Certified Trainers Blog

 Archive for the ‘Mary Lawson’s Posts’ Category

It has been suggested that I have been far too long quiet from
the CT blog.

For those people who know me well, they will never buy the
story that I am ever quiet.

However, there are times that I do prefer to be in the mode
of listen only, to learn from everyone else around me.

Allison’s role in keeping the certified trainers (official smarty
pants) on track, trained, and talking must be something akin to herding cats. If
you have never herded cats – check out the Cat Herder Video on You Tube and
have a good laugh.  Might be something else you want to try!

Allison – thanks for all you do. Keep after us, (okay so maybe just me) and we will
get the hang of this.

March has many reasons to celebrate; one being St. Patrick’s Day, March also often brings us new life, whether it be plant or animal.

One of the least publicized celebrations for the month is Developmental Disability Awareness Month. The themes this year all seem to be
built around community, and the awareness of how important it is in each person’s life, no matter what your societal status. In the 2010 Gallup Press  publication, Well Being, The Five Essential Elements, community wellbeing is number five. Without that sense of community, feeling safe and secure, all other areas of well being are compromised.

Quite possibly the most important piece in creating community and wellbeing, is the direct support professional that stands with a person who experiences life with a disability. The direct support professional adheres to the Code of Ethics when making day to day decisions. One of the nine ethics is integrity and responsibility. The National Alliance for DSP’s make it easy to understand what is meant with the definition. As a DSP. I will support the  mission and vitality of my profession to assist people in leading SELF directed lives, fostering a spirit of partnerships with the people I support, other professionals and the community. (Emphasis is mine).

Easy to understand even tougher to pull off.

Act with integrity when no one is looking because someone is
always watching, learning and modeling your integrity.

Being responsible!  If it is within your realm of ability, skills and talent,  Nike
said it best – JUST DO IT!

When we, guide, lead,  build, expect, demand,  a workforce of Direct Support Professionals, who commit to the Code of Ethics, then we will have a much larger community to celebrate.   What will you be celebrating in March 2013?

As families gather for food, fun and fellowship may our list of what we are thankful for be long.

Happy Thanksgiving

We have all heard the story of 212 the extra difference written by Sam Parker and Mac Anderson.

Water at 212t boils and boiling water produces steam – enough steam to power machines. One degree less and no power.

The pilot who charts his 1500 mile course and is off by one degree. They never make it to their destination. One degree and that pilot is in a different country.
How far off course do you travel before you stop and adjust?

When people are lost, you are instructed to stay exactely where you were when seperated. Why? Humans wander in circles when lost. We think we are headed out of the woods but we are really just retracing our steps. Going places where we have gone before.

Where do we stop, sit and wait for the rescue team?

Received word late yesterday that the Govenor has signed the new 404 regs for Nebraska.
Exciting yet uncertain about how it will all roll out over time.
As an agency administrator I am glad that we have access to all the modules that Therap has to offer. 

As we push to implement the new regs we will be utilizing many of the custom forms. The forms/modules that have been developed by the braintrust will be of great benefit in the coming months and beyond.
The IPOP, Risk Assessment, and Behavior Support Plans just to mention a few.  All the tools we need to move forward in the quest of providing person centered supports.

I just completed my first read of Who Moved My Cheese – a classic, in ways that people deal with change.
If you have not read the book, I recommend that you locate a copy and share. If it has been awhile since you read it – dust if off and give it another read.
The names of the characters sum up quite a bit. Hem, Haw, Sniff and Scurry.
Where do you see yourself when dealing with CHANGE? Better yet, where do your co-workers see you when dealing with CHANGE?
As you move through the changes that happen in life, are you charting your own path or following someone else’s?
As you journey, whether charting new territory or following the expressway, what handwriting are you leaving on the wall for those that will follow?
What do the signs say? CAUTION, Stay the course, turn back, DO NOT PASS ! Or – Keep Moving, Look ahead, No-U-turns allowed, anticipate, let go, savor the adventure.
Change – remember to enjoy the flavors along the way.

Positive permanent change comes slow in the service system model. Nebraska providers are currently being turned on our sides and it seems that the water is rising.

The changes that are happening  require us to move at a pace faster than we like. It’s may not be fun, and it most certainly is uncomfortable for some.
If you feel that like you are about to go under, hold your nose, because when you surface it will all be good. Jump right in, both feet. Just go for it.

By the end of April we will have the BER module implemented agency wide. I continue to utilize the Therap applications to reduce the volume of paper that we produce on a daily basis. Some strange reason, most of it  seems to end up on my desk.
Remember -
“In times likes these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.” Paul Harvey

Happy Arbor Day – plant a forest!

The lost have been found!  Since returning from the National Provider Conference in NY, I have been busy introducing the Individual Home option – otherwise know as the “cheat sheet” in our organization. Comments so far are that it is so user friendly, makes the direct support responsibility of documentation easier.
We welcome the state of Nebraska to the Therap family. For some, this will be a very large leap out of your comfort zone. It is time to stretch, grow and go! I do not know who said the following quote – but they are dead on (no pun intended) – “If we are not growin’, then we are die’n”! Lets grow through this together! Welcome!

Life on the farm is – really not laid back -middle of February in Nebraska and I see onions sprouting? Soon we should have snow!

Just returned from the 38th Annual  Nebraska ARC Senatorial Appreciation Dinner in Lincoln. 250 miles of windshield time provides for lots of thinking. Rumor has it that there are a few more providers in Nebraska thinking about using Therap. YEAH!!  I had  conversations with one of the providers in a more rural, larger geographical area than we, about getting on board.   They are excited. Even though we are taking baby steps to get this implemented and have some tech issues we are persevering.  That sounds like it is a chore, but it is not. Information sharing is already better.