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We are pleased to share the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter with news, updates, and highlights from our Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities program. Like you, we are looking forward to the possibilities fall brings.
In honor of nationally recognized Direct Support Professional week: September 11-17, 2022, this newsletter is dedicated to our dedicated and incredible Direct Support Professionals (DSP), Job coaches, and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Counselors. We are grateful for you and the difference and impact you make in the lives of our beloved clients every day.
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Updates to Appendix K
On April 25, 2020, a memo was issued by then-Secretary Robert Neall outlining certain flexibilities which were possible only during the emergency declared by Governor Hogan and was to expire immediately at the end of the declared emergency or when revised by additional orders.
Appendix K is the document that allowed for a number of key flexibilities in how the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services were provided and billed for during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Key flexibilities included (but were not limited to):
- Remote/virtual supports.
- Providers allowed to bill for a day of service if at least one hour of meaningful day service is provided.
- Sharing of staff among providers.
- Family members allowed to act as paid staff.
Thousands of people with developmental disabilities, their families, and community providers relied on Appendix K to provide flexible supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few months, we’ve provided updates to Appendix K. The latest news is a memo released by the Developmental Disability Administration on 9/16/22 indicated that Appendix K flexibilities, which were due to expire on 9/30/22, will now extend through January 31st, 2023.
For a complete, detailed list of the flexibilities and Executive Orders, click here.
These updates and more can be accessed on the DDA COVID-19 Resource page.
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• FROM THE DESK OF THE JCS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR • | |
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As we have emerged from the public health crisis of the pandemic our goal has been to successfully transition and integrate our clients into the community. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank our remarkable Direct Support Professionals (DSP, Job coaches, and Psychiatric Rehabilitation - PRP Counselors), who have successfully completed this goal in the following ways:
- We welcomed two new clients into our residential homes and integrated our clients back to their day programs and other community-based events.
- Clients continued to receive personalized care in their own home through our Psychiatric Rehabilitation program and our Supported Living program
- These exceptional services enabled our clients to live with dignity and exercise their independence.
- We have officially instituted our Supported living program.
- Our Employment Support Services continued to work with clients in-person and virtually on job readiness, social, technical, problem solving and independent living skills, as well as placing our clients in jobs and internships.
We are so fortunate to have incredible DSPs, Job coaches, and PRP counselors, who have remained dedicated to our mission driven work and our clients and their families. Our staff do their job effortlessly and as a labor of love, however we understand and appreciate the remarkable effort and challenging work that it takes to be a successful Direct care staff. Without your dedication and skills, we would not have been able to continue to serve our clients during this past year.
I also want to mention the importance of our partnership with the families of our clients. It takes a true working team to properly service our clients. I thank you for your partnership and for supporting us in serving your loved ones. We are truly honored that you have chosen JCS as your provider.
No one knows what lies ahead for us this coming year, but I am grateful for our Direct Support Professionals, Job coaches, and PRP counselors, and with them in place, I know we will have another productive and successful year ahead.
With gratitude,
Joan Grayson Cohen
Executive Director
Jewish Community Services
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•IN CELEBRATION - DSP RECOGNITION WEEK• | |
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Watch our video thank you to all of the amazing
JCS Direct Support Professionals.
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There were many great DSP Recognition Week events! | |
• FROM THE DESK OF STAFF AND FAMILIES • | |
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A Day in the Life of a DSP Worker
By Angelia Lewis, Direct Support Professional and Job Coach for our Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities (SSID) program at JCS
I started in this field as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in October of 2015. Never would I have thought in my wildest dreams, that as a single parent raising two adult males with developmental disabilities, that I would find myself using 32 years of the knowledge, insight, and simply put, true-to-life experiences of my own personal journey to help guide, motivate, support, encourage, and inspire other adults with disabilities as they navigate through their own personal life's journey.
Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a general term referring to staff who work directly with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. DSPs aim to assist clients in realizing their full potential, assisting them to become integrated and engaged in their community both in residential and non-residential settings such as employment.
As a DSP worker, I am more than a staff. In many ways, I serve as a listener, a cheerleader, a counselor, a friend, a confidant, resource guide, etc. What has kept me so connected with working in this field for this length of time is the reward of seeing individuals accomplish their dreams and goals. Also, it gives me a sense of gratitude and joy in knowing that I am helping them to discover and pursue their purpose.
I’ve had the privilege of working as a DSP in our Personal supports program as well as our Employment support services program. Clients in our Personal Supports program received personalized care in their own homes by trained and compassionate DSPs like me. In our Employment Support Services, DSPs serve as job coaches to assists job seekers with disabilities, design a customized career path. Supports vary from assisting with seeking or maintaining a job. You may still be wondering, what exactly does a DSP. No worries, in the next few paragraphs, I’ll be walking you through a day in the life of DSP in our Personal Supports and Employment Support Services programs.
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Angelia's Salmon Cakes
"My favorite dish is anything made with salmon...salmon patties, salmon salad, blackened salmon, Cajun salmon."
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- Baby spinach, for serving
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add first 8 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and mix until well incorporated.
- Form into 5, evenly-sized patties. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Cook patties in batches until golden and crispy, 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve over spinach with lemon wedges for squeezing.
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"Sending kudos and gratitude to all who work with and care for SD. Those who know will tell ya - he likes to "check in" at least once a day and give the weather report to many welcoming ears. After his dad passed recently, the team at his house and in the office rallied around him to make sure he was supported - and I know he felt that love. We all did. Thank you - what would we do without you?"
Cara Dustmann
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"My cousin is a resident in a Jewish Community Services Alternative living unit. His caregivers are highly attuned to his needs and his behaviors, even his preferences. He’s non-verbal, so they have developed a strong rapport and great communications techniques, so we know he understands them and vice versa. I am grateful that I’m able to trust that he’s being watched, cared for, engaged with, and happy. The people in his life enrich him every day."
Jeff Samuels
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"The direct support staff working in the group homes are the true backbone of the Jewish Community Services. The day-to-day work they do with the residents is absolutely amazing. My Aunt has been with JCS since May of 2000, and their care for her has been unbelievable. As her health and mental status has declined, their level of care and love has only increased. As far as our family is concerned, the direct support staff are goddesses."
Mark Borinsky
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Keon Boston
Service Recipient
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Meet Keon Boston. Keon has began receiving Employment Support Services with JCS in 2013 when he was 21 years old. He has accomplished a lot throughout this time. Keon says that his JCS job coaches have helped him stay on track and decide on his primary career field of choice. With the help of a job coach, Keon found and registered for a training program. When he finished the training program, they helped him to gain job search skills and prepare for interviews. Once he obtained an employment position, job coaches provided Keon with encouragement and helped him to learn the tasks and duties of his new position. At times, they even came to his job site to help him work at the required pace of his position, providing encouragement by saying, “come on Keon, you can do it!”
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Our diverse team of professionals is dedicated to creating a community in which every person can achieve their highest quality of life and well-being. Are you looking for a rewarding career experience or know someone who is?
Check out open positions with JCS Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities (SSID) and Employment Support Services (ESS):
JCS hosts a Job Open House for Direct Support Professionals every Tuesday:
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Jewish Community Services (JCS) provides programs and services for people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them achieve their goals, enhance their wellbeing, and maximize their independence.
Our Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities offer a range of community-based services for individuals and their families including supported living, residential services, and employment support services.
Our goal is to enable people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and participate as full members of their Jewish and general communities. We are dedicated to inclusion and ensuring everyone is able to live a dignified lifestyle with opportunities for growth, friendship, recreation, and choice.
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