Winter 2015

Northland Services
for People With
Developmental
Disabilities
Pathways
Volume 20, Number 4 Winter 2015
A Little Help Makes a Big Difference
A Platte County family has things a little
easier following a collaborative effort that
involved the Platte County Board of
Services, state and federal support.
Through Missouri’s Partnership for
Hope program, the family of Jacob
Brinker, Kansas City, North, may have
received even more than hope. For one
thing, Jacob can now take a traditional
bath for the first time in years.
Now 20, Jacob has been diagnosed with
Down syndrome, ADHD and autism.
However, what caused the problems related to the project was slipped capital
femoral epiphysis (SCFE), an unusual disorder of the adolescent hip and knees. For
reasons that are not well understood, the
ball at the upper end of the femur (thigh
bone) slips off in a backward direction.
For Jacob, it meant that starting in the
Inside Pathways
Arc ..................................3
CEADD ............................4
CHS ................................5
Concerned Care ..............6
Easter Seals Midwest........7
Immacolata ......................8
NEEC ..............................9
PCBS ............................10
VSI ................................11
sixth grade, he had joint fusions done to
his legs and spine, making him unable to
bend normally, even to lift his leg over a
shower stall.
(please continue on page 2)
A Little Help Makes a Big Difference
(continued from Page 1)
Jacob’s mother, Connie, says bathing
was reduced to sitting on a stool in the
open air while water was poured over him.
“It was a kind of nightmare,” she said. “I
think it hurt his hip, and he was cold sitting there. It was also getting hard to lift
him.”
For several years, the family had
worked with Platte County Board of
Services, where Jacob is involved in several programs. One day, Service
Coordinator Christine Hardison overhead
Connie describe the family’s bathing
ordeals and other accessibility issues. She
suggested that Missouri’s Partnership for
Hope Medicaid waiver program might
offer help making modifications to the
home. By January of this year, the work
was complete, and the family couldn’t be
happier.
Pathways
Jacob Brinker had reason to smile, and
not just because he wears K.C. Royals
gear. Jacob’s family recently received
some much needed accessibility improvements to their home such as the shower
remodeling below.
Pathways is published quarterly for Clay
and Platte County residents with developmental disabilities, their families and other
interested persons. Funding is provided by
participating agencies which include the Arc
of Clay and Platte counties, CEADD, Center
for Human Services, Concerned Care, Inc.,
Easter Seals Midwest, Immacolata Manor,
Northland Early Education Center, Platte
County Board of Services and Vocational
Services, Inc. Contributing occasional articles will be Down Syndrome Guild.
Editorial contributions are welcome.
Content is intended to be positive and
informational. Material may be edited
and will be printed as space allows.
If you wish to receive Pathways and do
not, contact Betsy Keleher at 604-3043. We
also appreciate help eliminating duplicate
issues at a single address or unwanted
issues.
“It’s been awesome,” Connie said. “It’s
made our life so much better.” She says
Jacob’s baths now take only minutes,
rather than over an hour.
Not surprisingly, Connie and her husband, Joe, are big fans of PCBS. “We are
so grateful,” Connie noted. “Jacob loves
their day hab (day habilitation program),
and some of the other programs we’ve
located through them are big helps, too.
It’s been awesome.”
Hardison said the Brinker’s case illustrates an important point. “This makes it
possible for people with disabilities to stay
in their home and in the community,” she
said. “It prevents out-of-home placements, which is better for everyone. This
was a good outcome.”
Pathways Is
Always Available
on the Internet
Pathways
is
always available to
download from the
Internet.
You can download a free copy
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page 2 Pathways
Summit Examines Federal Job Requirements
Staff Changes at College Program
The Arc of Missouri, People First of
Missouri and Missouri Developmental
Disabilities Council hosted “Employment
—The Changing Landscape” summit in
October in Columbia. This summit was Blackwell from the Missouri Association
organized as an informational conversa- of Sheltered Workshop Managers, Fulvio
tion between a specially selected panel of Franzi from the Missouri Department of
speakers, stakeholders and the general Elementary and Secondary Education,
public, focusing on the new federal Chris Clause from the Missouri Division
requirements for employment of those of Vocational Rehabilitation and Duane
Shumate from the Missouri Division of
with disabilities in Missouri.
Recent United States Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Justice actions in other states have forced
those states to comply with federal law
affecting employment support systems, Hard Work Brings Results
community employment programs, sheltered workshop systems and vocational (continued from page 7)
rehabilitation systems.
for Easter Seals Midwest. “I really admire
In light of recent federal laws and regu- Chad for bouncing back from what he conlations, such as the Workforce Innovation sidered a failure to immediately looking
and Opportunities Act (WIOA) and the for another job.”
Home and Community Based Services
Easter Seals Midwest's employment
(HCBS) Final Rule, current systems of services staff works closely with individuemployment and pre-employment sup- als with developmental disabilities, includports for people with disabilities will need ing autism, to place them into jobs that
to adjust. Millions of federal and Missouri match their skills and interests, while
taxpayer dollars flow through these sys- ensuring that employers pay a competitive
tems in their current forms.
wage. The agency's job coaches assist indiThis summit was intended to educate viduals as they develop good working and
individuals with intellectual and develop- social relationships with coworkers and
mental disabilities (I/DD), family mem- supervisors and provide an appropriate
bers of individuals with I/DD, I/DD pro- amount of support and structure based on
fessionals and the general public on the each person’s needs.
expectations and to be an exploratory disIn Chad’s case, very little supervision is
cussion regarding how Missouri will needed. “I shadowed Chad during his first
adapt to the changes, redirect support several days at Enterprise,” recalls Muller.
services to the needs of individuals with “One day, he asked to talk to me about
disabilities in seeking gainful employment something. He said he didn’t need me to be
and recognize federal requirements for with him at work anymore and that he
community inclusion.
would call me if he needed anything. This
Speakers at the summit included is just what we want to hear—that our
Victoria Thomas from the United States clients can make it on their own and live
Department of Justice, Susan Eckles from full lives that make a real contribution.”
Missouri Protection and Advocacy, Linda Chad still receives job coaching on a very
Rolfe from the Washington State Division limited basis through Easter Seals
of Developmental Disabilities, Brent Midwest, according to Muller.
This fall, College Experience for Adults
with
Developmental
Disabilities
(CEADD) said goodbye to Nancy
Mozingo, one of the program’s long-time
instructors. CEADD will miss her enthusiasm.
On the plus side, CEADD was able to
add two new people to their family.
Lauren Corcoran has joined Betsy
Keleher in coordinating all things at
CEADD. Lauren worked as a CEADD
assistant while in high school and has now
returned.
Joni Bean is a new instructor who will
be teaching reading and other areas. She is
currently a teacher at New Mark Middle
Arc
page 3 Pathways
CEADD
School and comes with much knowledge
and enthusiasm.
CEADD welcomes both of these new
faces.
A variety of fall classes are under way.
Traditional favorites include crafts,
Kindles and music. In addition, CEADD
has reading and writing, emotions, emergencies, storytelling puppets, games,
sports, pricing and dealing with life. If you
missed this fall, get ready for spring!
Recent CEADD classes have created
lots of smiles by local students. Some of the
action in these photos includes board
games (above), “Music Speaks” (upper
right) and working with Kindle tablets
(right).
page 4 Pathways
He’s Empowering His Dreams!
A Busy Fall for Everyone
Scott is a 37-year-old man who is not
accustomed to thinking of his disabilities.
He is accustomed to thinking about his
abilities and living in that space.
So when Scott called the Center for
Human Services and said a lifelong dream
was about to happen, there was no surprise in anyone’s mind.
Scott was born with cerebral palsy and
blindness. He was a preemie baby and
because his mother was not able to take
care of him, he was bounced from foster
family to foster family, and some of those
placements were not so good. Scott is a
powerful self-advocate and has spoken
many times at various conferences about
self-advocacy issues.
When Scott’s employment through
Alphapointe ended because of funding
issues, he promptly went out and got a job
as a “sign waver” with Liberty Tax during
tax season. When a woman who felt he
was being taken advantage of confronted
him, his response to her was, “This is my
choice. I choose not to sit home on the
couch all day. I choose to be here working!”
That’s Scott. He is a proactive kind of
guy who pursues dreams with a
vengeance. His employer came to admire
that in Scott, and they became friends.
Two dreams have been obsessions with
Scott for some time. The first is to make a
living with his music. Scott is passionate
about music, and he is a writer and very
good singer who occasionally joins a few
friends to do both.
The second dream was to ride a Harley
in the March of Dimes “Bikers for
Babies” ride. Because he was a preemie
himself, this has been a big goal for Scott.
As luck would have it, Scott’s boss, from
January through May at Liberty Tax
Service, was a Harley rider who rode in
just that ride every year.
This year, to accommodate Scott, his
On Sept. 29, the Miller Group helped
Concerned Care with a morning of van
washing on Sept. 29
The organization uses large, 15-passenger vans to transport consumers to medical appointments, work and recreational
activities. The volunteers conducted a carcleaning products supply drive leading up
to the day. The Miller Group donated
soap, chamois, glass cleaner, interior
cleaning products and their invaluable
time. The group was able to help with the
cleanup of over 15 vehicles.
The 2016 Leadership Northland Class
with the Northland Regional Chamber of
Commerce selected Concerned Care as
their service project. In October, the class
helped Concerned Care residents decorate
three homes for Halloween. Residents
took part in the decorating, as well as
some pumpkin painting. The members of
the class and residents ensured they had
the spookiest houses on the block!
Sixteen community members visited
Sunbelt Rodeo in Parsons, Kan., the last
weekend of September. At the rodeo, the
residents were able to see plenty of action
including barrel racing, goat tying, horsemanship and flag racing. The members of
the Concerned Care community have participated in the event for many years. It
has become a favorite outing and provides
opportunities to see great sportsmanship
and even take a turn on the bucking
machine.
Concerned Care also recognized Direct
Support Professionals Recognition Week,
Sept. 13-19, by sharing stories of staff
members who impact residents’ lives
. During the monthly staff meeting, the
Direct Support Professionals (DSP) were
acknowledged and provided with treats.
Followers on Facebook were engaged by
asking them to share stories of how the
DSP’s had impacted their lives. By sharing the DSP team’s stories, they are able to
CHS
former employer and now friend, decided
to rent a Harley trike so Scott could make
his dream ride. Scott was thrilled and
completed this dream on Sept. 20.
This was not just another item checked
off the bucket list for Scott. It was Scott
saying to the world, “I don’t see my disabilities; I see my abilities and I live for
my dreams—and you should too.”
This is the message that Scott puts out in
the world every day. Stop making excuses,
move forward and make it happen. Scott
has not yet made his living with his music,
but you should keep your eyes and ears
open because it’s only a matter of time
once he puts his mind to it.
Scott (at right) recently fulfilled several
dreams. He got a ride on a Harley Davidson with his boss from Liberty Tax Service
. What’s more, the ride was in the March of
Dimes “Bikers for Babies,” something
he’s always wanted to join since he, too,
was born with cerebral palsy and blindness.
page 5 Pathways
Concerned Care
share with the community about how
important the work they do every day is to
our community.
Concerned Care’s Shine Bright Annual
Auction was Nov. 5 at the Argosy Casino.
This year, the award recipients included
members of the Northland community
who have a huge impact on Concerned
Care.
The recipient of the Karl Morris Legacy
Award was longtime Concerned Care volunteer, Mary Billiard. The recipient of the
Partnership Award was presented to John
Shackelford of Shackelford Botanicals.
And the recipients of the Star
Achievement Award were Carla, Denise,
Terry and Michele of Hampton House.
These awardees play major roles in what
helps Concerned Care shine. The organization is pleased to work with each of
these awardees and all members of our
community.
The Miller Group was one reason Concerned Care had a lot going on recently.
The Miller Group is an insurance firm
that turned out to make a big impact by
giving the Concerned Care’s transportation vans a thorough cleaning.
page 6 Pathways
Hard Work Leads to Rewarding Job
He Doesn’t Let Disabilities Define Him
Finding a job in today’s economy can be
challenging with so many people looking
for work and a limited number of jobs to
be filled. It’s a tough call for employers,
too. Of all the candidates applying for a
particular position, who is the best person
for the job?
Chad Anderson is a 29-year-old high
school graduate with a solid work ethic
and a great desire to make a contribution
at his job. He also has Asperger syndrome—a high-functioning form of
Nathan Powell decided a long time ago
not to let his disability define him. “I don’t
see myself as disabled,” he remarks. “I see
myself as a normal human being.” After
receiving a gunshot to his spine at 12 years iety kicked in, but knowing he could visit
old, Nathan woke up to learn that he was his friends in the nursing home anytime he
paralyzed from the neck down. Although wanted made the transition easier. “It feels
he was never expected to move his arms good to live in my own apartment,” he
and legs or even breathe on his own, notes. “It’s a lot better environment healthNathan beat the odds and was soon breath- wise, and I get out a lot more.” Nathan has
ing on his own and had some mobility in a great relationship with all the staff that
his right arm.
support him 24 hours a day. He says, “The
At 14, Nathan was placed in a nursing Manor staff is very caring; they work hard
home where he spent his time refining his and make sure I have what I need. They
computer skills
bake me cookand making lifeies!”
long friends.
Now
25,
But he still
Nathan doesn’t
longed for the
believe in limits.
independence
A popular pubany young man
lic speaker, he
desires. Because
loves to talk to
Nathan lacked
teens about gun
the transportasafety awaretion and support
ness and overhe needed to
coming chaltravel, visiting
lenges. He says,
his
family,
“Someday
I
going to comwant to get marmunity activiried, have kids,
ties and particimaybe
work
pating in lifewith computers
skills programs
or be a counNathan Powell has discovered a secret: “Don’t selor. My family
just wasn’t possible. Then a complain about your life. You can do everything!” says I’m the parCHS Service
ent of the family
Coordinator
because
I’m
began helping Nathan look at agencies that always helping them out!” Then he adds
would give him the independence he need- with a smile, “Humor really helps, too! I
ed.
tell people the chair’s a bonus. My legs
“The choice was up to me,” he says. “I never get tired and my shoes never get
wanted my own apartment, to be close to dirty!”
my family and to be able to get out into the
Nathan says he may have his down days,
community. I saw that Immacolata Manor but he’s discovered the secret to a life
would give me those things.” Nathan without limits. He says, “Don’t complain
admits it was scary at first and that his anx- about your life. You can do everything!”
Chad Anderson details cars before
returning them into the rental rotation at
Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Kansas City.
Chad has worked there since June 2015.
autism—but that doesn’t hold him back.
Chad works at Enterprise Rent-a-Car in
Platte Woods, Missouri, where he has
been employed as a car detailer since June
2015. In his position, he washes the vehicles and vacuums and sanitizes their interiors after the rental cars have been
returned. Chad also provides transportation to customers who need rides home or
to work.
Easter Seals Midwest serves people
with developmental disabilities, like
Chad, and the organization works with
many companies across the state of
Easter Seals
Midwest
Missouri—including Enterprise—that are
making a difference in the lives of those
they employ and setting a meaningful
example for the community. Through specialized employment services, Easter
Seals Midwest empowers individuals at
all stages of their careers—from teens
who would like help building prevocational skills to people who want assistance
finding a job to individuals who need support, or coaching, at work.
Enterprise branch rental manager Matt
Pearman has been very pleased with
Chad’s work performance since he started
last summer. “To keep up with a fastpaced environment like ours, we need
bright, hard-working individuals who are
dependable,” states Pearman. “With the
help of Easter Seals Midwest, we have
been able to add an asset to the team.”
Chad has had steady employment since
2003. Prior to securing a position with
Enterprise, he worked for 10 years at a
grocery store and then for an airport service company. During all of that time, Chad
also volunteered at North Kansas City
Hospital, Children’s Mercy, Samuel U.
Rodgers Health Center, KC Pet Project
and Hillcrest Thrift Shop.
Chad also was employed for a brief
period at FedEx as a package handler, but
he struggled to keep up with his quota for
packing trailers. “Chad resigned because
he was disappointed in himself, despite
the fact that his manager told his staff that
Chad had been dependable and packed the
trailers correctly and that he wished he
had more workers like him,” comments
Patrick Muller, an employment recruiter
(please continue on page 3)
page 7 Pathways
Immacolata
page 8 Pathways
Ranch Party Brings Major Fun for NEEC
Unique Playground Continues to Progress
On Saturday, September 19, over 250
friends, family, staff and community members gathered to support the Northland
Early Education Center (NEEC) at the
annual Diamond K Ranch Party &
Auction held at Mark and Lorry Kelly’s
beautiful Diamond K Ranch in Kearney,
Mo. Guests enjoyed a gorgeous evening,
while indulging in a delicious meal courtesy of Cosentino’s Price Chopper in
Liberty. Children were entertained
throughout the evening with hayrides, a
moonwalk, and a tattoo and balloon artist.
With outstanding auction items to bid
on, guests left with treasures in their arms
and warmth in their hearts, knowing that
their participation helped generate over
$42,000 for NEEC. The funds raised from
the Ranch Party will assist in continuing to
provide essential educational and therapeutic intervention services for children
who have special needs and typical needs
in the Kansas City Northland.
NEEC would like to express its sincerest
appreciation to the sponsors, to everyone
who attended the fun and meaningful
event and to all of the businesses and individuals who donated items for the auctions, as well as to the volunteers who
gave of their time. Without their overwhelming generosity and support, this
event would not be possible.
NEEC’s 15th Annual Diamond K Ranch
Party & Auction will be in September next
year; however, the date has not been set at
this time. The 15th year will mark the last
year for the Diamond K Ranch Party &
Auction. A new fundraising event will
replace the annual Ranch Party, and details
about the new fundraiser will be
announced at a later date.
Work is continuing on Platte County’s
first Universally Accessible Playground.
A team of non-profit organizations is
preparing to build the playground at
Tiffany Hills Park, next to the sports complex and aquatic center. The groups collaborating on the effort are Unlimited
Play, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization,
Platte County Board of Services for the
Developmentally Disabled, Variety Club
of Kansas City and Kansas City Parks and
Recreation.
The playground theme is “Pirates” with
a pirate ship and mermaids as part of the
design. The opening has been delayed
until spring, but work and fundraising
continue.
Donations are still being accepted
through the Unlimited Play website,
www.unlimitedplay.org. Approximately
90 percent of the goal of $500,000 has
been reached.
As the photos below illustrate, the play-
NEEC
PCBS
ground will be unique in many ways.
Among its features will be safe, spongy
surfacing; a ramping systems for every
play element, transfer stations, specialized
seating, hand holds, and climbing systems
to assist children’s climb and reach; and
adaptive swings with high backs for children with low muscle tone, toddler swings
and Biggo Swings that enable multiple
children to swing together.
Children with disabilities have very little recreational opportunities. When they
are available, the facilities often require
transportation to areas off the metro or bus
line.
Further questions should be directed to
Victoria Schmitt Babb, Community
Engagement Director, Unlimited Play,
(636) 757-3978, or [email protected], or www.unlimitedplay.org.
Everyone had fun at this fall’s NEEC
Diamond K Ranch Party & Auction.
page 9 Pathways
page 10 Pathways
2601 NE Barry Road
Kansas City, MO 64156
Northland Services For People
with Developmental Disabilities
VSI
Pathways
In addition to his commitments to Vocational Services, Executive Director Randy
Hylton has been involved with Missouri
Sheltered Workshop Managers Association
for many years. He serves as the associa- the experience of people with significant
tion’s legislative co-chair and is active at disabilities who were employed by shelthe state and federal level, advocating for tered workshops, as well as providers who
individuals with disabilities and support- formerly operated sheltered workshops in
ing their rights to make choices regarding Maine. Approved by the GWU University
employment and community integration Institutional Review Board, this study outservices. A key challenge continues to be lining the experience in Maine can serve as
advocating for funding to support services a guidepost for policymakers in other
and speaking for legislative action that states.
supports and recognizes both sheltered
The study examined several questions,
workshop and community employment from how much success Maine experiservices as viable options for individuals enced trying to move people from shelwith disabilities.
tered workshops to costs for providers.
A recent study by the CHIMES
Key findings in the report include:
Foundation and researchers from George
• People who had been employed in
Washington University found several sheltered workshops have seen their hours
problems for people with disabilities in worked per week decline. Two-thirds of
Maine following “conversion” from shel- those previously employed are no longer
tered workshops to integrated employ- employed, and those who are working earn
ment.
less per week because of the reduction in
Some national groups have called for the number of hours they are allowed to
complete replacement of workshops by work.
competitive, community employment for
• The number of people with intellectual
all workers with developmental disabili- developmental disabilities who were
ties. More recently, questions about mini- served in integrated employment in Maine
mum wages and Section 14C of the Fair also declined during the years from 2001
Labor Standards Act have threatened to 2014. Employment data for people with
workshops with untenable financial intellectual disabilities in Maine shows an
requirements.
average of only 12 hours worked per week
While workshops recognize the funda- in 2011, the lowest in the nation. After the
mental need for options and choice, long passage of the law, non-work placements
experience has shown that it is unrealistic increased dramatically from 550 to 3,178.
to see them as the only solution. This
“When you look at what happened in
recent study is a good example of the con- Maine—overall employment rates
cerns expressed by workshop leaders.
declined, hours worked per week declined,
In Maine, a 2008 law directed state day habilitation rates increased—you realagencies to increase supported and inte- ly have to wonder how this benefits people
grated employment opportunities for peo- with disabilities, particularly those with
ple with disabilities and ultimately close multiple, significant disabilities,” said
sheltered workshops. The report, Terry Farmer, CEO of ACCSES, which
“Transitions: A Case Study of the represents more than 1,200 disability servConversion from Sheltered Workshops to ice providers across the country.
Integrated Employment in Maine,” studied
page 11 Pathways
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #6412
KCMO
Move from Sheltered Workshops a Mistake