2023 Lifesharing Conference
PENNSYLVANIA LIFESHARING CONFERENCE
Monday, October 23: 9 am to 4 pm
Presentations
Managing Difficult Conversations
John Amato, Director, Training & Consultation Services, Family Links
In this presentation, John will explore some of the reasons workplace conversations may be difficult. Discover methods for increasing your confidence and competence in having these difficult conversations to promote a positive outcome and work environment. You’ll also gain a better understanding of the value of these conversations and the impact they can have on a cohesive team. Lastly, you’ll learn 13 tips for having difficult conversations.
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Trauma Basics
Diane Wagenhals and Michelle Machado
As a society and as individuals we need to be better informed and prepared to prevent and address the traumatic impact of childhood adversities. This one-hour presentation will provide foundational knowledge of trauma including the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, understanding the impact of trauma on the developing brain and Dr. Bruce Perry's 3 R's. As professionals expand their understanding of trauma and are provided specific skills that enhance interactions, they have the ability to prevent, avoid and respond to trauma in emotionally and relationally healthy ways that promote healing.
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Selective Contracting
Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary, PA DHS ODP
To improve quality, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) intends to change the home and community-based services agreements with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to “selectively contract” with providers of supports coordination and residential services including lifesharing. In this session ODP will provide an overview of the proposed changes, what will stay the same, and what will change.
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Trauma Informed Support and Path to Healings for IDD
Dr. Karyn Harvey Emily Burger, ODP, Q&A Facilitator
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This workshop will provide a view of trauma from the perspective of the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It will explore the sources of trauma unique to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the effects of that trauma on both a biological and psychological level. The symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder as they often manifest in people with IDD will be explored as well. Finally, the key ingredients for posttraumatic recovery and healing will be discussed.
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Using Enabling Technology in Lifesharing to Increase Independence
Amira LaGray, Service Director of Lifesharing, Keystone Human Services
This presentation will engage participants with ideas, discussion, and examples on how both over-the-counter technology and vendor-supplied technology can be incorporated into Lifesharing homes to increase and/or maintain a person’s level of independence.
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A Discourse on the Nature and Spirit of Regulatory Compliance, and How to Achieve and Maintain Same. -or-You Are Focusing on All the Wrong Stuff but We Can Fix That
Ron Melusky, PA DHS ODP
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After a long hiatus, ODP is once again able to do some research and development stuff. We have been analyzing plans of correction and compliance activity. It looks like providers send in plans of correction too quickly and end up making things more complicated than they need to be. This session will help you not do that.
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Managing the Cliff--Employment Opportunities for Adults with Special Needs and IDD
Brian Damiani, Co-Founder. ABLE Force
ABLE Force is a non-profit organization in Bucks County, PA. Co-founded by two fathers with sons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the organization has begun four businesses with more than 95% of employees being adults with special needs or IDD. Brian will share more about how these businesses were formed and operate, including successes and challenges. He will also share his perspective as a father of a now young adult son with IDD.
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Tuesday, October 24: 9 am to 3:15 pm
HRST Screenings Are Complete—Now What? How to Stay in Compliance and Unlock the Power of the Tool Tammy Armstrong and Daleigh Tallent PA HRST Service Team, IntellectAbility
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This presentation focuses on supporting HRST users through utilizing features of the tool to strengthen screenings and maintain compliance with PA HRST protocol. We will discuss ways to use the Report Suite and Considerations to individualize support plans and identify people at risk for adverse health events. Learners will be able to: - Demonstrate using various features and training within the HRST to produce accurate screenings and maintain compliance. - Generate reports to identify opportunities for quality assurance and monitor compliance. - Incorporate Services and Training Considerations into risk mitigation person specific planning, and share success stories from providers who use the HRST.
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Lifesharing with Medically Complex Children--Keeping Families Together
Jennifer Harniman-Crangle, Family Facilitator Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care
Monique and Deacon Lawrence
Jolanda Stringfield, Divine Providence Villages
In 2020 ODP embarked upon a pilot program with the purpose of helping children with medical complexities move from pediatric nursing facilities back homes to families within the community. With updates to the Targeted Supports Management Bulletin and Waiver Amendments, children with medical complexities are now able to register with their County ID/A office and access waiver services to move home to the community and stay home-avoiding facility placement. Through the lifesharing service, families now have an option of being the paid caregiver for their medically complicated child. Jennifer Harniman-Crangle, PCHC’s first Family Facilitator for ODP, will describe the foundation for this project that is due for expansion in July 2023. She will share the specific ODP updates that have occurred and how Lifesharing is now an option for families with medically complicated children. Monique and Deacon Lawrence will share their unique perspective as one of the first families to become a lifesharing family with medically complicated children. Monique will share how this service has impacted Deacon and his sisters’ lives, and discuss how obstacles did not slow her down! Jolanda Stringfield, Administrator of Community Based Programs for Divine Providence Village, will share the ODP provider perspective. As an early adopter, Jolanda will share the challenges her organization faced while developing this service and the rewards of working with this population and how they plan to continue to support families.
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Mental Health First Aid Class (pre-registration required) all day class
Shemiah Cooper and Tamara Brown Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services
We think of First Aid as something administered to people in need of physical health intervention. What about people who need immediate assistance for their mental health? The Mental Health First Aid course teaches the skills needed to identify, 11 understand, and respond to signs of behavioral health challenges or crises. Once a certified aider, you will be able to recognize behavioral health signs and administer aid until appropriate treatment and supports are received, or until the crisis is resolved.
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Empathy and Self-Care
Emily Burger, MS, NCC Special Populations Clinical Support PA DHS ODP
Empathy is a key component of any healthy relationship. Recognizing how we can feel with others while also maintaining our own sense of self is an important part of this. In this workshop, participants will learn about the difference between empathy and sympathy as well as ways to connect with others. We will discuss healthy boundaries and ways to maintain ourselves in situations that require great emotional investment and vulnerability. Biological and social components of both empathy and self-care will be explored as well as providing tools and strategies to use this information in everyday life.
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Supporting Individuals and Families Throughout Their Lifespan
Jamie Mistretta, Aveanna Healthcare
Jamie will discuss the provision of care, support, and resources throughout all stages of life. She will also discussion and help prepare families and individuals for what to expect, how to navigate through getting enrolled/authorized for care, and share some experiences that other individuals have had working with Aveanna for transitional care.
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Finding Love on the Spectrum: An ASD Guide to Dating
Louis Scarantino, Autism Advocate and Author
Louis Scarantino was born and raised in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. He graduated cum laude from Luzerne County Community College with a degree in Office Information Technology. Louis has built an inspirational platform as an award-winning autism advocate, using his gift as a certified motivational speaker and author to deliver speeches throughout North America. He is the author of two books, Love on the Spectrum: An ASD Guide to Dating and Autism: The Unstoppable Achiever which have inspired autistic men and women around the world. He is a proud member of Toastmasters and seeks to continue helping bring awareness and understanding to autism community.
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The Truth About Nonspeakers: Let Us Spell It Out for You Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network
The Spellers and Allies Advocacy Network is run by nonspeakers for nonspeakers. Join us to learn directly from nonspeaking people about our experiences, access to communication, and how to support us. Some questions we will answer are: • What does nonspeaking mean, who is nonspeaking, and how does it affect our lives? • Why can’t nonspeakers use their mouths to communicate? How do we communicate, and how did we learn to do it? • How can you help us?
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Let’s Talk ODP Policy Katie-Marie Wilson, Policy Supervisor, PA DHS ODP
It seems there is always something changing within our service system and most often, it is from changes in policy/rules/guidance. This breakout session will include conversation between ODP and participants about new policy changes that impact the Lifesharing service.
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