| |
Moving Mountains Best Practices
2005-2006 Award Winner
Ark Regional Services
Laramie, Wyoming
Ark Regional Services, Laramie, Wyoming, is a community service provider
offering multiple opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
to learn and grow in an enriched environment. The agency provides
Medicaid Waiver funded residential and vocational services to adults.
Services include community employment, day habilitation, occupational
therapy, speech language pathology, skilled nursing, and service coordination.
In addition to hippotherapy and therapeutic riding, classes in art,
horticulture, drama, yoga, dance, and culinary arts are available through
the Creative Arts Center.
To meet the challenges of recruiting and retaining a well-trained work
force, Ark developed an innovative approach to training and compensation
based upon demonstrated competency. The CBPS (Competency-
Based Performance System) clearly demonstrates the agency's commitment
to high quality training, equitable compensation, professional
growth, and career development for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
The CBPS includes two components; 1) carefully crafted performance
standards, and 2) highly-specifi ed instructional methods. Each standard
is designed to provide clear, concise staff performance expectations,
which are teachable, observable, and applicable in the work setting. The
instructional method ensures training consistency and provides a way to
sustain and support all staff development efforts.
The training department and front-line supervisors implement the method by-
- Informing DSPs of key performance expectations.
- Modeling what performance standards look like when performed properly.
- Observing and providing feedback as each staff member gains understanding and practices his/her skills.
- Monitoring for consistent and proficient skill development and application over time.
Career development opportunities are offered by Ark Regional Services
via two programs: 1) a two-year U.S. Department of Labor Certified
Apprenticeship Program for Direct Support Specialist; and 2) a Developmental
Disabilities Certification Program currently being piloted through
the collaborative efforts of Ark and the University of Wyoming, Disabilities
Studies Program.
Some benefits to Ark Regional Services since implementing this training
process include -
- Increased performance accountability on the part of DSPs and frontline supervisors resulting in better quality services for the people who receive services from Ark
- Increased consistency in performance and skill application
- Utilization of a holistic observation approach that integrates all performance standards ensuring that staff members apply and retain learned skills
- A significant reduction in agency turnover rates
- Greater job satisfaction for staff members
The demanding aspects of the direct support profession require a concerted
effort to support staff members in their work setting. Ark's CBPS
supports the needs of direct support staff and frontline supervisors, ensures
that the needs of people receiving services are met, and improves
the quality of services throughout the organization.
For more information, contact: Jacquelyn Walker, Ark Regional Services,
1150 N. 3 St., Laramie, Wyoming 82072; Phone: 307-742-6641;
Email: jwalker@uwyo.edu.
|
|
Credentialing
|
The NADSP has developed a national credentialing program for Direct Support professionals working in community human services.
Credentialing Info
News Release
|
|
|
