Submitted By: Jeanne Beaman, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region
We have all heard it, “she’s not employable,” “money doesn’t mean anything to her,” “she will self-sabotage her job,” … the examples could go on. It takes a special someone to see the potential in others and act in a manner of raised expectations. I would like to honor Madicella Martinez for providing person-centered supports using the steps of informed decision making and ‘Charting the Life Course’ tools. Madicella is a Case Manager for The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region (NCR), and provides person-centered supports. Madicella supports Lisa, who receives Supported Employment Services from The Arc NCR. Lisa was successfully employed for quite some time, but over time it appeared that Lisa did not want to work anymore. Madicella facilitated the use of a LifeCourse Portfolio tool from ‘Charting the Life Course’ for Lisa. The results of these discussions lead to identifying multiple outcomes that the team would focus on and track. The factor of ‘My Relationships’ within the Personal Outcome Measures®, included Lisa being connected to natural supports, having an intimate relationship, and performing different social roles. Lisa’s priority outcomes within the factor ‘My Choices,’ included choosing where and with whom to live and where she wanted to work.
Madicella discovered that Lisa’s vision for a good life focused heavily on the outcomes within the factor ‘My Relationships’. First, and most important to her, was living with her boyfriend. Aside from learning what motivated her, the team realized how much Lisa likes helping others. Knowing all of this, Madicella put a plan into action to help Lisa achieve her vision around performing a different social role.
The process started with informed decision making, as Madicella explained to Lisa that to live on her own with her boyfriend she was going to need a way to pay for her expenses. Madicella advocated for Lisa with our job developing department and informed them how she likes to help other people. Madicella, also discovered that Lisa viewed her boyfriend’s family as important people in her life, and asked Lisa if she wanted them involved in her meetings. Additionally, Madicella pulled in another Case Manager who works with Lisa’s boyfriend and asked her to contact his family to see what their thoughts were on Lisa and her boyfriend living together. Conversations were happening!
Madicella had Lisa’s team came together, which included her boyfriend and his mother to discuss Lisa’s vision for a good life. It was important for Lisa to have this informal support attend her team meeting. At first, her boyfriend’s mom was not supportive of the idea. But, as a team, they talked and discovered what barriers existed to keep Lisa from obtaining her vision (which included lack of money, independent living skills, money management, and conflict resolution skills) and worked together to help Scott’s Mom be more supportive. Lisa left the meeting knowing what steps needed to occur for her and Scott to live together.
Madicella really looked at Lisa’s vision for a good life, and worked backwards by using informed decision making, ‘Charting the Life Course’ tools, and other available resources. These resources helped Lisa identify multiple outcomes within CQL’s Personal Outcome Measures® on which she would focus. As this letter is being written, Lisa is in the process of finalizing a new job at a local school and is beyond excited! Madicella has been supporting Lisa in achieving her good life and helping her direct her own supports.
2017 Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
This article is part of a campaign during the 2017 DSP Recognition Week, to acknowledge Direct Support Professionals who are helping people achieve their individually-defined outcomes, through the use of Personal Outcome Measures®. This campaign was developed through a partnership between CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership and The National Alliance For Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).
Madicella Martinez: Helping Lisa Reach Her Personal Outcomes Through Informed Decision Making