Formatting code for JacquelineLoncto
JACQUELINE LONCTO
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
__****** A brief description of the agency**__
My name is Jackie Loncto, I am currently a senior Psychology major, with minors in Clinical/ counseling and Studio Art. For my internship I worked closely with a Behavioral Clinician for the agency Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled (CSDD). One may not know the distinction between a developmental disorder and a mental disorder. To qualify for a developmental disorder you must be diagnosis with; autism, mental retardation, epileptic, cerebral palsy, or a neurological impairment. The agency has over 23 houses, otherwise known as I.R.A’s (Individualize Residential Alternative).
However many of our consumers are dual diagnosed with a (DD) developmental disorder and a mental disorder. But the person first and foremost must have a DD diagnosis for our agency to provide services for the consumer. The mission of this agency is;
“Our mission is to provide or obtain services for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Western New York, which will assist in achieving their highest level of independent living, enable their fullest participation in society, ensure that their civil and human rights are protected, and promote their ability to be productive, contributing members of the community”
(http://www.csdd.info/who_we_are.shtml).
I thought this internship was a great experience! There are a few nice things about doing an internship. First, you get hands on experience working in mental health field. This allows you to “really” make up your mind about different future career choices. Networking is another positive outcome of internships. I was fortunate enough to meet a wide range of people in the field for example, psychiatrist, forensic psychologists, behavioral clinicians, and social workers.
****
**05/16/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
Today I started my training for the internship. Even as a volunteer I had to complete the entire “new hire training” series. This training session we focused on the universal precautions, fire hazards, and O.S.H.A.
We went over what the universal precautions are and how to handle certain situations that may arise. After the universal precautions lecture we spoke about fire hazards and what to do, who to contact, where equipment is located. We also went over how to handle situations dealing the media and when to Box911. Then we spoke about Occupational Safety & Health Administration. At the end of each lecture we were given a short quiz.
****
**05/24/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
The second training session began today. We spent the first half of the day learning about diversity and how important it is to this agency. The second part of the session we spoke about the distinctions of Developmental Disorders. We had to go around to empty poster and write down what we knew about epilepsy, mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, and neurological impairments. After everyone was done, we broken up into groups and were assigned a specific developmental disability and we were given information on the disorder. Each group had to give a presentation about the DD they were assigned to. This was a great way for us to get creative and a great way to understand each disorder better.
**05/25/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
The third training session spent a lot of time talking about abuse. Abuse ranges from psychological abuse to sexual abuse. We watched a video that explained in detail what the distinctions are between the difference forms of abuse. Each consumer has the right to live free from abuse, and if we see any form of abuse we must report it.
The second part of this day focused on corporate compliance and confidentiality. We went over the procedures for reporting violations of the corporate compliance policy. Then we spoke about confidentiality of consumer information. The Quality Assurance Office of Community Services maintains a policy for the protection of Clinical Information and the access to Clinical records.
****
**05/30/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
Today I actually got a chance to work with Michelle LeFauve, the behavior clinician. I mainly shadowed Michelle in her daily routine, which was usually quite hectic.
Michelle, gave me background information about her four I.R.A’s (Individualize Residential Alternative). She described to me in detail about one of her most intense caseloads, which is her house on Harlem. The house consists of six adolescent autistic males. All of the consumers in this house need one-on- one supervision. I also got a chance to look over the behavior incident reports (BIR’s) and I got a chance to check out the ABC tracking reports. The BIR’s show that a maladaptive behavior has taken place, and it indicates what techniques were used to redirect the consumer. The ABC tracking reports are used to see what caused or lead up to the behavior and what the consequence were.
05/31/06 (8 hrs)
Today was the last day of training! We went over how to file an allegation report. They also described to us in detail how allegation reports work and the investigative procedure that proceeds. An allegation can be filed by a consumer or another co-worker.
The second half of the day we went over how to fill out Behavior Incident Reports (BIR’s). I explained on the 05/30/06, what BIR’s are and how they are used. When we were being instructed on how to fill these out, I knew that BIR’s are an essential to the behavior clinician. The behavior clinician uses the BIR’s to make assessment and to be updated immediately when behaviors occur. Therefore it’s important that the staff filling th BIR's reports out, fill them out properly! Same with the ABC tracking reports, this report gives the behavior clinician an idea of what could have triggered the behavior, what the behavior is, and the consequence of the behavior.
06/20/06 (8hrs)
Today was a full day of appointments, starting with a risk management meeting for the consumer PT. This particular meeting included people from all different positions including the DDSO, two of our agency’s RN’s, two behavior clinicians, and Dr. Eric Franks (PsyD) who is a forensic psychologist. PT is an adolescent autistic male, his behaviors range from biting & chocking other staff & other consumers to inappropriate masturbation. At this meeting we were evaluating and assessing his high risk behaviors and new solutions to the problem. One solution (that is actually in the works as we speak) is to construct a house that would have a wing with a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living space, so PT would hypothetically have his own section to a house, where staff would monitor his behaviors. Rationale behind this decision came from the fact that PT does much better when he is not agitated by other consumers. The agency also thought that, down the road this could be beneficial, if other consumers like PT came to the agency.
The second half of the day consisted of a presentation of a drug rep. company promoting a new product called Depakote ER. This was a catered luncheon. Depakote ER is a mood stabilizer that primarily treats symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, but also is used for people suffering from epilepsy, and migraines. Depakote ER is said to eliminate the peaks and valleys of people suffering from Bipolar Disorder.
06/21/06 (8 hrs)
Today we had a treatment team meeting which included the behavior specialist, the manager of the Harlem IRA, and the supervisor of the Harlem IRA. We spoke about any current behavioral incidents. We also discussed changes in medication and how that could have increased or decreased behavioral incidents. Michelle also was approved for a rights restriction at the Harlem IRA. The rights restriction Michelle put in place was to have all food locked in cupboards. Rights restrictions have to be approved by a panel. Michelle’s rationale behind this decision is for the safety of other consumers. Some of the boys maladaptive behaviors have to do with food behaviors, one consumer would tear through packages of raw meat, some consumers would overindulge until they were sick. We discussed our thoughts on how the other consumers might react and how we would handle certain situations.
PracticumExperiences
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
__****** A brief description of the agency**__
My name is Jackie Loncto, I am currently a senior Psychology major, with minors in Clinical/ counseling and Studio Art. For my internship I worked closely with a Behavioral Clinician for the agency Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled (CSDD). One may not know the distinction between a developmental disorder and a mental disorder. To qualify for a developmental disorder you must be diagnosis with; autism, mental retardation, epileptic, cerebral palsy, or a neurological impairment. The agency has over 23 houses, otherwise known as I.R.A’s (Individualize Residential Alternative).
However many of our consumers are dual diagnosed with a (DD) developmental disorder and a mental disorder. But the person first and foremost must have a DD diagnosis for our agency to provide services for the consumer. The mission of this agency is;
“Our mission is to provide or obtain services for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Western New York, which will assist in achieving their highest level of independent living, enable their fullest participation in society, ensure that their civil and human rights are protected, and promote their ability to be productive, contributing members of the community”
(http://www.csdd.info/who_we_are.shtml).
I thought this internship was a great experience! There are a few nice things about doing an internship. First, you get hands on experience working in mental health field. This allows you to “really” make up your mind about different future career choices. Networking is another positive outcome of internships. I was fortunate enough to meet a wide range of people in the field for example, psychiatrist, forensic psychologists, behavioral clinicians, and social workers.
****
**05/16/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
Today I started my training for the internship. Even as a volunteer I had to complete the entire “new hire training” series. This training session we focused on the universal precautions, fire hazards, and O.S.H.A.
We went over what the universal precautions are and how to handle certain situations that may arise. After the universal precautions lecture we spoke about fire hazards and what to do, who to contact, where equipment is located. We also went over how to handle situations dealing the media and when to Box911. Then we spoke about Occupational Safety & Health Administration. At the end of each lecture we were given a short quiz.
****
**05/24/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
The second training session began today. We spent the first half of the day learning about diversity and how important it is to this agency. The second part of the session we spoke about the distinctions of Developmental Disorders. We had to go around to empty poster and write down what we knew about epilepsy, mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, and neurological impairments. After everyone was done, we broken up into groups and were assigned a specific developmental disability and we were given information on the disorder. Each group had to give a presentation about the DD they were assigned to. This was a great way for us to get creative and a great way to understand each disorder better.
**05/25/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
The third training session spent a lot of time talking about abuse. Abuse ranges from psychological abuse to sexual abuse. We watched a video that explained in detail what the distinctions are between the difference forms of abuse. Each consumer has the right to live free from abuse, and if we see any form of abuse we must report it.
The second part of this day focused on corporate compliance and confidentiality. We went over the procedures for reporting violations of the corporate compliance policy. Then we spoke about confidentiality of consumer information. The Quality Assurance Office of Community Services maintains a policy for the protection of Clinical Information and the access to Clinical records.
****
**05/30/06 8:30am-4:30 (8hrs)**
Today I actually got a chance to work with Michelle LeFauve, the behavior clinician. I mainly shadowed Michelle in her daily routine, which was usually quite hectic.
Michelle, gave me background information about her four I.R.A’s (Individualize Residential Alternative). She described to me in detail about one of her most intense caseloads, which is her house on Harlem. The house consists of six adolescent autistic males. All of the consumers in this house need one-on- one supervision. I also got a chance to look over the behavior incident reports (BIR’s) and I got a chance to check out the ABC tracking reports. The BIR’s show that a maladaptive behavior has taken place, and it indicates what techniques were used to redirect the consumer. The ABC tracking reports are used to see what caused or lead up to the behavior and what the consequence were.
05/31/06 (8 hrs)
Today was the last day of training! We went over how to file an allegation report. They also described to us in detail how allegation reports work and the investigative procedure that proceeds. An allegation can be filed by a consumer or another co-worker.
The second half of the day we went over how to fill out Behavior Incident Reports (BIR’s). I explained on the 05/30/06, what BIR’s are and how they are used. When we were being instructed on how to fill these out, I knew that BIR’s are an essential to the behavior clinician. The behavior clinician uses the BIR’s to make assessment and to be updated immediately when behaviors occur. Therefore it’s important that the staff filling th BIR's reports out, fill them out properly! Same with the ABC tracking reports, this report gives the behavior clinician an idea of what could have triggered the behavior, what the behavior is, and the consequence of the behavior.
06/20/06 (8hrs)
Today was a full day of appointments, starting with a risk management meeting for the consumer PT. This particular meeting included people from all different positions including the DDSO, two of our agency’s RN’s, two behavior clinicians, and Dr. Eric Franks (PsyD) who is a forensic psychologist. PT is an adolescent autistic male, his behaviors range from biting & chocking other staff & other consumers to inappropriate masturbation. At this meeting we were evaluating and assessing his high risk behaviors and new solutions to the problem. One solution (that is actually in the works as we speak) is to construct a house that would have a wing with a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living space, so PT would hypothetically have his own section to a house, where staff would monitor his behaviors. Rationale behind this decision came from the fact that PT does much better when he is not agitated by other consumers. The agency also thought that, down the road this could be beneficial, if other consumers like PT came to the agency.
The second half of the day consisted of a presentation of a drug rep. company promoting a new product called Depakote ER. This was a catered luncheon. Depakote ER is a mood stabilizer that primarily treats symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, but also is used for people suffering from epilepsy, and migraines. Depakote ER is said to eliminate the peaks and valleys of people suffering from Bipolar Disorder.
06/21/06 (8 hrs)
Today we had a treatment team meeting which included the behavior specialist, the manager of the Harlem IRA, and the supervisor of the Harlem IRA. We spoke about any current behavioral incidents. We also discussed changes in medication and how that could have increased or decreased behavioral incidents. Michelle also was approved for a rights restriction at the Harlem IRA. The rights restriction Michelle put in place was to have all food locked in cupboards. Rights restrictions have to be approved by a panel. Michelle’s rationale behind this decision is for the safety of other consumers. Some of the boys maladaptive behaviors have to do with food behaviors, one consumer would tear through packages of raw meat, some consumers would overindulge until they were sick. We discussed our thoughts on how the other consumers might react and how we would handle certain situations.
PracticumExperiences
