Project Highlights

Reports

Meeting Minutes

Members

For More Information

Award

About Us

Project Highlights

Since 2002, Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change (KMFC) has worked to enhance the status of the Kansas direct support professionals
(DSPs) who support people with developmental disabilities, as well as to improve recruitment and increase retention rates of DSPs. Two years of initial funding from the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities united fifteen service providers, self advocates, families, other Kansas’ DSP workforce development stakeholders with the Universities of Kansas and Minnesota to address issues of DSP recruitment and retention. Turnover decreased by 15%.

As a result of KMFC involvement, service providers report that they changed marketing and recruitment practices, changed orientation and training practices, and implemented recognition and other high performance practices for DSPs. In addition to incorporating the strategies learned into their organizations, members have assisted other employers in adopting successful strategies. Members trained supervisors/administrators of other community service providers on topics related to removing the revolving door, supporting a diverse workforce, and peer mentoring. Workforce tools have been distributed widely across Kansas. The Realistic Job Preview Video/DVD helps applicants determine if the job is a good match prior to formally applying for a DSP position. A Marketing Toolkit provides templates for advertising DSP positions effectively.

The Kansas Alliance of Direct Support Professionals is the Kansas Chapter of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals. KMFC laid the groundwork for this grassroots professional organization.

The governor of Kansas declared July 20, 2004 as Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change Day.

Online training through the College of Direct Support (CDS) and the College of Frontline Supervision were introduced to KMFC participants. During the first two years DSPs completed over 3,900 lessons. For some organizations, CDS has become an important training component. Over 6000 lessons have now been completed. Collaboration among KMFC members allowed for group purchase for a year after funding ended. As a result of member advocacy, making CDS available statewide was identified as an immediate priority in the Social and Rehabilitation Services’ Strategic Plan 2005-2010. The College of Direct Support online training for Direct Support Professionals was funded by the State of Kansas as of January 2007. Qualified Kansans may register by contacting Kathy Olson. For a preview, go to the national College for Direct Support site at http:/info.collegeofdirectsupport.com.

KMFC developed a certification and apprenticeship program for direct support professionals. The program was registered with the Kansas Apprenticeship Council in 2005. A second cohort of fifteen DSPs from two organizations was certified in January 2006 after meeting all requirements for the first two levels of training.

Kansas members continue to expand their efforts to address recruitment and retention, meeting face-to-face quarterly and collaborating with others in their local communities and via conference call between meetings.

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Reports

(PDF) 2007 Final Report This report summarizes the use of the College of Direct Support by Kansas during the first year of state funding.

(PDF) 2005 Final Report for Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change

(Web Page) 2005 Final Report for Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change

(PDF) 2003-04 Executive Summary for Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change

(Web Page) 2003-04 Executive Summary for Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change This 1-page project summary describes the project and its major initiatives.

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Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

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Members

Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change Members Represent:

Service Providers

• Arrowhead West, Inc.
• CLASS LTD
• Creative Community Living
• Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas
• Heartstrings, Inc.
• Individual Support Systems, Inc.
• InterHab
• Johnson County Developmental Supports
• KETCH
• Lakemary Center
• Starkey, Inc.
• Sunflower Home Health, Inc.
• TARC
• The Alliance

Families and Self Advocates

• Arc of Douglas County
• Families Together, Inc.
• Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas

State Agencies and Other Stakeholders

• Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Kansas Department of Commerce
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services-Community Supports and Services
• Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
• US Department of Labor

For more information, please contact:

Kathleen Olson, Project Director
Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change
Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
2601 Gabriel
Parsons, KS 67357
620.421.6550, ext. 1771 (voice)
Fax: 620.421.3623

Kathy Stiffler, Advisory Committee Chairperson
Kansans Mobilizing for Direct Support Workforce Change
Individual Support Systems
3615 SW 29th, Suite 201
Topeka, KS 66614
785.228.9443, ext. 12 (voice)
Fax: 785.228.9640

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Award

The Moving Mountains Award was presented to KMFC in February of 2006. This national award, given by the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota in partnership with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, recognizes organizations or agencies that have demonstrated best practice in direct support workforce development.

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