSP goals

Contact Us Page–

• List contact information for Marcie, Others?

Meetings Page–

• List of meetings scheduled, information

Bills of Interest Page–

• Currently lists the Direct Support Professional Wage Bill (HR 5197)
• Others?

Legislative Tips Page–

Lists:

• 7 tips to get maximum effect from your letter to your legislator
• Do’s and Don’ts when meeting with your legislator

Sample Letters Page–

• Planned – example letters to personalize

Links Page–

• NADSP
• KanView-Find My Elected Officials
• 2003-2004 Kansas Legislature
• AccessKansas
  • Add: KMFC Workforce website
  • capwiz.com
  • Ancor website supportnac.org naddc.org
  • Others?

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Project Website

Patty presented the KMFC Project website. Hopefully the website will be operational by the first of the year. The url will be: http://www.workforce.lsi.ku.edu. Suggestions were gathered for additional links for the site. Other suggestions can be forwarded to Patty.

• Overview: Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change Website http://www.workforce.lsi.ku.edu
• Home Page – Introduction to project, includes a link to a description of the project written by Kathy Olson
• Training Workshops Page –
  
  • Schedule of training dates, locations, times
  • Link to reimbursement forms
  • Planned: Online registration

Resources Page – links to University of Minnesota online resources
Calendar Page–

Schedule for meetings and trainings listed by the month
Planned – interactive calendar

Contact Page – Contacts listed: Kathy Olson, Kathy Stiffler, Patty Black Moore (others?)

• Links Page–
  • DSP website of U of Mn
  • Families Together
  • HSRI?
  • KADSP
  • NADSP
  • KCDD
  • SRS
    
  • KU
  • capwiz.com
  • Ancor website
  • supportnac.org
  • naddc.org
  • InterHab?
  • Others?

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About us Page–

Lists organizations, participating in 2003-04
Member highlights from minutes Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change Advisory Committee Report for 12/15/04 5

Families and Those Who Self Direct Page

Currently has this document:
Recruiting and Retaining Personal Assistants: A Guide for Families and
People Who Self-Direct Services

Identify Your Needs
Advertising
Realistic Job Preview
Interviewing
Other Expectations and Benefits
Wait a Day Before Hiring
Training

Reports Page–

Lists Executive Summary (pdf)
Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes (pdf)

RJP Page–

Explains RJP, invites to attend training

Marketing Toolkit Page–

Explains toolkit, invites to attend training

Credentialing & Apprenticeship Program–

Includes short explanation, links to Guiding Principles
Could include:

• Standards
• Framework
• Pilot Manual
• Forms
• InterHab Presentation
• Other???

CDS Page–

Describes CDS and participation opportunity.

CFS Page–

Describes CFS, directs to U of Mn, Susan O’Nell

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Credentialing and Apprenticeship

Dolores Engel, Department of Labor, discussed the Ad Astra Direct Support Apprenticeship Standards. She announced that the next Kansas Apprenticeship Council Meeting is January 11, 2005 and the standards will be presented at that time.

The consensus of the advisory committee meeting is that the goal is: all DSPs in the Apprenticeship Program.

Goal Group Reports

Goal Group 1 – Legislative Issues

Goal – Develop an adequately compensated workforce to support Kansans with developmental disabilities.

Talking Points will be created. Lead author: Dan Hermreck. Issues include increasing wages for DSPs. He noted that ANCOR has an online service providing online petitions and position letters for DSP issues. A link will be put on our project website.

It was suggested that we need to identify what legislators want. Must show a need and assure that legislative action solves the problem. One approach would be to apply for grants to increase DSP wages. Maybe tie apprenticeship and wages to a grant. Clarissa proposed that Group 2 or the Apprenticeship State Council could possibly manage/offer grants to fund apprenticeship.

Dolores explained the proposed apprentice wage progression.

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Goal Group 2 – CDS, Ad Astra

Goal – Develop a competent direct support workforce to ensure safe, appropriate and community-focused services to Kansans with developmental disabilities.

The Ad Astra Direct Support Apprenticeship Program Standards are expected to be presented to the Kansas Apprenticeship Council on January 11, 2005. Kathy Stiffler will meet with Dolores to make final edits. Bonnie Duden, Kansas Apprenticeship Council, will also assist in the presentation of the Standards at the Council meeting in January.

It was decided that Kathy Olson and Patty will be the point of contact for those interested in Ad Astra. A single-page information sheet or brochure will be created to inform others of the program.

Kathy S., Bobbie Keller, and Gary Merklein will meet to identify the “final” documents for the apprenticeship program and develop an Employer Handbook and Toolkit for organizations that want to implement the Ad Astra Program. Training for mentors and coaches will be reviewed as well as the student notebook.

DSNWK and ISS will begin new classes after the January 1, 2005. It is expected that both organizations will offer the Advanced Proficiency Certificate in 2005.

Consideration will be given to the role of the Ad Astra Direct Support Apprenticeship Program State Council. Roles may include: oversight over the apprenticeship program, oversight of mentoring/coaching expectations, approval of portfolio work, managing related grants from SRS. Also the name of the Regional Council will be reviewed.

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Goal Group 3 – RRD, PEP, POD, RJP, Toolkit, KADSP

Goal – Develop a stable and sufficient direct support workforce to support Kansans with developmental disabilities.

Discussion centered around the idea of introducing a way to introduce online communication among trainers, possible a forum based on the online communication as used by InterHab. Larry will explore how this might work before the next advisory committee meeting. Additionally, discussion was held about how to provide training without grant funding and what training might cost, fee structure. Participants wanted to be fair to all Kansans.

To maintain consistency across trainers the syllabi and PowerPoint presentations will be distributed by KUCDD. KUCDD will tailor any products.

Reimbursement forms were distributed to be used to document project activities and expenses incurred by participants. We’ll try them out and revise as needed. Forms will be available on the project website.

Group 3 will meet via conference call in January 2005

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Opportunities for Developing an Apprenticeship Program

Kerrie Bacon, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Department of Commerce, presented information about the legislative process and effective legislative advocacy. Questions participants focused on to learn about this process were:

• Develop a key message
  • Your current concern about the issue? (Why are you concerned right now?)
  • Your values related to this issue, or why is this a problem, or why should they care? (What do you believe? What ideals or principles do you bring to your concern for this issue?)
  • A clear call to action (What do you want your listeners/readers to do about it?)
  • From the message, you can develop an 8 to 10-second sound bite or bumper sticker.
• Decide who needs to know
• Know your issue cold. Do your research.
  • Opposition viewpoints
  • Solutions
  • Alternative solutions
• Identify key people in this issue
  • Directly involved
  • Those with influence Supporters of related issues
• Action to take - examples
  • Today
    • Personal contact
  • Within two weeks
    • Writing a letter, making a phone call
  • Within two months
    • Presenting at a hearing or meeting

Kerrie asked: How much would it cost to increase DSP wages? This is a question we should know the answer to if we are advocating for wage increase. Kerrie recommends we need a united front. We should find out what InterHab’s legislative position is for 2005.

Do we want to influence statue or policy? Discussion: It may be helpful for CDDOs to lay out their budget reporting differently. Accountability, what will they do with the money. Must show how does rate increase affect DSP wages. Suggested that we contact InterHab, The Alliance, SRS for a better understanding of their positions on areas of interest. It was noted that we must go in with a more clearly defined mission. We should investigate possibility of grant funding for DSP wage increase. Decide if this is a service issue or economic issue. Know what people get paid. Find out what the governor’s position is on health insurance. Will money be freed up to provide funds for health insurance costs? We must check with InterHab, Kansas Non Profit Association to find out their positions on these topics.

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National and Regional Opportunities
Shelly May, Angie Reinking, Kathy Lobb, Sarah Emrick, Clarissa Ashdown and Kathy Olson expressed interest in attending the Alliance for Full Participation Summit 2005, September 22-23, Washington, DC. Participation and presentations are encouraged. Go to http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/main/ for more information. Let Kathy Olson know if you plan to present.

Clarissa encouraged members to consider attending the 2005 CMS Quality of Life Conference: Raising the Bar on Quality in St. Louis, May 11-13. Presentations and attendance are encouraged. Submissions are due January 14, 2005. See http://www.mimh.edu/cms. Contact Kathy Olson if interested in presenting.

Kathy Olson and Patty have submitted a proposal for the Sharing Our Best Conference in Beatrice, NE in April. Dan may also be a presenter if scheduling allows.

Moving Mountains Award
Kathy Stiffler is in the final stages of preparing the application for the Moving Mountains Award for KMFC project. Additions or changes should be sent to Kathy by 12/17/04. Thanks for your work on this, Kathy.

NEXT MEETING
The next quarterly meeting for the advisory committee for Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change will be in Wichita. March 16, 2005 10 am – 4 pm The Arc of Sedgwick County 2929 West 2nd Wichita, KS.

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