1. ABCD Conference November 9, 2015

2. INTRODUCING PERSON CENTERED PRACTICE

3. Began thinking about organization change after hearing a presentation by self-advocates about 10 years ago.

4. Michael Smull began intensive training of all supervisory and management staff

5. Being a New Jersey based provider we were able to access additional supports from The Boggs Center

6. We were able to utilize them to observe staff meetings to see how person centered practices were unfolding on the ground

7. In the beginning movement was slower than I hoped for

8. People bristled at the introduction

9. They felt the way I introduced was critical of them

10. At the start staff perceived this as an added responsibility

11. Having Michael come at regularly scheduled intervals helped move things along

12. I did not confront the negativity but moved the process forward by accepting and applauding positive movement

13. Much of the negativity took place outside of my knowledge and it was only later in the process that I became aware of it

14. When person centered thinking achieved success it was celebrated

15. Transitions Are Already Occurring in New Jersey

16. CMS’ HCBS Community Rule Will Alter How We Deliver Services and Supports

17. The Transition To A Fee For Service Individual Budget Model by DDD Will Have an Impact On How We Do Business

18. Managed Care Is On The Horizon

19. Funding will drive less intensive services for individuals

20. Person centered thinking provides a pathway to creating more independent options

21. THE IMPACT OF OUR EFFORTS

22. The impact for individuals has been substantial

23. Their lives include more of what they want in it

24. A certain amount of behavioral acting out has disappeared

25. Staff feels more confident and view people differently

26. We are able to connect Important To with Important For

27. CFS is regarded as the face of the future and receives recognition

28. Individuals and families who want something different are referred to us

29. OUR CHALLENGES & THE FUTURE

30. One of our challenges has been to deal with accepting more risk

31. We have had to contend with varying interpretations of choice

32. There is often a discrepancy between staff’s cultural values and the principles of person centered thinking

33. We wrestle with our opinions of the capacity of people we serve

34. How to become more assertive in changing how we support individuals to have more of a community life is our greatest current challenge

35. This journey is not for the faint of heart

36. The more you do the farther away from your goals you seem to be

37. Be prepared to spend time and money changing your organization

38. You will need outside help

39. Expect resistance, deal with it and the fact that some staff will leave

40. The rewards are worth the fight.