Balancing Care and Constraints: Residential Practices with Limited Resources
Please note: This training is not eligible for CE credits.
Each registration includes a certificate for attendance. To be eligible for a certificate, you must attend the entire live training and complete an evaluation form within 24 hours following the live event.
In 2022, surveys revealed a national shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) in the U.S., particularly affecting services for adult males with intellectual and developmental disabilities and histories of sexually abusing others. This shortage led 83% of providers to reject new referrals and 63% to discontinue services, exacerbating issues in client care and public safety. Consequently, millions are left without support or must travel outside their communities.
The Cornerstone Program in rural upstate New York is navigating significant challenges, including limited resources and a 41% staffing vacancy rate as of January 2024. Despite these hurdles, it continues to expand services and maintain low recidivism rates among participants. This training, led by the Senior Director and Director of Clinical Services of the Cornerstone Program, explores how the program survives under such constraints.
The presenters, Sarah Louer and Ashley Wilfore, outline how the DPSs use the ARMIDILO-S assessment tool to guide decision-making and least-restrictive supervision while working within a staffing crisis. The presenters share how human rights remain at the forefront of the Cornerstone Program’s decisions and how administrators and Clinicians prevent the program from becoming overly restrictive with technology or staff.
Additionally, the presenters discuss innovative housing projects developed throughout the staffing crisis, designed to deliver specialized services for people dually diagnosed while minimizing staffing requirements.
It is imperative for treatment programs across the globe to share successful strategies that implement evidence-based approaches under resource constraints, especially in the context of this long-term staffing crisis.
Interactive Follow-Up Meeting
Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.
1) Identify strategies for addressing limited staffing while making decisions related to supervision reduction and risk management.
2) Explain how to implement the ARMIDILO-S within community residential treatment programs to inform decisions regarding risk management, human rights and safety when faced with limited resources.
3) Consider alternative housing options when faced with limited resources.
Audience
This training is primarily for professionals who work directly with adults in inpatient care who have sexually abused others. This includes mental health counselors, social workers, clinical psychologists, forensic experts, and paraprofessionals. It is also of interest to professionals working with clients who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Content Level
Cancellations
Who's Presenting
Sarah Louer, LCSW, LICSW
Ms. Sarah Louer, MSW, LCSW, LICSW is the Senior Director of Clinical Services for Mountain Lake Services. During her 24-year tenure she has developed several community-based programs for individuals with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities. She received her advanced degree in Social Work from the University of Vermont which is a strengths-based program with a focus on human rights. She has presented at the MASOC conference, the National AAIDD conference, and in several New York conferences on working with complex Individual’s with Intellectual Disabilities and sexually problematic behaviors. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the New York Alliance and Chairs their Complex Needs Committee in Albany, NY. Ms. Louer is a member of the Safer Society Board of Directors, out of Vermont and recently gained certification in practicing EMDR. She advocates at the state level for services and has authored a published article about individuals and DSPs within the Cornerstone Program for the NADSP. She has been a Clinical Member of ATSA since 2012.
Ashley Wilfore, MS
Ms. Ashley Wilfore, MS, Director of Clinical Services at Mountain Lake Services in Port Henry, NY for 14 years assisting with developing and providing treatment within the Cornerstone Program, a program for Individuals with sexually problematic behaviors and now assists with overseeing the entire Clinical Services Department. Ms. Wilfore is trained to utilize the ARMIDILO-S in screening risk along with various static risk tools. She has her Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology and is a committee member for the Alliance of New York State’s Complex Needs Committee and provides consultation to other OPWDD agencies across New York State in working with individuals with sexually problematic behaviors. Ms. Wilfore has presented at the NYS ATSA/ALLIANCE conference in Saratoga, NY. She has been a Clinical Member of ATSA since 2019.