http://www.carf.org/rss/CARFECSPromisingPractices.aspxpromising_practices_ECShttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22530 Mentoring Takes Giant Step for Mankind. Online program connects busy professionals to students for career development advice and more. Peckham’s E-Mentoring program is a modification of traditional mentoring, utilizing computer technology to connect adult role models to at-risk youth. Brad ContentoFri, 09 Apr 2010 18:37:08 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22529 It takes a village to provide employment support. Ohio organization coordinates with its local One-Stop Career Center to provide additional supports for persons with severe mental illness. Using services from the Hamilton County One-Stop Career Center, Southwest Ohio Career Resource Center, would leverage the vocational services available to persons served by Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services and potentially provide better vocational outcomes. Brad ContentoFri, 09 Apr 2010 18:40:34 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22526 “Working Words” address language barrier. For many foreign-born staff members, learning workplace language and enhancing communication skills are a vital part of providing quality individual services. Eight years ago, administrators at Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA) recognized that it was imperative to plan strategically for the dramatically shifting demographics that the agency was encountering. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:24:50 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22525 To Be or Not to Be was Never a Question. Maryhaven Day Habilitation Program opens a performing arts program that allows consumers to fulfill their acting aspirations.The idea of a performing arts program started small at Maryhaven Day Habilitation Program, with a small group of staff members and consumers writing short skits that they performed in various elementary and middle schools on Long Island. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:28:36 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22518 They had the will, they had the way. They had a technology plan. Clearbrook rolls out a technology plan with impressive results in integrating and updating their old ways of doing business. With an eye on efficiency, Clearbrook decided to take a long-range, comprehensive look at integrating its technology system. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:06:16 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22524 Sometimes life does come with a manual. Life skills manual breaks learning down into manageable and attainable goals. In response to life skills staff members’ requests, North Shore Disability Resource Centre produced a Life Skills Training Manual. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:13:01 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=23254 ProAct, Inc., of Eagan, Minnesota uses the expertise of family members, guardians, and professionals of persons served in a unique way to create a new and innovative program. The program, called Life Opportunities, teaches life skills to better equip young adults with disabilities for productive lives. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:12:38 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22523 Goodwill Provides Consolidated Services. Bringing agencies together created painless referral process. In 2004, the vocational services staff of Goodwill Industries of Western New York realized that clients who were receiving employment instruction onsite often had to interrupt their training to participate in other services. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:12:16 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22522 Mount Kilimanjaro climb tests endurance of persons with disabilities. Cerebral palsy fails to deter climber’s determination. The journey to Mount Kilimanjaro, in northeast Tanzania near the Kenya border, was sponsored by the British Columbia Association for Community Living to raise awareness about the capabilities of persons with disabilities. Prince George Association for Community Living (AiMHi) Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:11:53 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22531 Thumb Industries had discontinued its handmade Christmas cards. But with card-making supplies still in stock, pairing the artistic interest of a consumer with existing resources seemed a natural direction to take. This kicked off Thumb Industries’ first microenterprise. Brad ContentoFri, 09 Apr 2010 20:55:54 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22517 Having a Financial Crisis? The Answer May Be As Simple As Snacks to You. Seven years ago, the developmental disability (DD) community in California was facing yet another fiscal crisis. The Vocation Plus team brainstormed, and out of its love of cooking and its heart for service, the Snacks to You program was born. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:05:52 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22528 Have transportation plan, will travel. A rural community employment program develops a system to transport employees. To better provide for transportation requirements of individuals with developmental disabilities in Sussex County, SCARC, Inc., designed a flexible transportation system. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:21:52 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22516 Promising Practices features organizations that have developed innovative practices. Getting older doesn’t mean getting slow. As consumers get older they seek new services to meet their needs and OPARC develops new programs. OPARC provides a wide range of services to more than 600 people with intellectual and physical disabilities. It provides educational programs, speech services, total care and health services, and integrated work programs. Brad ContentoFri, 09 Apr 2010 18:53:18 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22532 Consumers can guide human resource decisions better than anybody else. An Ohio-based supported living organization creates harmonious housing situations using consumer input. Supported Community Living developed a system that gives consumers a say in the initial selection of staff, as well as a say in who will serve as substitute staff. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:11:30 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=23810 Persons living with significant disabilities often consider their benefits vital to their well-being and that of their family. Dynamic and visionary professional service providers recognize the need for individualized and long-term benefits, as well as financial planning, to help prevent premature loss of benefits and create a successful foundation of income and health benefits. Brad ContentoFri, 03 Sep 2010 22:43:19 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22521 California makes a STAR program. Collaborative effort between the county and job resources turn a community concern into a community solution. The County of Marin court system and Community Mental Health of California decided change was done best through collaborative efforts and formed the Support and Treatment After Release (STAR) program. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:11:05 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22527 Breaking into State Employment Offices and Being Invited to Stay. Creative problem solving appears to be the spring board to success and community partnerships for Job Connections. Job Connection’s approach has always been to emphasize what its customers can do for the employer’s company. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:14:16 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22519 Amazing. Every. One. The Stark County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (Stark MRDD), located in Canton, Ohio, takes the challenge of changing attitudes very seriously. Stark MRDD learned that you get more bang for your buck if you invest in event marketing instead of general marketing. Consequently, Stark MRDD and The Workshops have created partnerships with area media and businesses that have greatly benefited individuals with developmental disabilities. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:10:42 GMThttp://www.carf.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=22520 A new haven to open at University of Arizona. Organization to bring 35 years of experience to program serving persons with autism spectrum disorders and mild developmental disabilities. Chapel Haven’s traditional program, founded in 1972 in New Haven, Connecticut, uses a teaching model for its residential life skills, employment services, recreation, and education programs. Because of its national reputation for services to individuals with disabilities, the University of Arizona in Tucson was a logical starting point for its new program, Chapel Haven West. Brad ContentoThu, 08 Apr 2010 19:07:58 GMT