Laurens DSNB changes culture while expanding opportunities for people with disabilities

It can be challenging to engage staff with a new approach to an “old problem.”  Mainly because the “old problem” originates from a mindset void of curiosity and is mired in the all-too-common phrase – this is how we have always done this. 

Bringing this “old problem” into the field of disabilities regarding skills training, we find familiar barriers.  However, changes in expectations by governing bodies and more educational opportunities for people receiving services have created positive change.

Changing culture and staff expectations for the Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board grew exponentially during the havoc of responding to COVID-19.  As we took emergency steps to ensure continuity of care without using settings that relied upon large groups coming together for training, we stumbled into changes that improved outcomes for people receiving services.

Headlining the changes was the elimination of the departmental approach to services.  Instead, we created one team to support a person for the entirety of their day.  We were no longer stalled with coverage handoffs, breakdowns in communication across departments, or uncertainty about what was being taught in the other areas.  All those issues melted away to a common focus among staff as they shifted attention to the person they were supporting and less to internal bureaucracy.

We also began teaching staff the following model of support:

1)    A person completes tasks independently or with assistive technology

2)    A person completes tasks with a staff serving as a coach/mentor

3)    A person needs help to complete a task but is engaged with staff in the task

Teaching staff this hierarchy of support provided them with the framework to know what success looks like.

How can we, as an industry, embrace the necessary and positive changes?  It’s the answer to the same “old problem” we must affect our culture.  Some excellent places to start are educating staff, educating the people we support, fostering a sense of curiosity, bolstering personal choice, prioritizing independence, and breaking the shackles of routine.

Written by:

Jason Tavenner

Executive Director

Laurens County Disabilities and Special Needs Board

Special thanks to our funder, SC Developmental Disabilities Council, for supporting this project.