Person Centered Care Services

Person Centered
Care Services.

Cheers To Women’s History Month!

We at PCCS have long been advocates for equity in our communities, and that includes women’s rights. From the right to vote, to own property, to breaking glass ceilings and fighting for equitable wages, to standing in solidarity to the heroes of the #MeToo movement, we support a world of equity and inclusion: for all. We’re aware of the challenges women face, especially in our field; not only are women more likely to be treated for depression and twice as likely to experience anxiety (among other mental health issues), but women and girls with disabilities are more often negatively impacted in finding housing, adequate medical care, employment, and more. We know that women’s rights and equity is hand in hand with disability rights, and makes for a better quality of life for us all. 

Our Deputy Executive Director, Alexa Donnelly is just one of the many female leaders we are blessed to work with in PCCS, and for Women’s History Month, she shared some kind words on her experience, the obstacles women face today, and the hope that carries us forward.

“I have been blessed and privileged through my career so far, not only at PCCS but my other employment opportunities as well, to have female leaders pioneering the way for women. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that our world has been experiencing, I’m not sure we’ve taken enough time to acknowledge the role of women and how they have kept our society going. This statement isn’t to take away from men and all the powerful and important roles they play as well, but yet to highlight the strength of women. In just my experience at PCCS I have seen women tackle it all, especially during this time: mothering; home school teaching; full time employee; student; family caregiver; homemaker; community leader and more. Many women have had to take a leave from the workforce during the pandemic to tend to their homes and families due to the closure of what we knew our lives to be like, and many have figured out a way to juggle it all. I am honored to work alongside some of the strongest women I know that embrace strength, resilience, and create a sense of belonging for women in our workforce. We have collectively come together to tackle whatever this world has thrown at us. I have been so humbled by being a part of leadership team at PCCS that is predominately female and breaking down the barriers society has put on us – in a global pandemic, no less. Some immediate stereotypes that come to mind include:

  • Single mothers can’t work full time and be present for their children.
  • Women can’t lead fully without men because they are too emotional to make difficult decisions
  • Too many women working together is never good because it’s too drama filled – you need men in the mix to alleviate that
  • Women won’t be taken seriously unless accompanied by a man’s power and presence
  • Women who are homemakers can’t hack it in the workforce

Of course there’s more, but these are some of the ones I’ve seen our female leadership team demolish, and I am here for it. So, to all our PCCS leaders and women everywhere – here’s to you – always showing up, always making it happen – CHEERS TO WOMENS MONTH!”

#PeopleAtPCCS: Nicole Forgione

“When people think of a disability, people think of it only in one way,” says our Community Living Specialist, Nicole Forgione. The stigma against people with disabilities and what they can accomplish in life leads to a level of uncertainty about services we provide, especially one like ISS: a program that helps people with disabilities find independent living. “They just need someone who believes in them.”

Nicole has been at Person Centered Care Services for six years, running our ISS department, after over fifteen years in the field of disabilities. Coming to our agency was no issue with Nicole; she mentions how she adapted quickly to the idea of person-centered approaches after being person-centered herself. “[In previous jobs], I would ask, why can’t they do X, what if they don’t like Y, how can we do Z, and really help the people we support get to where they need to go?” This practice would help her tailor the ISS department to suit every individual need; no two people are alike and no two apartments are, either, and Nicole pairs a 20 hour Com Hab worker to most cases, finding a good fit to help their goals.

It isn’t always easy: Nicole cites two major hurdles, accessibility to apartments and neighborhoods, and clarity of what the program entails to the greater community at large. Many people have (often negative) preconceived notions on having people with disabilities in their neighborhood, and landlords don’t realize the benefits of having an ISS supported apartment, and the longevity our members have as tenants. This is combined with the obstacles of the current health pandemic, and having to reconsider the needs of their members:  any are just as confused as we are about the rules and restrictions stemming from it.

However, the rewards are innumerable: what keeps her going is seeing people who have lived in nursing homes, have been in homeless shelters, in group homes in which they’ve been told they’ll never live independently. She’s worked with our agency to not only help those who are part of the program, but also spread advocacy efforts to educate people that anyone can do anything, from any point in their lives. Now she has survivors of brain surgery, college graduates, and more, among her ISS roster.

That success drives her to want even more for the department: “I want my legacy to be in this program, to make sure the department is doing it’s best and all it can do to help.”

What Is A DSP?: Direct Support In Health Crises

In these strange times we’re finding the world in, the respect for people who work in the health care field has grown steadily, as they continue to risk their health and safety by performing their essential duties to society. Nurses, doctors, and many other health care workers work diligently while many Americans stay at home to flatten the curve of this epidemic we find ourselves in. In our gratitude to these medical professionals, we also must honor the duties the direct support professionals serve for the population of people with disabilities. But what is a DSP?

A Direct Support Professional is defined by Wikipedia as “…people who work directly with people with physical disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities with the aim of assisting the individual to become integrated into his/her community or the least restrictive environment.” To say that, though, doesn’t define the value of direct support, doesn’t portray the range of roles they play daily, especially in a public crisis such as this, doesn’t speak of the people behind these roles.

While much of the country stays home to combat the health crisis, one DSP leaves his two month old baby to help someone we support learn to cook healthy meals.

While there are Instagram Live dance parties for everyone to have a good time at home, another DSP works overnight to ensure people in our residences are safe at home and can sleep peacefully.

While we pour over the news to learn more about the new reality we live in, yet another DSP leaves her own family to ensure the people we support get the medication they need, and in some cases, the skills in order to take those medications themselves to further their independence.

While we scour our own apartments to ensure our personal safety, our DSPs are going to homes to ensure their safety.

Direct Support Professionals are our friends, our neighbors, our brothers, sisters, cousins, family members, members of our community, and in these difficult times, they are doing what they do best. They are advocating for people we support, they are teaching valuable life skills, they are ensuring their safety and support, they are leaving the comfort of their homes and families to help those who need more assistance.

When we give our thanks, when we advocate for more funding for our agencies to give back to the DSPs and staff in the midst of a confusing, scary crisis, these are the people we talk about. Our family.

To help us in this time of need, you can donate here, and continue to support those who support a vulnerable population in trying times, those with disabilities.

A Message To Our Direct Support Professionals

3/17/20
a message from cRis marchioNNe, executive director
I send this out to all Direct Support Professionals who are bravely waking up each day facing these strange unfamiliar times. It is you who put aside fears and your own circumstances to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the people you support.
I came into work today, and I saw quite a few of you patiently waiting to be reassigned to a person’s home or to support someone living on their own; I saw concern and care in your eyes. I saw passion in your communication with others. I saw how important it was to express what tools and information you will need for the day. I emphasize for the day, as all of us do not know what will happen tomorrow. We are all learning how to live ‘one day at a time’.
Our World is changing. We are learning new concepts such as social-distancing and we are learning to engage with one another in different ways such as telecommuting and relying a lot more on technology. Yes, these are challenging days, I will say these days are scary. However, there is one thing I know for sure. I know, all of us know, it is evident we can count on Direct Support Professionals to act and respond, to be there for one another and the people you support. I know each of you believe in and value the ‘wait for me when I fall behind’ way of life. And I want you to know, each Direct Support Professional, myself and my colleagues we are here for you.
Every day, I am in communication with government, with representatives from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities receiving updates on service delivery methods and working with our colleagues at other agencies to share information, exchange ideas and to ensure we have plans to be prepared for what lies ahead. My colleagues and I are working with policy-makers to ensure program operations are not disrupted, to ensure we remain whole and sustainable. All of us are working in new ways to ensure we continue to support all of you in your meaningful role of supporting people with an intellectual or developmental disability.
I am certain all of us will get through these strange unfamiliar times, together. Together, we will learn from this experience, we will learn new ways of engaging with one another, supporting one another, communicating with one another. These are hard times, but it is in times like these we learn, grow and make progress. Together, we are innovators working resiliently to find ways to support one another and keep each other safe. I personally thank you for your support, caring and service. I am grateful for each and every one of you.
I wish all of you peace, love and hope…
cRis

#PeopleAtPCCS: Doreen Smith

Supporting people with disabilities is something near and dear to so many of the employees in our field, and often it’s a very personal mission to help and advocate for those who need assistance. One of our Employment DSPs, Doreen, took her experience with a disabled child and made it a career.

Doreen has been with us for almost 2 years, though her journey began long before; she had volunteered for Autism Speaks, as well as became a registered Behavior Technician at Proud Moments. Her and 8 fellow moms of people with disabilities came together to create SI Autism Warriors, a non-profit group that funnels donations directly into staging multiple events during the year, welcoming anyone with any disability to attend. This is on top of her side business of making chocolates for the last 15 years!

The source of her inspiration? Her son, who was diagnosed on the Aspergers, on the Autism Spectrum, at the age of 3. Her and her husband stood together to help afford their son any and all possibilities, while their family stepped away from them out of fear and embarrassment. They haven’t spoken since.

Doreen doesn’t let it bother her, though. “It’s their loss,” she says, proud of who her son is. He is 17 now, playing ice hockey since he was 5, and attends a culinary program at Tottenville High School. Doreen has been supportive of her son doing anything he puts his mind to, and never limits him. Their strength carries both ways; she remembers crying when she had to discuss the differences between him and neurotypical children, and he replied, “But autism makes me who I am.”

Coming originally from a background in Wall Street (“I hated it after a few years”), her career path and passion for advocacy and support brought her down the aforementioned positions to find an ad with an agency called Person Centered Care Services. Doreen took a position with Com Hab, which she loved, and later made the transition to Career Supports, where she helps a variety of young people get prepared for the job market. She loves the creativity involved, and the times where she makes a real impact: she remembers fondly seeing a person she supports dapper and dressed to the nines, prepped and ready for his job interview. “Now I have a reason for getting up every day.”

Where does she want to go from here? She’s becoming more involved in our outreach team, joining the Gala committee to help make this year’s the best yet. And work itself? “I told [my boss], I’ll drag myself on my hands and knees if I have to; I love it here.”

 

Do you have a child, relative, or someone you know with a disability who needs help entering the job market? Find out more in our Career Supports department. Want to make an impact in the disability field? Apply for a position in our agency, or join our Disability Ally Initiative!