Called to Serve

Skills Development Center

Carly, Jessica, Rachel, Lauren

 “Teaching vocational, transitional and life skills to
developmentally and intellectually disabled adults
since 2011"
Overview

Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs,

community opportunities, and resources for adults, over 18, with
developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Skills development center (2015).
 Overview
Mission, Vision and Core Values
Mission: To provide transitional life skills to developmentally and intellectually
disabled adults
Vision: To enhance the lives of adults with developmental and intellectual
disabilities

Core Values:

● Family: We create an environment that enables everyone in the center to

value each other’s contributions and diversity.
● Empowerment: We enable each individual to work towards their potential
and learn to become a part of their community.
● Advocacy: We participate in communication and civic efforts that aim
towards a healthy society utilizing the diverse strengths of its members.
Skills development center (2015).
 Cultural Influences: Defining “Intellectual
Disabilities”
“DSM-5 defines intellectual disabilities as neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in childhood
and are characterized by intellectual difficulties as well as difficulties in conceptual, social, and
practical areas of living. The DSM-5 diagnosis of ID requires the satisfaction of three criteria:

1. Deficits in intellectual functioning—“reasoning, problem solving, planning, abstract thinking,

judgment, academic learning, and learning from experience”—confirmed by clinical evaluation and
individualized standard IQ testing (APA, 2013, p. 33);
2. Deficits in adaptive functioning that significantly hamper conforming to developmental and
sociocultural standards for the individual's independence and ability to meet their social responsibility;
and
3. The onset of these deficits during childhood.”

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK332877/
Source: https://atlascorps.org/negative-stereotypes-and-attitudes-linked-to-disability/

Cultural Influences: Stereotypes &

Assumptions
Negative... Positive...
“Weird”
“Always “Heroic!”
“Amoral
”
happy!”
“Cannot lead
productive “So loving!”
“Deserve
lives”
our pity”

“Morally
superior” “Inspirational”
“Dangerous”
“Helpless”
Catholic Healthcare Ministry Principles

Human Dignity

People in this population are unique individuals with their own skills, talents, interests, and needs

The SDC excels in ensuring each client is treated with dignity and respect

They advocate for their clients, teach them skills, and encourage engagement in their communities
 “The servant-leader is a servant first… It
begins with the natural feeling that one
wants to serve, to serve first….
Caring for persons, the more able and the
less able serving each other, is the rock
upon which a good society is built”.

- Robert Greenleaf

https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/
 ● Isn’t concerned about acquiring or holding

onto power.

● Isn’t focused on maintaining a certain

reputation above all else.

● Doesn’t fear employees gaining skills and

knowledge beyond their own.

● Places high value on the community.

● Is committed to the growth and

improvement of those being led.

https://wheniwork.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-servant
-leadership-model/
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=skills+development+center+richmind&&view=detail
&mid=45DAE1421CEE0B07209845DAE1421CEE0B072098&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2
Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dskills%2Bdevelopment%2Bcenter%2Brichmind%26FORM%3D
HDRSC3
Questions?
 References
Boat, T.F. (2015, October 28). Clinical Characteristics of Intellectual Disabilities. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3328777/

Campbell, S. (2017, August 1). The Ultimate Guide to the Servant Leadership Model - When I Work.
Retrieved November 4, 2019, from
http://wheniwork.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-servant-leadership-model/

Skills development center (2015). Retrieved from http://www.thesdc.org/