Kamloops
27 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Pat was asked to do a full day presentation on organizational change. Pat shared the story of OCL along with the lessons learned and the challenges faced. Many families and societies joined in on discussion. Those present included Kamloops Society for Community Living (who sponsored the event), Community Living BC, Interior Community Support Services, Along Side Support Services, People in Motion, Chris Rose Therapy Center for Autism, Choices for Gillian Tomyn Society, Jenna’s Caring Team Society, Den Gary Professional Services, Gordon Dewar Society, Cody’s Dream Care Society, All About Brian Society, Thompson Okanagan Community Co-Op and New Perspectives. 
Pat was impressed with the depth of the discussion. Many families and professionals shared ideas and dilemmas. Of most interest was how life sharing works, and how vulnerable people are properly safeguarded. Pat thanks Gail at Kamloops Society for Community Living for the invitation to join in conversation with their community.
NOCLS
26 Jan 2011 1 Comment
Today Pat had the opportunity to meet 4 people from NOCLS in Vernon, BC. These are people that NOCLS has come to provide personalized supports. She had the opportunity to see each of their homes, meet their unpaid housemates, the families and meet the staff who work for each person. They described what was happening in each of their lives and asked for input on how they were doing. Everyone involved knew the importance of having each person supported to have meaningful relationships and have their own jobs, connections and daily activities. Each person has come a long way since the days of institutionalization and group home support. Although they have positive ideas on where they are headed it was reminded to them that the life of each person will only be as good as they support that is given to him or her. A comment from Matt Whiting from NZ was shared with one of the teams that had recognized lost skill level due to inadequate support of the past, “When professionals make mistakes, the scars can last a life time.”
NOCLS is a society in BC that is transitioning from group models of support to personalized lifestyles. They regularly welcome consultants and visitors to brainstorm with, or get critiques from. Pat will be back on Thursday to meet four more people and visit their homes and meet the people in their life.
Visits to British Columbia
25 Jan 2011 5 Comments
Pat Fratangelo had the opportunity to meet with a magnificent agency in Vancouver today called Spectrum Society for Community Living. Spectrum shared it stategic plan with its vision. They believe that together they can create a world where all people are valued, their voices heard, and their choices respected.
Wonderful brainstorming ocurred where we all worked to think more deeply about the roles we each have in the lives of those we support, how we work to manage an agency that listens to its people, and how we work to enable each person to have a more connected life with others in the community.
One of the big questions of the day was what are the hallmarks of true person centered and person directed services? The answers we learned are not all that clear as so much is subtle. We talked about decrease in behavior problems, decrease in incidents, decrease in medications, people being at more peace with themselves and happier with their life. We all agree that personalized budgets are of paramount importance. When all knew that when people have a champion in their life and a good support circle, life is susually more self fullfilled and happy. Everyone agreed that each person needs to be in the pilot seat of their service. And everyone agreed that flexibility was necessary as a person’s needs changes over time.
OCL very much sees those at Spectrum Society as a sister agency sharing the road of moving down new and different paths in the journey of supporting people in the manner that they need and want.
We look forward to having the co directors visiting OCL this summer and will open up a day of their visit to a community presentation.
