ADRC Staff Enrichment Series

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

The Department of Aging developed an innovative and extensive staff learning program, entitled, “The ADRC Staff Enrichment Series,” to educate employees about people of all ages with disabilities, their needs, and the resources available to them. This training was vitally important because our department opened an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in October 2011, as an expansion of our Senior Information and Assistance office. Our ADRC is part of a nationwide initiative to create in every jurisdiction a single, coordinated system for seniors and adults with disabilities to get information and direction about services and programs they need, including housing, employment, benefits, health services, etc. The ADRC Staff Enrichment Series was a group of 14 training sessions, most of which were taught by members of the ADRC Advisory Committee. The faculty members were service providers, advocates and consumers of disability services. The topics included the Americans with Disabilities Act, Disability Advocacy, Disability Etiquette, Services for Deaf Persons, Developmental Disabilities and Vocational Services.Over 40 staff attended these sessions. They gained a wealth of information that allows them to serve our new customers respectfully and knowledgeably.