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Professional Services (Programming) The Professional Services branch of programming includes Education, Psychology, Social Work, Speech, Hearing and Language, Therapeutic Recreation and Vocational Enterprises. The Director of Professional Services also serves as the Chairperson of the Research Committee which oversees all research and as the Chairperson of the Treatment Review Committee. Educational Services provides educational and related services to all individuals who live at Murdoch Center. The goal of Educational Services is to teach each individual to function as independently as possible and to be afforded the highest quality of life possible. The Murdoch Center Program Library is used extensively and addresses the following domains: activities of daily living, community skills, grooming/dressing/hygiene, communication, money management, independent living, socialization/leisure/recreation, vocational and academics. In addition, Educational Services coordinates the educational programs for all school-aged children at Murdoch Center as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and teachers' licensure programs as required by the State through the DHHS, Office of Education and Department of Public Instruction. Murdoch Center's Psychology Services Department provides comprehensive evaluation, clinical, and training services to all persons living on campus. Under the direction of two Ph.D. supervisors (the Director and Associate Director), 13 Ph.D./M.A./M.S./M.Ed. Staff Psychologists serve on Murdoch's Treatment Teams. Eight Behavior Programming Specialists are also employed under the direction of the psychologists. The department uses a rigorous Applied Behavior Analysis approach to design safe, therapeutic and homelike environments, provide skill acquisition training, and develop, instruct and implement behavior programming to enhance the lives of the individuals who live at the center. In addition, psychologists consult with other departments to ensure complete integration of services. Applied research is actively encouraged. Social Work Services provides services to all the individuals living at Murdoch Center. Each social worker serves as a primary link between individuals, families and the community. Direct services are rendered through personal contact between the social worker and the individual residing at Murdoch or family. Social workers play a vital role in the development of person-centered plans. As members of the treatment team, each social worker is responsible for psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, personalized assessment interviews, assisting the individual in fully participating in the person-centered planning process and informed consent. In addition, they are also responsible for crisis intervention, information gathering and dissemination, interaction with available community resources, individual and group counseling, consultation with individuals and families (family conferences), support groups, and advocacy services for the individuals residing at Murdoch Center and their families. Speech, Hearing and Language Services The Department of Speech, Hearing and Language Services provides a full range of communication services to the individuals living at Murdoch Center. Each of eleven speech language pathologists is assigned to a living area and serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team. An audiologist provides comprehensive audiological services to all individuals. Two assistants aid staff in the provision of services and in the development of communication boards and materials for use in treatment and programming. The speech language pathologists provide communication assessment, interventions planning, consultation, treatment and staff training. A focus of communication services is to develop and provide effective Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems to meet the needs of each individual. The Department also coordinates all swallowing assessments and works closely with other disciplines to assure the mealtimes are safe, enjoyable experiences for those with swallowing disorders. The primary focus of Therapeutic Recreation is to improve the leisure skills and independence of the Center's challenging population, while also promoting health, fitness, and general well-being. Individuals are involved in various individually designed programs and group activities. Examples include community trips, table-top activities, computer games, dances, horticulture, festivals, swimming, Special Olympics, sports and other fitness activities. Vocational Enterprises is responsible for the provision and coordination of all paid employment for Murdoch individuals. The vocational programs are operated under the authority of several work certificates obtained from the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor. The Sheltered Workshop Program employs individuals from across campus each day. Work hours are individualized depending on the needs and abilities of each worker. Jobs include sub-contract work obtained from local businesses, as well as work done for Murdoch Center. Tasks include: packaging; hand assembly; material preparation for mailings, product cleaning and re-work, paper shredding, collating and various other clerical task. The TechWork program primarily focuses on computer-based vocational training. Workers learn to create graphic arts products and desktop publications. Those with sensory or physical challenges are accommodated through a variety of assistive technology modifications. While this paid program offers opportunities for individuals to generalize and improve their functional academics, good work habits and work-related social behaviors, several unpaid enrollment slots are offered to those needing more basic cognitive and attending skills through switch-operated educational computer programs. The TechWork Computer Lab has 10 computer workstations that are kept upgraded and maintained through the sale of TechWork's computer-generated products. More information on TechWork can be obtained by calling (919) 575-1583. The Handicrafts Vocational Program primarily focuses on craft-based vocational training. Workers learn basic crafting skills such as painting, sanding, gluing, assembling, and are also encouraged to express their own talents in color and decoration choices. Recyclable, donated and newly-purchased materials are made into potpourri products, desk accessories, floral arrangements, wind chimes, large and small ornaments and other decorative gift items. Individuals with sensory or physical challenges are accommodated through a variety of assistive technology modifications. This paid program also offers opportunities for the practice of social skills during sales activities through VE Originals store outlet. The Media Library is a free lending library available to the individuals and groups of people who live at Murdoch Center. The Media Library offers a selection of more than 1000 movies and videos, and has plans to add collections of music tapes/CDs and computer software programs to its inventory. The program employs several workers from the TechWork Program to operate the computer-based lending system. The library's inventory is updated and expanded through donations and the revenues generated by the sale of TechWork publications. The Supported Employment Program employs individuals utilizing mobile work crews, or individual placements at various locations in the communities surrounding Murdoch Center. Jobs usually involve cleaning, grounds maintenance, product re-work and assembly. Job sites include restaurants, medical parks, museums, churches, manufacturing companies, and schools. The Campus Work Program employs approximately half of the individuals living at Murdoch Center. They are paid to do work which benefits Murdoch Center. Length of time worked ranges from 15 minutes to several hours per day. Most individuals work in their own living area, but many work at various locations across the Murdoch Center campus. Job categories include: clerk, housekeeper, food service assistant, laborer, messenger, linen room assistant, and grounds maintenance worker. For more information concerning vocational program operations, or to inquire about sub-contract or employment services contact the Program Director at (919) 575-1565.
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