02/29/12 — O'Berry grant to train caregivers

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O'Berry grant to train caregivers

By From staff reports
Published in News on February 29, 2012 1:46 PM

O'Berry Center Foundation and the Caswell Center Foundation in Kinston will use a $25,000 Ribbon of Hope grant from N.C. GlaxoSmithKline Foundation to develop a training program for professionals and caregivers working with developmentaly and intellectually disabled residents in Wayne and Lenoir counties.

"The increased emphasis on providing support for the developmentally disabled adults in the community, coupled with managed care mandates, make it imperative that providers and guardians are competent to manage the complex needs of this population," said Monnie Lunsford, executive director of the O'Berry Center Foundation. "The special needs of those with developmental disabilities require knowledgeable and competent services that can respond appropriately and in a timely manner. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and improved training of professionals and caregivers working with this population, and that is what we will provide with this Ribbon of Hope grant."

The target audience for the training includes community agencies, parent/guardians and state employees from Caswell Development Center and O'Berry Neuro Medical Treatment Center in the Lenoir and Wayne County area. The goal of the trainings is to increase the quality of life and quality of care for persons with developmental disabilities.

Trainings will assist in increasing awareness of resources and knowledge for parents and guardians caring for a loved one with a disability and increase the skills, knowledge and morale for direct care staff and other staff who work with this population.