Oh What a Night! · ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.— Links/May 2005 1 May 2005 Volume 34, No. 5

Links /May 2005 1ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.—www.ancor.org

May 2005Volume 34, No. 5

www.ancor.org

An publication of private provider practice and federal policy issues.

Oh What a Night!Special Screenings of Riding the Bus with My SisterPut ANCOR in the LimelightDenise Patton-Pace

Sipping wine and chatting amiably, a crowd of six hundred milled inthe lobby of the Directors Guild of America’s theater on Sunset

Boulevard waiting for the bus. Not justany bus, but the bus carrying the stars ofHallmark Hall of Fame’s Riding the Buswith My Sister to the premiere screening oftheir CBS-TVmovie.

Close to 6:40 p.m., a bright orangecity bus pulled up in front of the theaterand the eager paparazzi, both amateur andprofessional, descended the steps towardthe street. Emerging from the bus RosieO’Donnell, Andie McDowell and AnjelicaHuston were greeted by author RachelSimon, then climbed the steps draped inred carpet to the theater lobby. Enteringthe building, the stars and Rachel amiablyposed for myriad photographers. All veryaccessible, they signed autographs andchatted with guests until 7:00 p.m. whentheater doors opened and people streamedinto the theater to claim seats.

At the podium was Hallmark Hall ofFame President Brad Moore. The packedroom quieted when Mr. Moore began towelcome everyone and acknowledge VIPs.The very first to be introduced wasANCOR’s President Fred Romkema whostood before the crowd while Mr. Mooreeloquently shared ANCOR’s mission andits important role in the disability commu-nity.

“To the dedicated people who workfor people like Beth Simon, for their perse-verance and professionalism and the very

ANCOR 2005-06 Resource Partners Guide ANCOR is proud to present its third annual Resource Partners Guide, which

can be found in the center of the May 2005 LINKS. The guide highlights a cross-section of consultants and firms available to support your agency’s diverse opera-tional, management and development needs. It also provides you with an impor-tant agency resource right at your fingertips.

Our thanks to the Resource Partners featured in this section. Their listingscan also be accessed on the ANCOR web site at www.ancor.org.

See Resource Partners Guide on page 17

important and essential work they per-form,” exclaimed Mr. Moore. Mr.

Romkema received a warm welcome fromthe crowd and later noted that “The presi-dent of Hallmark was generous and kindwith his comments.” Among those recog-nized were officials from the AmericanPublic Transportation Association, theorganization that worked along sideANCOR in promoting the Hallmarkmovie and building awareness for transitand disability issues.

Introductions of the stars, director,producer, author, film editors and othersinvolved in the production followed andthe audience applauded with enthusiasm,even some whistles. The lights dimmedand familiar names began appearing on thescreen, greeted once again by enthusiasticapplause.

The buffet dinner reception followingthe movie once again provided a venue forconversation and photos with the stars,

See Oh What a Night!, page 20

After the screening, ANCOR President FredRomkema talked with Rosie O’Donnell abouther very realistic portrayal of Beth in Ridingthe Bus with My Sister.

2 Links /May 2005 ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.—www.ancor.org

ContentsThe American Network of Com-munity Options and Resources(ANCOR) was founded in 1970to provide national advocacy,resources, services and network-ing opportunities to providers ofprivate supports and services.Links provides a nexus for theexchange of information, ideasand opinions among key stake-holders.

National OfficeRenée L. PietrangeloChief Executive [email protected]

Suellen GalbraithDirector for Government [email protected]

Jerri McCandlessDirector of Member [email protected]

Marsha PatrickDirector of Resource and Revenue [email protected]

Enzo PastoreGovernment Relations [email protected]

Cindy Allen de RamosFinance and Office [email protected]

Catherine DunkelbergerTechnology and [email protected]

Joanna CardinalMembership Administrator/Database [email protected]

Tony YuOffice Coordinator/[email protected] King St., Suite 380Alexandria, VA 22314-2944phone: (703) 535-7850fax: (703) 535-7860e-mail: [email protected] site: http://www.ancor.org

Oh What a Night!Special Screenings of Riding the Bus with MySister Put ANCOR in the Limelight . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

CEO PerspectiveTaking Us To The Next Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

President’s CornerWhat Happens to People When the “Label” is Gone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

ANCOR FoundationANCOR Foundation Announces New Partnership with College of Direct Support at Management Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Government RelationsU. S. Department of Labor and ANCOR Partnership:Compliance Assistance Program Tip Series . . . . .8

Performance ExcellenceConference Report: Success – Now We Need Your Input! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Federal Wage and Hour GuidanceCriteria for Unpaid Sleep Time Revisited . . . . . . .12

State Representative Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Member HighlightChimes Honored with Maryland Quality Awards Gold Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

ANCOR Monthly UpdatesANCOR Welcomes New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

ANCOR Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

ANCOR Tech “Bits” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Links brought to you with support fromTherap Services, LLC—ANCOR’s ExclusivePlatinum Partner

Resource Partners Guide – Special SectionANCOR 2005-06 Resource Partners Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG1–RG12

Michael ClancyFarmington, MI

Andrea DixonProfessorDepartment of Marketing College

of Business AdministrationUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH

Jim Gardner, Ph.D., CEOThe CouncilTowson, MD

Peggy GouldPresident and CEOVisions Center for Creative

ManagementKatonah, NY

Amy Hewitt, Ph.D.Research AssociateInstitute on Community

Integration Research and Training

Minneapolis, MN

Liz ObermayerThe CouncilTowson, MD

Claudia SchlosbergPartnerBlank Rome LLPWashington, DC

Dennis StorkManagement ConsultantHot Springs, VA

Contributing EditorsAdvocacyMary Ann KeatingTARCTopeka, KS(785) 232-3770

Board DevelopmentYo BestgenCalifornia RehabilitationAssociationSacramento, CA(916) 441-5844

Carol MitchellVerlandSewickley, PA (412) 741-2375

Challenging PopulationsCharles LiHowell Child Care Centers, Inc.LaGrange, NC (252) 566-9181

Consumer EmpowermentTerry WisecarverConsultantEdelstein, IL(309) 274-5734

Customer ServiceJohn HannahChampaign Residential

Services, Inc.Urbana, OH (937) 653-1320

EmploymentPeter CallstromSan Diego Food BankSan Diego, CA (858) 527-1419

Environmental AssessmentBonnie-Jean BrooksOHIHermon, ME (207) 848-5804

Ethics/Standards of ConductSheila BarkerSpruce Villa, Inc.Salem, OR (503) 399-7924

FundraisingChris StevensonApple Patch Community, Inc.Crestwood, KY (502) 657-0103

FuturingDan RosenD. Rosen AssociatesNew York, NY (646) 269-2800

Innovative Business PracticesFrank CaponeLibertyAmsterdam, NY (518) 842-5080

Quality AssuranceDale DuttonNoble Solutions, Inc.Toluca Lake, CA (866) 251-7171

Program Quality EnhancementCatherine HayesH&W Independent SolutionsLa Quinta, CA(760) 347-5505

Public RelationsDenise Patton-PaceMarketing ConsultantFalls Church, VA (703) 845-1153

Risk ManagementJohn RoseIrwin Siegel Agency, Inc.(845) 796-3400

Strategic PlanningRon WisecarverConsultantEdelstein, IL(309) 274-5734

Supervision/MentoringLeslee CurrieCreative LivingSeattle, WA (206) 286-9002

Systems ChangeRic CrowleyMACROWDenham Springs, LA (225) 939-0344

Technology ApplicationsMatt FletcherInterhab of KansasTopeka, KS(785) 235-5103

TrainingTom PomeranzUniversal LifeStiles, LLCSt. Louis, MO(314) 535-1027

Editorial Board

Articles, advertisements and other materials appearing in Links do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of or endorsement by ANCOR.Links is copyrighted by ANCOR and cannot be reprinted or reproduced without express written permission. Contact Marsha Patrick [email protected] for reprint permission.


Renee Pietrangelo

Spring 2005 has turned out to be a time nexus for ANCOR. Thetranslation is that there’s a lot going on!

Thanks to thecollective effort ofANCOR members,FY2006 proposedMedicaid cuts werestalled indefinitely. At the same time,ANCOR is takingproactive steps to be

at the table in suggesting the nature andscope of Medicaid reform, including serv-ice delivery cost efficiencies and servicedelivery options that can save significantfunds if providers are given the flexibilityto implement them. We’ve also created aMedicaid one-stop section of our websitewith key data members can use and the

Taking Us To The Next Level

CEO Perspective

latest information.On March 10, the Direct Support

Professional Fairness and Security Act wasre-introduced into the 109th Congress by sponsoring Representatives Lee Terry(R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA). ANCOR is currently targeting support from keymembers of the House and implementinga Senate sponsorship strategy. This is thefirst wage bill focused on the DSP work-force ever introduced into the U.S.Congress.

ANCOR has partnered with the Arcof U.S. on a fundraising effort to supportthis bill centered around the premier of the Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-TVmovie, Riding the Bus With My Sister. Themovie is based on the book, written byRachel Simon, about the relationshipbetween her and her sister with develop-mental disabilities who uses the publictransportation system to network andbuild social capital in her community. In

addition, ANCOR is partnering with theAmerican Public Transportation Associa-tion to host an East Coast premier of themovie in Washington, D.C.. We are invit-ing members of Congress and the Admin-istration to attend the premiere, whereANCOR will focus on our DSP workforcecampaign.

At our March Management PracticesConference in Phoenix, ANCOR intro-duced the components of a dynamic international program effort—“ReachingBeyond Borders,” which encompassesinternational opportunities for collabora-tion and networking. Check out theANCOR web site for more details. In con-junction with this effort, ANCOR Boardmembers Rich Carman, Gale Bohling andmyself have been invited by a federation ofRomanian NGOs to visit Romania for afact-finding visit for the purpose of con-sulting with them in the development of a

See CEO, page 23



Fred Romkema, President

Iread with interest the saga of thenew Ms. Wheelchair - Wisconsin,Janeal Lee, a high school teacherwith muscular dystrophy. She was

being stripped of her crown after she was shown standingin a photographcarried in a sup-plement to the Post-Crescent news-paper of Appleton,Wisconsin. Evi-dently, her ability to walk 50 feet on

what was a good day and stand whileteaching made her ineligible for theaward.

An unrelated story recently ran inthe Wall Street Journal describing newtechnology applications for people whowere deaf and the reactions of people who lost their previous “disability”. Thenew technology is not appreciated by allwho stand to benefit from it. The deafcommunity was proud when HeatherWhitestone became the first deaf woman

President’s Corner

What Happens to People When the "Label" is Gone? to win the Miss America Pageant. Eightyears later, when she obtained a cochlearimplant, it appeared to disappoint someadmirers.

Closer to home, at the South DakotaSchool for the Deaf some 15 of the 60students have implants or hearing aids.The superintendent for the school, Dr,Green, implemented two tracks for teach-ing hearing-impaired children – onestressing American Sign Language and the other, hearing and learning English to prepare for the mainstream world. Agroup of parents picketed and protestedDr. Green’s style. He took a leave ofabsence and ultimately was replaced.

The issue of reversing previously irreversible disabilities; e.g., cochlearimplants, is now a reality with someunexpected results. Some immersed inthe deaf culture don’t see themselves ashandicapped and view implants as anattempt to “fix something that isn’t bro-ken”, reports the Wall Street Journal. Infact, those who believe the decision forthe surgical procedure should be made bythe child when he/she is older criticizesome parents who make the decision toget implants for their deaf children.Research shows that implants work bestwhen given to very young children whodevelop language very quickly and mayovercome their “handicap” and subse-quent “label”.

The reality of cochlear implants isapparent in the U.S., as some 10,000children have received the implants.Schools for the deaf have closed inMassachusetts, Nebraska, North Carolina,and Wyoming.

The issue of once being ensconced ina culture and, suddenly, through the mir-acles of modern science, not being so iscausing unexpected responses in somequarters. Labels are changing and with it,new expectations. Former caretakers arelosing jobs, as people who were previouslyrecipients of public support may nolonger warrant such support and labelsare lost..

Losing a lifestyle concomitant with adisability would seemingly be viewed pos-itively by most people. Imagine my sur-prise that this isn’t universally embraced!

TheArcLink isLooking for Stories!

TheArcLink is looking for storiesfrom people with cognitive disabilitiesand family members about how theyhave used Medicaid to increase theirindependence. They will collect writ-ten and recorded stories for use onwww.theDesk.info, their web site thatexplains Medicaid for people withcognitive disabilities. If a story isused, the writer will receive a free T-Shirt and $50. Stories can be sentto stories@ thedesk.info or call toll-free 1-877-431-8532. They are par-ticularly interested in stories fromHispanic families, for presentation inSpanish. ■

The recent newspaper articles describepeople who no longer fit into the disabilitycommunity and the changes it makes —being stripped of a title, losing one’s culture or one’s job.

The reality of losing a label is hereand the broader issue looms of who makeslife-transforming decisions.

Choice and freedom have new implications. ■

Mid-Atlantic RegionWilliam Loyd, Regional Director

Eggleston ServicesDavid WilberNorfolk, [email protected]

South Central RegionJan Hannah, Regional Director

Arkansas Support Network, Inc.Keith VireBentonville, [email protected]

Southeast RegionTerry Rogers, Regional Director

OK Dept. of Human Services/DDSOklahoma City, OKDebbie [email protected]

Southwest RegionJeff Gardner, Regional Director

RHA Health Services, Inc.Jeanne DuncanAsheville, [email protected]

ANCOR Welcomes New Members

ANCOR Welcomes New Members


ANCOR Services CorporationAnnounces Marketing Agreement withPhiladelphia Insurance Companies

ANCOR Members can focus on the things that matter.We’ll handle the insurance.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies provides ANCOR members with property/casualty insurance policies that are custom designed. We offer comprehensive policy forms that include umbrella, property, automobile, general and professional liability. Should you plan to switch your insurance to us, please be sure to acknowledge that you are an ANCOR member. In addition, the ANCOR Services Corporation product will allow you to continue to do business with your local agent/broker.

We offer A.M. Best A+ rated security, coupled with exceptional service through our national network of strategically positioned offices. Give us an opportunity to handle the insurance so you can focus on the things thatmatter. Call us at 1-800-873-4552 or visit us online at www.phly.com formore information.

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ANCOR CEO Renee Pietrangeloannounced a new partnershipinvolving the ANCORFoundation, ANCOR and the

College of Direct Support. She character-ized this partnership as a “win-win-winagreement.”

The College of Direct Support (CDS)and its companion College of FrontlineSupervision and Management (CFSM) arenational on-line, multi-media, competency-based training programs for direct supportprofessionals (DSPs) and their frontlinesupervisors and program managers (FSMs).These programs are based on systematicanalyses of the everyday roles and responsi-bilities of those who support persons withdisabilities. Each of the specific job tasksand responsibilities is incorporated into oneof 35 courses for DSPs and 8 for FSMs.Each course is organized around knowledge,skills, attitudes and ethical standards neededto perform the tasks and fulfill the responsi-bilities given to DSPs and FSMs. The devel-opment of each course begins with group ofexperienced service providers, service recipi-ents, family members, advocates and otherprofessionals to identify essential andimportant learning.

Each course is reviewed and revised bya National Board of Editors made up ofexperts in the specific content of a specificcourse and in adult education and training.All aspects of the program are guided by aNational Advisory Committee with repre-sentation from all leading national organiza-tions, including Wendy Sokol representingANCOR.

In the 17 months since its introduc-tion, the College of Direct Support has been widely noticed and praised. SteveEidelman, executive director of The Arc ofthe U.S. observed that, “The College ofDirect Support is revolutionizing how directsupport professionals are trained, supportedand assisted to grow.” Bob Gettings, execu-tive director of the National Association of State Directors of DevelopmentalDisabilities Services, adds that, “Since it waslaunched the College of Direct Support hasdemonstrated the extraordinary value of

bringing online education to the doorsteps of tens of thousands of disability serviceorganizations nationwide.” And ReneePietrangelo noted that, “I was on the recordvery early on in believing that this programcould be an important part of the careerdevelopment and life-long learning oppor-tunities we owe every DSP, but it is theactual reviews of the courses by the peoplewho take them that convince me that this isa very special resource. A statewide demon-stration program in Virginia found 94-95%of DSPs at the end of each CDS courseagree with the statement, ‘This is an excel-lent course’. DSPs deserve training thatthey consider excellent.”

Discussions about a special arrange-ment to provide discounted access to theCollege of Direct Support to ANCORmembers began within the ANCORFoundation. These discussions led to thecurrent agreement as a way to benefit theANCOR Foundation, ANCOR members,ANCOR, and the College of DirectSupport: This “win-win-win agreement,”unanimously approved by both ANCORand ANCOR Foundation Boards, providesthe following.

• The ANCOR Foundation receives 15 percent of new sales to ANCOR mem-bers to support the work of the Foundation.

• ANCOR members receive significantdiscounts on fees for access to the CDS andCFSM.

• ANCOR receives a major member-ship benefit and a substantial incentive fornon-members to join ANCOR in order to obtain the discounted access.

• The College of Direct Support gainsaccess to the primary organization of one of its major markets and the associatedopportunity to expand its base of customersand learners.

The College of Direct Support wasborn out of commitment to elevate the performance, status, and opportunities fordirect support professionals. This commit-ment is shared by organizations that haveadopted the CDS. Daniele Lyman ofHeritage Christian Services in Rochester,

New York, notes that, “The College ofDirect Support has become the cornerstoneof Heritage Christian’s comprehensive effortto professionalize the position of direct support work and to make it recognized as a valued career choice.” She furtherobserves that, “It has, as expected, led toimproved job satisfaction and higher staffretention rates.”

In Wyoming, Terry Walling and ShawnGriffen, writing in the December 2004DDD News about the CDS experiences ofCommunity Entry Services (CES) wrotethat, “CDS has served as a natural spring-board toward the increased professionalismof direct care support staff sought by CES”and “This in turn has enhanced the qualityof support provided by CES to people withdisabilities.” In the same issue a DSPagreed, relating that “I feel I have betteredmyself and will be able to use what I learnat work to help others better themselves.”

To Renee Pietrangelo, the partnershipwith the College of Direct Support is animportant and natural aspect of ANCOR’sNational Advocacy Campaign to addressthe DSP workforce crisis. She observes that,“Increasing the skills, professional orienta-tion and opportunities for career advance-ment of DSPs and their supervisors is anessential aspect of the improved status,compensation and performance envisionedin the National Advocacy Campaign. Weare extremely pleased to include the Collegeof Direct Support in ANCOR’s efforts toachieve these important goals.” ■

ANCOR Foundation Announces NewPartnership with College of DirectSupport at Management Conference

FYI LINKS is being distributed in both elec-tronic and hard copy formats. If you prefer one over the other, please let usknow. If you have no preference, you'llreceive it electronically.

Questions?Contact Marsha Patrick at

[email protected] or 703/535-7850


U.S. Department of Laborand ANCOR Partnership:Compliance AssistanceProgram Tip Series

Tip #5: Help from DoL: Free Guide Summarizes Employment Laws

for Small Businesses

A free publication available from the U.S. Departmentof Labor helps small business employers understand theirrights and responsibilities under the major Federal employ-ment laws. The Employment Law Guide summarizes coverage, basic requirements, employee rights, complianceassistance available and penalties for non-compliance foreach of DoL’s most widely applicable laws. Written in plainlanguage - not legalese – it is geared toward employersneeding introductory information to develop wage, benefit,safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies for theirbusinesses. It is available in print and online, in bothEnglish and Spanish. To order a copy, call DoL’s toll-freehelp line at 1-866-4-USA-DOL. To download an electron-ic version, visit www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm.

Tip #6: Help from DoL: Web Sites Advise on Rules Affecting Young Workers

Each year, millions of teens work part-time or takesummer jobs, gaining valuable work skills and contributingenthusiasm and eagerness to businesses across the country.Special federal and state laws govern their employment,and the U.S. Department of Labor offers resources to helpemployers understand these regulations. DoL’s YouthRules!Web site, located at www.youthrules.dol.gov, educatesusers about the various rules concerning young workers,including the hours they can work, the jobs they can per-form and how to prevent workplace injuries. Further guid-ance on how to ensure safe and healthy work environmentsfor teens is available from DoL’s Occupational Safety andHealth Administration’s Teen Workers Web Site, locatedat www.osha.gov/SLTC/teenworkers.

Government Relations

Representatives from eleven national disability organizations, includingANCOR, have joined together to create the Alliance for FullParticipation and to unite behind the common goal of making full par-ticipation a reality. The founding members of the Alliance are:

• American Association on Mental Retardation• American Network of Community Options and Resources• Association of University Centers on Disabilities• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals• National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems• Self Advocates Becoming Empowered• The Arc of the United States• The National Association of State Directors of Developmental

Disabilities Services• United Cerebral Palsy• The Council on Quality and Leadership.

VISION: The Alliance’s vision is to ensure that people with develop-mental disabilities live meaningful, productive, personally satisfyingand well-supported lives in communities of their choice. This visionrequires adequate and appropriate service and support capacity andacceptance and opportunity for the full and unreserved participation ofall citizens in our nation. Funding shortages, outdated program modelsand threats to the legal and social victories gained over the past threedecades threaten this vision.

SUMMIT 2005: The Alliance is hosting a Summit on September 22-23, 2005, in Washington DC. The goal of the Summit is to proclaim anew strategic policy and social agenda that can be embraced by allstakeholders.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Partnership and collaboration arebedrock values essential to implementing our vision and achieving thesocial and public policy goals required to assure full participation,. TheAlliance actively seeks public and private partners to assist in achiev-ing our goals. Many sponsorship and exhibiting options are available.Contact Natalie Shear at 202-833-4456 x 101.

http://www.allianceforfullparticiption.org

This Summit will be in place of the ANCORGovernmental Activities Seminar in

September of 2005.

ANCOR MEMBERS – MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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Conference Report: Success –Now We Need Your Input!Dale Dutton

The conference in Phoenix was a large success onmany levels – and we particularly want to thank allthe participants in the sessions related to Perform-ance Excellence, the ASQ facilitation of the Quality

Café, the introduction of a Chimes/ANCOR data collectionpilot, the introduction of the CLQ Quality Measures 2005,and the associated exhibit opportunities.

More that 50 people joined the Quality Café to con-tribute their ideas of what makes for excellence in directhuman service, and the ANCOR governing board receivedreports of our collective progress with enthusiasm and sup-port.

Work is moving forward on several fronts in these effortsto define and clarify Performance Excellence, and we want toencourage you to visit the ANCOR website (www.ancor.org)and check out the new entries under the “PerformanceExcellence” tab. In addition to the direct links to the BaldrigeCriteria, ASQ, CARF and CLQ, we have posted the resultantnotes from the Quality Café, and the current draft of ourPerformance Excellence Framework Markers. Please read overboth documents and help the Task Force by making sugges-tions toward refinement of the Quality Markers based on thecollective wisdom suggested in the notes from the Café.Please send comments and suggestions directly [email protected].

In weeks to come you will find a discussion area for your comments, interactive discussion, and feedback to ourcommittees’ work so far, and reminders of past articles andnotes on the subject. Please check it out and give your input!In addition, you will begin to find information and linkage to resources which will assist your organization to improve.

A second task force has formed to specifically design and implement the national data collection pilot. If you are interested in learning more about the project or partici-pating in the data collection process, please contact TerryCollard at the Chimes by phone (410-385-3800) or email([email protected]).

These two separate, but closely interrelated, parallel activities are designed to provide ANCOR membership withmuch needed baseline data on specific measures of Perform-ance Excellence, and identify resources to assist organizationsin their desires for management and service improvements inthe future.

We sincerely invite your participation in this quest! ■

Dale Dutton is CEO of Noble Solutions Inc. and can be reached

at [email protected].

AUTHOR LINK

Performance Excellence


The success of any organization iscontingent on the quality andcommitment of its leaders. As amember of ANCOR, we’re seeking

your support in identifying the best leadersamong us to lead the organization in realiz-ing its vision and achieving its critical mis-sion. Interested candidates must submit theirrequests by no later than June 10, 2005.

The Board Development Committeeis seeking candidates for the followingpositions on the ANCOR Board ofDirectors and in other elected positions.

• Vice President for Marketing andCommunications. This position is cur-rently held by Gale Bohling who is noteligible to run for another term in thisposition. The Marketing andCommunications Division is responsi-ble for positioning and branding

ANCOR in the marketplace, communi-cating ANCOR’s value proposition toall customers and stakeholders, publicrelations, LINKS and the web site.This is a two-year term running fromOctober 1, 2005 to September 30,2007.

• Vice President for Member Services.This position is currently held by WendySokol, who was appointed to fill a vacancyand is now eligible to run for this term in this position. The Member ServicesDivision is responsible for all educationand development programs and othernon-educational member services. It isa two year term running from October1, 2005 to September 30, 2007.

• Vice President for Membership. Thisposition is currently held by Emily Ennis

who was appointed to fill a vacacy andis now eligible to run for this term in thisposition. The Membership Division isresponsible for the development andimplementation of strategic outcomesfor ANCOR membership developmentand retention. It is a two-year termrunning from October 1, 2005 toSeptember 30, 2007.

• Treasurer. This position is currently heldby Frank Capone, who eligible to run foranother term in this position. The treas-urer oversees the financial affairs andrecords of ANCOR and chairs thefinance committee. This is a two-yearterm running from October 1, 2005 toSeptember 30, 2007.

ANCOR Board Development Committee Solicits Candidates for Open Leadership Positions on the ANCOR Board of Directors

See Opportunities, page 11

ANCOR Leadership Opportunities


Opportunitiescontinued from page 10

• Director for South Central Region.This position is currently held by JanHannah, who was appointed to this posi-tion in Winter, 2005 to fill a vacancy leftby the previous director. Hannah is eligi-ble to run for this election. RegionalDirectors are responsible for networking,communications, environmental scan-ning and membership development inthe states comprising the region, work-ing in concert with the state representa-tives and state association executivesfrom each of the states in the region.The states in this region include: AR,KS, MO, OK and TX. It is a three-year term running from October 1,2005 to September 30, 2008.

• Director for Mid Atlantic Region. This position is currently held by BillLoyd, who will be resigning in July.Regional Directors are responsible fornetworking, communications, environ-mental scanning and membership devel-

opment in the states comprising theregion, working in concert with the staterepresentatives and state associationexecutives from each of the states in theregion. The states in this regioninclude: DC, KY, MD,TN, VA, WV.It is a three-year term running fromOctober 1, 2005 to September 30,2008.

• Director, Great Lakes East Region.This position is currently held by CarolMitchell, who eligible to run again for thisposition. Regional Directors are respon-sible for networking, communications,environmental scanning and member-ship development in the states compris-ing the region, working in concert withthe state representatives and state associ-ation executives from each of the statesin the region. The states include DE,NJ, NY and PA. It is a three year termrunning from October 1, 2005 toSeptember 2008.

The ANCOR Board DevelopmentCommittee is interested in hearing from

any representative of an ANCOR memberagency interested in any of these electedpositions. ANCOR officers, directors andothers elected to positions must covertheir own expenses associated withattending meetings. Officers are electedfor two-year terms and directors for three-year terms. An individual may hold twofull terms in each of the board positions.

ANCOR members who are interestedin any of these positions should contactEmily Ennis, Board Development Com-mittee c/o ANCOR, 1101 King Street,Suite 380, Alexandria, VA 22314 by letteror fax, (703-535-7860), or e-mail [email protected]

Send a copy of your bio and informa-tion about why you are interested in, andbelieve you are a good candidate for theposition for which you are applying.

The deadline for receipt of nomina-tions is June 10, 2005. The Board ofRepresentatives is the electing body.Elections will take place at the September21st ANCOR annual meeting inWashington, DC. Those elected willassume their office on October 1, 2005. ■

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Perhaps a Better Question Is... Can You Prove It? Perhaps a Better Question Is... Can You Prove It?

Does Your Current Accounting and Client ManagementDoes Your Current Accounting and Client ManagementSoftware Reduce Your Administrative Costs?Software Reduce Your Administrative Costs?

Contact (419) 335-1280, Ext. 11 or Email [email protected]

Request this FREEFREE report:“BEST PRACTICES FOR A MR/DD FINANCE OFFICE”Reference OFFER CODE #MLINKS 155 and Contact Us at419.335.1280 ext 11 or email [email protected]

(please provide mailing address)


Federal Wage and Hour Guidance

Joni Fritz, Labor Standards Specialist

Aquestion from an ANCOR mem-ber has prompted the columntopic this month. The agency that called is using a special U.S.

Department of Labor 1988 enforcementpolicy to avoid pay-ing for sleep time,and was concernedabout having week-end “relief ” staff onthe premises whoseshifts of duty wouldoverlap the employ-ees who are sleepingon the premises five

days a week. They recalled that under thisenforcement policy shifts of weekend reliefemployees could not overlap those of week-day employees by more than one hour. As it turned out, this agency did not have toworry about this particular limitation.

Residing on the employer’s premises for an extended period of time.

Under the 1988 Labor Departmentenforcement policy (#88.48), developedspecifically for ANCOR, if provided withprivate quarters in a homelike setting (i.e., a group home or apartment), an employeewho works a minimum of eight hours ineach of five consecutive 24-hour periods,and who can usually enjoy uninterruptedsleep, may agree not to be compensated for up to eight hours a night of a regularlyscheduled sleep period. Interruptions mustbe compensated, and if the employee doesnot get a minimum of five hours of sleepthe entire sleep period must be compen-sated.

The agency that phoned employed staffwho met these criteria. Their concerns wereabout scheduling weekend employees whoseshifts of duty overlapped the five-day-a-week employees by more than an hour. Theagency remembered the following restric-tions on some weekend employment.

Substituting as a “relief” employee for a full-time employee who resides on thepremises permanently or for an extendedperiod of time.

Enforcement policy #88.48 also per-

mits the use of “relief ” employees whoagree not to be paid for sleep time. Underthe policy these employees must:

1) relieve a full-time employee whoresides on the premises permanently or for an extended period of time;

2) be given private quarters in a homelikesetting;

3) work a minimum of eight hours in a24-hour period;

4) usually enjoy a regularly scheduled,uninterrupted sleep period of no morethan eight hours;

5) sleep on the premises all interveningnights; and – the specific concern ofthis agency,

6) not be on duty simultaneously formore than one hour a day with thefull-time employee whom they relieve.

(In practice, few employees whowork in community residences on week-ends have time off in the middle of theday as is common for employees whowork Monday through Friday and whoneed not be in the home while those theysupport are at school or work. This provi-sion of the enforcement policy does giveflexibility for a home where an employeemight be able to leave for a few hours toattend church, for example.)

Duty of 24 hours or more.When an employee is on duty for

periods of 24 hours or more, and agreesin advance, 29 CFR Section 785.22 per-mits the exclusion from pay of regularlyscheduled sleep periods of up to eighthours, provided that “adequate” sleepingfacilities are furnished and the employeecan usually have an uninterrupted night’ssleep. On the infrequent occasions whensleep is interrupted by a call to duty, this time must be compensated. If theemployee does not get a minimum of fivehours of sleep, the entire sleep periodmust be compensated. (This need not befive consecutive hours.)

To use duty of 24 hours or more,there must be a complete 24-hour periodin conjunction with each uncompensatedsleep period. The employees who work forthis agency on weekends are at the resi-dence for a little more than two twenty-four hour periods, and have agreed not tobe paid for their uninterrupted sleep onFriday and Saturday nights. Under thisprovision there is no restriction on over-lapping hours of work. It is a perfect fitwith employment under the enforcementpolicy provision for employees who resideon the premises for an extended period oftime.

Joni Fritz is a Labor StandardsSpecialist. Her guidance is free to ANCOR membersand to those who attend a Wage and Hour Workshopor participate in teleconference. Any ANCOR memberwho wishes to make arrangements for consultationor workshops with Joni Fritz must first contactANCOR national headquarters for referral. Contact Suellen Galbraith at 703-535-7850 or at [email protected] for referral information or questions.

AUTHOR LINK

Criteria for Unpaid Sleep Time Revisited

It turned out that the weekendemployees did not have to meet therequirements of this policy because theydid not have free time in the middle ofthe day. Instead their schedule requiredthem to arrive at the residence on Fridayafternoons (e.g., 3:00 p.m.) and workuntil an even later hour on Sunday (e.g.,4:00 p.m.) with no breaks in between.This schedule complies with requirementsof “duty of 24 hours or more” wherethere is no restriction on overlappinghours of work.

Interruptions must be

compensated, and if the

employee does not get a

minimum of five hours

of sleep the entire

sleep period must be

compensated.


Join us to raise money for your agency and the ANCOR Foundation by cleaning outyour closets, attics, basements and garages. Enlist your vendors and supporters tobuild your donations for operation “CleanSweep”. Each agency that competes will beentered to win prizes in the following categories:

• Most items donated• Most dollars raised• Item donated that draws the most bidders• Funniest item donated • Most employee items donated

• Highest bid for a single item• Most items donated by an agency vendor• Best vacation package donated• Most creative auction item• Most antiques listed by an agency

Contest starts June 6th and ends June 20th.A detailed instruction manual is posted on the ANCOR Foundation Web site: www.ancor.org/foundation/

Start your donation requests NOW!!! The more you play, the more you win!!

All auction proceeds will be split 50-50 with the listing agency.MissionFish and EBAY will send proceeds directly to your agency. MissionFish will issue tax deduction

certificates for all donations directly to the agency for distribution to the donors.

Prizes to be awarded at the conclusion of the contest and announced in the July-August issue of LINKS.Prizes will be presented at the Fall Alliance for Full Participation summit in Washington. DC. Remember, this is a chance for everyone to have fun and to do well while doing good………

Join us in this fun and exciting contest where everyone is a winner!

Make it a Clean Sweep this Spring!

The ANCOR Foundation wants you to:

Make it a Clean Sweep for Spring!The ANCOR Foundation is pleased to announce our First …

“Annual Clean Sweep for Spring” Contest


The Independent Living Institute,a not-for-profit foundation basedin Sweden, offers resources forpersons with extensive disabilities

and develops consumer-driven policies forself-determination, self-respect and dignity.

With this mission in mind, theInstitute’s Study and Work Abroad for Allproject builds a database with informationabout international study and traineeshipopportunities for young people with dis-abilities. This international database, whichis free and open to all, has compiled infor-mation about university study, traineeshipsand volunteer work for people with disabil-ities. The database includes nearly 700 uni-versities in the United States with informa-tion for students with disabilites.

Resource Kit for BusinessesThe Study and Work Abroad for All

project also encourages businesses, nationaland international government agencies aswell as non-governmental organizationswithin and outside the disability field toinclude people with disabilities when offer-ing traineeship or volunteer positions. Tohelp businesses and organizations includepeople with disabilities, the Institute offersa resource kit for assessing organizations’accessibility, suggestions for a disability pol-icy and similar resources.

The Institute’s purpose is to promotethe opportunities of persons with disabili-ties to gain more personal and politicalpower, self-determination, full participationand equality through information, trainingmaterials and technical assistance. TheInstitute works in cooperation with other

Employment and Training Resource for Youth With Disabilities

organizations that support these aims atthe local, national and international level,including self-help groups in developingcountries.

Other ResourcesThe Independent Living Institute can

be found at www.independentliving.org.Some of their other services include:

Assistant Referral Service: http://www.independentliving.org/assex/index.htmlmatches people with disabilities withassistants in their community or in otherparts of the world, for live-in or part-time positions or as travel companions.Assistants help with activities of daily living.

Global Networking: http://www.indepen-dentliving.org/donet/index.html currentlylists 300 organizations of and for personswith disabilities from around the worldlooking for partner organizations for jointprojects, events, sharing resource personsfor lectures, training or technical assis-tance, for study visits, internships or othercooperation including funding.

Online Full Text Library:http://www.independentliving.org/library.html contains hundreds of articles, guidesor manuals on independent living,Universal Design, human rights, legisla-tion, women with disabilities, and more.

Independent Living Discussion Forum:http://www.independentliving.org/discussoffers discussion forums for direct contactwith the visitors to the Institute’s Website.

Get Published: http://www.indepen-dentliving.org/publish.html allows freepublication of articles, reports, trainingmanuals or other resources to people withdisabilities, researchers, providers and policymakers all over the world.

Accessible Vacation Home Exchange:http://www.independentliving.org/vacaswap.html is a list that offers home exchangesfor vacations for people with similar acces-sibility needs.

For more information please contactEnzo Pastore at either [email protected] 703.535.7850. ■

www.ancor.org

Visit Us On the Web …


ANCOR CalendarANCOR Calendar

2005

June 14 Audio ConferenceAdvocacy for Change Speaker: Al Condeluci Ph.D.United Cerebral Palsy,Pittsburgh, PA

Sept. 22-23 Disability SummitAlliance for Full ParticipationWashington, D.C.(Takes the place of ANCOR’s 2005 Governmental Activities Seminar)

2006

March 19-21 ANCOR’s 2006Management PracticesConferenceNew Orleans, LA

In today’s world of adult content,mortgage and medication SPAM,it is no wonder that many individ-uals and agencies are turning to

spam filters to manage the glut. Mostspam filters clean out messages withquestionable content and bulk messagesthat are sent to large groups of individ-uals. The problem with the secondform of filtering is that member organi-zations, like ANCOR, tend to use e-mail as their primary form of com-munication with their members.

ANCOR uses e-mail in more than85% of its communications to mem-bers. We are concerned that more andmore of our member agencies are filter-

Spam Filters – Don’t Miss Out onMember Benefits Because of Them!

ANCOR Tech “Bits”

ing out the vital news and informationthat we distribute. It is important thatyou discuss this technical issue withyour IT department to ensure thatANCOR’s e-mails are not beingblocked. Be sure that all messages [email protected] are being allowed. If youhave noticed a marked decrease or anabsence of news from ANCOR recently,be sure that 1) we have your correct e-mail address and 2) that your spamfilters are not cleaning us from your system.

You can update your informationby contacting Joanna Cardinal at [email protected]. ■

The Irwin Siegel Agency continues to bea strong provider of insurance solutions

for human service organizations.

Let us show you why we lead the way withexceptional customer service, knowledgeable

staff and quality insurance.

Quality Outcomes

Customized RiskManagement

phone: 800-622-8272 / fax: 845-796-3661 / email: [email protected] / web: www.siegelagency.com


Are you a champion for people with disabilities?Here is the help you have been waiting for….

A hands-on guide for implementing real community change at the grass roots level

Designed to both educate and facilitate, Advocacy for Change: A Manual for Organizing …

Now Available from the ANCOR Foundation

Advocacy for Change: A Manual for OrganizingBy Al Condeluci, PhD

Delivers:• easy to use workbook format

• a step by step guide toachieve your goals

Presents:• key themes underpinning

successful advocacy

• explores past advocacy failures

The ANCOR Foundation, 1101 King Street, #380, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-535-7850

Dr. Condeluci has served for 24 years as the Executive Director of UnitedCerebral Palsy in Pittsburgh, PA, is a professor at The University ofPittsburgh School of Social Work and teaches in the Masters in NonprofitManagement program at Robert Morris University. He holds an MSW andPh.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and is recognized internationally asa leader and consultant on human services and community issues. Hiscareer encompasses numerous successful advocacy campaigns includingthose that resulted in the Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing Choice Voucher Program, the Urban Mass Transportation Act of1970 that provided for accessible transportation developments and, ultimate-ly, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Assists Practitioners: • in taking productive action

AND

• AVOIDING missteps.

A must for every organization seeking community change to advance inclusion andfull participation for people with disabilities, this manual can save your organizationtime and money by making your advocacy campaign an effective and efficient program designed to optimize results.

The ANCOR Foundation is proud to offer this outstanding guide to assist organiza-tions working for community inclusion and full participation. Order this succinct,efficient and easy to use manual on-line for only $32.00 ($25.00 for ANCOR members + shipping and handling) at http://www.ancor.org/2004/benefits/pubs.cfm


American Network of Community Options and Resources

A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.

T he Guide features a cross-section of consultantsand firms available to support the private indus-try’s diverse operational, management and devel-

opment needs as well as provide agencies with animportant agency tool and resource.

ANCOR’s Resource Partners can be found on the following pages:

CARF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG1

College of Direct Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG2

Colonial Insurance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG3

Furniture Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG4

Futures HealthCore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RG5

Irwin Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG6

MRDD Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG7

Noble Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG8

OneCare (Clifton Gunderson) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG9

Philadelphia Insurance Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RG10

TheArcLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG11

Therap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RG12

Sincere thanks to each of the consultants/firms featured inthis edition. Their listings also can be accessed on the

ANCOR web site at www.ancor.org. For more informationon how to become an ANCOR Resource Partner, call

Marsha Patrick at ANCOR headquarters, 703-535-7850or email her at [email protected].

ANCOR 2005-06 Resource Partners GuideInspire • Inform • Connect

TheArcLink.org

Now you can choose for yourself.

Information and resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

toll free 877.431.8532e-mail: [email protected]

www.TheArcLink.org

RG 1 Links /May 2005 ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.—www.ancor.org

SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLP

CARFENHANCING PEOPLE’S LIVES

With 1,400 surveyors working in the humanservices field and 39 years of experience guiding the development of quality standards,CARF is uniquely poised to provide consulta-

tion and trainings that can help improve your organization andenhance the lives of the persons your organization serves.

CARF

CARF has developed publications andconsultation for specific issues in thedisability field and for ongoing quali-ty improvement relevant to any

organization. Some of the topics include:

STRATEGIC POSITIONINGStrategic positioning is not your old

strategic planning. It is the continuous focuson the needs and desires of the organiza-tion’s customers. This customer-focusedapproach increases positive outcomes forcurrent services while also promoting orga-nizational agility to assess and design futureservices in an ever-changing marketplace.

The monograph Strategic Positioning andPlanning for the 21st Century includes work-sheets and assessment tools that an organi-zation can use for self-directed strategicpositioning. In addition, an annual StrategicPositioning Conference provides morehands-on guidance, examples, and exercisesthat an organization can use to develop and implement a successful strategic posi-tioning process. Check the Bookstore andEducational Opportunities pages on theCARF web site at www.carf.org for moreinformation.

OUTCOMES MANAGEMENTThe Managing Outcomes: Customer-

Driven Outcomes Management System mono-graph is intended as a guide to the field inaddressing standards for outcomes andinformation management and an aid to thedevelopment of feasible, usable outcomesinformation systems. Although simple in itsapproach, the process presented reflects afundamental premise of the quality stan-dards: consumer input is crucial to achiev-ing good outcomes, and use of outcomes

information for quality improvement isessential to maintain service quality. Theframework and suggestions presented pro-vide a framework for the design and opera-tion of outcomes management systemsthat would conform to field-driven stan-dards of quality.

The monograph, which includes step-by-step instructions on building a qualitymanagement system, may be purchasedonline at bookstore.carf.org

TRANSITION FROM SCHOOLTO WORK

As practitioners in the field, manyorganizations are intimately aware of howspecial education students do not go onfor further training, fail to receive post-school support and services from commu-nity services agencies, experience high lev-els of unemployment, and have limitedopportunities to participate in the commu-nity.

Special education alone simply cannotaddress the multifaceted school and post-school transition needs of youth with dis-abilities and their families. Addressingthese needs requires the collaborative andcoordinated efforts of schools, communityservices agencies, employers, and families.The CARF monograph Transition fromSchool to Work and Community Services is aroad map that allows schools and commu-nity service agencies to do a better job ofplanning and helping to prepare studentsand their families for transition fromschool to adult life.

Visit bookstore.carf.org to order theTransition from School to Work andCommunity Services monograph.

Three reasons why ANCOR members should contact CARF:

• Practical tools and consulta-tive feedback for building strongorganizations that enhance thelives of the people served.

• Publications written byexperts in the field who can pro-vide helpful steps toward develop-ing a strategic positioning process,managing outcomes, and success-fully transitioning youth fromschool to work and community.

• Consultants who are recog-nized as leaders in their field,backed by CARF’s 39 years ofspearheading quality standards inthe disability world.

4891 East Grant RoadTucson, AZ 82712888.281.6531www.carf.org

Links /May 2005 RG 2ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.—www.ancor.org


College of Direct SupportINTERNET-BASED LEARNING FOR DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

21st Century Learning for 21st Century Careers

The College of Direct Support is pleased to partner with the ANCOR Foundation to provide high quality, nationally validated, multi-media training to the direct support profes-sionals (DSPs) and frontline supervisors and managers(FLSM) of ANCOR members at substantially reduced fees.

COLLEGE OF DIRECT SUPPORT

T he College of Direct Support (CDS) is the product of a commitment of theUniversity of Minnesota and MCStrategies of Atlanta to build a state-of-

the art, competency-based, nationally valid,multi-media, web-based training program fordirect support professionals (DSPs).

The initial courses of the CDS were createdwith “Project of National Significance” fundingfrom the Administration on DevelopmentalDisabilities. This funding was provided with anunderstanding that with initial courses complet-ed, CDS would be sustained and expandedthrough user fees. The commitment to provideseed funding for CDS came in response to con-cerns about access to the quality of training need-ed by DSPs, especially in light of their increasingresponsibilities as they work in smaller, more dis-persed to settings, more often supporting personswith complex needs, less often with on-site super-vision and access to specialized professional sup-port, more often with high levels of autonomy,and increasingly with part-time and odd-hourschedules that make traditional training inaccessi-ble or of low quality.

Specific standards and features have been builtinto CDS to respond to these challenges and toprovide the highest possible quality of training to meet the growing demands of the DSP rolequality.

Ten primary features include: 1) guidancefrom a National Advisory Committee made up of representatives of major national organizations,including ANCOR; 2) content based on the specific competencies required of DSPs as determined through systematic job analyses; 3) content based on values of respect, self-determination and ethical behavior as conveyed in and cross-referenced to the Code of Ethics of the National Alliance for Direct

Support Professionals; 4) content guided,reviewed and revised based on focus groups andcritical review by national experts on theNational Board of Editors and revised annuallybased on feedback derived from built-in evalua-tion features; 5) fail-safe instructional delivery 24hours a day, 365 days a year in all communitiesin which DSPs live and work; 6) a field-testedplatform and course functionalities; 7) permanentretrievable records of all completed training, testing and rated job performance, transportablefrom agency to agency and state to state; 8) alearner management system that allows lessonsand courses to assigned a local training directorto respond to individual and agency needs; 9) anannotation system to permit core content to beeasily supplemented with agency and/or state specific information; 10) a program that is easilyand appropriately articulated into post-secondarydegree and certificate programs.

Even as CDS continues to grow, high levels of learner satisfaction are reported. In a 2004pilot test in Virginia, in 94% of 735 coursereviews, DSPs “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that,“Overall, this is an excellent course.” As a resultof a new partnership with ANCOR, CDS isavailable to ANCOR members at substantiallyreduced fees.

“The College of Direct Support has become the cor-nerstone of Heritage Christian’s comprehensive effortto professionalize the position of the direct supportwork and to make it recognized as a valued careerchoice. Using it to provide a professional certifica-tion for frontline workers is Heritage Christian tak-ing action to make this a nationally acknowledged credential. It has, as expeacted, led to improved jobsatisfaction and higher staff retention rates.”

– Daniele Lyman, Heritage Christian Services, Rochester, New York.

Three reasons why ANCOR mem-bers should contact the College ofDirect Support:

• Comprehensive, current, values-driven content based onsystematic analysis of actualdemandst of the DSP role

• Training that is learner-paced,consistently effective and availablewhenever the learner is ready (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)

• High quality human resourceTools, including automatic tracking,storing, and recognition of learnerachievement, and tools to monitorstaff satisfaction, demographics,turnover and so forth

21st Century Learning for 21st Century Careers

College of Direct Supportwww.collegeofdirectsupport.combill@collegeofdirectsupport.com



Michael HutchersonPRESIDENT

Paul Serafin VICE PRESIDENT

Michael and Paul would like to introduce you to the Employee Benefit and Communication Program (EBCP) offered exclusively to all ANCOR members. The program wasdesigned to help agencies recapture lost dollars by educatingyour employees on the full value of their benefit package.

COLONIAL INSURANCE AGENCY LLC

The Employee Benefit andCommunication Program isoffered to all ANCOR membersat no additional cost to your

agency. The program educates youremployees on their benefit package andthe associated cost through a “Personal-ized Benefit Statement.” This communi-cation process will give your employees abetter understanding of their total com-pensation. Studies have shown that com-munication of benefits and the cost asso-ciated with them has lowered employeeturnover, boosted employee morale andincreased productivity.

The EBCP gives each employee theopportunity to face financial securityissues for themselves and their familiesthrough sensible and affordable solutions.All employees, whether interested or notin additional products or services willcome away from the consultation with anew understanding and appreciation ofthe many benefits provided to them byyour agency. Please note that this benefitin no way replaces or duplicates any ofyour existing programs.

What’s in it for you?

Your agency benefits because you:• Maximize the “Return On

Investment” with your current benefitsprogram.

• Communicate your benefits to youremployees, and the dollar cost associatedwith them.

• Control the increasing cost of providing benefits.

• Provide a benefits package that satisfies your entire employee population.

• Recruit and retain quality employees.

What’s in it for your employees?

Your employees benefit because they:• Have a better understanding of their

current benefits and the cost associatedwith them.

• Have access to a larger portfolio ofbenefits.

• Have the ability to build a benefitsplan based on their own individual needs.

• Have benefits that are affordable andportable through the convenience of payroll deduction.

• Qualify for benefits on a group basis.

Summary of Program

• Provide benefit communication to all employees.

• Provide a “Personalized BenefitStatement” to each employee, enhancingtheir awareness of the cost of benefits.

• Offer voluntary products with nochange to your existing benefits.

• Ease of administration.

Three reasons why ANCOR mem-bers should contact ColonialInsurance Agency, LLC:

• Strengthen the employer/employee relationship by expand-ing your current benefits packageat no additional cost to youragency.

• Provide benefit communi-cation and personalized benefit statements to all employees.

• Enhance your employee’sunderstanding of their current benefit package and the cost associated with it.

The Colonial Insurance Agency, LLCMichael HutchersonPaul Serafin7 Airport Park BoulevardLatham, NY [email protected]


SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLPSPECIAL SECTION FURNITURE CONCEPTS/FURNITURE ASSOCIATES

Sharon AdamsCONTRACT SALES MANAGER

FURNITURE CONCEPTS/FURNITURE ASSOCIATES

The only thing stronger than our furniture is our dedication to customer satisfaction! Our peopleunderstand the needs of your residents and the

realities of your budget. Our products make your residents feel right at home, while our prices allow you to only pay for what you truly need. Quite simply, we are not satisfied until you are.

F urniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates are proud to have a VendorPartnership with ANCOR. Members of ANCOR receive an extra 1% to 5%

discount, in addition to standard 50% offpricing, when purchasing quality furnituredesigned for group living environments.

Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates have over 25 years of experiencefurnishing MR/DD group homes, developmental centers, residential treatmentcenters and transitional housing facilities.From beds and wardrobes, to sofas, chairs,dining tables, mattresses and more, the folksat Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates are eager to fulfill your furnishingneeds with reliable service, on-time deliveryand a fierce dedication to customer satisfaction.

Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates is your exclusive source forTOUGH STUFF – a collection of contractand institutional furnishings with the lookand feel of home. TOUGH STUFF seatingpieces and mattresses meet all applicable fireratings and are available with fluid-proof covers that look and feel like fabric. All woodstorage pieces are designed to be durable,warm-looking and easy to maintain. Betteryet, most furniture and mattresses can be customized to your specifications.

Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates is a third generation, family-owned and operated wholesale distributor and manufacturer’s representative for a broadvariety of companies that supply furnishingsfor hard-use environments. With existingcustomers in every state, including Hawaiiand Alaska as well as Mexico, the Caribbeanand Canada, the company provides dockside

delivery, inside delivery or full service installation when required.

Providers of service balance many difficultissues in their quest to provide quality services. Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates provide assistance to help you keepenvironments “homelike” but easy for staff tomaintain. The company focuses on providing TOUGH STUFF – furnishings that are reasonably priced and durable, as well as easy to maintain and repair. Productsinclude almost every item needed to furnishthe typical group living or community basedsetting, from framed art to lamps and furniture for the living room, dining room,bedroom and staff offices.

Furniture Concepts and FurnitureAssociates understand the problems inherentin providing furniture used in residential caresettings, and have worked with both for-profit and non-profit providers of servicenationwide. They’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Their recommendationscan often improve the therapeutic function of the immediate environment, while conserving capital expenditure funds, andfacilitating repair and maintenance.

Interior design services are offered without charge, along with additional custom options designed and created to meetthe specific needs of the individuals served.Products are backed by warranties rangingfrom 5 years to 10 years.

Feel free to call at 800-969-4100 with your comments or questions, or visit the website at www.furnitureconcepts.com.Furniture Concepts and Furniture Associatesare eager to be of service, and look forward toserving you.

Three reasons why ANCOR members should contact us.

• As a Vendor Partner withANCOR, FurnitureConcepts/Furniture Associatesoffers ANCOR members an extradiscount in addition to standard50% off pricing.

• Furniture Concepts/FurnitureAssociates is your exclusive source for TOUGH STUFF-a collection of contract and institutional furnishings with thelook and feel of home. We understand the needs of your residents and the realities of yourbudget.

• Over 25 years of customersatisfaction, on-time delivery, interior design and service to theMR/DD and human services community assure you of purchasing furniture that truly fulfills your residents’ needs.

Furniture Conceptsand Furniture Associates29225 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 110Pepper Pike, OH 44122Toll Free (800) 969-4100(216) 292-9100; Fax (216) 292-7460


SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLPSPECIAL SECTION THE FUTURES HEALTHCORE, LLC

Peter Bittel, Ed.D., CCC/SLPCEOTHE FUTURES HEALTHCORE, LLC

The Futures HealthCore provides clinical supports to over 9000 people in 7 states.Because Futures’ management staff are

practicing clinicians, we maintain an understanding of theclinical and administrative issues inherent in service to peoplewith disabilities.

Aproblem with the delivery of clinicalsupports in the world of develop-mental disabilities is that most sup-ports are driven by the clinician

rather than by the individual.

What would happen if clinical supportswere consumer-driven?

• If frequency and scheduling were donebased on the needs of the consumer?

• If the needs of the consumer and theconcerns of consumer advocates primarilyinfluenced frequency and intensity of sup-ports?

• If the cost of supports and objective outcomes were tracked and trended?

• If the quality of supports were measuredagainst objective standards?

That is what happened when a metro-politan agency outsourced its clinical supportsto The Futures HealthCore. This projectinvolved the support of people with complexdisabilities living in community residences.Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists,Nurses, Dietitians and Speech LanguagePathologists were hired from the outsourcingagency.

The first year of operation resulted in significant changes within the system, andprovided a variety of learning opportunitiesfor clinical and administrative staff:

• Clinicians could recommend supportsthey determined to be necessary and the teamdiscussed recommendations to determine themost appropriate service delivery.

• Clinicians considered the ways that community supports could be used.

• Pay status for clinicians was moved fromsalaried to hourly.

• Caseloads became dynamic—swelling aspeople achieved levels of medical stability and

decreasing as hospitalizations and acute illnesses were noted.

• Turnover of staff in consumer residenceswas significant resulting in Futures cliniciansspending increased amounts of time on training.

• Turnover of Futures clinicians was only8%. Clinicians reported increased professionalsatisfaction and appreciation of greater auton-omy and accountability.

As the project progresses, the clinical and organizational foundations have beenenhanced, new processes have developed andexisting processes strengthened:

• The Quality Assurance process hasbecome more functional and sophisticated.

• Documentation is timely, thorough, and integrated into the outsourcing agency’ssystem.

• Difficulties between the outsourcingagency and Futures are addressed in a collegialfashion, with positive outcomes for bothagencies and consumers.

• Clinicians are working in the communi-ty with people of all socio-economic levels.

• Therapy programs are more comprehen-sive so that the outsourcing agency is able toaccept more consumers with a wider varietyof clinical needs.

These improvements would be significantif they represented clinical developmentsalone; however, the cost savings to the out-sourcing agency was more than 25% in thefirst two years of the project.

These cost savings may not be able to berealized at every juncture, due to the medicalcomplexities with which we wrestle, but in amanaged system, at least we understand thereasons for the costs and we know we havedone all we can to reduce them.

Three Reasons why ANCOR members should contact TheFutures HealthCore:

Futures’ clinicians and manage-ment staff are committed to:

• Work that makes a real difference in the lives of the peopleentrusted to our care.

• Maintaining outstanding clini-cal services and programs whileimplementing sensible cost-con-tainment strategies.

• Ensuring that our work isthoughtful, caring, and directedtoward outcomes that matter in thelives of the people we serve.

The services we offer include:• Speech Language Pathology• Physical Therapy• Occupational Therapy• Nursing• Dietary • Psychology• Social Work

We look forward to workingwith your organization in a collabo-rative effort to help the people wesupport build better lives.

The Futures HealthCore, LLCPO Box 2304Amherst, MA 01004(800) 218-9280 Fax: (866) [email protected]


Sally VailVICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY LIVING

Vivian Whitfield MORTGAGE LOAN CONSULTANT, COMMUNITY LIVING

Your community-based group home has a positive impact onpeople who are unable to live independently. Irwin Mortgagecan help you give back even more to the community by financ-ing your facility at lower interest rates than you’ll get from abank or commercial lender.

SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLPIRWIN MORTGAGE CORPORATION

See what you can save with aCommunity Living loan from IrwinMortgage. Whether you’re an indi-vidual owner, a limited partnership, a

government agency, a nonprofit or a for-prof-it corporation, a Community Living loan canbenefit you by offering:

• Loan terms to fit your needs — 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-year mortgages are available.

• Low fixed-interest rates — with noadd-on for non-owners.

• Higher loan-to-value ratios — borrowup to 90% of the property’s appraised valuefor a purchase loan, or up to 75% for a cash-out refinance.

• Flexibility — you can use yourCommunity Living loans to either buy newgroup homes or to refinance your existingproperties.

It’s the savings you need for the serviceyou provide. And you can get it all fromIrwin Mortgage.

Why Irwin Mortgage?• Experience. We piloted this program

with Fannie Mae and now have four years ofexperience in developing Community Livingloans.

• Endorsement. Today we’re one of only10 active lenders approved by Fannie Mae tooffer these loans.

• History. Irwin Mortgage has more than60 years of lending experience and scores ofoffices nationwide.

• Commitment. We have a dedicatedCommunity Living Department working

Three reasons to call IrwinMortgage for Community Livingloans:

• Resources: We work closelywith Fannie Mae to serve theMR/DD industry.

• Range: We provideCommunity Living loans to non-profits, corporations, LLCs and individuals for single-family residential properties.

• Choice: We offer fixed-rateloans with 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-year terms throughout the 48 contiguous states.

Irwin Mortgage Corporation10500 Kincaid DriveFishers, IN 46038-9515Sally Vail, vice president800-388-1537, Ext. [email protected] Whitfield, mortgage loan analyst800-388-1537, Ext. [email protected]

with service providers and property ownersthroughout America.

• Convenience. Irwin Mortgage canqualify you upfront for a Community Livingloan, and your pre-qualification will be validfor a year. And we service all the loans our-selves — your business starts with us andstays with us.

Discover the Irwin differenceLet our Community Living staff help you

with your financing needs. You’ll be gladyou did. Our customers are. Here’s whatsome of them have to say:

• “In 2003, Irwin Mortgage financed 51new community living homes in Indianathrough the efforts of ResCare, builders, titlecompanies and Property DevelopmentCompany Four. All houses were closed ineight months — an amazing feat. IrwinMortgage was expeditious and professional.”

• “We want to thank you for your effortsin obtaining financing for our three proper-ties. Your professionalism was outstanding,and the results could not have been better.”

• “The Irwin representatives have beenvery thorough and professional.”

• “Irwin Mortgage should have more people like Sally and Vivian. I have done atleast 25 loans over the years, and this was byfar my best experience.”

Make your next loan your best experi-ence. Contact the Community Living loanexperts at Irwin Mortgage. Let them focuson your financing so you can focus on yourservices.



Jeffrey A. RutledgePRESIDENT OF SALES AND OPERATIONS

MRDD SOLUTIONS

MRDD Solutions’™ products and servicesslash agency costs, boost profit margins, andincrease operational efficiency. This occurs

by leveraging technology, using industry “best practices”,and integrating software systems in order to eliminateredundant data entry of accounting, billing, payroll, HR, andconsumer management information.

MRDD SOLUTIONS

In our ten-plus years of experience in working with MR/DD providers across thecountry, MRDD Solutions has historicallyfound providers are forced to run discon-

nected systems for accounting, billing, andclient management functions. Few softwaresystems on the market are suited for the specific needs of a MR/DD provider. In most cases, providers who run “disconnected” systems are burdened by the inefficiencies due to the lack of electronic communicationbetween systems and the workarounds createdin order for the software to function in aMR/DD environment. The incredible levelsof inefficiency come with the high price tag of administrative costs and the lack of adequate managerial reporting.

Our solutions have paved-the-way formore than 75 providers in 16 states to becomemore efficient by using integrated softwaresystems to improve efficiencies in multipleareas of agency management thereby reducingadministrative costs. This includes an “inte-grated” MR/DD software system that focuseson accounting, payroll, billing, consumermanagement, human resources, fund raising,incident tracking, and other related functions.The system shares data electronically andeliminates redundant entry of the same data in unrelated software programs. Other focusesinclude an Automated Forms Processing service that eliminates manual data entry forcommon processes such as payroll and billingby digitally processing paper forms.

Larry White, ANCOR member andExecutive Director of Anne Grady Center,best describes the results obtained by MRDDSolutions’ customers by saying, “We wereexpanding in services, staff, and revenue, butcould not tell which services were makingmoney. We contracted with MRDD Solutions

to install the Integrated Software Series© andhelp us streamline our business department.The software and services from MRDDSolutions paid for itself the first year and pro-vided a 58.1% return on investment (ROI).We saved at least $100,000 in the first year,not to mention we have an accurate picture of our finances for the first time ever.”

The Integrated Software Series© is the flagship product. It is a series of 15 modulesthat can be run individually with your existing systems or in an integrated series.These modules include:

Core Accounting • General Ledger• Accounts Payable• Accounts Receivable• Payroll• System Manager (HIPAA compliance)

Consumer Management• Service Billing (Waiver as an example)• Incident Trending and Analysis• Client Personal Funds Management• Client Assessment • Client Demographics• Vocational (Sheltered Workshop)

Agency Management• Human Resources• Employee Requirements (manages

requirements i.e. training)• Fixed Assets• Fund Raising for non-profits

Other services include:• ASP service for use of the software via

the Internet (connects remote sites/users)• Fiscal consultation and interim finance

professionals (CFO, controller, etc.)• Automated data collection for time,

attendance, and billing

Three reasons why ANCOR members should contact us:

• Successful installations atmore than 75 agencies in over 16states have proven that our prod-ucts work. Expect our concepts topay for themselves within six toeight months and provide generousROI in the first year.

• We live and breathe MR/DD!Our products and services areuniquely tailored to serve theneeds of the industry with a perspective that no other vendorcan offer.

• “Profit” is not a dirty word.For profit or non-profit, our profes-sionals will introduce you to tech-nology that lets you earn more revenue with less administrativeexpense.

MRDD Solutions122 South Fulton St.Wauseon, Ohio [email protected] Extension 11www.mrddsolutions.com

Founding Gold Sponsor



James L. Shorter, ESQFOUNDER

Dale Dutton CEO

Your broker for professional services that build the strengthof your valued human service corporation.

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tile team of the best outside experts avail-able to serve the full scope of your needswith impressive credentials.

Our seasoned professional affiliateshave years of solid experience workingwith profit and nonprofit organizations,public education systems, advocacy,employment, and health care organiza-tions.

They hold degrees in business, law,psychology, education, public health, andsocial work. Many are users and providersof Direct Support services.

At a reasonable cost… Consistent withthe Noble principles and satisfactionguarantee

By serving as a single point of contact,we can help you maximize your time andefforts more efficiently. We’re dedicated tohelping you take advantage of Noble’ssize, strength, and depth at a reasonableprice. We can do this because wedesigned our organization to be flexible.You benefit by receiving timely consulta-tion and paying only for the services youneed.

Consistent with the Noble principlesand satisfaction guarantee...NobleSolutions focuses on agreed-upon cus-tomer outcomes as well as solid planningand management to reach those out-comes, truthful reporting of performance,and continuous improvement - all with aguarantee from Noble of customer satis-faction.

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CaliforniaBoard Resource Center, CaliforniaEd Burke, VirginiaCenter for Outcome Analysis/James Conroy,

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CaliforniaJim Shorter, Northern CaliforniaVickie Vining, Southern CaliforniaLinda Thompson, Southern California

Three reasons why you should contact Noble Solutions:

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Or contact:Dale Dutton CEOOffice: (415) 461-7218Cell: (415) 717-1945email: [email protected]

Sherry Beamer Manager Office:(818) 841-1088Cell: (818) 521-5698email: [email protected]


SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLPONECARE

Microsoft Navision OneCare® is an enterprise-wide software solution for thehuman services industry. The system provides functionality that includes

accounting and billing, residential, periodic, and programservices support, human resources, automated time entry,and payroll. One system, one database, one point of dataentry and reporting; OneCare®.

Based on the flexible design of theMicrosoft Navision Software,OneCare® can accommodate alltypes of human services activities

including: In Home Care, ResidentialCare, Vocational Training and JobPrograms as well as other unique services.

OneCare® Features Listing:

Consumers• Consumer Care requirements, functional

limitations and preferences tracking• Care Plan functionality• Task checklist for services

Services• Residential care support• Day programs• Vocational programs• Periodic services (in home and other)

Billing• Flexible multi-payer billing• Unlimited payers with flexible billing

rules• Credit collection and tracking• Track referrals and authorizations

Staff• Set up user-defined resource types (staff,

contractor, family, etc.)• Resource qualifications and attribute

tracking• Remote time entry via telephone,

web-browser, hand-held devices or timesheets

• Fully integrated Human Resources andPayroll modules

System Wide• Facilitates HIPAA Compliance

• Provides document management and storage capabilities for scanned images & e-documents

• Sophisticated analysis reporting usingBusiness Intelligence and OLAP tools

• General Ledger• Fund Accounting• Advanced Budgeting• Accounts Payable• Accounts Receivable• Fixed Assets• Job Costing• Customer Relationship Management

About Clifton Gunderson, LLPFounded in 1960, Clifton Gunderson

LLP (CG) has grown to be the 12th largestCPA and consulting firm in the UnitedStates. We look back on our history ofgrowth and success with pride, but what’smost satisfying is that it coincides with thegrowth and success of our clients’ businesses. Clifton Gunderson builds trusting relationships that last.

Our business software and technologyexperts can plan, deliver and support a full suite of services using a wide range of products developed specifically for commercial and industry niche markets. Our methodology for delivering TechnologyConsulting services ensures that the qualityand timeliness of the services you receivefrom our team of dedicated, expert profes-sionals will not just meet your needs, butexceed your expectations.

This breadth of skills and depth of staffare your long-term resource for softwareselection and implementation, customi-zation and report writing, training and support.

Top Three Reasons You Should Call us Now:• OneCare® provides a fully integrated single system for all ofthe business needs of a HumanServices organization.• As one of the leading SolutionCenters for Microsoft Navisionsoftware, we provide a full breadth of services including:

– Pre-sales consulting– Systems analysis & design– Software customization– Implementation– Training– Support

• Clifton Gunderson TechnologySolutions is a leading provider ofBusiness Management software for organizations of all sizes, across several industries. We haveextensive experience in the MR/DD Human Services field, andserve the nation from offices in 13 states.

Clifton GundersonTechnology Solutions3003 North Central AvenueSuite 500Phoenix, Arizona 85012(602) 266-2248 (voice)(602) 266-2907 (fax)http://www.cliftoncpa.comhttp://www.onecare.net



Philadelphia Insurance Companies is com-mitted to providing ANCOR members with aquality insurance program. Our underwriting

flexibility enables us to address the unique exposures thatconfront social service organizations while considering theirbudgetary constraints. Your policy is written to protect theinsurable exposures of your employees, volunteers, trusteesand the organization. Focus on the things that matter. We’ll handle the risk.

PHILADELPHIA INSURANCE

Philadelphia Insurance Companiesis committed to providingANCOR members with a qualityinsurance program.

We provide competitively priced poli-cies, local service relationships and differ-entiated coverage features designed to provide a win/win relationship with ourcustomers.

Our Non-Profit Package is insuranceuniquely designed to fulfill a wide rangeof special insurance needs for the Non-Profit sector as defined under IRS Code501(c)(3).

Below are some of our coverage features:

Comprehensive General Liability

• Employee Benefits Liability• Volunteers as Additional Insureds• Coverage for Fund-Raising Events• Limits to $3,000,000.• Abuse & Molestation coverage options

for eligible non profits• Blanket Additional Insured for Funding

Sources & Landlords• Medical Payments with $15,000 limit

Property

• Blanket Limits with large in house capacity.

• Water Backup of Sewers and Drains orSumps

• Sign Coverage – No Limitation• Glass Coverage – No Limitation• Ordinance & Law Coverage – Included

up to Building Limit• Spoilage Coverage – $25,000

• Agreed Value Endorsement availablewith property appraisal

Automobile• Employees and Volunteers as Insureds• Hired Car Physical Damage• Rental Reimbursement for Private

Passenger Vehicles• Web-based Auto ID Card issuance

Crime and Fidelity• Employee Theft (Blanket Fidelity)• Theft, Disappearance and Destruction• Forgery or Alteration• ERISA Coverage

Non Profit Directors and OfficersLiability• Spousal coverage• Coverage for defense costs for any actual

or alleged breach of contract agreements,except breach of employment contractclaims - $25,000

• Coverage available for breach of employee contract claims

• Primary limits up to $10,000,000 withexcess limits available

• Outside Directorship coverage• 5 part policy, including D&O,

Employment Practices Liability,Fiduciary Liability, Workplace Violence,and Internet Liability

• Outside Directorship coverage

Professional Liability• Separate coverage part so no erosion of

General Liability aggregate limit• Provides vicarious coverage for subcon-

tracted physicians• Covers Students in Training

Three reasons why ANCOR mem-bers should contact us:

• Philadelphia IndemnityInsurance Company andPhiladelphia Insurance Companyare rated A+ (Superior) by A.M.Best Company, the principal U.S.rating agency for insurers. Only 5%of the 3,350 U.S. insurance compa-nies earn this rating.

• We have been writing insur-ance for Social Service organiza-tions for 14 years.

• We have a large network ofloss control and risk managementprofessionals with expertise in allaspects of safety. We will tailor arisk management program suitablefor your agency and provide accessto our industry specific, proprietarywebsite, losscontrol.com.

Philadelphia Insurance CompaniesOne Bala Plaza, Ste 100Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004Toll Free: 800-873-4552Fax: [email protected]



www.TheArcLink.org publishes a free basiclisting for every provider, but we get ourongoing support from our participatingproviders, who have demonstrated their

commitment to providing information and choice to peoplewith disabilities and their families. More than 5,000 peoplevisit TheArcLink each week.

THEARCLINK

TheArcLink.org provides indi-viduals and families withdirect access to vital informa-tion. Providers can access

their listing online and update theirlisting at any time. The expandedlisting includes comprehensive infor-mation on your organization and itsservices, expanded contact informa-tion, service coverage area by zip code,licenses and accreditation, missionstatement, references, answers toFAQs that families and people withdisabilities have said they want toknow, opportunities to talk aboutwho you are, what you stand for, howyou do business, why people shouldpick you as a provider, detailed infor-mation about vacancies and otherinformation.

As a participating provider:

• You will have full use of the Staff,Customer, Stakeholder and 360Management surveys for your organi-zation. TheArcLink aggregates all sur-vey data, and includes a comparisonof comparison of your organization'sscores to the total of all employeesnationwide. No one exceptTheArcLink’s survey specialist hasaccess to any survey results. Werelease the survey results only to thedirector of the surveyed organization.Since its introduction, thousands ofemployees across the country havetaken the survey. Send an email to

[email protected] for moreinformation, including commentsfrom providers who have used thesurveys.

• If you have residential or sup-ported living vacancies, your listingwill appear on the online vacancy listfor your state.

• You will appear first on anyprovider search since more informa-tion is available on your organization.

• You can also list all the zip codesin your marketing area, whereas thebasic listing only includes the singlezip code of the provider’s mainaddress.

• There will be a link to your webpage and email in your listing.

• You will receive an email notifi-cation every time a visitor sees yourlisting.

• If you have multiple listings, youcan consolidate them into oneexpanded listing.

TheArcLink is a national inde-pendent nonprofit organization. Allproviders, regardless of their affilia-tion, have the same opportunity toprovide information in their listing.We are the largest independent onlinesource of information about disabilityservices, with 30,000 providers in ourdatabase.

To sign up or get more informa-tion, call 1-877-431-8532 or send anemail to [email protected].

Three Reasons why ANCOR mem-bers should contact TheArcLink:

• We are the largest inde-pendent online source of informa-tion about disability services,reaching 60% of the United Statespopulation. More than 30,000providers are in our database

• A participating provider list-ing includes comprehensive infor-mation about your services on thisfrequently visited reference tool.

• You get free use of the staffsurvey, stakeholder survey, cus-tomer survey and 360 manage-ment survey

TheArcLink Incorporated107 N Pennsylvania St Ste 300Indianapolis, Indiana 46204(812) 327-2955(812) [email protected]


SPECIAL SECTION CLIFTON GUNDERSON, LLPTHERAP SERVICES, LLC

Justin M. Brockie DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SUPPORT

THERAP SERVICES, LLC

Therap Services, LLC was founded to improvethe quality of life for people with developmen-tal disabilities by providing cost-effective

information, communications, and technology services tailored to the specific needs of service providers, servicemanagers, health professionals, and regulators.

T herap Services’ online suite ofapplications are designed specifical-ly for providers of supports to peo-ple with developmental disabilities.

Therap 5.0 includes a new look basedaround FirstPage. This dynamic and inter-active “home page” allows users to see inone place how many reports are waiting forthem and what actions can be taken.

All Therap applications are web basedrequiring no software installation. Therap is a service bureau so our pricing (availableon our website) includes the applications,training, and support.

Therap has also added the followingnew modules:

Health Tracking: Record and report on vital signs, weight, seizures, wound care,and menses. Record and follow up on medical appointments. Produce monthlysummary reports

Individual Service Plans:Use theTherap ISP module to record teachingstrategies and guidelines. You can thenmeasure an individual’s progress and pro-duce reports comparing progress to previ-ous time periods and baseline data. Recordthe amount of time particular staff or pro-fessionals spend working on particular goalsto tasks

Individual Data Forms: Records a widerange of data about the people you sup-port. Information includes demographics,contacts, diagnoses, physicians, etc.

Emergency Data Forms: A subset of theIndividual Data Form. The Therap systemwill automatically inform anyone with theappropriate privileges when this form hasbeen updated.

T-Logs: A flexible and dynamic tool to record and sharing information on anongoing basis.

There have also been a number ofenhancements to existing applications:

Incident Reports: Indicate injury loca-tions by clicking on an interactive body diagram.

Secure Communications: Therap’sHIPAA compliant electronic messaging sys-tem now allows for the attachment of exter-nal files such as Word or Excel documents.Therap forms that are attached to SCommmessages are now dynamic and can beworked on directly.

Data Administration: Set a password policy for your agency that defines how long passwords are, what characters must beincluded, how often they must be changed,and how many incorrect login attempts areallowed. View your staff ’s activity on thesystem. Track log ins, attempted log ins, and form submissions across your agency.

Therap offers a schedule of free on-linetraining classes for users and potential usersto learn about the Therap applications.

A sampling of upcoming classes includes:• Introduction to Therap 5.0• Incident Reports and Management

Summaries• Therap for Direct Support Staff• Therap for new and potential users• Individual Service Plans and Therap Logs

For more information about Therap,other classes offered, or to sign up for atraining class, please go towww.TherapServices.net/training or contactJustin Brockie at (203) 596-7553.

Three reasons why ANCOR mem-bers should contact us: • Save Money

The Therap system is already saving providers money all overthe country.

• Improve SupportTherap’s reporting features allowproviders to identify strengthsand weaknesses across theagency. Improved communica-tion improves timeliness andquality of support.

• Manage Risk and ComplianceTherap’s Secure Communicationsapplication allows for the sharingof HIPAA sensitive material elec-tronically. All Therap applica-tions are web based and HIPAAcompliant.

Therap Services, LLC562 Watertown Avenue, Suite 3Waterbury, CT 06708-2240Toll Free (866) 843-7270Fax (203) [email protected]


The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) is a new planning tool forprofessionals with a unique, positive approach to determiningsupport needs—not deficits—of people with cognitivedisabilities. SIS helps you get all the practical informationyou need for life planning through an interview process thatengages all stakeholders—the person, multidisciplinarystaff, and family members.

With SIS, you can develop individual support plans based on:

■ Direct, reliable, valid measurements of supports requiredfor 57 essential activities in home living; community living;life-long learning; employment; health andsafety; social interaction; and protectionand advocacy

■ Results ranked by frequency, daily supporttime, and types of support required

■ Evaluation of 15 medical and 13 behavioral conditions on overallsupport needs

■ Percentile ranking of respondent’s support needs from nationalfield test data

■ Solid knowledge of needs and life goals identified by therespondent

The Supports Intensity Scale is the first scale based on thecontemporary, supports-based definition of mental retardation.SIS was developed over five years by a panel of disability experts andis published by the American Association on Mental Retardation.

Here’s your opportunity to empower people with intellectualdisabilities to plan a life of their choice. Discover the SupportsIntensity Scale today!

“For those of us who work tirelessly forself-determination and the full inclusionof citizens with developmental disabilitiesin community life, our ship has arrived.”

The new Supports Intensity Scale includesa test instrument and a companion manual thatincludes 3 case studies and guidelines on howqualified professionals can integrate SIS into

the person-centered planning process.

Phone: (301) 604-1340

Email: [email protected]

Fax: (301) 206-9789

Mail: AAMR Publications, PO Box 25Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0025

SIS set includes one Manual (128 pp.) and 25 interviewforms (8 pp. each)—$125

Forms can be purchased separately for $38.75 (25 forms)and $147.25 (100 forms)

SIS Electronic Scoring Program on CD—$375

Four Easy Ways to Order!

The new Supports Intensity Scalehelps everyone discover

the true support needs of peoplewith cognitive disabilities.

See sample SIS interview forms, casestudies, FAQs, and much more at

www.aamr.org

Now Available!Electronic Scoring ProgramAvailable on CD.

—Stephen Hall, Executive DirectorThe Resource Exchange, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado


State Representative Profile

Montana State Representative Graydon Moll

Igrew up in Dixon, Illinois, whereDixon State School, a large stateinstitution for people with devel-opmental disabilities, is located.

During college I worked two summersas a recreation aide in a summer pro-gram at that institution. During thetwo summers that I spent at DixonState I met a couple of contemporaryfriends who also work in the develop-mental disabilities system here inMontana.

After my graduation from collegeone of these friends had moved toMontana to work at MontanaDevelopment Center, which isMontana’s state institution for peoplewith developmental disabilities. I decid-ed to follow this friend to Montana,and took a position at the MontanaDevelopmental Center. After a coupleof years there I left for a hitchhikingtrip of Europe. I worked for severalyears doing a variety of other thingsthat included working for a city manag-er, fundraising for the Multiple SclerosisSociety, and selling tax sheltered annu-ities for a national company in Tucson.

I was getting tired of the heat inTucson and one day got a call from anold friend from Dixon State Schoolnotifying me of a program managerposition in Browning, Montana. TheCEO of that corporation resigned mysecond day on the job and I becameCEO shortly thereafter.

I moved to another provideragency in the early 80s, and during thattime period I was president of our stateprovider association. We started havingsome issues with the Department ofLabor regarding compensation for nighttime group home staff. I got someinformation from a peer aboutANCOR and the GovernmentalRelations Conference that was address-ing labor issues. I came to my firstANCOR conference in 1986.

In 1987 I moved west of the

mountains in Montana to become theCEO of Mission Mountain Enterprises,here in Lake County. MissionMountain Enterprises, Inc. is a corpora-tion that serves 75 people with disabili-ties in Lake County. We have a budgetof over 3 million dollars and with 141full time and on call staff.

The thing that I like the mostabout this work is the opportunity tohelp both people served and staff with agreater quality of life where they havegreater choices and better outcomes inlife.

The thing I like most aboutANCOR is listening to national speak-ers and networking with fellowproviders. These conferences have givenme a great opportunity to expand myhorizons both personally and profes-sionally. People in large rural westernstates like Montana get kind of myopicabout what goes on in the rest of theworld, as we are isolated from otherprovider networks. We spend a lot oftime on state and local issues, but reallyneed someone looking out for us at thenational level which is what ANCORdoes. ■

To be the premier provider associationcreating a world that values the full par-ticipation of all stakeholders.

Empowering providers and people withdisabilities to celebrate diversity andeffect change that ensures full participa-tion.

• ANCOR will position itself as aknowledge broker assistingcustomers/stakeholders, as well as emerg-ing customer groups, to provide the mosteffective, state-of-the-art services to thosethey serve.

• The composition and structure ofthe ANCOR Board will be reorganized asnecessary to achieve the vision and mis-sion of the organization.

• The composition of ANCOR staffand leadership will be enhanced to meetthe skills, knowledge and flexibilityrequired to serve customers and managethe issues impacting private disabilityproviders and their customers.

• ANCOR will serve as a catalyst fornational efforts to enhance self-direction,choice and allocation of resources for cus-tomers/stakeholders across a broad spec-trum of service models.

• ANCOR will raise awareness andcreate a framework from which to provideinformation, education and resourcesregarding performance excellence andquality outcomes.

• ANCOR will secure financialresources sufficient to achieve its goals,mission and vision.

VISION

MISSION

ANCOR STRATEGIC GOALS

Inspire • Inform • Connect

Job Opening in Your Agency?You can post the positon at

www.ancor.org Career Opportunities

just send your e-mail to [email protected]


Oh What a Nightcontinued from page 1

who appeared genuinely pleased to be apart of the evening’s memorable events.

Washington, DC, April 28, 2005, TheNational Press Club

In the six weeks prior to the DCscreening of Riding the Bus with My Sister,the staff of ANCOR and the AmericanPublic Transportation Association workeddiligently to make arrangements for anevening of movie theater-style fun thatwould include delivery of important issuesmessages.

The guest list included Senate andHouse legislators and staffs, public policy-makers and organizations from the devel-opmental disabilities and public transitcommunities and the media. Print and faxinvitations were sent. Very importantly,author Rachel Simon’s meeting withDelaware Senator Carper netted a DearColleague letter encouraging Senate staff to attend our event. Just as important,ANCOR National Advocacy CampaignPublic Relations co-chair Carol Mitchell of Verland secured a Dear Colleague letterfrom Pittsburgh Representative MelissaHart. With this enormous support, success was guaranteed.

Open excitement was evident as thefirst of 300 guests arrived ½ hour early.The doors opened at 5:55 p.m. to a recep-tion room of food stations with Beth Food

(hot dogs, ice cream bars, sodas) andRachel Food (cheese, fruit and flavoredand fizzy waters) and an old-fashionedcarnival-style popcorn maker. Gatheringtheir fare, guests made their way to theballroom to stake out their seats for ourEast Coast screening. In the ballroom/theater, Olsen’s Books, a local book store,set up a display where author Rachel

"The real stars" of the Washington, D.C. screening included from left to right: Beth's favoritebus driver, Jody; Beth's boyfriend, Jessie; Beth; Beth's sister and author Rachel Simon.

Author Rachel Simon signed copies of her book and chatted with guests.

Simon signed copies of her memoir andchatted with guests.

Promptly at 7:00 p.m. Ms. Simonwas announced to the audience. Shebriefly recounted how so many of herdreams had come true in such a relativelyshort time. Among them was this DCscreening where friends and family couldjoin her to celebrate…she then introducedthe “real stars” of the book by their realand book names; her sister Beth, Beth’sboyfriend Tony (Jessie), Beth’s direct support professional Donna (Olivia) andBeth’s favorite bus driver Jacob (Jody).Ms. Simon then turned the microphoneover to ANCOR’s Immediate PastPresident Than Johnson.

Before explaining ANCOR’s missionand programs, Mr. Johnson took amoment to acknowledge the presence of a most notable guest, Dr. MargaretGiannini, director of the President’s Officeon Disabilities at the Department ofHealth and Human Services.

Then Mr. Johnson turned to the task of explaining precisely what ANCOR isdoing for the Olivia’s and Beth’s of ourcountry. He wrapped up his talk by say-ing, “Today, turnover and vacancy ratesfor direct support positions are at an his-toric high because compensation, bothfinancial and social, is woefully inade-quate. ANCOR is drawing attention tothe direct support professional workforce

crisis through its National AdvocacyCampaign.” He directed moviegoers toopen the small package at their seats, puton their “Make A Difference” wristbandsand hold up their arms. He invited themto visit www.supportnac.org, the URL onthe inside of their wristband, to learn moreabout the ANCOR National AdvocacyCampaign. In closing, Mr. Johnsonthanked the crowd on “…behalf ofANCOR and the hundreds of thousandsof people it represents.”

He then introduced the president of the American Public TransportationAssociation Bill Millar who embraced the


Rachel Simon addresses over 300 guests at The National Press Club screening in Washington,D.C.

moment to praise the new working rela-tionship between ANCOR and APTA.He talked briefly about issues affectingpublic transportation and the pending bill before Congress. He concluded byintroducing a short videotape that RosieMcDonnell made especially for theANCOR/APTA DC Screening. Finally,noting that the “concession stand” is open

Bill Millar, presidentof the AmericanPublicTransportationAssociation

Than Johanson,ANCOR's ImmediatePast President

until 8:00 p.m., Mr. Millar announced,“It’s showtime!” ■

Denise Patton-Pace has extensive

experience in the association community. Patton-

Pace specializes in communication/public relations

administration and management. She lives and works

in Falls Church, Virginia and can be reached at 703-

845-1152 or [email protected]

AUTHOR LINK


What’s in it for you?Your agency benefits because you:� Maximize the “Return On Investment” with your current benefits program.� Communicate your benefits to your employees, and the dollar cost associated with them.� Control the increasing cost of providing benefits.� Provide a benefits package that satisfies your entire employee population.� Recruit and retain quality employees.

What’s in it for your employees?Your employees benefit because they:� Have a better understanding of their current benefits and the cost associated

with them.� Have access to a larger portfolio of benefits.� Have the ability to build a benefits plan based on their own individual needs.� Have benefits that are affordable and portable through the convenience of

payroll deduction.� Qualify for benefits on a group basis.

Summary of Program� Provide benefit communication to all employees.� Provide a “Personalized Benefit Statement” to each employee,

enhancing their awareness of the cost of benefits.� Offer voluntary products with no change to your existing benefits.� Ease of administration.

For more information, please contact:

Paul S. [email protected] 800.595.9768Fax 518.786.9740

Employee Benefit & Communication Program


CEOcontinued from page 3

national trade association model.We moved forward with our Perform-

ance Excellence initiative at the confer-ence, recognizing ANCOR members thathave signed the Principles, Standards andQuality Pledge; and cosponsoring aQuality Café to engage dialogue regardingperformance excellence. This spring, weintroduced a Performance Excellence sec-tion of our website, which includes infor-mation and resources members can use inadvancing the performance excellenceagenda in their agency.

Finally, we showcased initial resultsfrom our Department of Labor pilot part-nership. Each of the four states in ourpilot shared creative strategies they haveused in partnership with their local DoLOne-Stop to supply a consistent pool ofpre-screened DSP candidates, includingcriminal background checks, and to pro-vide basic CPR and First Aid training. Wehope to release a consolidated model inSeptember of this year for rollout acrossthe U.S.

The ANCOR Foundation has enteredinto a partnership with the College ofDirect Support to provide this excellenton-line training for direct support person-nel and supervisors at a preferred cost toANCOR members entering into a buyingpool. Look for details on this importantpartnership in LINKS and on theANCOR website.

By now you should have received thepreliminary program for the Alliance forFull Participation Summit, September 22-23, in Washington accompanied by a letter from me highlighting the historicsignificance of this event. I urge you toreview the details of the program andmake plans today to attend, along with aperson served and a direct support profes-sional.

Both ANCOR and the ANCORFoundation are working on several otherpartnership relationships that will bringtangible value-added to ANCOR memberagencies.

As the above attests, we’re very busy onbehalf of provider agencies and the otherstakeholders encompassed within theANCOR mission. There’s no grass grow-ing under our feet as we aggressively moveforward to realize our vision. ■

Member Highlight is designed to recognize and showcaseANCOR member agencyachievements and significant

community and other initiatives of note.We are featuring an ANCOR memberagency in each issue of LINKS, so pleaseforward your highlight story to MarshaPatrick at [email protected].

Our May Highlight is Chimes inMaryland under the leadership of TerryAllen Perl, CEO and President.

Chimes Honored withMaryland QualityAwards Gold Medal

Chimes programs in Maryland in-cluding The Chimes, Inc. (DBA) ChimesMaryland, Intervals and Chimes District of Columbia were presented with theMaryland Quality Award Gold Medal fromU.S. Senator Paul S. Sarbanes and C.D.Mote, Jr., President of the University ofMaryland, in March, 2005.

As the 2005 recipient of the Maryland

ANCOR Member Highlight

Quality Award Gold Medal, Chimes hasbeen recognized for demonstrating excel-lence in high productivity and work quali-ty. The winner was selected by an inde-pendent committee appointed by SenatorsPaul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski,in cooperation with the Maryland Centerfor Quality and Productivity.

Chimes Family of Services is a groupof leading not-for-profit agencies head-quartered in Baltimore, Maryland servingchildren, adults and senior citizens withbarriers to independent living. Founded in 1947 by Frances Bacon and otherBaltimore parents, the organization wasoriginally established as a school for chil-dren with moderate mental retardation.Today, Chimes Family of Services benefitsover 6,000 people with disabilities, notonly in Maryland, but in Delaware, theDistrict of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsyl-vania, New Jersey, North Carolina andIsrael. Services include educational, voca-tional, employment, habilitative, residen-tial, mental health, substance abuse treat-ment and a variety of other support servic-es, which have an international reputationfor their quality. For more information,log onto www.chimes.org. ■

Photo Credit: Bill Rogers, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Chimes Honored with U.S. Senate Productivity and Maryland Quality Awards Gold Medal.From left to right are President of the University of Maryland, C.D. Mote, Jr.; Chimes Districtof Columbia Chief Operating Officer, Hans Rinecker; former Chimes Maryland and IntervalsChief Operating Officer, Cecil S. Fox; Chimes President and CEO, Terry Allen Perl and U.S.Senator Paul S. Sarbanes.

ANCOR Mission: To empower providers and people with disabilitiesto celebrate diversity and effect change thatensures full participation.

ANCOR Vision: To be the premier provider association creatinga world that values the full participation of allstakeholders.

American Network of Community Options and ResourcesInspire – Inform – Connect

1101 King Street, Suite 380Alexandria, VA 22314-2944703-535-7850www.ancor.org

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Documents

Oh What a Night! · ANCOR—A national network of providers offering quality supports to people with disabilities.— Links/May 2005 1 May 2005 Volume 34, No. 5