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Residential Tips and TricksOctober 17, 2019HandoutsI. Responses from the Residential Revelations gameFollowing is the list of all the responses gathered during the survey of DSPs:(Will distribute this separately at the end of the session)II.Ideas for Residential SupportsWe hope you gather lots of great ideas throughout the session. Here are a few to kick-start your brainstorming. Find additional space to add other ideas at the end of the packet.BenchmarksUse certain benchmarks or standards to measure practice against. (Consider NADSP Code of Ethics or Competency Areas)Ask :Does this promote independence, integration and self-advocacy?Does the practice build/strengthen the relationships between DSPs and the persons served?Does it foster teamwork and collaboration among all members of the persons served support community?Does it reflect creative, innovative approaches to traditional challenges?LanguageRetire the word “No”Rephrase statements to :Invite Participation – “We can do that as soon as we finish this”Demonstrate concern/compassion – “For your safety, you need to leave the common area and hang out in your room for a bit”Use diversion/distraction – “Can you help me with this (task, chore)?”Motivate Persons ServedHelp persons served move through disagreeable or challenging tasks:By putting the job in a more agreeable context – A person who hates taking a shower but likes going to pool could be persuaded by getting out beach balls, and a beach towel. Putting on a silly sun hat or visor and talking about heading to the pool.By making it a game – Instead of sorting laundry, set a time and make a game out of who can sort their assigned color of laundry into a pile the fastest.By inviting their help – Asking “Could you help me bring in the groceries” might prompt someone to lend a hand because their desire to help overrides their dislike of the task itself.Optimize TeamworkIdentify those peak activity times then brainstorm ways to spread the work among teamsMealtimes Have overnight shift prep fresh fruits and veggies needed for next day’s mealsPackage individual snacks and lunch itemsAssemble dry ingredients and spices for crock pot meals for the next day(s)Prepare a double recipe or use two crock pots to make extras for another mealPortion, label and freeze leftovers from large meals cooked earlierLabel everything in the refrigerator – used masking tape to date, describe, initialConsider rotating colors of dating tape (neutral, green, blue). Use a different color each week for easy identification of old items.Breaking bulk items down to smaller, individual sized portions (Laundry powder, personal care items, rice, beans, oatmeal, etc.)Slice, portion, label and freeze breakfast items (bagels, muffins, English muffins, etc.)Prepare morning breakfast items (Cold oatmeal jars, fresh fruit/yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit cups)Fix, label and freeze microwavable items (Breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, scramble bowls, etc.)Fix, label and freeze smoothies.Blend, then freeze in ice cube trays. When frozen, package for individual servings)Buy bulk microwave containers for easy portions control/freezing/reheatingSet up a group meal day (maybe over the weekend)Make 3-5 bulk meals with enough for everyone to eat, plenty to split for individual freezer mealsUse dry erase board in kitchen to leave messages about meals – i.e., crock pot set, serve by 5:30 p.m.; Meat defrosting in the refrigerator, etc.)Morning Rituals (Baths, showers, dressing, breakfast, out the door)Second shift – help persons served choose outfits for the next day. Set things out before bedtime.Set all the “take alongs” together in packs/bags and ready to grabEnhance CommunicationCommunity Living staff often feel out of the loop for current information and updates.Increase the ways that all staff – including CL staff – keep current with others on the teamGroup Texts (be aware of HIPAA issues and keep group list restricted to only current team members)Daily recorded voice mail messages on residential office phonesEmail posts to a closed group site (again, pay attention to issues of access and delete any members of the staff who are no longer on that person’s team)Consider overlap schedules with time built in for shift reports (following more of a medical staffing model)Add posting options for live time updatesInclude a daily update message sheet for each person served (communication log/book) Route from regional manager to transportation to residential staff to transportation to day staff. Have each staff initial and allow space for anyone to add comments, updatesOnce a preferred system is implemented, make sure all sites use the same one for consistency. Substitute staff will know where to get updates regardless of what location they are assigned to cover.Hold regular team meetings with supervisors to strengthen bonds across all schedules.Schedule Staff EffectivelyOften residential staff find themselves working a full shift because they need to be available in case of an emergency (an escalation, a restless person served, etc.) but there isn’t actual work to do.It feels frustrating to just sit and it can send the wrong message to staff (and co-workers) that it is o.k. to do nothing – or sleep – when they run out of work.Develop cluster staffingStaff would be broken down in three categories:Essential – this level meets the minimum staffing requirements for each locationSupport – this adds extra staff to handle peak hours, extra activitiesFloating – this refers to mobile staff assigned by region to work where needed, move as assigned. When they are no longer needed, they are to clock out and head home. To add incentive to do this, they could receive an on-call stipend to stay available to respond if things change.Consider adding dispatch / on-call to maintain real-time staffing picture Periodic check-ins and adjustments as neededWould have authority to send people home when not needed (Consider adding a “call-off” fee to pay staff who are sent home early)Consider moving to a houseparent modelOffer live-in options to qualified individuals (free or reduced rent and some salary for defined duties)Would offer an on-site presence, oversight of building, groundsIncrease security of buildings because they would be occupied more of the timeLessen the need for additional staff overnight and weekendsUse TechnologyFind ways for more independent persons served to reach out for assistance as needed (overnight, weekends)Explore “life alert” type devicesFind Cost SavingsStretch limited fundsBuy bulk personal goods, paper products, etc. Create a warehouse to house, distributeDevelop ways to “sell” products to consumers at the reduced bulk pricesUse food banks and food programs (like Heartland Shares)Partner with restaurants and catering companies to pick up expired/past due food. Redistribute this to home residents.Consider creating purchasing consortiums with several social service agencies to expand purchasing power for common items:Cleaning suppliesPaper/disposable goodsMedical suppliesGas, oil, auto maintenance Focus on Staffs’ Emotional NeedsProvide respite from challenging persons servedEncourage regular meals/breaks away from work areaLimit overtime and back-to-back shifts to promote better self care (enough sleep)Encourage staff to seek positive mental health outletsBuild Staffs’ Self EsteemProvide recognition for their effortsRegular, genuine appreciationA career path – not just being stuck endlessly in the same jobAdopt proactive approaches of teaching, coaching, mentoringInstead of punishing, corrective actions, disciplinary actionsCheer individuals and teams for caring, innovative solutionsReward best practices and use them to teach othersInclude fun get-togethers with the teamEarly morning breakfast meetingsLate night movie/popcorn eventsIII. ReferencesInvaluable: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support, a film created by Direct Course, an alliance between the University of Minnesota and Elsevier (the College of Direct Support) , Sivasailam. (2006) Thiagi’s 100 Favorite Games, San Francisco, CA, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. #97, Success Stories. Check his website for more training information: IV. ContactsRobin Kusiak, presenterClass, LTDRobin.kusiak@(620) 331-8604Kate Fisher, presenterStaff Development CoordinatorKETCHkfisher@(316) 383-8746Matt Moore, technical wizardTraining CoordinatorCottonwood, Inc.mmoore@(785) 840-1610V.NotesV.Notes - continuedAdd your thoughts and ideas here… ................
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