A Family Driven Service Model: Small Investment, Big Results.

This presentation provides an overview of the collaborative development, implementation, challenges, evaluation and growth of a program called “CHANCES.” CHANCES, the Childhood Autism Network of Comprehensive Education and Support, is a low-cost, parent-directed model of service for families who have children on the autism spectrum. The specific services provided, Parent Support Groups, respite, skills practice (a unique opportunity to help staff and families learn together), educational opportunities and crisis response will be discussed. CHildhood Autism Network of Comprehensive Education and Support, “CHANCES,” is a low cost, parent directed model of service to families who have children on the Autism Spectrum.  This presentation provides an overview of the collaborative development, implementation and growth of a program designed to serve the unique needs of the families in an environment where funding is tight and needs are great at Seneca Cayuga ARC, a not-for-profit agency under the umbrella of NYSARC, Inc. 

CHANCES is a team-based model which engages a clinician with experience in the field of Autism, parents and support specialists (staff) working together to support the success of a child who is on the spectrum.  We will discuss how the family works with staff to put the team together as well as the importance of this approach.  Methods and tools to engage families in the development process were vital to the success of the program.  Families were given the opportunity to participate to the extent they wished from sharing ideas regarding needs to interviewing and hiring of staff. 

The specific services provided will be described in detail with examples including the following:  

Parent Support Group – Facilitated by a clinician specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

On-Site Respite – To ensure that parents can attend the support group.

Skills Practice – An opportunity for the staff to learn from the family and an opportunity for the family to try new approaches knowing they had extra support.  Families can take their child to environments (like church, family parties, grocery stores, amusement parks, the family pool) they would not have gone to before, knowing that the support specialist can take their child away if a melt down occurred. 

In-Home and Community Respite – In-home or in the community, time away for the parents and time away for the kids.  Often time in the community is spent improving social skills, trying new experiences and interacting with people without the watchful eye of a parent.

Crisis Respite – Unplanned respite that may be needed in response to a family crisis or unexpected need to separate parents and child. 

Education – Opportunities for families and/or staff to attend targeted training in areas related to the individual children in the program.  Often parents and Support Specialists attend together and can develop a plan to implement new skills they have heard about.  Support Specialists go through a training series sponsored by an area agency in our collaborative.  Educational information is also presented during Parent Support Group as a way of identifying new approaches and introducing subjects for discussion. 

The successes of the services in areas such as social skills development, reduced aversion to transition, integration with peers and parent bonding will be discussed.  Perceived effectiveness versus documented measured outcomes, challenges encountered in provision of services and unintended results identified by surveys will be demonstrated.   Guidance provided by Dr. Caroline Magyar, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester and Director of the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder, was instrumental in development of the surveys as well as for initial staff instruction.  Ongoing staff training is obtained through our collaborative of agencies, the Autism Center and the facilitating clinician for the Parent Support Group. 

 The presentation will conclude with the inevitable concept of change.  CHANCES has evolved as the children have grown, families have come and gone and needs have changed.   Although we could not have predicted some of the avenues the program has taken, CHANCES has the flexibility to respond to changing needs making it an easy model to replicate.  Seneca Cayuga ARC has expanded in several areas such as establishment of a clinical diagnostic center, behavior management assessment and education services and intensive therapeutic services since CHANCES has highlighted the needs of an ever growing population of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the two New York counties we serve.  The way these services, CHANCES and standard services connect to meet a variety of needs while minimizing cost  will be illustrated.