Business Examiner Q & A Interview

I had the pleasure to be interviewed by the Business Examiner. Here is the content of the article.

                                                  Don Hayden, CIO and Jim Larson CEO



April 2, 2012

Business Examiner

Jim Larson, a native Seattleite and Western Washington University graduate, has devoted his career to helping people with disabilities find work throughout the Northwest. Included in this experience is a decade he spent in Ellensburg creating a community-based mobile crew, and three years in McMinnville, Ore., facilitating a manufacturing and residential program for people with disabilities. In 1994, he was elected chair of the Rehabilitation Enterprise of Washington committee. Larson served on the state’s Rehabilitation Council from 1995 to 2000 and the Special Education Advisory committee from 1999 to 2001. Currently, he’s a member of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, and serves on the board of the Cascades Camp and Conference Center. He is president of Morningside, an employment services company in Olympia that helps people with disabilities find jobs.

What is different about Morningside’s services than those of other job-placement companies?

Morningside is a public benefit corporation whose mission is to “advance the employment and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities.” Our customers who we help find employment all have a disability. We serve a wide range of clients with different types of disabilities, but our largest clientele base includes those with intellectual disabilities. Also, although clients are referred to us from a variety of places, the majority are referred from school districts and two state agencies: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Developmental Disabilities.

As divergent is our clientele base is, so too are the types of companies where we find employment.

It’s a truly individualized placement program and we do cover a wide region. Our corporate center is in Olympia, and we also have offices in Centralia, Aberdeen and Port Angeles.

Which types of disabilities do you most commonly encounter?

We serve 549 individuals with disabilities in the four offices. The demographic makeup of the individuals with disabilities is as follows: 53 percent have cognitive/intellectual disabilities; 16 percent have learning disabilities; 13 percent have mental and emotional disabilities; 11 percent have physical disabilities; 4 percent have sensory disabilities; and 3 percent have another type of disability.

Not everyone who has a disability and is seeking employment needs our services. But those who need assistance in determining vocational interest or mating a job with a particular interest will find our services particularly helpful. We have employment consultants who are experts at helping individuals with disabilities chart a course that will meet their vocational goals.

What are some of the companies or types of industries where you place these employees?

The service sector is the major area where we employ individuals — as that is the largest private employment base. In Olympia, we do have a number of individuals with disabilities whom we support working in state government and school districts.  However, our goal is to match the interest of the person with a disability with the right job in the community. That can take us to every sector of the job market, from manufacturing to the professional realm.

How do the services of your company benefit the local business communities?

Well, there are several advantages. Multiple studies have pointed out — and our experience finds — that our clients have lower turnover rates in entry-level positions, so the cost of continually training those types of new employees is reduced or eliminated. Initial employee training costs are also reduced because our staff assists with the initial training. We also can assist in work station modifications to assist employees in doing their job faster and easier. Diversity is certainly a factor as well because disability — as a minority — is the largest of any protected class.

Many of the jobs our clients are hired for are tailored to the needs of the business, so employers know what they are getting in terms of fulfilling a company need.

What is most enjoyable about your job?

Well, we change lives — so that is very exciting.

Everyone wants to be valued and accepted. When a person with a disability who hasn’t had opportunity now has a job — well, it is life-changing, and we get to be a part of that. Pride and personal empowerment are evident as a person is introduced to a purpose that is uplifting.  Also, I work with people who are enjoyable to be with, and who are so passionate about our mission. It is great coming to work. We work very hard, but we have fun working together for a common purpose.

Any other thoughts?

Just that without the business communities’ willingness to be open and partner with us, our jobs would be impossible.

We are very appreciative of the business community.


Note: After reading the published article it occured to me that the bio they used was off our Web site and it was out of date.

I Think it is a Confusing World Sometimes

Lacking inspiration for my blog I turned to the internet to garner some thoughts on disability rights and issues. Google is terrific search engine; as a matter of fact I think it has made a profound impact on all our lives…or at least those of us who use the internet. But when I look at the response Google gives me I don’t gain clarity of thought or discover something earthshattering but look at the screen shouting at me. I can click to contact an attorney to see if I qualify for disability benefits. In my cynical mind I think great I can pay an attorney a bunch of money to qualify for benefits that force me into poverty. But without the benefit I would undoubtedly be poor because the medical costs necessary to remain functional would make me poor (if I had the money). It’s a confusing world.

The browser screams at me to take notice of injustice to be informed of the latest wrong uncovered and made right. I am once again appalled at hearing of Ashley’s Treatment and read about the debate about decisions made to sterilize her and stunt her growth – here in the State of Washington at Children’s Hospital. How did this happen? I wonder how Ashley feels about all of this.

The browser screams at me to pick a disability rights group – the news is similar court cases from around the country revealing all sorts of actions, findings and ruling by jurists. Who is qualified to hear a case like this? Does it take a legal mind to decide or a compassionate heart to determine justice? It’s a confusing world.

The browser beckons me to contact Social Security “Apply for Benefits” the header reads. The web site is confusing as going to the Social Security office itself and you can get lost quickly. At the bottom of the page it says I can go to my local office for more information. Hum….Really? To determine if a disabling condition qualifies for benefits, Google directs me to the Office of Disability Determination. I make a wrong click and end up at the DSHS home page. How did I get here? I know Duane French the Director of DDS maybe I should tell him I am lost.

Why have we made it so difficult for individuals with disabilities….to live or to navigate the system?

I think of my own kids with disabilities and I know they want to be like everyone else to live, laugh, and love…why is it so hard and confusing? Why the screaming? Why the madness?

An Inspiration to All

Annually we present the Ann Bolendar Inspirational Award to a client who, like the award’s namesake, is a dedicated worker. A person who against all odds goes to work, does their best, doesn’t complain, is joyful works hard and has a positive outlook in spite of their disability.

This year we have unfortunately presented the award posthumously. Mary Liufau is a most deserving recipient who passed away on December 3, 2011. Her memorial service was held on Saturday, December 17th. Mary worked at South Puget Sound Community College as a Compost Station Coordinator assisting students, faculty and visitors to recycle their cafeteria remnants into the proper recycling or trash receptacle. Mary lived life to the fullest and embraced each new day with a smile on her face. She really enjoyed her job and life at SPSCC. She was also active in the Polynesian Club.

I had the opportunity to announce her award at our Holiday Party held at the Lacey Community Center. The whole room exploded with applause when her name was announced and the same at her memorial service. She touched many people both at Morningside and SPSCC.

I wanted to both share this announcement to the broader public and recognize her – not only in terms of her work but the impact she had on others. It was evident at the memorial that she truly brought joy to people’s lives and was an inspiration to many. Throughout the service many people spoke, sang and shared their stories about Mary. She was very loyal to family and friends, if you connected with her she was your loyal friend for life.

The service touched me in a very special way since it was multi-cultural. It absolutely drew me in and I was thrilled to be a part of the ethnic diversity. Mary was of Polynesian and African-American decent and the service was performed in both Polynesian and English. Her uncle Tini was very welcoming and presented the Eulogy. Her step-father, Darriel, sang a couple of songs. One song sung to the tune of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” had lyrics altered especially for Mary. It was especially poignant and moved us all. Once again I had the opportunity to share her award with those in attendance and once again the room exploded in applause.

Whenever I talked with Mary I was always drawn to her smile and pleasant personality. Mary certainly made the most of her life and inspired many along the way. She will be missed and remembered by all.

                                                         Mary at her SPSCC job

Knock….Knock Anybody Out There?

Well much has transpired on the state funding scene since my last blog. The Governor restored some cuts proposed by her administration in the area of Developmental Disabilities and she proposed or floated the idea of a .5 cent state sales tax to go to the voters in March.

Morningside contacted local groups to organize a legislative forum to describe the services people with developmental disabilities receive and the impact of loss of service would mean to our legislative contingent. This forum was presented on November 16th at River Ridge Covenant Church. We had over 150 people sign in but estimates placed the crowd at 200 – by far the largest turnout of this type ever in Thurston County. The people reporting on the services did an outstanding job and I was very proud of our staff for organizing this, and making all the necessary arrangements and setting up for the evening. A big thanks goes out to them. The ARC of Washington videotaped the event and a posted a clip on YouTube :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-WI3TCs0Y).As the video points out only one legislator out of 9 attended and we thank Sam Hunt for attending…but what about the other 8? Well most were busy with either raising funds or attending their peers fundraising events. After all isn’t filling the war chest more important than talking to continuants in this day and age?

After last session and with this special session and the short session coming up in January it is my observation that legislators are becoming more callous, in my opinion, over what the loss of service would mean to this vulnerable population. Saying “well there just isn’t enough money” is disturbing especially when the state is taking in more money than last year…and the year before that. So let’s be honest it isn’t because the state doesn’t have enough money for this service. There is just too much demand for the dollars available. But why choose to cut funding to individuals with developmental living and working in the community and boot them to the street?

Well who knows for certain the workings under the dome and the complicated bureaucratic maze? Well when it comes down to it my hope is that compassionate hearts prevail in the discussion.

Armageddon

The state government revenues are not making expectations because this recovery is stalled. The national pundits are questioning whether this is a double-dip or another recession. Our local economic vitality indicators look abysmal. Obviously expectation of generated tax revenue dropping has prompted the Governor to call on state agencies to present 10 percent reduction packages in advance of the planned special legislative session slated for November 28th. What does this mean for the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the funding arm of state government responsible for providing services to individuals who have developmental disabilities? Of the current $1.3 billion dollar hole DSHS needs to cut back $573 million and of that ADSA (the division that includes DDD) needs to cut $411 million or about 72% of all DSHS cuts!

How they plan to make the cuts is to change the eligibility criteria so that some people will be ineligible to receive any service. In terms of the number of people this represents 51% of those currently in service or 8,700 people will be denied services of any kind. For vocational programs the number is approximately 4,100 individuals who would no longer receive employment support services. So while 10 percent overall cut seems small it becomes 51 percent of people no longer receiving any support to live and work in our community - which is huge. Yikes, the thought of the impact of the loss of services is staggering. Without living and work supports most of these folks will be on the street. Many of those we support don’t have families to help them so there is no fallback position for them.

What do these cuts mean for other DSHS programs? The information below was supplied by the Washington Budget and Policy Center.
http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/deeper-budget-cuts-would-put-lives-on-the-line
As a starting point, state agencies have submitted proposals to reflect a 10 percent reduction in their budgets. In addition to the cuts in employment programs such a scenario would include:
• Suspension of prescription drug coverage for 500,000 individuals.

• Over 18,000 fewer students enrolled in community and technical colleges.

• Elimination of food assistance for 14,000 low-income legal immigrants.

• Reductions in domestic violence services and assistance for children with high behavior needs, affecting 4,500 children.

• The loss of health care for 25,000 children.

• Elimination or reduction of mental health, long term care, and developmental disability services for more than 80,000 individuals.

• Elimination of support to ensure positive birth outcomes for 54,000 at-risk mothers.

• Elimination of health care coverage for 36,000 working adults.

Maybe now you know why I entitled this Armageddon. The effect of these cuts is the end for so many vulnerable individuals in our state. So please join with us in making sure individuals will not be shut out of services they deserve.

Morningside Ride

The 2011 Morningside Road Challenge was fun!!!! This event is growing each year and this year we had more people come in costume.

Here is the winner of the “Best Dressed” costume award.

For the second year Alisha Blain and Stephanie Scott have worn coordinated outfits.  Note the matching accessories!

And best corporate “dressed” needs to go to First Citizens.

I hope everyone who participated had a great time. This year Lucas Doelman who is both a board member and a client gave a wonderful talk from his point of view of our staff who are dedicated, motivated and strive for success. He did a masterful job from his perspective on how these attributes are important in one’s life, how it related to him and how our staff exemplify this in their daily work supporting individuals with disabilities. I trust attendees at the ride took away how wonderful and dedicated our staff are.

So in the spirit of the Road Challenge 2011 – “How do you Ride?”  We hope well until our 2012 Road Challenge.  See you then.

I am blessed

I am thankful to God for many things but I believe, next to my family, I am most thankful for Morningside and being a part of an organization with solid values, clear vision and a social justice mission. By extension I am also thankful for our staff who are very focused on what we do, have a spirit of helping others and a drive to make sure individuals with disabilities have opportunity.

It is so fun to talk with staff who get excited when the perfect job match is found and the person we are supporting is happy for a job that they choose to do and fits their needs and desires. We don’t have easy jobs. First, it’s a challenge to get an employer to even talk with you. But then to have an employer say yes - well, it’s time to get ecstatic. What I enjoy also about my job is talking to employers who expound the virtues of hiring a person with severe disabilities. I love to hear about how the workplace has improved and changed as a result of hiring one of our clients.

It is also true that I get bummed out when something goes sour with a job. For instance I happened to find out by happenstance that a long time employee at Pizza _ _ _ was let go. I use this person as an example because this national company conducted a study extolling the virtues of hiring individuals with disabilities. The study found their turnover rate was 200 plus percent for non-disables workers at entry level jobs but a miniscule, in comparison, 30% for individuals with disabilities. This person whom we support has been an employee there for the past 9 years and rarely missed a day of work. She had been known to walk to work in the snow for fear the transit system wouldn’t be operating that day. She was the embodiment of the study they conducted nationwide. She was the living example of the positive return on investment of lowered turnover rates. She was let go because of economic reasons and no amount of discussion could change this manager’s mind. The manager has been the store manager for two years and he said that it was an economic decision and it sticks. I think it is penny wise and pound foolish. Boy are they losing out. Not only are they losing a good loyal employee they have lost a lot of goodwill in the process. I for one was a customer but I won’t be encouraging people to buy from them in the future.

The only saving grace in all of this is that I chatted with her the other day and she not bitter or resentful but looking ahead because as she puts it “I am a good worker. Someone will want me, huh Jim?”. She is so positive and encouraging to others, I am blessed to know her and a better person because of it.