FINDS Community Report 2023: Family & Individual Needs for Disability Supports

/in , , , , , , /by The Arc

The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) survey provides insights and understanding of the experiences of families supporting a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is critical research to inform better policy development.

The FINDS survey was initially conducted by The Arc of the United States in 2010. It was updated in 2017 through a collaboration between the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC/CL) at the University of Minnesota and The Arc.

The 2023 report focused on:

  1. What are the challenges families face in meeting the support needs of their family members?
  2. What are the economic implications of caregiving?
  3. How does caregiving affect caregivers, and what supports do they need?

A better understanding of the experiences and needs of caregivers can help policymakers and others support caregivers in this critical role.

Promising Programmatic Practices for People With Dual Diagnosis

/in , , , , , /by Pam Katz

Incompass provides residential and day/employment programming for a dually diagnosed, forensically involved population as well as a residential program for individuals diagnosed with Huntington’s Disorder. In this webinar, Chris Snell, MS and Dorian Crawford, PsyD of Incompass Human Services will provide an overview of community-based service promising practices for an emerging, dually diagnosed population.

View session presentation slides here.

Micro-Aggressions in the Workplace

/in , , /by Pam Katz

This webinar discusses the need to move beyond our own personal biases, beliefs, values, and perception, by realigning the way we think about and engage with each other. We must first recognize how assumptions influence one’s interactions and decisions and then make a conscientious effort to overcome assumptions. The negative consequences of unconscious biases, intentional or unintentional, can be detrimental to the workplace and affect morale and the overall experience of the individuals we serve. Diversity is needed more than ever to create solutions to business, economic, and social challenges of the 21st century and beyond. One step is understanding the different types of micro-aggressions and their effect on the individuals we serve.

View the presentation slides here.

Staying Connected During COVID-19: Tech Resources for Providing Support at a Distance

/in , , , , /by Pam Katz

In this panel-led webinar, learn about different solutions available to chapters who look to connect and provide supports remotely to the individuals they serve. The 70-minute webinar includes information on technology platforms, best practices in virtual supports, and other vital insights.

 

Presenters

Abe Rafi, Rafi@TheArc.org
Senior Director, Technology Strategy & Programs, The Arc

Topics: Free and low-cost technology | Online Coaching Services

View The Arc’s Online Coaching Service document here.

 

Doug Meeker, doug.meeker@3rbehavioralsolutions.com

CEO, LifeSherpa

Topic: Overview of the LifeSherpa app, which uses video calling, notifications, reminders, and step by step routines that provide effective, secure solutions to managing remote teams and supporting people clients virtually

View LifeSherpa’s presentation here.

 

Maulik Trivedi, MD, maulik.trivedi@stationmd.com

Chief Strategy Officer, StationMD

Topic: Leveraging telehealth technologies to connect remotely to individuals in need of in-home medical care

View StationMD’s presentation here.

 

Byran Dai, hello@daivergent.com

Co-Founder & CEO, Daivergent, Inc.

Topic: Using remote technology to engage people, tap into remote work interfaces, hosting training and delivering curriculum for people during stay at home orders

View Daivergent’s presentation here.

 

If you have questions about these programs, please contact Stephane Leblois at Leblois@TheArc.org.

 

Alternative Day Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

/in , , , , /by Pam Katz

Hear from five chapters of The Arc as they describe their steps for redesigning their in-person day programs to virtual learning platforms. This 90-minute webinar includes information on technology platforms, curriculum, staffing, and funding.

Interested in having your own copy of the presentation and documents it mentions? You can download it here.

 

Presenters

Tyler Frazee, tfrazee@stonebelt.org, Lifelong Learning Coordinator
Stone Belt Arc, Indiana
Topic: Facebook Live events

Gabrielle Szarek, gszarek@slarc.org, Director of Transition Services St.
Louis Arc, Missouri
Topic: Inspiring, Engaging and Motivating Virtually

Amber Nelson, anelson@arcofthecapitalarea.org, Director of Art and Education
The Arc of the Capital Area, Texas
Topic: Virtual Education during COVID-19

Joshua Weidenhamer, jweidenhamer@minutemanarc.org, Director of Day Habilitation
Minute Man Arc, Massachusetts
Topic: Who’s Zooming Who? Providing Remote Services Which Keep People Active and Engaged

Susannah Eaton-Ryan, Seaton-ryan@thearcofdelaware.org, Director of Employment and Outreach
The Arc of Delaware, Delaware
Topic: Supported Employment in the Time of Coronavirus

If you have questions about this program, please contact Karen Wolf-Branigin at  wolf-branigin@thearc.org

The Direct Support Professional Crisis

/in , , , , , /by Pam Katz

Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on direct support professionals (DSPs) to lead full and independent lives in their communities. The work DSPs do is vital, but due to years of systemic-failures, they’re often underpaid leading to vacancies and high turnover. It’s a crisis that affects people with disabilities and their families every day. DSPs and people with disabilities deserve more.