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‘INVALUABLE: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support’ Touring Vermont

Green Mountain Support Services is proud to be partnering with other local agencies to bring Jerry Smith of the Institute on Community Integration to tour Vermont and share his documentary that highlights the DSP workforce crisis.

November 20th - Main Street Landing Film House, Burlington. 6pm.  November 21st - The Savoy Theater, 26 Main Street, Montpelier. 1pm.  November 21st - Tuttle Hall Theater, Rutland. 6pm. November 22nd – CCV, Bennington. 3pm. “We need a million new workers in the next 10 years to do direct support. Where are they going to come from and how are we going to keep them?” Invaluable: The Unrecognized Profession of Direct Support is a documentary film exploring the underappreciated and underfunded work of direct support professionals (DSPs), the people who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living full lives as members of their communities. Through stories and interviews with DSPs, family members, advocates, and people with disabilities from across the country, the film honors the complexity of the work and the immense value it provides to individuals receiving support. And it asks us to take action now in strengthening the DSP workforce before the system collapses.  Each documentary showing will be followed by a Question and Answer session. The documentary is ‘about’ DSPs, but it is not ‘for’ DSPs.  The audience should be everyone who is affected by the DSP workforce crisis.  (i.e. all human service agency staff, self-advocates, parents/guardians, legislators) To Learn More: ici.umn.edu/product/invaluable/main   We are really excited to once again have Vermont at the forefront in advocating for the rights of all.  

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New Shared Living Provider Coordinator Helps Hard Working SLPs

Most of you have seen Chelsea Miller at the front desk or have talked to her on the phone. In addition to her front desk duties, she was  pleased to assume the newly created position of Shared Living Provider (SLP) Coordinator.

She is here for our Shared Living Providers, to help make their jobs easier and to allow  service coordinators to focus more on client-related services. She has been trained by ARIS so that she can offer support and information on the issues most important to our SLPs.

For example, she can help you with respite hiring packets, time sheets, or understanding ARIS Employer Handbook. She has also been asked to help support our Peer Support Network, and will be attending the Quarterly SLP meetings at which she will offer assistance as needed.

 New Home Inspection Rules

Another change that is happening in our agency, and around our state, pertains to home inspections as both the state requirements and our processes for meeting those requirements have recently changed.

The state has contracted with a new inspection agency called Ever Green. Where previously your service coordinator oversaw the home inspection process, it is now Chelsea’s responsibility to ensure that every SLP’s home safety inspection, and, if needed, accessibility inspection, is completed and uploaded into the new state database.  If you had an accessibility inspection that was started, but not completed by Green Dolphin, the previous inspection agency, she will contact you as the state has advised us that getting those inspections completed must be a top priority.

Effective July 1, 2017, per state regulation, routine safety inspections shall be conducted every five (5) years in homes originally inspected on or after July 1, 2011.

If deficiencies are identified during any of the re-inspections, GMSS and Chelsea will follow the process outlined in the Vermont Housing Safety and Accessibility Inspection Process.

If a deficiency is determined to be an immediate safety issue for the individual a move would be required.  Otherwise, a 30-day timeline to correct the deficiencies will be strictly enforced when the individual receiving DAIL-funded services is already living in the home.

I hope this information is helpful to you.  We look forward to creating more connections and stronger communication with each and every one of you. We have enjoyed having Chelsea here at Green Mountain Support Services, and we look forward to better supporting you.

-Joshua Smith

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"Flexible Choices" Allow People to Stay in Their Home

Green Mountain Support Services is excited to announce a new program designed to support the needs of our aging population and their caregivers. The Flexible Choices program will help Vermont seniors remain safe and independent for as long as possible in their communities. We offer friendly, quality in-home and community supports for a wide range of needs. We understand that there is not a one-size-fits all solution to care needs. Our Flexible Choices program utilizes person centered thinking skills to work with seniors and their loved ones to create custom solutions to care giving needs that focus on the person needing supports and contribute to their quality of life. One of our team members will schedule a face to face meeting to gain an understanding of your needs and then work to pair you with a trained direct support professional who can provide the supports you choose. Some of the services our trained direct support professionals can provide include:

· Bathing Assistance

· Dressing Assistance

· Medication Reminders

· Meal Preparation

· Companionship

· Light Housekeeping

· Laundry Assistance

· Errands and Shopping

· Visits to favorite places and activities in the community

· Respite care for family caregivers

 Flexible Choices can provide compassionate care with dignity for you and your loved one. Our person centered, interactive approach transforms basic care giving into opportunities for meaningful interactions that engage and enrich the physical, mental, social and emotional lives of seniors in our community. Call Green Mountain Support Services to see if our new Flexible Choices program is right for you, 802-888-7602.

-Brenda Donley (Choice For Care Program Manager)

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"I Am Here" Premieres on Vermont PBS

On Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm, Vermont PBS will host the premiere broadcast of the short film, “I am in Here” as part of their “Made Here” program. This award-winning docudrama, written by Mark Utter and filmed by Jim Heltz and produced by Emily Anderson, showcases a day in Mark’s life before he had access to “facilitated communication.” In the film, a visitor from his intelligent mind tells the audience what Mark is really thinking.

(Colchester, VT) Champlain Community Services (CCS) announces that Vermont PBS will present the premiere television broadcast of the short movie, “I am in here.” as part of their “Made Here” program, featuring regional filmmakers that see the world from unique and vast perspectives. This award-winning docudrama, written by Mark Utter, showcases a day in Mark’s life before he had access to “facilitated communication.” In the film, a visitor from his intelligent mind tells the audience what Mark is really thinking.

 “I am in here,” described by Utter as, “a docudrama with hues of tragicomedy mixed in,” highlights the contrast between people’s perceptions of Mark and the intelligent man trapped inside.

 Asked about his motivation to make the film, Utter replied, “I was stuck, and the only way out was literally to tell my story, bringing into employment my until-then misunderstood mind.” What he hopes people take from the film is a greater understanding that no matter our “labels,” we all struggle to communicate – and that those of us who have a much harder time of it might have more insight into the art of communication.

 “I really want people to believe that we are all in our minds, and to look at us ‘different’ people with eyes that try to presume our competence,” Utter said.

 Like many children with autism, Mark grew up unable to speak. (In the U.S. prior to the 1980s, most children and young adults with autism were excluded from traditional schools. Some were placed in mental institutions.) But at age 30, Mark’s life changed when he was introduced to the idea of communicating with typing by Pascal Cheng.

 Since then, Mark has gone on to not only author a successful screenplay, but to author a popular blog, “Utterly Mark” and travels as an in-demand consultant and motivational speaker. And he says he’s not nearly finished communicating and growing.

 “I still crave a larger impact that will truly allow me to live my true vision of a good life,” Utter said.

 “I am in here.” airs on Vermont PBS along with a 15-minute interview with Mark on 04/11/19, 7:00 pm with subsequent airing on 04/13/19, 11:00pm Vermont PBS Plus, 04/14/19, 2:00 pm Vermont PBS, 04/15/19, 9:00 pm Vermont PBS Plus, 04/26/19, 9:36 pm Vermont PBS Plus.

 A trailer is available at: http://www.utterenergy.org/iaminhere

 More information on Mark Utter at www.utterenergy.org

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Opening Soon! St. Johnsbury!

By Elizabeth Walters — Our Saint Johnsbury office will soon open officially, and we are delighted that we will be able to provide better customer service to our GMSS community members in the Northeast Kingdom. 

We have served the people of the Northeast Kingdom for over 25 years and we finally have a convenient location to provide services and support in the heart of Caledonia County.

Our new location is on Saint Johnsbury’s historic Main St., opposite the Saint Johnsbury House and right next to the Hilltopper Restaurant. 

As of beginning of March, phones and Internet are operational.  Painting is done.  Furniture will arrive by mid March.  The copier/fax machine is expected in the very near future. 

Scott Franks (AFC Team Service Coordinator) and I are already ‘home-based’ there.  We are currently hiring for an additional service coordinator, as well as administrative support staff, and we will continue to grow and hire – we think quickly – to meet local need. 

Very soon, GMSS teams will be able to get support, pick up forms, hold team meetings, schedule appointments with Dr. Van Tuinen, and more, at the office of their choosing. Stay tuned for the announcement of our official opening!  You’ll find us here.

1222 Main St., Suite 102

Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819

802-424-1636 (Tel)

802-424-1638 (Fax)

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GMSS: 2019 Best Places to Work in Vermont!

Green Mountain Support Services (GMSS) was recently named as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Vermont. The twelfth annual list of the Best Places to Work in Vermont was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group.

 For over 30 years, GMSS has provided community –based supports for those with disabilities in northern Vermont. We stand out from other agencies in our mission statement. We “Empower Neighbors with Disabilities to be at Home in the Community.”

 “We truly believe that. We do not do congregate or segregated settings and firmly believe that everyone has gifts and experiences to share,” said Joshua Smith the Executive Director.  “This is how people should be connected; through shared gifts, passions, and experiences, and not solely on their diagnosis.”

 This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The 2019 Best Places to Work in Vermont list is made up of (number) companies.

  “We hold ourselves to a high standard not only providing genuine person-centered supports to those we serve but also hold our employees in very high regard, by providing them with innovative and empathetic benefits,” stated Smith

 Two of our more successful programs is offering our staff unlimited vacation and also pay them money to quit smoking. Due to these and other benefits, we have the highest retention rate in Vermont in the non-profit human service category which has significantly reduced our administrative costs. We are also proud to state that our administrative costs always hover between 4% and 5%.

 Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Vermont. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Vermont and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

 The final rankings for each category will be announced at a special awards presentation in early spring 2019.

 For more information on the Best Places to Work in Vermont program, visit www.BestPlacesToWorkInVT.com.

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Our Meeting Rooms

When we moved into our new location, we had 10 meeting rooms that needed to be named. We are proud to be part of a world -wide culture that advocates and supports everyone, no matter what their gifts and abilities, has a human right to a life they choose and will not be judged by a system that collectively places them in a setting based on a diagnosis.

Our meeting rooms have been named after leaders and advocates in the disability, brain injury, and elder care services field. We are inspired to have these passionate people honored in this small way.

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Celebrate Differences in 2019

Every January, most of us make resolutions and goals for the New Year. We either plan on becoming better people, or dream of maintaining gratefulness in what we presently have. For me, my goal for 2019 is to celebrate our differences.

We all seem to be trending towards staying in our comfort zone, and one of the easiest ways to stay there is to spend time with people who are just like us.

These people agree with us, they think how we do think, and have a similar opinion on the questions we ask. But even if this seems to make our lives easier, there is also a hitch.

By only spending time with people like us we can't grow; despite feeling slightly comfortable hanging around people who differ from us, doing so helps us to grow.

1. INCREASES SELF-AWARENESS

Being around those who think differently than we do actually helps us to better understand ourselves. We consider the reasons why we decide to be who we are. It also helps us to move away from a “Me versus them " and a "good versus bad" mentality.

2. INCREASES CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS.

People who are different demand that our thinking, our perception, and what we consider to be normal be brought to the forefront of our thinking. We can easily fall into the trap of seeing things only from our limited perspective. Being with others who see things differently, makes us aware that there are many different perspectives.

3. IMPROVES DECISION-MAKING SKILLS

Having people around us who are able to see situations from many different angles helps us to get a more complete and clearer picture, from which we can then make better informed decisions.

Abraham Lincoln was well known for putting people in his cabinet who thought quite differently from him. While many would find this threatening, he realized he had blind spots in his own thinking and needed people who were strong in the areas that he was weak in. This helped him form a strong multi-faceted team that was seldom caught off guard because they had not thought of all aspects of an issue.

Ram Dass, the famous New England philosopher once said,

“When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying ‘You are too this, or I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”

All of us here at GMSS, wish you a grateful and different 2019.

-Joshua Smith

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GMSS Pays their DSPs to Take Time Off

Our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) work hard.  Despite our generous benefits of giving our full time DSPs 6 weeks of paid time off per year and 4 weeks of paid time off per year for our part time DSPs, they still struggle to take time away for themselves.

Study after study shows that those who have a healthy work / life balance are happier and healthier employees.  Those who do not take time off also are highly susceptible to Accumulated Stress Disorder (burnout). 

In order to take care of the people we serve, we also need to take care of our DSPs.

We have implemented a new vacation policy.  We want our DSPs to take time off.  We need them to be happy, healthy, and feel respected, honored, and appreciated.

In 2019, in addition to the 6 or 4 weeks of paid time off they have access to, they will also receive a check for $200 to spend on their vacation; but with a few caveats:

·         You plan 4 months in advance

·         Take a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks off. (no half days, or only one week off)

·         Whole team is made aware (Shared Living Provider, person we work for, and supervisor)

·         Not during ‘high traffic’ time (Christmas / New Years, hunting season)

 Basically, we are not meant to be martyrs.  The work we do, advocating and supporting is hard work, but taking care of oneself needs to always be a priority and GMSS’ mission of empowering our neighbors with disabilities to be at home in the community can only happen when we have happy and healthy DSPs who are truly valued.

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GMSS Launches Peer Support Network for DSPs & SLPs

The work our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Shared Living Providers (SLPs) do is hard, very hard.  Not only are they consistently out in front supporting those we serve, but they also have a very lonely job.  Unlike most others in the Human Services sector, who can reach out to a colleague for advice or support simply by walking down the hall, our DSPs, because of the nature of our community-based services system, can’t easily connect with their peers.  As a result, they are too often isolated in their work. Green Mountain Support Services appreciates tremendously the work of its DSPs and SLPs, and strives, therefore, to recognize and support them. Our newest initiative is the formation of the Green Mountain Support Services Peer Support Network (PSN).  GMSS reached out to all of our DSPs and SLPs to find those who might be interested in participating, and we were able to form a group who feel strongly about ensuring our Peer Support Network is effective. On October 26th, Dr. Christina Moore, who also created the Peer Support Network program for Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), came up to GMSS and trained four of our DSPs and four of our SLPs to become the first-in-the-nation, DSP and SLP Peer Support Network that follows the internationally renowned MSF model. Our Peer Support Network will be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for advice and support.  They will also be reaching out periodically to their peers via text, email, or post mail, offering to call when appropriate.

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What Is A DSP?

Well the official title that these three letters stand for is Direct Support Professional, but is that really what we are? Or are we more? We are more; we are teachers, doctors, therapists, physical therapist, and nurses.  Some may say friends and some may say not -that topic is still up for discussion. However, most of all we are advocates. We are the voices when there is not a voice.  We are the protectors when there is an unsafe situation.  We are the nudge on the shoulder pushing you forward when you feel like shying away. We are not just DSPs. We are so many different things. We wear many hats and we need to be heard.  Not only do we need to be heard, we need to be recognized. Did you know we, as DSPs, do not even exist in this world as a recognized profession?  Yes, we have titles and, yes, we get up every day, go to work, and do amazing things, but we are not considered a profession. Why? Because there is not a class you can take in college or a training school, you can attend to become a DSP. WE need to be the change, and you can be part of that by visiting www.change.org and signing this important petition: Establish a Direct Support Professional Standard Occupational Classification

It honestly was a shock to learn that just because I did not go to school to do the job I am doing that basically I am a ‘nothing’ in the eyes of so many.  Let me throw a statistic at you: ¼ of DSP workers in the United States are immigrants. Immigrants get paid minimum wage and still love their jobs, because they have been taught by their cultures to love and respect ALL, especially their elders. They come in, do an amazing job, and do great things. Our culture should show similar respect and concern for all.

As we all know, technology has come a long way, but could you imagine having a camera installed in your home watching you all day? Can you imagine having question or support need and having to direct that need to someone who appears only a monitor?  What quality of life can you have if a screen is your primary source of companionship and support?  It is terrifying to me that this could be the new age. Do not get me wrong.  Technological tools such as this can be great for some people who want to be independent and just need a quick check in here and there, but the people we support deserve to have friendly faces with them each day. They deserve to feel safe knowing they have that special person coming to spend quality time with them.

Here are the numbers that keep playing in my head: $2,800-$4,200.00.  This is the cost to an agency each time a DSP leaves employment. While on the trip to St. Louise for the NADSP conference, some people said to me that it is almost easier to keep the people we support home than it is to have another failed DSP. This idea, that some of the people we support might have to stay home, literally breaks my heart, and the people we support are at risk of this given our field’s high turnover.  Turnover happens for many reasons, some of which we can do something about:

Staff are UNDERPAID

Staff feel UNAPPRECIATED

Staff get BURNT OUT

Staff aren’t recognized as PROFESSIONALS

Staff members’ special qualities and strengths are not VALUED

We are held to very high performance standards, yet we are not paid well, taught enough, or known and valued by our communities.  We are the unknown profession and that is a reality.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS NOW!!  Join me in this by visiting www.change.org today.

- A DSP who loves the job, Lindsey Wood

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We Will Pay You Hundreds of Dollars to Quit Smoking

GMSS will pay you to quit smoking.  We will pay your husband, wife, or kids to quit smoking.

Nearly half a million people die each year in the US due to tobacco use. GMSS is proud to offer this to Employees, Shared Living Providers and their family members.

We all know that if one wants to quit smoking it is hard.  Really hard.  We basically want to help make it a small bit easier with offering cash.

Josh Smith, the Executive Director, stated, “We are not being altruistic here.  Frankly, it helps with our health insurance.  On average, an employee who smokes costs us a few thousand dollars annually on health care costs, and loss of productivity.  That is why we are offering our direct employees up to $1300 to quit.”

We do not cover the health insurance of our Shared Living Providers (SLPs), so what is the benefit of GMSS to provide a similar incentive?  Smith states, “SLPs are an incredibly important part of our system, and they serve as a physical and emotional support to all those we provide services for.  If they need help in quitting, then as a part of the GMSS family, we need to give them a similar incentive.”

So why offer this to employee spouses?  Most of them are covered by our health insurance, so it would benefit GMSS to offer a similar incentive.

Why SLP spouses?  There is no financial benefit to GMSS, it is just the right thing to do.

This the newest innovative benefit we are providing to all of our GMSS friends.  We are always creatively searching for ways to offer incentive benefits for all GMSS staff.

GMSS Employee Breakdown:

Visit with your PCP to discuss quitting: $100

Completion of a free four-week smoking cessation program: $200

Tobacco free after six months: $300

Tobacco free after twelve months: $300

Tobacco free after eighteen months: $200

Tobacco free after twenty-four months: $200

GMSS Employee Family Member and/or GMSS Shared Living Provider Breakdown:

Visit with your PCP to discuss quitting: $100

Completion of a free four-week smoking cessation program: $100

Tobacco free after six months: $200

Tobacco free after twelve months: $200

Tobacco free after eighteen months: $200

Tobacco free after twenty-four months: $200

GMSS Shared Living Provider Family Member Breakdown:

Visit with your PCP to discuss quitting: $50

Completion of a free four-week smoking cessation program: $50

Tobacco free after six months: $100

Tobacco free after twelve months: $100

Tobacco free after eighteen months: $100

Tobacco free after twenty-four months: $100

If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Human Resources Office.

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Part 1: We Named Our Meeting Rooms After People

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