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Questions for Persons with Disabilities Seeking Services |
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Questions for Staff and Potential Employees |
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Questions for Parents and Guardians |
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Answers for Everyone Q: What is Dungarvin and how long has Dungarvin been providing services? A: Dungarvin is a national organization of privately owned companies that provide an array of support services to persons with developmental disabilities. Dungarvin first provided residential services and supports in Minnesota in 1976. Since then, Dungarvin has expanded to many states. Please visit our history and locations pages for additional information about Dungarvin. Q: Why is the organization named Dungarvin? A: A policeman’s thoughtful act of kindness that occurred during the 1970’s in a town in Ireland inspired a “thumbing” traveler with the name that now is the masthead of the organization. Read the full story on how Dungarvin got its name. Q: What is the mission of Dungarvin? A: Our mission statement is “respecting and responding to the choices of people with developmental disabilities”. Dungarvin assists each person we serve to realize his or her own hopes, dreams, goals and aspirations. Q: What is a developmental disability? A: A developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability of an individual five years of age or older that: is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments; is manifested before the individual attains age 22; is likely to continue indefinitely; results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care; receptive and expressive language; learning; mobility; self-direction; capacity for independent living; and economic self-sufficiency; and reflects the individuals need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, supports, or other assistance that is of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated. When this term when applied to infants and young children, it means individuals from birth to age five, inclusive, who have substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions with a high probability of resulting in developmental disabilities if services are not provided. Q: What advantages does Dungarvin offer over its competitors? What are its unique attributes? A: Dungarvin offers a comprehensive range of services and supports that are determined by an individual’s personal strengths, preferences, interests, desires and goals. Dungarvin places a strong emphasis on the quality of those services and conducts its own internal quality review assessments in addition to stakeholder, employee and consumer satisfaction surveys. Additionally, Dungarvin places a high priority on responsible financial management and plan development to ensure our organization is financially sound and able to provide long term stability and security for the persons we serve and for our employees. Q: Where does Dungarvin provide supports? A: Dungarvin provides quality supports to more than 2,000 individuals in over 900 locations in 14 states through the efforts of over 2,400 trained and dedicated staff, and through contracted foster care providers. Please visit the locations section of our website to learn more about our service areas.
Answers for Persons with Disabilities Seeking Services Q: What makes Dungarvin different from other provider organizations? A: Dungarvin has over 30 years of experience providing services and supports to individuals with disabilities. Our mission is “. . . respecting and responding to the choices of people with developmental disabilities.” We encourage self-determination and choice for all the persons we support, and we strive to provide services of the highest quality. Q: How will Dungarvin staff treat me? A: When we select persons to be hired as staff, we look for individuals who are compassionate, motivated and enthusiastic. We want staff to act as mentors, teachers, companions – and to be someone on whom you can depend. Staff will treat you with dignity, with respect and with integrity. Q: How will Dungarvin ensure that I am happy with the services I receive? A: Dungarvin welcomes your feedback about the services and supports we provide. Any concerns, complaints or problems can be brought to any Dungarvin staff at any time. Feedback about Dungarvin can also be shared with your guardian, family member(s), friends, advocate, case manager/case coordinator or other professional, who in turn can communicate this information to us. Satisfaction Surveys are regularly completed by individuals we support, in order to obtain additional feedback. Dungarvin staff will listen to your concerns, and respond. Q: What happens when there is a change in the types of services/supports that I need? A: Dungarvin recognizes that individuals will continue to grow and develop throughout their lifetimes, and there will often be a change in the type of services and supports that are needed. Rather than having a pre-established menu of available services, Dungarvin designs your plan of services and supports in response to your unique life goals, dreams, wishes, wants and needs. As these change, your type and level of supports can also change. Dungarvin staff will work closely with you to offer services that are responsive to your choices. Q: How can I stay in contact with my friends and family? A: There is nothing more important in our lives than our relationships with friends and family. Dungarvin will provide you assistance and resources to stay in touch with friends and family members, through telephone calls, visits, and letters, cards and/or e-mail correspondence. Q: How are my funds handled and by whom? A: If you need assistance in money management, it will be addressed by your Interdisciplinary Team when designing your individual support plan. A: Before a new employee can begin working for Dungarvin, we will conduct a criminal background check, a driving record check, an abuse/neglect record check, a personal interview with the prospective employee and reference checks with former employers. You and your family members are encouraged to assist in the staff selection process when possible.
Answers for Staff and Potential Employees Q: What kind of employer is Dungarvin? A: Dungarvin is an equal opportunity employer who provides a work environment that is filled with opportunities for personal challenges and rewards. In addition to competitive compensation, benefits and opportunities for growth, we also provide you the chance to make a daily difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Q: What would my responsibilities be if Dungarvin employed me? A: Dungarvin provides support to people with a variety of disabilities. As a direct service professional, you would spend most of your shift in direct contact with the people who need assistance. Your specific duties would vary depending upon the people with whom you work and the shift you work. We invite you to look at our realistic job preview to learn more about direct support position job expectations. Q: What kind of experience/education is required for a direct support professional? A: Dungarvin seeks to hire individuals who are mature, dependable, sensitive and caring, energetic, motivated, creative and flexible. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in effectively interacting with others, in both communicating with others and openly listening. Lastly, potential employees must be able to work independently, yet be willing to accept supervision, guidance and feedback. They must be open to learning new approaches and new ways of thinking. Most importantly, they must embrace and consistently apply the mission and values that drive the Dungarvin organization. Through our years of experience, we have found that such qualities are associated with those individuals who have become our most effective and successful employees. Direct support staff are required to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Previous experience in working with persons with developmental disabilities is preferred. Please visit the employment section of this web site for additional information. Q: What kinds of benefits does Dungarvin offer? A: Employees are very important to Dungarvin and we strive to provide the best benefits possible that will accommodate employees’ individual priorities, lifestyle and circumstances. Dungarvin’s benefit package in any location includes medical and dental benefits. Other benefits may include term life insurance, paid time off, disability insurance, direct deposit, and 401k. Benefits vary depending on the position you are hired into and/or the location for which you work. To learn more about the benefits provided in each Dungarvin state office, contact the local Human Resources representative. Q: What kind of training do new employees receive? A: All new employees at Dungarvin receive new staff orientation, which includes training in Dungarvin policies and procedures, OSHA health and safety, HIPAA, working with persons with developmental disabilities, behavior support, CPR and first aid. In addition, new employees also receive specific training about the needs of the individuals with whom they will be working. Other in-service training opportunities are available throughout the year. Q: What are the opportunities for relocation and/or advancement? A: Dungarvin provides supports in multiple locations throughout twelve different states. We encourage individuals to contact the appropriate state office Human Resources representative to discover current vacancies or opportunities for advancement. Q: Do you have an incentive program for staff? If so, what is it? A: Many state offices provide referral programs for employees who refer new people to Dungarvin for employment. After a new employee satisfactorily meets the state office’s requirements for this program, the referring employee receives a cash bonus or gift for his/her referral. Q: How do I express an interest in employment at Dungarvin? A: You can fax, e-mail or mail your resume for consideration at any of our offices. We also welcome you to apply in person at any of our locations. You may also complete our online Application for Employment . Q: How would I report concerns and possible violations of Dungarvin’s Policies and Procedures? A: Dungarvin has established policies and procedures for communicating conflicts, incidents and grievances. Employees receive information regarding these policies and procedures during their new staff orientation. At any time, you may request information on, or copies of, these policies and procedures from your supervisor or your local Human Resources department.
Answers for Parents and Guardians Q: What is an overview of Dungarvin’s services? A: Adhering to the philosophy of autonomy and self-determination, Dungarvin designs individual plans of service for each person with whom we work. Specific services and supports, which are offered to the individual, are determined by his/her personal strengths, preferences, interests, desires, and goals. Typically the focus of services is to enhance independence and quality of life. The range of particular services and supports we offer is vast, in order to meet the unique needs and preferences of the individuals. To learn more about the services provided by Dungarvin in the state where you live, visit the locations page and select your home state. Q: What is Dungarvin’s system for quality assurance; how are services monitored? A: At Dungarvin, we strive to provide services and supports characterized by the highest level of quality. As an initial step toward this outcome, Dungarvin readily participates in all licensure, certification and accreditation surveys and reviews required by regulatory and contracting agencies. We have also designed an internal system of quality assurance to proactively identify our strengths and weaknesses as a service provider. Managers regularly visit individuals receiving services, to assess the supports offered and to solicit feedback from these persons. Managers also maintain ongoing communication with key people in the lives of the persons we serve (e.g., parents and family members, guardians, case managers, etc.), to obtain their perceptions about the level of quality associated with our services. In addition, we administer a structured feedback survey to these persons to objectively measure perceptions about the quality of the services and supports we offer. Dungarvin has also developed an outcome-based Quality Assessment Review tool that we implement with review teams, both on a state level and a national level, to conduct an internal check of the quality of our services. Following the completion of each of these assessment reviews, the management team develops an action plan to address any identified quality issues, to assure satisfactory resolution. This multi-tiered approach to quality assurance and monitoring ensures that as an organization we continually strive to offer services and supports of the highest level of quality. A: Yes, parental/guardian and family involvement is welcomed and promoted as long as the wishes of the individual served and the rights and needs of others are respected. Q: Are meetings held when I can attend, after work hours or weekends? A: Dungarvin strives to accommodate the schedules of parents/guardians when at all possible, while recognizing that other professional service providers (case managers, psychologists, nurses, therapists) have schedules to keep as well. Q: What resources are available to pay for services? A: Services can be funded through federal Medicaid waivers, Social Security, SSI, state/county funds and private pay arrangements. Contact your local Dungarvin office for information about payment systems in your home state.
Q: How are my family member's funds handled and by whom? A: If an individual needs assistance in money management, it will be addressed by his/her Interdisciplinary Team when designing the individual support plan. A: Before a new employee can begin working for Dungarvin, we will conduct a criminal background check, a driving record check, an abuse/neglect record check, a personal interview with the prospective employee and reference checks with former employers. Parents, guardians and individuals served are encouraged to assist in the staff selection process when possible. Q: If I have concerns, whom do I tell? A: Each person served has an assigned program supervisor or manager who oversees services and supports provided by Dungarvin. Address any concerns you may have with that person first. If your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction, contact this individual’s supervisor to continue problem resolution. |
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