Special Needs
If your organization's mission is all about increasing accessibility, independence, dignity, and inclusion for those with physical, developmental, or behavioral disabilities -- consider Apter & O'Connor an ally. We have substantial experience helping entities like yours with needs analysis, development and execution of strategies, program evaluation, and measurement of outcomes... All of which strengthen your ability to help empower those with disabilities.
Here are some of the organizations we've served. Contact us today, to learn more about what we can do for your organization.
Jowonio School
The Jowonio School in Syracuse, NY is an internationally recognized model for inclusive education of young children with a wide range of abilities. A&O facilitated a diverse group of stakeholders including parents, staff, early childhood professionals, program supporters, funders and board members to develop a concise logic model to articulated their many program facets. From there, A&O provided guidance and technical assistance to Jowonio staff to build their capacity for systematic tracking, measurement and reporting of the school’s impact on children, families and staff. Armed with clear knowledge of their data collection needs and methods for collecting useful data they were able to secure funding to develop the technology for a performance management system which they implemented and continue to use today.
Testimonial
A&O took the time to thoroughly understand our organizational needs and project expectations. They worked quickly and efficiently, gave us multiple opportunities to provide feedback on draft reports, and were always responsive to our questions and concerns. We are delighted with the product of our efforts together!
- A comment from our client...View Case Study
Needs Assessment for NYS Commission for the Blind
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) has selected A&O to conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment for The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB). NYSCB provides vocational and rehabilitation services to more than 4,500 consumers with blindness and visual impairment through seven district offices located throughout New York State. The assessment will include quantitative analysis of the state's case management data system, fiscal modeling and forecasting, as well as surveys, focus groups and interviews - all developed to meet 508 compliance and accessibility standards. The inquiries are designed to:
- assess factors related to successful case closures, i.e., demographics, secondary disabilities and functional limitations, and the combination/s of services received;
- gain the perspectives of district office staff regarding system outcomes, service barriers and successful collaborations;
- examine how the use of braille impacted success in school, college, and/or vocational training;
- assess proficiency and level of experience with braille among teachers of the visually impaired and vision rehabilitation therapists;
- and complete fiscal forecasting to gain an improved understanding of students who are eligible or potentially eligible for services.
A&O will present the analysis, findings, and recommendations in a white paper to be incorporated into the annual plan for the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration.
View Case Study
Unity House is a large and complex human service agency. Their mission is to empower people in recovery from substance abuse, coping with mental illness or diagnosed with a developmental disability. Apter & O’Connor’s work with Unity House started with a strategic planning process. The resulting three-year plan guided their preparation for NY State’s service-delivery and reimbursement transformation resulting from Managed Care. The process explored new business opportunities, planned for updating all administrative systems for new compliance requirement, designed a robust performance management (PM) infrastructure to support high quality programming and addressed the steps needed to strengthen their marketing and community engagement.
Following the strategic planning process, A&O was engaged to provide professional development and lead a newly convened PM committee. Over the course of 18 months, the committee examined each program area to articulate intended outcomes, identify performance measures, collect and analyze data, develop user-friendly reports and dashboards, and plan for program adjustments and improvements. The work with A&O concluded but the PM Committee continues with data-driven-decision-making now a part of the agency culture.
Testimonial
This strategic planning process was different than others I’ve participated in the past. It was at a higher level and more intense; we really had to work. The end product was worth it – we now have a viable plan for the next three years that will situate the agency for success.
I want to thank A&O for everything. I was so impressed by your ability to take information from our industry, digest it and feed it back in an organized way. My observation was that you were attentive and did not miss anything from what we said, to how we engaged. I feel that you helped to push the agency and staff to a new level in terms of strategic planning and program evaluation. I completely enjoyed my experience with you. Thank you and enjoy the fall!
We have made so many strides with our dashboards and data collection! I believe our directors now “think” data. Thank you for our support
- Comments from Unity House directors...View Case Study
