Turning Disability into Ability

March is Intellectual Disability awareness month and Philadelphia Coordinated HealthCare (PCHC) would like to take this time to highlight one of the many providers that have been providing exemplary services to individuals in our service system, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. It may have had even greater consequences for vulnerable populations such as people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism (ID/ASD). Caregivers and providers across the board were confronted with finding alternative resources for the ones that usually supported them. Fortunately, one provider agency was up for the challenge.

Personal Touch Professional Service II, B/D/A, A Purpose in Life (PTPS II),located at 201 York Rd. in Jenkintown, PA, was founded in March 2021. It is a community based residential treatment facility that serves individuals with both intellectual disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Tahira Dockery, CEO and Nashia Foreman, Director, have worked in the behavioral health field collectively for over 20 years and understands how “Turning Disability into Ability” can build confidence and empower the individuals they support.

Just a week shy of their one-year anniversary, they have already made their mark in the community with the social skills group they organized at the local library. Ms. Dockery knew PTPS II individuals needed to develop social skills if they wanted to have meaningful relationships, however, the pandemic limited the availability of many services and community supports. “She (Tahira) doesn’t take no for an answer” says Nashia, director of the program. “If it can’t be done, she creates a way”. So, with the help of the Autism Project Grant, PTPS II established their own six-week skill building activity called “Replenish”.

Coming together in a peer group setting created a safe space for participants to speak freely and comfortably engage in their exercises. An important first step was to work on identifying their relationship goals. This could be with family, a friendship, or a romantic interest. They were guided through how to initiate conversations and how to use the skills discussed in the group. Other important areas such as establishing healthy boundaries and expectations for sexual relationships was also discussed.

As the sessions progressed, the individuals enjoyed exploring their ideas of interacting with each other and participating in role playing real-life situations to use and practice the new skills. Their enthusiasm was obvious, and the positive energy helped bring more shy individuals into the group discussion. Others discovered their leadership qualities and were able to encourage participation amongst the group and model positive behaviors which helped move everyone in a positive direction.  

Parents and staff that accompanied the individuals were pleasantly surprised to see how well they responded to the workshop, especially with the connections they made between how behaviors can influence people’s responses. The staff and parents even participated in the sessions and assisted in role playing scenarios when asked. They also shared that they too benefited from the exercises and overwhelmingly requested that PTPS II plan another event.

“Turning Disability into Ability” is not just the organization’s motto, it’s what is modeled for both individuals and staff. The agency culture supports an open-door policy, trainings that promote professionalism and career development so staff have the support they need to advance and become experienced at what they do. In addition, practicing mindfulness in the form of a “fifteen-minute restart” throughout the day is also helpful and challenges employees to let go of personal and daily stressors to ensure they are present, working in the moment and able to give 100% to the people they serve. 

PCHC would like to recognize these amazing efforts put forth through a particularly difficult time.  Thank you, Personal Touch Professional Service II, for your dedication and skill building efforts that extended beyond your walls and into the community for others to experience.