Clinical Support Services

During this time, after the COVID-19 pandemic, many can appreciate the need for mental health resources in our general community. Resources are overwhelmed. Many who have never thought about it are beginning to understand that it is important to talk about mental health and focus on it. However, in addition to the general mental health needs of the overall community, many are not aware of how much greater the needs are for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There is a horrifying reality of disproportionately high rates of traumatic experiences among the IDD community, largely due to their increased risk for experiencing abuse and neglect.  The Arc NCR’s Clinical team works tirelessly to help support the mental health needs of the people we support, as well as train and support team members who are supporting people. The work of the Clinical team was highlighted recently at the 2022 After d’Arc Gala, during the Fund the Need segment.

The Clinical team provides support to team members in training and best practices of support, as well as people supported with behaviors that interfere with their ability to live, work and thrive in the community. The Clinical team has pushed forward initiatives and services which are helping teams to offer the best support possible. For people supported, in addition to regular contact, they oversee and encourage the Skills System — an emotional regulation training developed specifically for people with differing abilities. This year they coordinated weekly opportunities for people supported to connect with their peers while also building coping skills like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, music, and movement. In the summer, they coordinated a weekly meeting at a local accessible park for people to get together and walk.

For the agency, they manage and facilitate the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Committee, which has representatives across all departments with the goal of increasing positive interactions throughout the agency. The committee gathers and shares monthly nominations and provides special gift baskets to winners. This year the PBS Committee started the Adopt a Home project which identified 10 Community Living homes to support. PBS Committee members divided up into teams to provide support, activities and positivity to the people supported and employees at each of the 10 homes. Lauren, a member of the Clinical team, presented at the Association of Positive Behavior Support Annual Conference in April 2022 on The Arc NCR’s PBS program. The Clinical team also began offering Lunch and Learns for team members, the first around Dementia and Dementia screening. Two of the Clinical employees are MANDT Trainers and all train new employees in Positive Behavior Supports and Skills System. All three have been trained as handlers for Honor, the agency’s facility dog. The team takes Honor out to Community Living homes where Honor interacts and supports people. 

The Arc NCR needs your support to continue empowering people to live, work and thrive in the community. Unfortunately, only a portion of The Arc NCR’s funding comes from the state and government. Your generous support is critically important to the success of our programs, such as Clinical Supports. Help us support people with differing abilities in our local community by clicking here to donate.

Check out all our Arc Angel stories so far by clicking here!