2006 DDSD Statewide Awards
The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) honored the following people and agencies for demonstrating excellence in Supported Employment and Meaningful Day services.  Awards were given in the categories of Best Employer, Individual Accomplishment, Professional Achievement, Provider Excellence, and Best Community Organization.

2006 ddsd statewide directors meeting award winners

PROVIDER EXCELLENCE AWARD IN MEANINGFUL DAY

Connections, LLC of Albuquerque.

Awarded to Connections, LLC of Albuquerque for leadership in providing cutting-edge individualized services with great outcomes in meaningful community membership practices and philosophy and excellent job development and coaching.

Connections, LLC is directed by Pam Stafford and Matthew Bardwell. They opened their doors in 2001 as a ‘program without walls.’ “We didn’t start out any office at all.” Pam said, “And we didn’t have a building until two years later in 2003.” Connections’ mission statement is to “assist individuals to participate in and contribute to communities of choice.”

“This really is the hallmark of what Connections does,” Pam said. “A willingness to provide one-on-one community membership helps people get involved in volunteering and other activities within the community.” The Connections philosophy is a belief that it is important to match participants to the support staff appropriately. This match could be based on a variety of factors such as age, cultural background, mutual interests, etc.

Connections offered services tailored to the individual or small group community membership (or a combination of the two) based on the individual’s needs. “It was considered cutting edge,” Pam said, “because no other developmental disability services providers were offering services in this way. Sometimes individuals are best supported in small groups in order to learn small group dynamics such as learning to compromise and to make friends. In other instances, individuals are best supported with one-on-one services in order to help achieve specific goals such as volunteering or taking classes.”

Connections also supports people with tailored services during non-traditional hours (such as during the evenings and on weekends). Specific examples might include taking someone to Alcoholics Anonymous, reading poetry at coffee shops, taking someone to dance lessons, and helping people to volunteer at the Animal Humane Association, St Martins Hospitality Center or the Albuquerque Reads Program (a program designed for adult volunteers to read to young children).

Connections also provides good mentoring and modeling for the support staff team in order to ensure that staff are familiar with the service delivery methods and philosophy. The agency also tries to create a community environment with staff and individuals who participate in the program. Program participants develop relationships with each other and in some ways become natural supports for each other. The Connections staff and participants are able to see strengths and growth in others, which helps them to appreciate their own strengths and achievements.

October-2007 - Dave Farbrook

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