Nonotuck to Host 5th Annual AFC Summit

Nonotuck Resource Associates is proud to host the 5th annual Adult Family Care (AFC) Summit virtually, May 17-20, 2021. The summit provides an educational and supportive forum for adult family care provider organizations to discuss, develop, and share knowledge. Its central mission is to impart best practices through collaboration with trainers and presenters who have demonstrated expertise in their areas.

This year’s summit features a variety of experts presenting on topics ranging from compassion, caregiving, skills capital, and healthy post-Covid-19 reintegration, all through the lens of adult family care.

Nonotuck Vice President of Residential Services Debra Schnare has helped lead the planning of the AFC conference every year since its inception. “The summit was born out of a need to bring AFC service providers together, to share information, and to continue a dialogue of improved service delivery at the core of our mission: to serve families, their loved ones, and caregivers in the most informed, compassionate, and caring ways,” she says.

Nonotuck President and CEO George Fleischner sees the summit as a vehicle to connect and inspire providers. “The AFC Summit and bi-monthly roundtables promote collaboration between provider organizations. This shared value of collaboration is unique in a world that often values competition over connection,” he says. “Participants will have the opportunity to engage in informative and interactive workshops that support service providers in all aspects of their work.”

Workshop Schedule

Monday May 17th

“Understanding Compassion Fatigue and How to Create Compassion Satisfaction” 10-11:30 a.m.

Presented by: Kelly Clark, Clinician/LICSW – Nonotuck Resource Associates.

Course Description

In this workshop participants will gain deeper knowledge of what compassion and empathy are and how they can cause compassion fatigue. Develop an understanding of what Compassion Fatigue is and be able to compare it to burn out and vicarious trauma. Be able to understand and identify signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and the causes and process of developing them. Learn what their professional quality of life currently is and their level of compassion satisfaction and how to improve it. Learn how to create a self-care plan to build resilience and prevent and decrease symptoms of compassion fatigue.

Learning Objectives

Define Compassion and the three types of empathy
Define Compassion Fatigue and identify signs and symptoms
Compare compassion fatigue with burn out and vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress
Describe causes for and the process of the development of Compassion fatigue
Describe professional quality of life and Compassion satisfaction
How to prevent compassion fatigue and build resilience and create compassion satisfaction
Discuss current stressors of Covid and Zoom fatigue.

This activity has been submitted to American Nurses Association Massachusetts for approval to award contact hours. American Nurses Association Massachusetts is accredited as an approver of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. For more information regarding contact hours, please call Jason Nali at 774-205-4465.

Presenter Information:

Kelly Clark, Clinician – Nonotuck Resource Associates

Kelly Clark is an Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a clinician at Nonotuck Resource Associates. She graduated from Boston College School of Social Work in 1999, where she received her MSW with a strong focus on Trauma and Attachment Theory. She holds a Certificate of Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Center of JRI. Before Nonotuck she had worked as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor for over 15 years, in outpatient mental health settings and schools as well as in private practice. She specializes in children and adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and their families and caregivers. She believes that through the development of authentic relationships and helping people to find more purpose and meaning in their lives as well as love and belonging in their homes and communities, they can not only reach their fullest potential but find the true Joy and fulfillment we all strive for.

Register here.

“Managed Care: Where are we Now?” 1-2:30 p.m.

Presented by: Jeff Keilson, Vice President of Strategic Planning - Advocates

Course Description

The session will provide important information on initiatives that are relevant to the AFC Service Model, including ACO’s, SCO’s, OneCare, and MCO’s.

Learning Objective

The objective is for attendees to gain a better sense of the landscape of these initiatives and the impact they will have on AFC provider agencies and those receiving supports.

Presenter Information

Jeff Keilson, Vice President of Strategic Planning - Advocates
Jeff Keilson, Senior Vice-President for Strategic Planning, has more than 40 years of experience working with elders, people with autism, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, persons with mental health needs and their families. His experience is focused on developing and evaluating comprehensive local and state-wide systems of services, including family supports, residential, day and employment, and health care for people who are poor and have Medicaid or and Medicare. He has worked with and provided the leadership in developing services to support people to move to new homes in the community from state developmental centers, state hospitals, and nursing homes.

At Advocates, Jeff is responsible for directing the implementation of a more person and family-centered system of services. He also provides leadership in supporting Advocates’ strategic growth, building partnerships, and directing marketing and fundraising efforts.
Jeff is a co-founder of Rewarding Work Resources, Inc., a national nonprofit corporation that provides an innovative way for individuals with disabilities, elders, and their families to recruit respite workers, personal assistants, and other direct support professionals. He also works with individuals and their families to support their efforts for greater self-determination.

He has been the director of the Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston, Massachusetts, a comprehensive community mental health center affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. Jeff served as Assistant Commissioner for Community Programs and Regional Director for the Metro Region for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.

Jeff spearheaded the self-determination initiative in Massachusetts supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; one of the cornerstones being supporting self-determination and control of resources in communities of color.

In 2008, Jeff was the recipient of the prestigious Gunnar Dybwad Leadership Award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2015 he received the President's Award from Northeast ARC, and most recently he was invited by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy to serve on the state's Disability Rights Advisory Committee.

Register here

Tuesday May 18th

“Caring for Caregivers: Checking In and Creating Community” 10-11:30 a.m.

Presented by: Jannelle Robinson, Wellness Coordinator – Nonotuck Resource Associates

Course Description

This workshop will give participants an overview of the challenges facing caregivers during this time and give participants an experience of tools that can be used to cope with these challenges. Participants will have the opportunity to practice each of the tools, learn about the benefits, and explore how to integrate them into their daily lives.

Learning Objectives

Participants will experience and learn three mindfulness tools for coping with caregiver challenges – checking in with our-selves, checking in on each other, and creating community. By the end of the session they will be able to practice these skills on their own and will identify at least one concrete way to incorporate the tools into their daily lives.

Presenter Information

Jannelle Robinson, Wellness Coordinator – Nonotuck Resource Associates
Jannelle Robinson combines her background in education and human services with her passion for wellness to bring mindfulness tools to communities in need. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Lesley University and received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, where she also worked as the coordinator for RISE, Kripalu’s evidence-based stress resilience initiative. Jannelle has shared yoga and mindfulness with many children, families, and professionals and has supported them to incorporate tools for well-being into their daily lives. She currently works as the Wellness Coordinator for Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. where she supports the Nonotuck community by integrating mindful resilience tools and self-care practices into the workplace culture.

Register here.

"Updates from CARF International” 1-2:30 p.m.

Presented by: Peter Hathaway, Managing Director of Employment and Community Services for CARF International

Course Description

This presentation will be a description of the Digitally Enabled Site Survey (DESS) as well as an update on changes to the CARF standards in the past two years.

Learning Objectives

To provide an overview of the currently used Digitally Enabled Site Survey (DESS) process
To educate participants on changes in the 2020 and 2021 Employment and Community Services Standards Manuals for Sections 1-4.
Discuss future training opportunities

Presenter Information

Pete Hathaway, Managing Director of Employment and Community Services for CARF International
Pete Hathaway is the Managing Director of the Employment and Community Services and Vision Rehabilitation accreditation areas. Pete joined CARF International in 2006 as a Resource Specialist and in 2013 was hired as the Managing Director of ECS. He has more than 25 years of experience in the rehabilitation field and has managed community-based services for adults, children and families. In addition he has also been a contract manager for a state governmental agency. Pete was a CARF surveyor for 11 years.

Register here.

Wednesday May 19th

“Moving Forward: AN AFC Status Update with MassHealth” 10-11:30 a.m.

Course Description

This panel will provide an overview of current service delivery guidance and expectation as agencies and families navigate moving forward in the safest possible manner while assuring quality services post pandemic. Attendees will have an opportunity to engage the panel through a Q & A session - questions will be submitted in advance to the AFC Summit Committee through email and polls.

Learning Objectives:

To provide an overview of current flexibilities and expectations for the future
Answer provided questions posed by participants and families

Presenter Information:

Allison Ananis, Adult Foster Care/Group Adult Foster Care Program Manager, OLTSS
Sherri Hannigan, Deputy Director of Home and Community Based Programs, OLTSS
Linda Chhor, AFC/Group Adult Foster Care Program Specialist, OLTSS
Register here

“VRNS - Home Healthcare and Educational Services to Promote Optimal Functioning for AFC Individuals and Caregivers” 1-2:30 p.m.

Presented by: Gregory M. Stelmach, President & Clinical Director of VRNS

Course Description

VRNS provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy through Medicare/MassHealth, the ABI/MFP waiver program, and payor sources, specialty and durable medical equipment through the ABI/MFP waiver programs as well as private pay, and live and best practice webinars and trainings. We will take a deep dive into how to access, who qualifies through insurance/waiver programs, how these services can benefit individuals and caregivers through the AFC program as well as delivery methods through the various phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning Objectives

Define the home healthcare and educational services provided by VRNS
Define how an individual qualifies for home healthcare services through insurance and ABI/MFP waiver programs
List how these services benefit individuals and caregivers through the AFC program
List the best practice webinars available for individuals and caregivers from VRNS
Identify how to access best practice webinars from VRNS
Understand how VRNS provides services during the various phases of the COVID-19 pandemic

Presenter Information

Gregory M. Stelmach, President & Clinical Director of VRNS
Using his 20 years of clinical background as an Occupational Therapist, Gregory continues to develop product and service lines focusing on keeping seniors and individuals with disabilities functioning to the best of their ability, in their own home setting. In 2008, Gregory co-founded Visiting Rehab Services (VRS). VRS developed an innovative skilled preventative rehabilitation model bringing in-home Physical and Occupational Therapy through an outpatient payment system. This model proved especially beneficial for senior patients and individuals with developmental disabilities, head injuries and chronic medical conditions. In 2015, Gregory co-founded Visiting Rehab and Nursing Services (VRNS). With VRNS’s acquisition of Home Again Healthcare, it was now able to provide both nursing and rehabilitation services with a traditional home healthcare/VNA model. Moving outside the traditional service arena, in 2019, Gregory developed vrnsSME, which provides specialty and durable medical equipment for individuals through the ABI/MFP waiver programs. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gregory developed vrnsEDU, bringing his highly praised best in-person best practice presentations to an online webinar format.

Register here

Thursday May 20th

“Skills Capital: How Investing Time and Hard Work Now Will Lead to Dignity and Fulfilled Lives When We're Gone” 10-11:30 a.m.

Presented by: Cheryl Ryan Chan- Parent, Advocate, Person Centered Planner

Course Description

Caregivers should always have an eye on the future, the time beyond themselves, when new caregivers will be taking over. We want the next people in our loved ones’ lives to be ready to take on the duties we carry out, but are they all REALLY necessary? Are we doing things that they could learn to do themselves, in whole or in part? Are we expecting that the next caregivers will do things exactly as we do? This is a dangerous presumption, because it is certain that they will not. So, how do we use the time now to work on skills that will make them more prepared, safer, less vulnerable, and give them more dignity and pride in themselves?

Learning Objective

To explore the reasons we often do too much for our loved ones
To learn 5 key areas where we must focus: social, communication, household, workplace, personal care
To learn how to strategize to reduce dependence, to utilize technology, to recruit others in the process, to test skills along the way, and to make our approaches authentic and organic as possible

Presenter Information

Cheryl Ryan Chan; Parent, Advocate, Person Centered Planner
Cheryl has been a presenter at every AFC Summit. Cheryl is, first and foremost, Mom to Nicky – a 28-year-old man severely impacted by autism and profound intellectual disability. She has spent 22 years in Massachusetts, integrating her son and family into the disability community and becoming a well-known leader in community organization, legislative activism, mentoring and public speaking. Cheryl has presented at regional, state and national conferences and for organizations in Wisconsin, Maryland, California, and across New England. Her work as a Person-Centered Planning facilitator began in 2010 and has become her greatest passion. Cheryl has been trained in Person-Centered Planning in Toronto and New Hampshire and is working toward certification as a Master Facilitator.

Register here

“Strangers in the House: The Dilemma of Living With In Home Services” 1-2:30 p.m.

Presented by: Jo Massarelli, Director - SVR Implementation Project

Course Description

Families and individuals who receive in- home support services typically face a major problem of trying to maintain the integrity of their private home and family lives despite the inescapable disruptions that come with service-provider presence in the home, especially when it is very extensive or involves many different workers. This difficulty exists even when such families and individuals presently have good personal relationships with their in-home support personnel, and even when these are adequately sensitive to the issues at stake. But when good personal relationships and sensitivity are absent, the situation can become intolerable. This presentation explores this dilemma. It offers insights, practical advice, and strategies for managing the issues involved, and invites participants’ reflections on the types of mind-sets that might improve or worsen this dilemma

Learning Objectives

Why are in-home service important?

An exploration of the dilemma
1. how the dilemma is manifest:
2. from the family’s perspective
3. challenges for the provider
Dynamics complicating home-life and in-home services
Some Principles for dealing with the dilemma

Presenter Information

Jo Massarelli, Director - SVR Implementation Project
Jo Massarelli is Director of the SRV Implementation Project based in Massachusetts (USA). She divides her time between teaching Social Role Valorization and related topics and working to effect positive change for elders, people with impairments, and the poor. She has taught at workshops and lectured at conferences across the United States, Canada, Japan, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand to a variety of human service workers serving a wide range of people. Ms. Massarelli has evaluated dozens of human service programs for children, adults and elders, including in-home services, residential, day and work programs, schools, hospice, prisons, and homeless shelters.

Jo Massarelli is a consultant to Family Lives, a home nursing service for children with significant medical needs, and the Medical Safeguards Project, an effort of physicians and nurses who seek to protect the lives of impaired people in medical settings. She has a particular interest in advocacy in hospitals. She and her colleagues teach workshops on defending vulnerable people in hospitals and on medical decision-making.

Jo Massarelli has been a close associate of the late Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger and his Training Institute in Syracuse, New York since 1983. She and her husband Marc Tumeinski are members of a community responding to the needs of homeless people in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts, by providing hospitality in their homes.

Register here

About Us

Founded in 1972 by a group of parents who had the courage and foresight to seek community care for their loved ones, Nonotuck Resource Associates has since helped transform the lives of hundreds of people with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing the personalized service of shared living and adult family care. Each day, Nonotuck addresses the ever-increasing demand from families for these non-traditional, value-based, in-home services with love and care.

Adult family care programs support over 10,000 adults across the state, with over 100 provider agencies contributing. AFC groups continue the dialogue started at the summit through AFC roundtable discussion groups, now meeting every other month. These groups have expanded to over 200 members from over 60 AFC organizations and are now hosted in four regions across the state: Western, Central, Northeast and Eastern Massachusetts.

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

Please contact Deb Schnare at schnare@nonotuck.com or Kerrie Paradis at paradis@nonotuck.com with any questions.

Nonotuck to Host 5th Annual AFC Summit