Arcare Charitable Fund grant will help shape the future of supported decision-making

The Arcare Charitable Fund is proud to announce it has awarded $25,000 in grant funding to The ARC of Douglas County, in concert with existing partnerships with the Self-Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) and the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD).

Grant funding received from the Arcare Charitable Fund will support the creation of a comprehensive website, development of online training materials and delivery of trainings for Kansans with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families on the topic of supported decision-making.

What is supported decision-making?

Supported decision-making is a tool that allows individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing a group of supporters to help them make choices. The ideal group, or “circle of support,” comprises trusted advisors, such as friends, family and professionals, who serve to assist the person with an intellectual/developmental disability in fully understanding, considering and communicating their decisions. Supported decision-making can help individuals in many areas of life: personal, financial and professional.

Research has shown that individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who participate in supported decision-making can experience a better quality of life, including enhanced employment and independent living outcomes. With a knowledgeable, trained, and caring circle of support, supported decision-making can be an appropriate alternative to guardianship.

Developing a leading-edge resource

The comprehensive website developed with funds from the Arcare Charitable Fund will feature user-friendly information and materials about supported decision-making, as well as resources for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families and their circle of support. In addition, training materials and course agendas will be available on the website for other organizations who may wish to develop their own trainings on the topic. Currently, no other organization inside or outside the State of Kansas provides this level of training and resources on supported decision-making. This initiative will help position Kansas at the forefront of supported decision-making.

The Arcare Charitable Fund is excited for the opportunity to partner with The ARC of Douglas County in its efforts to provide continuing support to Kansans with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families and their supporters. Together, we can enhance the quality of life, personal satisfaction and independence among Kansans with developmental disabilities. We look forward to sharing the developed resources and tools with you in the near future.

EMFV volunteer appreciation luncheon

Arcare executive director recognized as Honorary EMFV

Earlier this summer, the K-State Research and Extension Master Food Volunteer (EMFV) Program presented Barb Helm, Arcare’s executive director, with the first-ever Honorary EMFV certificate for her support and contributions to its Four-Course Living program. The honor was announced during the Johnson County EMFV annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, which was held at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center.

EMFVs are a designation of volunteers through the extension passionate about healthy living, food and giving back to the community. Back in 2015, two EMFVs, Jean Porter and Sherry Carter, approached Barb about developing a program through the extension catering to adults with disabilities. Barb then wrote a grant through the Arcare Charitable Fund to establish Four-Course Living. Four-Course Living provides adults with special needs information and skills necessary to live safe, independent lives. Classes offered through the program underscore the importance of four specific topics:

Barb Helm
Barb Helm during the Johnson County EMFV annual volunteer appreciation luncheon

Nutrition – Class participants learn the importance of healthy eating and portion control. To encourage healthy choices, students are each given the USDA’s MyPlate food icon as a guide.

Safety – Kitchen tools and appliances can be dangerous to use without the proper training. In safety courses, students are shown how to handle food properly, use basic knife skills and safely prepare meals.

Planning – Planning ahead can make eating on a fixed income less stressful. Students learn how to combine ingredients across multiple meals, grocery shop using a circular and plan their meals in advance.

Prep – Students combine skills from the other courses in this cooking class, in which they work together to prepare a meal from start to finish and enjoy the food afterward.

Information about Four-Course Living’s 2018 classes is available now. Courses can also be tailored for Residential or Day Service Providers interested in learning about managing expenses while also providing healthy options their residents can help prepare. For details, contact Jean Porter at (913) 236-5019.

Providing food prep skills for individuals with disabilities

For adults with special needs, living independently is a challenge. On yesterday’s edition of Up To Date on KCUR, Steve Kraske interviewed Sarah Mai, executive director of The Mission Project, a local organization dedicated to helping adults with developmental disabilities live on their own. Also joining the conversation was Beverly Palomba, the author of a cookbook specially designed for their needs.

Sarah shared information about the benefits and opportunities The Mission Project provides its residents. She also spoke about how the group is looking for ways to expand its offerings to various locations throughout the Kansas City area and beyond to help a larger population of individuals with disabilities. But overall, the focus of the conversation fell on the importance of teaching food preparation and planning skills to help them live independently and safely.

Listen to the 20-minute program by clicking on the video below.

In addition to learning from the YouTube channel Sarah has created (available online here) that provides “how to” videos on everything from popping popcorn in an air popper to preparing for guests in the home, the individuals in The Mission Project are also benefitting from a new program offered by Master Food Volunteers through the K-State Johnson County Research Extension.

This program is being supported by a grant from the Arcare Foundation, and we are thrilled to be part of its growth and evolution. Run by Jean Porter and Sherry Carter, the to-be-named program will allow individuals with disabilities to develop culinary skills and increase their knowledge about nutritious meal planning for just a few dollars per class. Jean and Sherry hope to get other organizations like The Mission Project involved to expand their reach and help more adults with disability live successfully on their own.

Check our Arcare Charitable Fund page for more information as the program takes shape!