Building Meaningful Lives Webinar Series: Putting People on a Pathway to Success 

Although the idea Employment First is gaining ground across the state, some people, especially those with more significant disabilities, still do not see community integrated employment as a viable option. For some people, giving up the structure and predictability of day programs or facility-based services for a job in the community seems daunting or impossible to manage. To address these issues and encourage the idea of work, TransCen, Inc. established WorkLink, a program that braids waiver-funded “day services” with VR Employment services.  Braiding services creates responsive, wrap-around supports that address each individual’s circumstances and needs. It enables service plans to be “built to order”.

In a series of three webinars, Sara Murphy, the director of WorkLink, will discuss how to use Day Habilitation Services  to build meaningful lives and create pathways to community employment for people with I/DD. In these times of significant change and extreme challenges, State agencies, providers and schools must think differently and use state/federal resources in creative ways.  This webinar series will help us reframe how we see “Day Programs” and will provide field-tested tools and strategies for building person-driven services and pathways to community employment.

Webinar 1: A New Day for Day Services
Thursday, January 14, 2021 – 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET

As Employment First and Community Inclusion gain support throughout the country, many people with disabilities are hesitant to leave site-based programs and do not see community integrated employment as very viable option. For more than 20 years, TransCen. Inc.’s WorkLink program has combined community-based day services with customized employment, creating a comprehensive service approach that encourages both community engagement and community employment. This innovative model provides flexible, wrap-around supports that are tailored to fit each individual’s goals, interests and circumstances.  In this first webinar, Sara Murphy, the Director/Founder of WorkLink, will discuss her braided service approach and how to create pathways to meaningful lives and community employment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain an understanding of Braided Services and how it benefits the individuals we serve.
2. Participants will learn to utilize profile information and a life skills assessment to create individualized, person-driven service plans.
3. Participants will learn to utilize community-based “Day Services” to foster community inclusion, build skills and create pathways to employment.

Webinar 2: Setting Goals and Building Skills in Community Settings
Thursday, January 28, 2021 – 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET

The goal of Community Support Services is to assist individuals with I/DD to live productive, meaningful lives. But, what makes a life meaningful? The answer to this question is different for everyone– and it is based on one’s interests, values and life experiences. So serving a person in a “meaningful way” requires service plans to be “built to order”.  During this webinar we will look at ways to identify a person’s dreams and goals and how to use this information to develop an individualized service plan and custom schedule. The presenter will share tools and strategies for setting meaningful goals, documenting progress and measuring outcomes. Participants will learn ways to create meaningful connections and teach critical skills in their local communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn to set goals and create person-centered services plans based on an individual’s strengths, interests and support needs.
2. Learn creative ways to build connections and friendships in your local community.
3. Learn how to utilize public services and community resource to teach essential skills and foster inclusion, self-sufficiency and independence.
4. Learn to measure “success” and document performance for individualized, community-based services

Webinar 3: Managing Community-Based Services and Field-Based Team
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 – 2:00pm – 3:30pm ET

For many provider agencies, teaching and supporting people in community settings requires a completely different approach to program planning and service delivery.  Creating individualized schedules and juggling the supports and logistics involved can be complicated.  During this webinar, Sara Murphy will share insights and strategies for creating person-centered services, supporting field-based teams and addressing the challenges of teaching in real world settings. We will discuss possible solutions for logistical issues, how to serve individuals with more significant disabilities and making change during challenging times.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn methods and strategies for safely providing community-based services that foster inclusion and independence.
2. Learn strategies for managing field-based teams and building community partnerships
3. Identify Quality Indicators and ways to measure individual and programmatic success for individualized, person-driven services.
4. Learn how to support people with more significant disabilities in meaningful ways, in community-based settings.
5. Learn strategies for gaining support/buy-in for integrated services and service transformation efforts.