The Winners Cup ...Everybody Works! Everybody Wins!
APSE The Network on Employment
2008 Conference: Louisville, KY
National APSE
Call for Presentation
Proposal submitted 2-4-08
Theme Track - Best Practices
Presenters – Linda Kallhoff (Lead) & Darla Wilkerson
Target Audience – Administrative, middle managers, direct
service
Session Format- Lecture
Length – 90 minutes
Title: Organizational Change – What are the things that keep you going?
Session Description:
In recent years, training emphasis in workshops, conferences, and forums has been
on community employment and participation for individuals with significant
disabilities. Numerous Community programs offering traditional congregate
sheltered employment have shown an interest in changing their organizations
service delivery system, but there has been little technical assistance available on
how to begin the process. Partnerships between CRP-RCEP programs & provider
agencies are beginning to bridge the gap between intention & practice. This longterm process of organizational change toward a community support-based
approach is advancing in programs in Nebraska & Iowa.
Similar change processes has impacted many agencies nation wide and there are
many different approaches to Organizational Change. The one common thread is
change over from facility based services to community based services. This session
will highlight a process created by several leaders who have mentored us through
implementation. The process is designed for flexibility to be tailored to
organizations and their specific needs but also structured enough to provide steps
that or vital to change efforts.
Participants will hear about the strategies that have been used by one organization
in Nebraska and the consultation and technical assistance that helps keep the
momentum going when things are looking bleak. Hear about the lessons learned
and those lessons still yet to learn.
Learning Objectives:
Increase knowledge of how agencies involved in the organizational change process are
increasing:

long-term commitment to change in vocational and residential
services from a facility-based organization to a community supportbased organization

willingness to implement new ideas

openness to being on the cutting edge by demonstrating organizational
change to a community support-based approach

desire to work in partnership with funders to maximize existing and
new resources for community-based supports

commitment to reorganize staffing patterns and job descriptions
appropriate for community-based supports

strong support for training new and existing staff for changing roles in
providing community-based services

willingness to join a network of providers responding to this initiative
by supporting, troubleshooting, and sharing technical assistance
resources provided by this project
.
Biographies:
Linda Kallhoff
Area Director
NorthStar Services
Box # 734
O’Neill, NE 68763
402.336.4405 office
402.336.2703 fax
spirtg@northstarservices.net
Linda Kallhoff has worked for NorthStar Services in Nebraska since 1975. NorthStar is one of a
network of agencies in Nebraska that provide supports to people who experience
Developmental Disabilities. Linda has worked in direct support positions both day service, &
residentially. For the majority of her career, she has been one of the agency’s 9 area directors
serving approximately 350 people in 22 counties of Northeast Nebraska. NorthStar provides
supports to people in all aspects of daily living.
In December of 2001 the O’Neill office closed their Day Service Center, transitioning the final
small group of people served into individual schedules using person centered plans. For the last
2 years, NorthStar in all 9 areas have been working to transition their traditional services into an
Employment First Agency. Successful employment & community integration outcomes for
customers has become the driving force behind the agency’s efforts. Learning how to move a
large, well established bureaucracy into an employment/community integration agency model is
our mission!
Darla Wilkerson
Director of Employment Services
University of Missouri
School of Health Professions
Disability Policy & Studies
Rehab. Continuing Education Programs
CRP-RCEP
5912 N. Beaman Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-437-7150
fax: 816-437-7151
wilkersond@missouri.edu
www.crprcep7.org
www.employmentspecialistcorner.blogspot.com
Darla Wilkerson is the Director of Employment Services for Region 7 CRP-RCEP. Darla is
responsible for the development and implementation of Employment Services training for
direct service personnel in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Her responsibilities
include consultation supports on person centered career planning, facilitating supports, job
search activities and organizational change. She has over 20 years of experience in
employment services for persons with disabilities. Her experience ranges from providing
technical assistance and consultation on Community Inclusion and Employment Services to
developing, coordinating and supervising Community Employment Services and, most
recently, guiding the implementation of Organizational Change Initiatives. Darla completed
her Masters Degree in December 2002 in Public Administration (nonprofit) from the
University of Missouri Kansas City and became a Certified Recovery Educator in June 2007.