2008 Statewide Directors Meeting Break-Out Session Outcomes for Jackson Disengagement Strategies

The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) provided a series of information sharing and strategy sessions to improve critical Jackson Lawsuit disengagement issues.  The outcomes were offered as possible solutions for disengagement.  The outcomes are listed under each of the following Break-Out Session Topics:

Strategic Session Topic (click on link to reveal outcome strategy):

Aspiration Risk Management facilitated by Betsey Finley

• This small group considered a variety of topics related to aspiration risk management.  These topics included training; follow up for aspiration events, team responsibilities and plan development; funding and staff follow through on implementation of mealtime plans.

• The group selected training as the focus topic.  The topic of training is quite broad and complex.  Discussion included elements for content; basic caregiver training; mandatory training requirements and the need for professional staff training to assure a level baseline of knowledge.  The group elected to focus on professional training.  This training was envisioned as a "Traveling Aspiration Academy" intended to assure consistent knowledge and to support the professional's comfort level with aspiration risk management planning and approaches.

• Barriers - Multiple barriers to consistent aspiration risk management planning were identified.  These included the educational preparation of the wide variety of professionals that serve on teams since all schools may not have offered in depth aspiration management information with the exception of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and some schools of nursing; the length of time after graduation and the wide variety of professional experience with aspiration management in various professional settings.  Added issues include the need for professionals to communicate effectively with teams, direct care staff and other professionals.  Limited resources in rural areas and funding were also identified as barriers.

• Strategy - The workgroup identified a "Traveling Aspiration Academy" that would be available for professional staff to include Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), SLP, nursing, behavioral support consultant and physicians and other primary health practitioners.  This team would travel and offer training statewide.  Elements of the training would include didactic lecture, presentation of case studies with video/x-ray examples, sample paperwork, and small group work related to planning. The participants of this group offered to continue to function as a Statewide Aspiration Training Workgroup to develop and review training content and strategies for this project.

Healthcare Coordination facilitated by Jennifer Thorne-Lehman and Travis Goldman

ISP Implementation facilitated by Cathy Stevenson

Assistive Technology facilitated by Jamie Noon

Supported Employment facilitated by Judith Stevens and Pamela Dobson

Meaningful Day facilitated by Susan Shapero and Tricia Farnham

Quality of ISP and Facilitation of Meetings facilitated by Paul Schwalje and Lisa Storti

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