INTENDED IMPACT
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Improve services and supports available to persons with developmental disabilities and their families by:
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Identifying stakeholder valued Direct Support workforce competencies
o
Validating a competency-based training curriculum for Direct Support workers
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Establishing a statewide network of Direct Support worker Trainers
o
Educating and informing policy-makers about the need to ensure that Direct Support workers are adequately trained and compensated
v
Develop, implement and evaluate new models for supervising Direct Support workers, including those who are employed in the homes of persons receiving Supported Independent Living (SIL) services
v
Enable individuals with disabilities who are beneficiaries of social security to make informed choices regarding employment and to utilize employment supports to achieve their employment goals
v
Improve school-to-adult life transition services and outcomes
v
Remove barriers to community living and participation among persons with developmental disabilities who require ongoing non-invasive health and medical services. For example, by working with medical professionals (e.g., Louisiana State Nursing Board) and state regulatory and licensing agencies to establish safe and appropriate nurse delegation guidelines allowing Medicaid service recipients the option of having adequately trained paid support workers perform routine non-invasive medical procedures
v
Enhance self-determination, choice, relationships, community connections, and community participation among persons with developmental disabilities
TOPICS/AREAS OF EXPERTISE
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Services/supports for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities
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Training/support for families
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Training/technical assistance for Direct Support workers, educators, health and medical personnel
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Training/technical assistance for human service agency personnel and advocacy organizations on Social Security employment supports
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Benefits planning and assistance for, and outreach to, social security beneficiaries with disabilities, their families, service providers, and advocates
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Research on self-determination, choice and preference among persons with significant disabilities living in the community
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Demonstration of person-centered planning process/outcomes including transition
OVERVIEW OF SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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Developed a Direct Support Professionals competency-based training curriculum
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Established an approved Associates Degree and a Technical Competency Area diploma programs within the
Louisiana
Community College system
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Ongoing Direct Support worker inservice training provided throughout the state
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Center for Medicare/Medicaid Systems selected the curriculum developed by HDC for national replication
v
Conducted approximately 1,000 Social Security Benefits Planning outreach and training events attended by more than 10,000 individuals in one year
v
Provided Benefits Planning services to approximately 1,500
Louisiana citizens per year
v
Completed a study to establish normative engagement levels among persons with significant disabilities living in Supported Independent Living and receiving 24-hour support
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Completed an investigation of Direct Support worker mediated strategies for increasing engagement among persons with significant disabilities living in Supported Independent Living and receiving 24-hour support
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Developed draft language specifying conditions for nurse delegation to be reviewed by the Louisiana State Nursing Board and other appropriate regulatory agencies
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Developed proposed changes in Louisiana Medicaid regulations to include requirement that Direct Support workers must demonstrate competence in key skills
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Completed a statewide analysis of case management
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Edited a topical journal on home ownership and developmental disabilities
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Conducted training on and facilitated implementation of person-centered planning
DIRECTION FOR FUTURE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
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Model development and research related to supervision of Direct Support worker in Supported Independent Living residences
v
Research and evaluation of training formats for Workforce Development in
Louisiana and nationally
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Dissemination of competency-based Direct Support worker training curricula
v
Model development and research related to enhancing engagement among persons with significant disabilities living in Supported Independent Living and receiving 24-hour support
v
Extension of Benefits Planning efforts to other populations
Revised January 2004
