Preconference – Tuesday, August 4, 2009

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

There are 2 All Day Preconference Sessions to Choose From: 

Back to the Future:  Learning from the Past to Build a Better Future

Nadine Renbarger and Sahana Priyanath, The Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS), Chicago, IL, Lura Dunn, Fircrest School, Shoreline, WA and Douglas Dawson, State of Utah, Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT 

There's an old saying that learning from the past can help you prepare for the future. This doesn't just apply to our own past mistakes, but also means taking in the lessons of those that came before us.  By understanding our past, we can work on changing our future. Can the approaches from past decades be used again?  While much of what has occurred should never be repeated, there are some valuable lessons to be learned that can help us today. 

Join us for a day of exploring the different stages of supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. We will review practices throughout the decades and evaluate the current application of lessons learned. Then we’ll take it a step further and look beyond today – together, let’s try to figure out what the future holds for those we support and serve. Given the current economic climate, we are faced with fewer staff and limited resources – how can we mitigate the negative impact to those we serve with these dwindling necessities? Through group discussion, role playing and working through scenarios, you’ll have an opportunity to hear how others are thinking “outside of the box.” Come be part of this “think tank” and let’s identify lessons that can be learned from our past to help us in these temporary times of financial challenges.    

Leadership in Times of Uncertainty: Sustaining Relationships & Results

Art Dykstra, Jim Mullins, Holly Janczak and members of the Trinity Leadership Team 

Maintaining a culture of optimism and hope is a critical factor in the success of an organization.  Employees who feel they are part of a successful group that sets realistic goals are more likely to see themselves as moving toward a positive future, despite tough economic times.   In today’s world, it is challenging to continue to provide high quality services for people with disabilities when many states are slashing funding and facing large deficits.  As a result, today many agencies are in crisis.  Employees who are expected to support people with disabilities need to feel supported themselves, and an organization’s leadership must take into account the current economic environment without becoming discouraged.  More than ever, practical management strategies that help organizations maintain forward momentum are needed.   

Join us for a day of exploring ways to help your organization continue to move forward in times of uncertainty.  It is foolish to assume that reductions in funding won’t impact services, but effective leadership can minimize the impact of such cuts through strategic actions.  Teaching employees to scan the horizon ahead and anticipate changes that might have a positive or negative impact on the organization, encouraging people to support one another, and maintaining a culture of learning and growth do not have to involve elaborate or expensive programs.  In this session, presenters will share some very practical and high impact ideas used at Trinity Services, including measures of cost savings and greater efficiencies.  Brief discussion and question and answer periods will help you decide how you might put some of those ideas to work in your organization.