The Guild for Human Services is one of 17 organizations participating in a work group as part of the Community Life Engagement (CLE) in Action Project. The project is a partnership between the Institute on Disability at UNH, the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston, and ANCOR, and guided by an advisory group that includes service providers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and other CLE experts. CLE in Action brings together select providers and advisors to share learnings, common experiences, and policies. The work group engages local leadership, conducts interviews, and builds case studies to better understand emerging needs and best practices.
Community life engagement refers to a variety of ways individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are engaged and included in their communities, such as volunteer work, continuing education, and recreation. The project identifies four main pillars of CLE:
- Individualized support to fit each person’s unique needs
- True community involvement that promotes new connections and contributions
- Opportunities to learn new skills for independence and community connections
- Focus on individual goals
The Guild was selected from applicants around the country to participate in the group sessions over the course of 10 months. Allison Traub, Clinical Director of Adult Services, applied to the program with the goal of increasing access for individuals, supporting staff with helping individuals to develop relationships within the community, and overcoming barriers to community access.
Allison presented an organizational case study on The Guild this month. She highlighted The Guild’s focus on creating opportunities for residents to be fully integrated in their community and approaches the organization is taking to prepare staff to handle difficult situations.
“We strive to engage individuals in the community daily and do so in a way that matches individuals’ interests and passions,” says Allison. “The Guild continues to work on strengthening and building relationships in the community. Building community relationships and having more of a presence enhances a community wide understanding of who we support.”
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a unique role in empowering individuals with IDD to increase their independence. New environments present challenges, such as sensory triggers or unexpected social interactions, that require thoughtful guidance from staff. Opportunities to develop and practice the skills needed to navigate community life are often limited for individuals with IDD. With the support of well-equipped DSPs, individuals are able to develop their skills and learn in a safe environment.
Like anyone, individuals with IDD experience moments of overwhelm, which can result in challenging behaviors. In cases where an individual’s behavior is disruptive, staff are equipped with a script to guide conversations. Youth residential staff have informational cards to share with the public, and The Guild is considering implementing this approach in the adult residences as well. Many community members want to be inclusive but don’t have the previous experience to comprehend what is happening in the moment. These informational tools can help provide context and develop their understanding.
To address these needs effectively, it is crucial for staff to feel confident and well-equipped. The Guild is committed to implementing the best training and support for our staff attending public events and is looking into developing a formal feedback system to constantly improve response. CLE in Action provides an opportunity for The Guild to create a detailed toolkit of best practices for staff to maximize residents’ experience in the community.