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Join us at Harbor Links for our annual fundraiser to support ILA’s programs and services for intellectually and developmentally disabled Individuals.
Register here to make a difference and help us recognize the everyday heroes who continue to make an impact in the lives of others.
For more information, please visit our 2022 Golf Event page here.
By Kelly Kass, Contributing Writer
For ILA’s residences to operate smoothly, there are many moving parts.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide nurturing care to ILA’s Individuals and cooks prepare healthy meals for Individuals to enjoy. Nurses, Behavior Intervention Specialists and other clinicians visit residences to provide clinical support, and ILA’s Quality Assurance and Compliance teams always ensure that the Agency meets all city, state, and federal regulations. Whether staff are on the front lines or behind-the-scenes, it truly is a collaborative effort to keep residences running smoothly.
Faber Street cooking staff serve delicious meals with a smile.
Kim and Roselene are two of ILA's many outstanding Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
ILA’s IT Director Steven Bonici is the Agency’s go-to person for all things technical. Steven manages the day-to-day technology needs that arise while keeping an eye on the bigger picture. He explains, “My goal is to make sure that ILA is always connected and moving in the right direction, so one of my biggest priorities is ensuring that all hardware, servers, and applications are up-to-date.”
Security is also high on the list of priorities. All ILA locations - residences, Day Hab Programs, and administrative offices - have firewalls and their own networks. ILA also implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA). To successfully access the ILA network on their mobile devices or at any workstation, staff are required to enter a six-digit code sent to their email address or choose a series of security questions to answer.
For Individuals who wish to use a computer or tablet at a residence, ILA provides Internet access to Individuals via their own network, installed separately from the Agency’s primary server for security purposes. Steven also helps to oversee cable installation so Individuals can watch their favorite programs. For holiday parties and other events, photo slide shows are played on television monitors, which can also display pertinent Agency information when needed.
All residences are set-up with offices where supervisors and other staff can perform administrative tasks. Steven says, “I support staff with any IT issues that occur with copiers, printers, and other machines – either in person or I connect remotely.” He also works closely with Verizon, Spectrum, and Optimum to make sure phone, Internet, and cable access remain seamless. Recently, Steven helped the Agency successfully transition to a new phone system, providing frequent emails to update staff and guide them through the process.
To make sure staff continue to stay up-to-date with technology, Steven often provides IT training. “Technology is all around us. It’s important that everyone understands how to use it so they can use the tools that ILA provides to keep communication flowing at the Agency,” he points out.
In addition, ILA utilizes a leading cyber security agency that provides training once a month, which staff are encouraged to attend. Participants learn about phishing and other red flags to look out for in their daily communications.
“When it comes to potential security risks, staff have a role to play,” Steven says. That also includes monitoring security footage – nearly every ILA residence is equipped with a camera. “If you see something, say something,” Steven says.
Steven Bonici, IT Director.
ILA security camera footage
For Area Coordinator Omar James, maintaining sufficient staffing is the key to ILA’s residences operating successfully. “Providing the necessary amount of staff has been crucial to ensure that our Individuals continue to receive high quality care, especially during the pandemic,” he points out.
Omar proudly recalls the way residences banded together during the dark and uncertain time. “Managers stepped into direct care roles while overseeing the daily operations of their houses,” he explains. “Their excellent leadership set the precedent – it didn’t matter if you were a supervisor or a coordinator, it was all hands on deck because we’re all DSPs at heart. Individuals’ safety will always be our top priority,” Omar says.
Omar credits ILA’s Human Resources Department for a stellar recruitment effort, which has helped to combat recent staffing shortages. “Holding job fairs and promoting them on social media has been a great way to attract and hire more permanent staff, lessening the need to use a temp agency,” Omar points out.
ILA’s Maintenance staff also play an important role around the residences. “We work with Maintenance (as well as families) to make sure our houses are personalized and tailored to Individuals’ liking while meeting every safety requirement,” Omar points out.
When it comes to change of seasons, Area Coordinators, Supervisors, and Maintenance teams are fully prepared for the transition. Boilers and snow plows are inspected before winter hits. Driveways and sidewalks are regularly cleared of any snow or ice.
ILA staff (and residents!) prep gazebos and backyards for spring and summer fun! DSPs also work together to make sure changeover clothing is always in place so Individuals can dress appropriately for each season.
ILA's recent job fair, held in Brooklyn.
Staff and Individuals watering the Garnet Street Garden.
With the arrival of spring and summer, recreational outings are in full swing at ILA. Residence staff distribute funds to Individuals so they can enjoy community inclusion activities, such as trips to local restaurants and shopping centers. Staff also make sure that houses are equipped with hand-held food processors so DSPs can puree food for Individuals while they’re dining out in the community. “Our staff are trained to ensure restaurants can serve appropriately; that way, all Individuals can dine safely and feel included no matter what their dietary needs are,” Omar says.
Whatever the activity, whatever the task, one thing is certain – teamwork is essential. “At ILA, it’s a group effort,” Omar explains. “We all work proactively to make things happen and keep our residences running.”
Great teamwork fuels a Culture of Caring at ILA.
For more information on ILA’s Residential Services, visit https://ilaonline.org/services.
If there’s a holiday taking place, you can be sure our Brooklyn Day Hab will celebrate! For Valentine’s Day, the program held a fun-filled party to spread the love. Individuals helped staff prepare the fabulous decorations, turning the space into a blissful sea of red and pink! The delicious cuisine featured jerk chicken, rice and peas, curried goat, fried chicken, salad, and Rasta Pasta. For dessert: heart-shaped cupcakes, of course!
“Individuals had a wonderful time,” says Keicha Goulbourne, Supervisor, Brooklyn Day Hab. “The love was definitely flowing!”
According to Keicha, Individuals often ask for parties at the program and they particularly like dressing up. On St. Patrick’s Day, they had their chance, as many Individuals donned their best green attire to celebrate! Sparkling shamrocks, colorful backdrops, and festive balloons were among the beautiful decorations as Individuals and staff enjoyed tasty food and wonderful camaraderie. Irish eyes were definitely smiling on Brooklyn Day Hab!
For July 4th, Brooklyn Day Hab celebrated with stars and stripes and a festive lunch, as everyone proudly commemorated Independence Day!
For more information on ILA’s Day Habilitation Services, visit https://ilaonline.org/services.
Maintaining high standards of care is crucial in the world of residential services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). ILA recently achieved a perfect audit score for its Fort Hamilton Residence.
This accomplishment is a testament to ILA's dedication to safety and and high quality care. In this article, we will explore the tips and strategies used by ILA's staff to achieve success, offering insights into how other organizations can maintain the highest standards of care.
Audits are conducted by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to evaluate an agency's compliance with regulations and guidelines. The audit is scored according to how many deficiencies an agency has.
According to ILA Area Coordinator Nikiesha Bucknor, auditors can show up at any time so it’s important to always collaborate with your staff to ensure you are meeting all of your marks.
ILA’s Fort Hamilton Residence (exterior)
Nikiesha has developed a variety of strategies to prepare for audits and achieve a successful outcome. Some of these strategies include re-training staff if necessary, emphasizing nursing/clinical issues pertaining to any allergies or medications, and conducting quarterly reviews of documentation to ensure ledgers are correct. Management also conducts breakfast observations to make sure meals run smoothly and that staff provides choices to Individuals in addition to making any necessary food substitutions.
Nikiesha adds, “Area Coordinators check that all medical appointments are kept, that residence fire drills are conducted on a monthly basis, and that there is ample storage space for Individuals’ clothing as seasons change.” A clothing inventory is also conducted to determine if Individuals need new clothes.
Shenee Briggs, an ILA Area Coordinator and former Supervisor at Fort Hamilton, emphasizes that preparation is key. “To be audit-ready, you have to stay audit-ready,” she says. Like Nikiesha, Shenee recommends keeping all of your books up-to-date and ramping up morning observations with colleagues to provide a pair of fresh eyes to assess the residence. “Audits start in the morning so if everything is in place, that is an amazing way to start an audit,” Shenee points out.
Perhaps most importantly, she says, “Have your audit clothes ready!” Shenee owns a go-to outfit that she keeps nearby in the event of an audit. She explains, “Preparation starts at home; that way you’re not scrambling when you get the early morning call from your staff that the auditors have arrived.”
Auditors evaluate various aspects of the residence. According to Shenee, “the audit starts outside the door.” Auditors observe the upkeep of the facilities, how staff engage with Individuals, and how meals are being prepared. Shenee stresses the importance of organization and consistency in ensuring a successful audit.
ILA's staff also shared tips for maintaining high standards of care that go beyond preparing for an audit. Fort Hamilton Supervisor Shante Campbell credits ILA's amazing structure and teamwork for audit success and continued excellence across the Agency. She reminds her team to keep all documentation up-to-date, especially when it comes to Individuals' life plans and medical information.
As she oversees 16 staff and 10 Individuals at Fort Hamilton, Shante always maintains an open door policy to keep communication and operations flowing so Individuals continue to thrive. She explains, “When families see you are on top of things, they know the house is being run as it should and that their loved ones are in good hands.”
“ILA standards are extremely high. What we are required to do is tremendous. We have to support each other to ensure the Agency meets its mission of providing the highest quality care to Individuals.”
When a residence achieves a successful audit, ILA recognizes the hard work and dedication of staff by organizing a special staff meeting with food and refreshments. And you can definitely expect a glowing email to be distributed Agency-wide, which is what Nikiesha proudly did to announce Fort Hamilton’s perfect audit. “Having worked at ILA since 2007, I’ve seen many perfect scores, and I’m sure I’ll see many more at the Agency, thanks to our outstanding employees. Congratulations to Shante, Shenee, Assistant Supervisor Tiffany Pugh, and the entire Fort Hamilton team on their excellent achievement!”
By Kelly Kass, Contributing Writer
For 30 years, Dvorah Martin has been an integral part of ILA’s mission to enhance the lives of Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She joined the Agency as a speech and language consultant before being hired full-time to oversee ILA’s Speech Services.
A licensed speech and hearing educator, Dvorah currently supervises ILA’s in-house speech pathologists as she coordinates speech services at all Agency sites. She also works closely with outside clinicians in Brooklyn and Staten Island to conduct evaluations and ensure Individuals’ needs are always met.
You’ll often find Dvorah on the phone acting as a liaison between ILA staff and area clinics, especially when it comes to managing an Individual’s dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that frequently impacts older developmentally disabled adults.
“I translate the clinical results into terms that explain what is required for staff at the house levels, so we can do everything we can to keep Individuals safe,” she explains. She also serves as the Designated Chairperson of ILA’s Choking Task Force, which meets regularly to ensure ILA is implementing Agency-wide safe practices.
Dvorah conducts regular trainings with Residence Supervisors, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), and cooking staff to prevent choking incidents. Individualized placemats are designed identifying people’s prescribed consistency so meals can be safely prepared in accordance with a person’s diet.
Training staff is one of the many aspects of her job that Dvorah enjoys. “I love the collaboration that it entails. Staff are eager to learn critical practices that help them do their jobs well and keep Individuals safe,” she says.
Dvorah is also the go-to person when it comes to helping staff navigate PrecisionCare, the system used to store Individuals’ electronic health care records. The program is also used for billing and for Res Hab, Day Hab, and Com Hab documentation.
“Different team members have different functions in PrecisionCare. As Systems Administrator, I’m responsible for making sure staff are trained on the system and that they continue to have access,” Dvorah explains. If staff are accidentally locked out of PrecisionCare, Dvorah is always available to help them troubleshoot.
“It’s a very work intensive role, but I like working!” Dvorah says. She jokes that it’s the “geek” in her that enjoys being a Systems Administrator. “I like the efficiency of accessing our documentation from our electronic system,” Dvorah explains. “We’ve come a long way from the time records were paper-based. Thanks to advances in technology, we can streamline our habilitation services documentation and clinical documentation cleanly and efficiently so the Agency can operate successfully. And it’s great for audits,” she points out.
Training staff in PrecisionCare and dysphagia management comes naturally for Dvorah. Before she worked at ILA, she was a speech teacher for the New York City Board of Education for ten years. Dvorah taught a special education class to children, ages four through eight. “I taught the students daily living skills so they could become more independent,” Dvorah recalls. A significant goal was weaning them off the bottle and teaching them how to eat safely. “I was never the classic speech teacher,” Dvorah points out.
You might say working with the developmental disabled population is in her blood. In addition to her roles with ILA and the New York City Board of Education, Dvorah was a teaching assistant at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) working at a program that was once under the auspices of the Willowbrook State School. “I really like helping people,” she says proudly.
Dvorah also enjoys helping at ILA events. She’s been a member of the Agency’s Golf Outing Committee for 16 years and is responsible for assembling the magnificent gift baskets that many raffle players have won.
Dvorah's beautiful gift baskets are a highlight of ILA's golf outings.
Dvorah is grateful for the opportunity to be creative at ILA – from golf basket creation to speech work to her Systems Administrator role. Her favorite part of the job is seeing the impact of her work in the lives of Individuals. “It’s a very rewarding feeling,” she points out. Dvorah adds, “I love ILA and the people we work with. We rely on one another so we can work as a cohesive team to make a difference for our Individuals. ILA is like a second family.”
When she’s not with her ILA family, Dvorah adores spending time with Mark, her life partner and her children. She also loves the beach and is a big fan of concerts.
Dvorah hits all the right notes in her work at ILA and we’re grateful for her three decades of outstanding service!
Did you know that more than 61 million people in the US live with some type of disability? While not all are entirely dependent on others, many people have difficulty managing what we consider to be simple daily tasks, such as eating, bathing, grooming, running errands, or regularly attending doctor’s appointments.
Organizations like Independent Living Association strive to make life more enriching for the Individuals in our care, providing services and programs designed to help elevate the lived experience according to each person’s capabilities. Our day habilitation programs, pre-vocational training, community integration, and residential services provide continuous opportunities for Individuals to lead fulfiilling lives – opportunities that all of us should never take for granted.
Helping someone with a door, offering a friendly greeting, or accommodating an individual’s needs in the workplace are just some of the ways you can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, here are a few simple ways that you can contribute.
When communicating with individuals with a developmental disability, be sure to enunciate in case of hearing loss, low vision, or cognitive challenges. Similarly, listen closely when they speak to you.
If someone has an attendant, focus on the individual more than their aide or interpreter. Doing so will reiterate the message that what they say and do matters!
If you are speaking to someone who requires the use of a wheelchair, try to position yourself in the best way possible to maintain proper eye contact while you converse.
One of the greatest barriers to inclusion in the working world is a lack of accommodations for people with disabilities. Such oversights can lead to frustration and low self-esteem and may prevent people from achieving their full potential.
Employers must ensure that all staff have what they need to do their job. Ask your disabled employees what they need to help them excel and feel comfortable. When you invite them to a meeting, take the time to ensure that the location is accessible and that the right technology is available to them so they can fully participate.
Kindness and empathy are always welcome no matter what the setting. Exuding positivity and light will help to lift people’s spirits and instill good feelings that will carry through their day. Life is not always easy for people with disabilities, so the smallest gestures of kindness can go a long way and can be highly beneficial to your happiness as well.
At ILA, we envision a world where everyone has equal opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. Together, let’s do what we can to make sure that always remains true for people with disabilities.
At ILA, helping Individuals with intellectual and develomental disabilities (I/DD) reach their full potential in life is at the heart of our mission. Our highly trained, dedicated staff take pride in enhancing the independence of our Individuals, providing support and encouragement that enables Individuals to thrive.
Support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can come in many forms. Fostering self-sufficiency is at the top of the list. This includes providing creative opportunities and enriching activities, such as the ones offered in our day habilitation programs. Recreational outings are also a great way to foster inclusion, offering additional opportunities for Individuals to interact with members of the community. With the right supports in place, Individuals can build a strong foundation of self-confidence as they learn and navigate daily living skills to help them reach their goals.
The power of praise and uplifting words should not be underestimated. With continuous encouragement, Individuals will find the strength and determination to believe in themselves and forge a positive path towards success. Advocacy also plays a significant role, something ILA’s Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) provide on a regular basis. Bush Avenue Clinical DSP Tomeka Bullock explains, “I’ve had the opportunity to help Individuals become more verbal and communicate their likes and dislikes. They’re able to make choices for themselves and explore their self-identity.”
During medical appointments, Tomeka provides an extra layer of comfort and encouragement to Individuals to erase any fears they may have. “I tell them it’ll be okay as long as we go through it together,” Tomeka says.
Accompanying Individuals to doctor’s appointments and overseeing medication management are among the important factors that help Individuals maintain good health. Staff also ensure that all of their dietary needs are met.
Having good health, support, and encouragement can equip people with disabilities with the tools they need to break through barriers and rise to great heights.
The sky truly is the limit to what they can achieve, as demonstrated by many of our Individuals, as well as successful authors, actors, producers, and more, who are raising awareness about all that is possible for people with disabilities.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Celebrated author and speaker Temple Grandin is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Her experience growing up with autism has paved the way for better understanding about autism and the importance of cultivating skills to build self-esteem and responsibility. “The skills that people with autism bring to the table should be nurtured for their benefit and society’s,” Grandin points out.
Source: IMDb
Geri Jewell, best known for her role on “The Facts of Life,” was the first person with a disability to be cast in a primetime series. She has appeared on numerous programs and is a successful author, stand-up comedian, and motivational speaker.
Source: Wikipedia
Thirty-year-old actor RJ Mitte is perhaps most famous for his role as Walter White, Jr. in the hit television show “Breaking Bad”. Mitte has cerebral palsy and grew up using crutches and wearing leg braces. He was eventually able to walk without them, thanks to exercising regularly and playing sports. He chose to use crutches in “Breaking Bad” to make the show more inclusive and to raise awareness about disabilities.
Source: Pageant Planet
In 2008 at age 20, Abbey Nicole Curran, who was born with cerebral palsy, became the first contestant in the Miss USA pageant to have a disability. Later, she started her own pageant for girls and women with special needs.
Source: respectability.org
A writer, director, producer, and actress, Diana Elizabeth Jordan is one of the most inspiring Black women working in Hollywood today. Rather than let her cerebral palsy stop her, she propelled herself to achieve a fulfilling career in the film industry with, in her words, “hard work and determination.”
Source: Wikipedia
Chris Burke starred on the popular show, “Life Goes On” and appeared in “Mona Lisa Smile” and other well-known movies. He now works for the National Down Syndrome Society and is a staunch advocate for individuals with disabilities, reminding people that “it’s not our disabilities, it’s our abilities that count.”
We couldn’t agree more, Chris!
Find out more about Chris Burke on IMDb.
If there’s a holiday taking place, you can be sure our Brooklyn Day Hab will celebrate! For Valentine’s Day, the program held a fun-filled party to spread the love. Individuals helped staff prepare the fabulous decorations, turning the space into a blissful sea of red and pink! The delicious cuisine featured jerk chicken, rice and peas, curried goat, fried chicken, salad, and Rasta Pasta. For dessert: heart-shaped cupcakes, of course!
“Individuals had a wonderful time,” says Keicha Goulbourne, Supervisor, Brooklyn Day Hab. “The love was definitely flowing!”
According to Keicha, Individuals often ask for parties at the program and they particularly like dressing up. On St. Patrick’s Day, they had their chance, as many Individuals donned their best green attire to celebrate! Sparkling shamrocks, colorful backdrops, and festive balloons were among the beautiful decorations as Individuals and staff enjoyed tasty food and wonderful camaraderie. Irish eyes were definitely smiling on Brooklyn Day Hab!
For July 4th, Brooklyn Day Hab celebrated with stars and stripes and a festive lunch, as everyone proudly commemorated Independence Day!
For more information on ILA’s Day Habilitation Services, visit https://ilaonline.org/services.
