SELF-DIRECTED HOME TEAMS

Self-Directed Work Teams are at the heart of the service provision system at KNI. The people who live at KNI are supported by 24 self-directed "home teams." These teams consist of 8 to 14 direct support staff members, led by a Team Coach. Each team provides around-the-clock support to between 4 and 8 of the people who live at KNI. While these teams comprise direct support staff, each team can access any professional services the people they support need from the full array of professionals and therapists on staff at KNI.

Teams use a person-centered philosophy in their work. This encourages each team member to:

• Look at each person as a unique individual
• Honor non-negotiables and preferences
• Support each person to live his or her preferred lifestyle which includes:
  • Choosing personal goals
  • Choosing where and with whom to live
  • Choosing where to work
  • Choosing how to spend free time
  • Spending time with preferred people
• Support personal goals and dreams
  

Team members have basic duties that include:

• Basic Personal and Health Care
• Meal preparation and shopping
• Job Support
• Promoting Personal Relationships
• Having Fun
  

Each person who lives at KNI has a personal advocate; a member of their home team who is their special friend. Personal advocates have special responsibilities which include:

• Special one to one relationship
• Help decorate and care for bedroom
• Help buy and care for clothing
• Scrapbooks and videotapes
• Birthday celebrations
• Promote family contact
• Develop Personalized Lifestyle Design
• Advocate for person’s needs
  

Why Self-Directed Work Teams?

The ultimate purpose of organizing into teams is to facilitate the achievement of KNI's mission:

"Our mission is to support each person who lives at KNI to have a meaningful life."

Teams providing services within the homes consist of staff members who do the day-to-day work of supporting the people who live at KNI. Teams are expected to recognize the lifestyle preferences of the people they support and to decide how best to meet the needs of the people they support. Through teams we hope to provide a higher quality of life for the people who live at KNI and to promote a culture in which each team member views his or her job as being to ensure that KNI's mission is accomplished for the people supported by their team. Thus, through the efforts of teams, we hope to achieve the outcomes necessary for us to realize our mission:

• Ensuring well being
• Providing opportunities for choice
• Promoting personal relationships
• Encouraging community inclusion
• Recognizing individuality