DPI in the News: Lee's Summit Lifestyle Magazine

August Article in Lifestyle Magazine

See DPI in the News! Lee’s Summit City Lifestyle Magazine is featuring us in their August issue. Read the full article by Judy Goppert here. We are proud to be offering services in this community.

Publisher Laura Paszkiewicz states, “We truly enjoy getting to shine a light on people like you who are doing great things in our community, and we hope you love the feature and photos as much as we do.”

Follow the magazine online on:
Facebook @LeesSummitLifestyleMagazine 
Instagram @leessummitcitylifestyle

DPI RECEIVES TRUMAN HEARTLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT

Read our latest news! We are excited that we have received the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Grant to expand our Day Programming options.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – Developing Potential Inc. (DPI) was recently awarded $11,000 in grant funding by the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. This gift will provide Independence participants with health supports, sensory equipment, staff curriculum training, assistive technology, and additional equipment needed to implement high-quality day services programming.   Truman Heartland Foundation funding will ensure that DPI continues to support and expand our day services programming to individuals with I/DD (Intellectual/Developmental Disability) in our community.

“DPI is beyond pleased to receive this grant award and put it towards purchasing crucial supplies and equipment to offer enhanced, high-quality day services programming at our Independence, Mo. location. This critical funding will continue to create a meaningful impact for individuals with I/DD, allowing them to meet their personal development goals, continue to gain important life skills, and lead more independent lives,” said Rebecca Case, Executive Director, Developing Potential Inc.

The Day Services program helps individuals develop and practice skills needed for daily living and chart their journey toward a “good life.” Both on- and off-site, individuals work on skill-building activities focused on self-care, socialization, cognition, self-expression, and other essential skills. Staff work with participants to select activities that help to develop daily living skills focused on effective communication, hygiene, self-care, cognition, creative expression, and social skills. Key programming activities support individual health and wellness, such as therapeutic yoga, nutrition and cooking classes, and exercise.

Throughout the pandemic, DPI continued to serve individuals with I/DD through the day and employment services. COVID-19 placed unimaginable challenges on DPI’s persons served, their families, and staff. Through this difficult time, DPI focused on putting our individuals’ needs first and remained a critical resource for families. As a result, families have become comfortable returning to in-person care, and the demand for services has only continued to increase. With Truman Heartland Community Foundation support, DPI is excited to increase access to services that provide a healthier future for adults with I/DD in Independence, Mo.

DPI's Quarterly Health Tip - Summer 2022

Evaluation of online health information

What a wonderful tool we have in the internet.  So much information at our fingertips.  The web has changed our everyday life.  Understanding the validity of health information from the internet is not difficult if you know the main components of a strong online article.  Look for these four components when researching health topics:  Credibility, Content, Disclosures and Links.

Is the source Credible?

Information in a journal or on the Web should have an identifiable source or an author. In considering the credibility of the source, ask yourself whether the particular source you are reading is likely to be fair, objective and lacking in hidden motives.  Do the authors have credentials, are there financial connections or any conflict of interest?  Has the article been reviewed by the authors peers? 

The website you are on may give indication to the validity of the information you read in terms of potential biases.  Web addresses that end in the following may assist you:

.edu - is published by an organization that is associated with an educational institution such as a university.

.gov - the web page belongs to a governmental organization.

.org - belongs to a nonprofit.

.com- belongs to a for-profit company

Do you have accurate Content?

Look for clinical or scientific evidence which is clearly presented and easy to interpret.  All sources should be disclosed.  It is important to note that testimonials are not considered evidence.  Solid evidence-based information generally originates from universities, medical schools, and large non-profit organizations.  If the site is funded by advertisements or a business pays for the site, the health information may be biased.

Are there Disclosures?

Disclosures refer to privacy, the use of your information as you enter a website and how the information will be used.  For example, if you go on the site 

 https://www.cvs.com/

and scroll to the bottom of the page there is a link you can click that tells CVS they are not allowed to sell your information.  Otherwise every product you read about, purchase can be sold to third party companies.  The information can come to your in box or present as advertisements supporting products of interest. 

Does your article have Links?

Links in a health-related topic should be included to make it possible for verification of content of the site.  The links should lead users to other reliable sources for further information.

Sources Cited:

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/evaluating-health-information

https://medlineplus.gov/evaluatinghealthinformation.html

https://dal.ca.libguides.com/c.php?g=257155

HHF Continues Support of DPI

Read the recent Press Release!

HEALTH FORWARD FOUNDATION SUPPORTS POSITIVE HEALTH

IMPACTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Lee’s Summit, MO – September 21, 2021 - Developing Potential, Inc. (DPI) is pleased to announce the continued support of the Health Forward Foundation (HFF) through their grant of $45,000 for the Increase Access to Services program.

Through this program, DPI’s registered nurse (RN) provides health-related oversight, direct support, training, and education for all of DPI’s participants. DPI recently hired Cathryn (Cathy) Burke, RN, BSN, MBA to carry out this program. Ms. Burke is a member of the Developmental Disability Nursing Association, American Nursing Association, and Missouri Nurses Association and has experience serving in varied positions at Children’s Mercy, Truman Medical Center, and Centerpoint Medical Center. Through her role at DPI, Ms. Burke aims to provide an environment of holistic wellness through education of employees and individuals and become an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities through professional organizations and partnerships.

DPI provides services to the medically vulnerable in the Kansas City area through specialized care for individuals with developmental disabilities. “We are so grateful to the Health Forward Foundation for their continued support of the individuals we serve to assist with addressing social determinants of health in our community.”  stated Rebecca Case, Developing Potential, Inc. Executive Director.  “We have seen many positive outcomes because of the support from HFF especially during the pandemic.”

For more information on this grant, contact Rebecca Case, DPI Executive Director, at 816.525-6000, ext. 1010 or rrcase@developingpotential.org.

ABOUT DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC.

Developing Potential, Inc. is a nationally accredited, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing quality services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. DPI began serving the community in 1993 in downtown Kansas City and opened a second site in Independence, Missouri in March 2002 and a third location in Lee’s Summit in 2012. In 2020, DPI served approximately 136 adults with developmental disabilities across these three locations.

Developing Potential, Inc.’s mission is to provide quality day habilitation services to adults having developmental disabilities and support those individuals to reach their potential and achieve a dignified, adult lifestyle. To reach this goal, Developing Potential provides both onsite and offsite programs designed to encourage program participants to recognize and achieve their personal goals through highly individualized programs. For more information about DPI’s services, visit www.developingpotential.org. 

ABOUT HEALTH FORWARD FOUNDATION

The Health Forward Foundation provides leadership, advocacy and resources that eliminate barriers to quality health for the uninsured and underserved in Kansas City, Missouri, Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri and Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.  For more information, visit www.healthforward.org.