A resource to the community that assists others to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable people with disabilities to move from clients to citizens.

 

      Management/Leadership

      a.   Sheep Are Managed, People Are Led. Building a values-based organization

      b.   The Productivity Chain.  Linking job description, work plan and employee evaluation.

      c.   Managing Time Rather Than It Managing You.  From “busy” to “productive”.

      d.   Facilitation.  How to get people to talk to each other rather than past each other.

e.   Avoiding Titanic Management.  You might have rearranged the desk chairs to get a better view, but you forgot the ship was sinking.

f.    Keeping Your Eyes on the Prize.  The importance of mission, vision and values in the strategic planning process. 

 

      System Issues

a.   From Pilots to Navigators.  A professional journey from continuum to self-determination.

b.   Building a Bridge to the Future.  What to do before the cliff and after the fall from transition to adulthood.

c.   No Place Like Home.  Developing affordable integrated housing options for people with disabilities.

d.   Changing the System One Person at a Time.  If you don’t know what to do, do something!

e.   No More Queen for a Day.  Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

f.    Slaying the Developmental Dragon.  Moving from a system of facilities and readiness to supports and urgency.

 

 

Person/Individual Related

a.  Client or Citizen?  The difference between being “in the community” and “of the community”. 

b.  Keeping the Person in Person-Centered Planning.  The difference between “important to” and “important for”.

c.  Quality or Compliance.  The difference between having a program and having a life.

d.  I Am Smart.  Understanding learning styles to minimize the focus on disability.

e.  Can’t Buy Me Love (Oh, Yes You Can!).  The role of money in friendships and relationships.

f.   The Role of Work in Promoting Community Membershipfor People with Disabilities.Minimum wage means minimum wage.

g.  The Visioning Process for People with Dual Diagnosis.  Beyond the walls of flesh.

h.  If It’s My Life, It Must Be My Plan.  The difference between person-centered planning and system-centered planning.

 

 

      Planning for organizational change
      CRA provides consultation and training to boards, agencies, and others interested in organizational 
      change.  This has included:

·        The downsizing and closing of large residential facilities;

·        The conversion of a facility-based model to a support model, and

·        Strategic and long range planning.

 

 

      Housing and financing strategies.

·        Downsizing and disposal of residential facilities

·        Arranging financing for apartments, single family homes, duplexes, etc.

·        Securing rental subsidies such as Section 8 vouchers and independent group residences and home ownership certificates

·       Securing developmental subsidies such as the low income housing credit, community development block grants and other funding mechanisms that make regular housing in the community affordable and accessible for people with disabilities.

·        Maximizing community resources to make housing affordable for people with disabilities.

 

 

      Individual consultation and support for families and people with disabilities. 
This includes developing individual futures plans for people with disabilities as well as demonstrating how an individual can make a difference in a system one person at a time.

 

 

      Self-Determination:  From Philosophy to Implementation
Focuses on the promise and the pitfalls of moving from a facility model to a support model utilizing the principles of self-determination.  Topics covered include:

·        Person-centered planning

·        Individual budgets

·        Separating housing and supports

·        Building community and personal supports

·        Nontraditional funding strategies

·        Rethinking staffing patterns

 

 

View Derrick's specialties as:
Word document    Adobe PDF
Email Derrick Dufresne