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Emergency Preparedness Spotlight
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California Regional Centers and
the Public Safety Power Shutoffs
Wildfires have always been an integral part of life in CA, more so now than ever in part because of changes in wild habitats due to global warming. In response to this increased danger, and given the fact that some of the recent, large wildfires in CA started from downed power lines, the public utilities in CA now can shut off electrical power when certain weather conditions exist; e.g. winds of 20 mph or more, relative humidity at or below 30%, high temperatures over 80 F, etc. These shut-offs are called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). The CA Department of Developmental Services (DDS), in collaboration with the 21 CA Regional Centers, have provided information about PSPS's to people with I/DD, their families and/or service providers. When a PSPS is announced for a particular area, notice of it can be sent to the people with I/DD in the area via an Emergency Notification System called Everbridge which DDS and the 21 regional centers have access to. The Emergency Preparedness and Coordination Officer at DDS meets regularly with the CA Office of Emergency Services and will provide information about any type of emergency to the regional centers, who can then pass it along to the people they support and the circles of support involved. In the event of a fire in a particular area, the regional center works closely with DDS to inform the state of the number of people with I/DD in that area, how many are safely evacuated, how many remain in harm's way, etc.
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by Joan B. Beasley, PhD, Director, Center for START Services
The START Resource Center morning meeting
START Resource Center methods are based on best practices, guest experiences/feedback, and lessons learned. The development of the morning meeting began with understanding the importance of community in therapeutic mental health settings, and through years of practice has improved to foster a successful stay at the START Resource Center where each guest has positive engagement with other guests and Resource Center Counselors. It sets the stage for a process of positive change and recovery.
The morning meeting is held each morning at each of the Resource Centers (RCs) across the country with the “guests” of START along with the entire Resource Center staff on duty. This meeting is like “community meetings” found in other mental health settings, but is prescribed based on the START philosophy. We have been holding morning meeting at the RCs since the early days of the START model. Like all START methods, morning meetings apply a structural/strategic approach.
The structure is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible
- Meetings are held as first activity of the day, usually at 9:00 AM
- Meetings are held in location where people can join as a community and focus on the meeting with few distractions.
- People are seated in a semi-circle, with staff sitting next to guests so that they can jointly engage in the process and receive the individualized support when needed
- Engagement of guests to lead portions of the meeting and participate is essential
- There is a board with information reviewed but also other methods to communicate for non-readers. Accessibility for all is key.
The strategic methods are trauma informed, strength based, accessible and engaging
- It is important that the meeting with enough space for all involved, facilitators should be welcoming and create a safe and positive atmosphere
- People coming to the resource center have been uprooted from their homes and in distress and this means that they need support to begin their day. The agenda for the meeting is prescribed based on what we have learned is helpful and this includes: orientation to the day, date, time, weather forecast; introductions including identification of known character strengths and strength spotting; a review of the day’s schedule of activities and discussion about preferences and planning for the day; and a review of the day’s menu
- The word of the day offers a therapeutic anchor to establish goals for everyone for the day. For example, if the word of the day is “kindness” what does this mean to each person, our community as a whole and how we will conduct our day?
- The meeting concludes with stretching, yoga and breathing exercises
While the day begins with morning meetings, the Resource Center day is not limited to the morning meeting regarding the therapeutic setting. Please watch Now We Have Hope (TX) to learn more about therapeutic days at START Resource Centers.
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Child welfare professionals in Oklahoma complete year-long course on the mental health aspects of IDD
The Center for START Services just concluded its first training course for child welfare professionals across the state of Oklahoma. The training course was held twice monthly from September 2020 to August 2021 and was facilitated by Dr. Karen Weigle, CSS Associate Director and Beth Grosso, MSW, CSS Director of Training and Professional Development.
A total of 28 participants registered for the course, representing numerous positions within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Department of Developmental Services, and affiliated partners including case managers, child welfare specialists, student interns, direct care professionals, field representatives, program specialists, supervisors, and directors. A child welfare nurse and psychiatrist were also members.
The course consisted of asynchronous assignments (pre-recorded presentations & readings) completed before each live session which occurred bi-weekly for 90 minutes.
Session topics included:
Positive Psychology
Positive Clinical Interventions
Overview of IDD and Mental Health
Cultural Competency
Diagnostic Clarification
Psychiatric Assessment of People with IDD
Assessing Vulnerabilities
Medical Conditions as Vulnerabilities and Triggers
Health & Wellness |
Genetic Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Trauma Informed Care in IDD
Communication and ASD
Mood Disorders
Psychosis & Psychopharmacology in IDD
Family Perspectives
Expressive Approaches to Wellbeing
Sexuality & Gender |
As their final project, participants formed three sub-groups and each developed trainings on the mental health aspects of IDD for 3 different audiences: Direct Support Professionals, Families & Caregivers, and Permanency Workers. Trainings demonstrated participants’ understanding of information and skills learned throughout the course, including the application of positive psychology (PERMA, strength-spotting), trauma-informed care, and culturally competent approaches.
Each group shared their presentations with one another during the final session of the course. The trainings that were developed have already been used in the community and there are plans to ensure their continuation.
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Feedback from participants:
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“With 1 in 3 children in state custody having a diagnosed disability of some kind, more staff should have the knowledge START provides. Think of the way our agency could change and grow if more staff had this opportunity.”
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“I really enjoyed the group we had and getting to know other workers in the state with their roles in Child Welfare. Other perspectives and job roles helped enhance the learning opportunity for the group.”
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“I wasn’t sure I was the right person or the right fit for this class. Now, I cannot imagine continuing my work in child welfare without this class. I hope to spread what I have learned to anyone who will listen. I also will strive to make my daily work and the work our agency does with clients diagnosed with IDD better. We have a long way to go but the impact both of you and this class have had on me will not be lost.”
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The “R” in PERMA+ is for relationships in which we feel loved, supported, and valued by others.[i] We all know how important relationships are in our lives, and their contribution to our health, wellness, positive emotions, and joy. The social environment[ii] has been found to play a critical role in preventing cognitive decline, and strong social networks contribute to better physical health among older adults.[iii] For people with IDD, developing and maintaining relationships can be difficult and dictated by living arrangements and opportunities for things to do in the day. Thus, it is critical that we as IDD-MH professionals attend to and plan for providing these opportunities for the people we support. Here are some resources to get you thinking creatively about supporting the people you know:
Social Thinking Vocabulary[vii]
[iii] Siedlecki, K. L., Salthouse, T. A., Oishi, S., & Jeswani, S. (2014). The relationship between social support and subjective well-being across age. Social indicators research, 117(2), 561-576.
[v] Making Friends Where You Live: A Toolkit for Building Friendships Between People With and Without Disabilities. The Arc of Massachusetts: Waltham, MA. Retrieved from https://thearcofmass.org/friendship
[vi] Charitou, M., Quayle, E. & Sutherland, A. (2021). Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities with Relationships and Sex: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research with Staff. Sexuality and Disability, 39(1), 113-146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09646-z
[vii] Winter, N. (2017, June 8). Social Thinking Curriculum. [Blog post] Retrieved from: https://nrwinter.com/2017/06/08/teaching-social-thinking/. Image adapted from Winners, M. G. (2011). Social Thinking Thinksheets for Tweens and Teens: Learning to Read In-Between the Social Lines. Think Social Publishing: Santa Clara, CA.
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Training Facilitators
The Center for START Services is seeking facilitators for upcoming Professional Development Courses and START Coordinator Training Groups. The ideal candidate has a strong background in training and the ability to present virtually to large online audiences. They would report to the Center for START Services’ Director of Training and Professional Development. Learn more and apply.
Director of Program Operations
Under the administrative supervision of the Director of Center for START Services (CSS), this position will be responsible for the administration, supervision, coordination, and execution of all grants and non-grant (fee for service, foundation, etc.) in order to provide a broad range of services, programs, and/or research and development activities. Learn more and apply.
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Upcoming Professional Development
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MHIDD Course for Care Coordinators & Case Managers
Registration is open for Next Course Beginning on October 11, 2021
This live 6-week online course is designed to improve knowledge for care coordinators and case managers to successfully support children and adults with IDD and mental health service needs and their families. Speakers will include family members and people with lived experiences along with experts in the field. Dr. Joan B. Beasley will demonstrate how the information provided can be applied to improve the ability of care coordinators/case managers to identify service and support needs, and monitor outcomes for individuals and their families. Registration fee is $299 per person.
“The format is flawless and helps facilitate a learning experience in a non-traditional way” - Course Participant
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MHIDD Course for Direct Support Professionals
Registration is open for Next Course Beginning on November 2, 2021
This live, 6-session course gives Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to provide individuals with IDD and mental health service needs (IDD-MH) positive, person-centered, strengths and wellness-based supports and services. The course facilitators will demonstrate how the information reviewed during session can be applied in the day-to-day support of people with IDD-MH. Registration fee is $149 per person.
"This course offers the content I need to do my job and the many facets of one’s life we must always consider." - Course Participant
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Have a healthy and happy week,
The Center for START Services
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