ARRM News and Public Relations

2019 ARRM Cares Winner: Amber Lobdell

When the home of four men who had formed a brotherhood became no longer functional for them to all live together, some might have left the task of finding a solution for them to their superiors. Not Amber Lobdell.

Community Advocate

Amber was not content to provide "The Guys" with their daily support plans when their family was threatened. She jumped into action to become a leading community advocate, rallying supporters from around the Red River Valley to the cause of building them a brand new home where they could continue to live their best lives, together. Instead of staying behind the scenes, Amber became a spokesperson for The Guys, sharing their story through writing articles, using her social media accounts, and even giving speeches to explain to people and donors why their support and dollars mattered and how it would make a difference in The Guys' lives. And it worked.

A Home For The Guys, With The Guys

Once the support to build the new home for The Guys was secured, Amber didn't stop. She worked with The Guys, in conjunction with her colleagues, to help design a home that could meet not only their needs, but also their wants. Using her strong relationship with each guy and her incredible person-centered focus, she helped implement designs and layouts catered to each guy so they would not only have their personalized space, but the whole house would feel like a home from day one.

Taking Decisive Action

While we really love to talk about the fun and uplifting work of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and how our ARRM Cares Award winners excel in those areas, the reality is that sometimes the work of a DSP is intense and stressful, and people's health and even lives can hang in the balance. In those moments, it falls to the DSPs on the front lines, many of whom work for less than $15 per hour, to take decisive action.

When this happened to Amber, she acted, performing CPR when one of The Guys stopped breathing and working with her team to manage the situation until paramedics arrived. The Guys remain a brotherhood of four because she stayed cool and acted when they needed her.

Congratulations to 2019 ARRM Cares Winner Amber Lobdell. SHARE this post and her video to help spread the word about the important work of Direct Support Professionals.

 

About the ARRM Cares Award

Each year ARRM honors the best DSPs in Minnesota, providing direct care to people with disabilities living and working in their communities. These caregivers show outstanding compassion, person-centeredness, and professionalism.

2019 ARRM Cares Winner: Madie Uglem

Don't let this 2019 ARRM Cares winner's quiet, humble personality fool you; she's a force to be reckoned with! Working for CCRI—Creative Care for Reaching Independence as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), Madie Uglem's spirit, creativity, determination, and highly skilled approach dramatically improves the quality of life for those she supports. Whether providing inconspicuous de-escalation, teaching people to use technology to stay connected with friends and family, or simply making dreams come true, Madie makes a huge impact.

A great team

Delivering high quality service to empower people with disabilities to receive support in the way they want, and to access and engage the natural community around them, is a huge part of a DSPs role, and Madie excels at it. Madie has been recognized particularly for her work with Liz, a bright and friendly young woman who loves life, people and being social. "Liz will go up to someone on the street and say 'You look so beautiful today!'" says Alita Hanson, Madie's supervisor.

However, Liz also has health and emotional obstacles which can make doing some of the things she loves, and bringing that joy to others in her community, challenging at times. She can experience anxiety and react in ways that draws unwanted attention or makes others uncomfortable because they don't know her. Madie, who is both highly perceptive and has a strong bond with Liz, can sense when she's not feeling right, and provides calming and de-escalatory support to Liz in a way that no one else can even notice, making it easier and more comfortable for Liz to engage with new people and go where she wants to go.

Supporting Liz to be Liz!

So much of the work of a DSP is supporting people to be the person they want to be. Madie has worked with Liz to do the things and have the experiences that any young person does, like using social media to connect with friends and family, or take duck-face selfies (watch the video!). She also goes above and beyond to create opportunities for experiences that need to look a little different because of Liz's support needs, like a dream backwoods camping adventure (again, video!).

Madie is a rockstar, exemplifying the kind of work DSPs do every day, playing a critical role in the lives of the people they support.

 

Help us show the world the incredible work direct support professionals do each day. Share today on your favorite social media channel!

Duluth-Area Respite DSP Wins 2019 ARRM Cares Award, DSP Week Celebrated

Mayor Emily Larson proclaims Direct Support Professional Week in Duluth, recognizes caregiver of the year.

DULUTH, MINN. – ARRM, a statewide association representing more than 200 direct care providers and supporting service providers for people with disabilities in Minnesota, joined with Duluth Mayor Emily Larson in a ceremony today proclaiming Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week in Duluth, and celebrating more than a dozen DSPs nominated for their outstanding service, including one of six statewide caregivers of the year.

DSPs are professional staff that support people with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community, helping individuals with critical care and achieving their goals and passions for a greater quality of life. Performing regular duties such as medication management, hygiene care, independent living skill building, and employment support, DSPs support more than 35,000 Minnesotans across the state, including several hundred in Duluth and the surrounding communities. The week of recognition is a national initiative to bring greater awareness to the profession, which struggles from a growing workforce shortage.

“DSPs provide support to individuals with disabilities to stay connected to family, friends, coworkers and the community, helping them to define and live a quality of life,” said Mayor Larson at a city hall ceremony this morning. “Therefore, I do officially proclaim September 8-14 as Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week in the City of Duluth.”

Also recognized at today’s ceremony were more than a dozen area-DSPs identified for outstanding performance and achievement in the field, including Sharon Johnston who was selected by ARRM to receive its ARRM Cares Award, given annually to six of the top DSPs in the state out of a field of more than 20,000 eligible professionals. Sharon is an employee of Tender Loving Care of Duluth and provides respite support to children and families. Respite care is a critical area of support as it allows those families serving as primary caregivers a brief reprieve and can help extend the period where families are able to provide care and support.

“Because of the population they work with and the intensity of their responsibilities, a DSP requires a high level of professionalism, skill, training, and compassion,” said Sue Schettle, CEO of ARRM. “The care and support they provide is a critical public service for meeting the state’s obligation to ensure people with disabilities have the opportunities to lead self-directed lives as part of their communities. We’re honored to recognize Sharon for her tremendous talent, dedication and impact.”

Johnston has worked in the field for three years, supporting many families during that time. While respite care often comes in short 24-48 hour increments, she ensures that time continues to be filled with individualized support and care, including enriching community engagement and social activity to fit the child’s personality for whom she is supporting, sometimes above and beyond what they are able to access at home. This type of support is essential for achieving one of the primary goals for DSPs: to strengthen community inclusion.

“Sharon has an outsized impact on the individuals and the families she supports for the time she has with them,” said Keven Johnson, Chief Administrative Officer for Tender Loving Care. “She makes the most of every minute she has with the people she supports, and as a result she is strengthening the overall level of care and support they receive. She is most deserving of this recognition.”

ARRM is touring the state recognizing each of the six ARRM Cares Award winners during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Learn more about the ARRM Cares Award and current winners at www.ARRM.org/ARRM-Cares. 

DSP to Wounded Warriors Wins ARRM Cares Award

Matt Tebbutt works with veterans across the state who live with disabilities from injuries while serving in the armed forces

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MINN. – ARRM, a statewide association representing more than 200 direct care providers and supporting service providers for people with disabilities in Minnesota, announced today that Matt Tebbutt has been chosen for the ARRM Cares Award, given to the top six direct support professionals (DSPs) in the state each year.

Tebbutt is employed with Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC, specifically working in the organization’s partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project to support veterans with significant intellectual and physical disabilities stemming from their injuries, particularly traumatic brain injury. Specializing in helping people live successfully in the community while requiring varying degrees of critical care and support, Tebbutt works with veterans across the state to rebuild and continue their lives which have been dramatically altered by their service and injuries.

“In addition to being a tremendous advocate and working with people to find and live out new goals and passions, Matt provides a foundation of support to individuals and families whose lives have been changed forever,” said Maria Hawes, Program Director for Dungarvin Minnesota. “We always say that life can change in an instant and for the people Matt works with, it has. He ensures there is a fulfilling life looking forward.”

More than 20,000 DSPs across Minnesota are eligible to be nominated for the ARRM Cares Award, given to individuals who demonstrate outstanding talent and success in supporting people with disabilities to choose and achieve their life goals and be included in their community. Less than 100 are selected for nomination and Tebbutt was ultimately selected by a review panel of leaders from more than 50 provider organizations.

“Because of the population they work with and the intensity of their responsibilities, a DSP requires a high level of professionalism, skill, training, and compassion,” said Sue Schettle, CEO of ARRM. “The care and support they provide is a critical public service for meeting the state’s obligation to ensure people with disabilities have the opportunities to lead self-directed lives as part of their communities. We’re honored to recognize Matt for his tremendous talent, dedication and impact.”

Tebbutt’s work varies widely depending on the individual he’s working with. In some cases, it’s helping people access former passions in new ways, or finding ways to explore new passions and life goals. In other cases, it’s assisting people with relearning many key life skills for independent living which after their injuries have become a challenge, particularly important for those suffering symptoms from traumatic brain injuries. For some, it’s providing companionship for an individual who has lost touch with their friends struggling to adapt to someone who’s been changed by injury.

“Matt has made an impact on dozens of lives,” said Hawes. “He is very deserving of this award.”

ARRM is touring the state recognizing each of the six ARRM Cares Award winners during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Learn more about the ARRM Cares Award and other winners at www.ARRM.org/ARRM-Cares.

Larissa Beck receives Matthew Smith Memorial Award

Shared with ARRM via news release by Reach for Resources, Inc.

Last month, ARRM Member Reach for Resources, Inc. recognized one of its outstanding employees, Larissa Beck, for her passion and dedication. Larissa received the Matthew Smith Memorial Award, named after Matthew Smith, a Reach employee who passed away while employed as our Community Living Program Manager. Larissa herself was hired by Matthew and worked for him in her first few years at Reach. After Matthew’s passing, Reach established this award in his honor to recognize a current employee who embodies his spirit and contributions to the organization and the people it supports.

"Approaching her 10-year anniversary with Reach this summer, Larissa Beck, our Community Living Program Manager, is being honored by her co-workers with this special award.

Larissa Beck, Community Living Program Manager

"One wrote, 'As a co-worker, Larissa is always eager to lend a hand…or an ear…whatever the case may be. She welcomes all new staff members with her kind, friendly demeanor and generously offers support and encouragement.'

"As a leader, Larissa respects everyone equally, allowing them to take ownership of their own situations, and has a gift of empowering others in a way that capitalizes on their strengths. She is capable of being firm and holding others accountable when needed, and her consistent fairness is a sign of trust that challenges those around her to reach higher and farther.

"As an advocate for her fellow human beings, she is passionate and compassionate. Larissa personifies Reach’s mission and is dedicated to serving others, making us proud to recognize her in this way."

Larissa is an active participant in ARRM on behalf of Reach for Resources, including service on the ARRM Service Innovations Committee and the Unit Based Services Task Force. Congratulations, Larissa!

New Platform Expanding Options for People with Disabilities, Support Providers

Rumi is a new online platform recently launched by Bridges MN designed to match individuals who have a disability waiver with a compatible roommate. The end goal is to create a living situation that helps both parties thrive.

Since launching in the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area in June, 2018, the interest in Rumi has exceeded Bridges’ expectations as hundreds of interested individuals have completed online profiles, and many of those users already have match(es), with whom they are communicating. “This wave of interest shows that Rumi is an in-demand solution and something new which people are excited about and ready for,” said Blake Elliott, VP of Disability Services, of Bridges MN.

Here’s how Rumi works - Shared Living

The platform is designed to maximize choices of individuals with disability waivers, including residence options, support staff, and service provider organization (individuals can work with any service provider through Rumi). Rumi was designed to be a public utility, a public exchange which will not only help people reach their desired level of independence, but through its success generate savings in state long-term care budgets and free up limited licensed community-based service placements.

Interested individuals sign up by completing a profile. With all profiles, the Rumi team completes identity verifications and runs preliminary background checks. If approved, a limited, security-friendly version of the profile will appear on the site. The user will be free to view other limited and approved profiles. If they spot a person who seems like a great match, they can “wave” at the other profile. A wave says they’re interested in starting a conversation. If the other party waves back, they’ll automatically get to view the person’s full profile and start a conversation. If it is an ideal match, great! If not, they can keep looking.

Throughout the entire process, the Rumi team is available to help users. Once a match is made, the team is available to help locate housing (if necessary). The Bridges team stands behind the platform to assist in the finalization of relationships, support services and finances.

For potential support staff, Rumi offers additional opportunities to utilize their special skills. As a roommate, they provide similar supports as in other HCBS settings, except their income is earned tax-free. Furthermore, because the supports are based on their individual roommate’s needs, a Rumi relationship can range from supplemental to a full-time Direct Support Professional job.

Continuing to lead

The launch of Rumi is a prime example of Minnesota’s Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) provider community continuing to provide national leadership in the advancement of supports for people with disabilities. Nearly 50 years ago, the first ARRM members became leaders in opening private homes for people leaving institutional care to live more individually and independently in community-settings, and today they continue to develop creative solutions and use modern tools to create person-centered opportunities for people, while maximizing the public Medicaid resources which fund more than 95 percent of all HCBS programs.

Based on Bridges’ projections, Rumi’s success has the potential to save significant dollars in the state’s Medicaid budget and free up other in-demand licensed residential options, such as group homes.

For more information, visit www.MeetMyRumi.com

To view a real life Rumi success story, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ6236AkYsU

For Some DSPs, A Lifelong Passion

A common theme for Direct Support Professionals (DSP) is a passion for supporting people and assisting them in achieving their goals. However, how people come to the profession, and what they're looking to achieve can be very different. For some, it's a critical stepping stone to another career in health care and human services. For others, it's a fulfilling place to land for a career change. 

For many, like Lyndi Hudson of Tender Loving Care and Jennifer Husom of Life By Design, it's a lifelong career born from childhood experiences.

Enriching Lives, Creating Innovative Supports

Lyndi Hudson learned from her mother at a young age that small actions can have huge impacts in a person's life, and that her professional career would be filled with chances to make a difference. Lyndi was selected as one of the 2018 ARRM Cares Winners as an outstanding DSP in part because she realizes the importance of the those small actions and accomplishments for people and therefore is a tirelessly creative support for people seeking to reach their goals.

Friend, Teacher, Mentor, Advocate

Jenn Husom has played the role of DSP even before she was old enough to be a DSP. With a mother working in the field, Jenn was exposed to a field of work dedicated to the value of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live their best life and make choices about their independence. She began volunteering as a kid and has never lost her passion for supporting people to use their unique skills and traits to reach their goals. That lifelong commitment means she's been a part of some people's lives for decades, like Fred. That special relationship and skill to transition between friend, teacher, mentor, and advocate has been a significant part of the foundation Fred built to move into his apartment, grow a great relationship with his girlfriend, and become an advocate for others seeking greater independence and autonomy. Fred was the first out of his chair to cheer Jenn when she received a 2018 ARRM Cares Award.

 

Share Jenn and Lyndi's story, and add your own example of lifelong passion for supporting people.

Self-Care For DSPs (and everyone else!)

By the Integrity Living Options Hiring and Training Division (originally authored for Mental Health Awareness Month)

Self-care is not indulgent. It is a real practice that focuses our minds and bodies on relieving stress that we encounter before we are overwhelmed by it. Your health -- both mentally and physically -- can affect how well you do your job or how well you manage the stress of your job.  

There is no “one-size-fits-all” self-care plan, but there is a common thread: making a commitment to attend to all the domains of your life, including your physical and psychological health, emotional and spiritual needs, and relationships. We spend time in our professional lives assisting clients with goals of eating better, getting more sleep, drinking more water, appropriately navigating stressful situations - but do we take our own advice?

Basic tips for good health

These likely won’t be surprising, but let’s review and consider how much these strategies could improve your health and well-being.

Nutrition

Consider all five basic food groups when preparing meals. Preparing meals in advance is conducive to more sound choices for busy professionals who have higher travel demands. Be conscientious of portion sizes.

Hydration

Staying hydrated can greatly assist the way you feel and the caliber in which you function. A good routine to follow would be: drink a glass when you wake up, a glass with each meal, a glass in between meals, and before, during, and after exercising.

Rest

Getting adequate and meaningful sleep is imperative to solid functioning. Studies show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency also has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.

Support to expect

As staff, you are working with a variety of different clients and challenges. It is imperative that all employees receive a variety of support. So what support should you expect?

• Thorough understanding of your job responsibilities
• Variety of ongoing training to assist in the success of your employment
• Necessary resources and tool to meet the demands of your job
• Regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss concerns, get feedback or problem solve difficulty you are experiencing
• A team of colleagues to debrief and collaborate with

Intense and challenging situations you may encounter working in this field can leave you with a variety of unresolved feelings at times during your career. Taking the time you need to process events with your supervisor is an important part of your self-care plan.

Refresh and renew

Lastly, there are thousands of ways to practice self-care and the Internet is filled with free resources to provide examples of ways that others apply self-care to their life.  We have provided some ideas below to start off your own brainstorming!

• Create something
• Make a budget and keep track of your money
• Splurge, a little, as a reward or a relief
• Try something new in your living space. Rearrange your furniture in a way that makes it more comfortable
• Journal
• Develop an energizing morning routine or a relaxing evening routing
• Try a new experience
• Connect with friends and family
• Read
• Garden
• Find a new hobby, or revisit an old one
• Intentionally schedule “me time” on your planner
• Use online tutorials to learn something new
• Discover your stress indicators and create plans to address them as they arise
• Listen to a podcast
• Declutter your wardrobe
• Tidy up
• Unplug from social media for a pre-determined length of time
• Learn to say no without feeling guilty
• Check your to-do list for something that you can accomplish
• Assemble a puzzle
• Make a playlist
• Cook or bake
• Practice meditation
• Exercise – even if just means walking around the block
• Spend time in nature
• Have a good laugh
• Volunteer your time for a cause that is meaningful to you
• Take a hot shower or bath

Integrity Living Options is a Twin Cities-based agency that provides a number of services and supports to individuals with a wide range of disabilities throughout Minnesota.

DSPs, Champions of Independence

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) aren't simply caregivers. They bundle a host of skills and techniques together to assist people in achieving their goals for independent and community living. For some, they employ advanced communications skills to develop or learn the non-verbal language with which a person communicates. For others, they are trained with skilled nursing techniques to provide critical care a person needs which would otherwise require admittance to a nursing facility. For even others, they engage in patient psychology to assist a person overcome their internal barriers to create the best life they are looking for.

Many use all these skills and more!

A Champion for Independence

Regardless of the skills required in a support plan, one thing all DSPs have in common is being champions of the people they support and their goals for independence, whatever they may be. Each of the 2018 ARRM Cares winners exemplifies this quality, and Sarah Kern of Dungarvin Minnesota has it in spades. Sarah found her passion when she made a career change to our field, like so many DSPs not simply stopping at accomplishing a task but being a fierce and tireless advocate for the people she works with.

Creating a New Voice Through Education, Innovation

 

2018 ARRM Cares Nominee Jennie Davis (Opportunity Partners)

An important part of being a strong advocate is ensuring people can have their voices heard, and often those whose voice may be getting lost. DSPs like ARRM Cares nominee Jennie Davis from Opportunity Partners learn complex and unique forms of communication of people they support to understand their needs and wants. In Jennie's case, not only does she support people in learning healthier ways to communicate, when she has the opportunity she also educates the broader public to foster not only stronger understanding, but respect. Doing such work to build up a network of community supports is a critical step for many people to reach their goals for independence. 

Stay tuned

ARRM will be sharing other stories of ARRM Cares Winners and nominees over the next several weeks to showcase why the work of direct care staff is so important and why it deserves both celebration and advocacy for higher wages and supports for the people who do this job. Stay tuned!

Subscribe to our blog to receive updates when we post new stories like Berg's and DeMario's

Technology for individuals with I/DD in an ever-advancing technological world! (sponsored)

By Tim Janssen, Sengistix

Sengistix, LLC is the Diamond Sponsor of the 2018 ARRM Annual Conference

Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate.  From transportation to home automation, we are part of a digital transformation. Moore’s Law says that the processing power of technology doubles approximately every 18 months (Source 1); many technologists argue the rate could be even shorter in the 21st century. Many of us have family members who remember the days of calling a switchboard operator to be connected to their friend down the road, and now they can communicate with that same person without ever picking up a telephone (and soon, they may be asking, “What’s a telephone, anyway?”).  These same beloved folks can now get all essential items delivered to their door in two days or less, a feat only minutely comparable to the milkman of yesteryear.

Reveling in the possibilities at our fingertips is amazing – but when doing so we must consider how technology impacts the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It is our duty as advocates, family, and friends to be thinking of the possibilities technology can make available to those we care about.  

At Sengistix, we are humbled to be a part of many individuals’ path to increased autonomy and independence. The use of remote support technologies such as sensors, medication dispensers, and, yes, cameras, can allow individuals to live in their desired environment while knowing a safety net is in place. Not only is safety being improved through the notification of individuals, natural supports, and staff of important happenings in a home, but new relationships are being established. For example, our friend Joe counts on Sengistix to remotely support him by observing his self-administration of meds, but also appreciates seeing familiar faces on his computer each morning before work asking what his plan is for the day. He recently sent us photos from prom, including the shiny crown he sported all evening. Joe’s support team never imagined his network would grow through the use of technology. He is happy to share that it has!

It may feel like technology is moving at the speed of light while human services are moving at a slightly slower pace. That is even more reason to ensure individuals with IDD are kept abreast of the possibilities! Sengistix is always open to sharing more stories like Joe’s, and discussing the options available to support new goals.

 

Tim Janssen is Operations Director for Sengistix, LLC. Sengistix is a provider of a full array of technology-based remote supports. Sengistix is responding to the transformation of the health and human services system by bringing new automated sensing technology solutions to caregivers that improve safety, enhance the quality of life, and increase options for greater independence for all individuals requiring support.