Learn the positions of presidential primary candidates on issues that impact individuals with disabilities. Read the 2020 Presidential Primary Candidate Survey on Disability shared by the Disability Rights Center – New Hampshire. Read More

The sense of work satisfaction, belonging and commitment, and ultimately the success of your organization, relies heavily on how well staff members get along and how strongly staff members feel attached to the work place.

Here are 4 ways you can work to create a harmonious environment for staff in your group home or day program.

1. Open Communication: Establishing open communication between staff is key to creating a harmonious work environment for all involved. Create a culture where comments and suggestions are welcome; do not meet criticism with animosity or contempt. Also, share when changes to the organization are made that impact the team. They shouldn’t learn through the grapevine; give them a heads up. Poor communication can erode trust and morale, increasing turnover rates.

2. Team Building: Often the nature of working together, relying on one another to complete projects or tasks, or to help or support consumers, provides opportunities for bonding and learning more about one another. Implement additional intentional team-building exercises, like reorganizing or decorating a space or planning a company event.

3. Celebrating Wins: Acknowledge staff members for their hard work and dedication. Show that you see them putting in the extra time, sweat and tears to ensure the team and consumers succeed. Recognize personal and professional achievements like graduations and work anniversaries. Share words of praise and motivating messages. Host an awards brunch or dinner to show your appreciation.

4. Have Fun: Finding joy in each other’s company and setting aside time to relax increases rapport, encourages staff engagement and commitment. Find moments throughout the workday to inject work-appropriate humor, to laugh, tell funny stories, to spread some cheer. Host a regular cookout, holiday party, etc. to give staff something to look forward to and get excited about.

Our 4th Annual Special Hoops Basketball Tournament took place Saturday, May 11, 2019 and was a massive success! We thank everyone who played a part in making it happen! Thank you for your energy, your time, your patience, your care, your talents and skills, your donations, your words of encouragement, your errand-running, your social media sharing. Anything and everything that went on to create a safe, fun, inclusive, supportive athletic event for our consumers and other individuals from throughout our communities was much-needed and much appreciated. Thank you! If you have any photos from the event, we’d love to see them! Please upload your best shots to our Facebook pages: Special Hoops and Mental Health Support Services of NC. Thank you! Thank you!

We’re preparing for our 4th Annual Special Hoops Basketball Tournament! Takes place Saturday, May 11, 2019! Spread the word! Youth and adult participants will learn basketball drills and skills while linked with a volunteer elite athlete from the Greensboro Warriors AAU team! Mental health professionals will also be on hand. The exciting, inclusive day will end with a 3-on-3 tournament, allowing for a fun, safe, athletic, competitive experience!

Registration is open. Spots are still available but will sell out soon! Register here!

Also, if you’d like to volunteer or know someone who’s interested, we’re still seeking volunteers for the event. To register as a volunteer, click here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrating holidays or special occasions is a way to help build strong, healthy bonds with your community. As part of our role at WesCare to help consumers live as independently as possible and with community, below are 4 ways to create inclusive holiday celebrations for the children and adults under your care.

1. Highlight Connection – Although many holiday events include making purchases, sometimes in large amounts, often placing money at the center, holidays and other special occasions are also times to prioritize relationships, to show family and friends you care. Focus on connection and friendship building throughout your festivities. Read related books or use social stories to help explain the topic. Here is a list of free social stories you can use with your consumers.
2. Include Everyone – If card and gift exchanges are a part of your celebrations, make sure everyone gets them! Don’t leave anyone out. Holidays are times to consciously demonstrate care, kindness and compassion. Use your gatherings as a way to exercise those lessons.
3. Support Independence – When making cards, gifts, and treats, use adaptive art supplies and adaptive cooking tools to meet the needs of your consumers and support their desires and abilities to do as much as they can themselves.
4. Delegate Planning – Allow consumers to assist with party planning and execution. Facilitate the huge task at hand, but give them the space to lead. Encourage them to share their ideas for the party and determine how to bring them to fruition. Support by encouraging them, running errands, getting materials as requested, and adding input where needed.

What other ways do you work to create an inclusive celebrations?