Progress is amazing with one-to-one intervener

Jamee Blackstone has been in day programs for 17 years. In all that time, his father, Milton Blackstone, saw only one part of his program that he felt was appropriate. That was at a La Jolla theater where his son had a one-to-one helper.

One-to-one worked

No one at the theater had formal experience with people who, like Jamee Blackstone, cannot see, hear, or speak. But with a staff person who provided one-to-one, hand-over-hand guidance, he made progress. His job involved cleaning and folding the theater seats. Over time, his speed improved.

Another job had one-to-one

After the theatre was sold, he worked at a restaurant folding silverware into napkins. Again, he had a person working one-to-one, hand-over-hand with him. When that job ended, Jamee Blackstone was enrolled in a day program for people who were deaf/blind.

Jamee fell asleep

In this setting, Jamee Blackstone was bored and often fell asleep. When he did have one-to-one attention, he was more alert and responsive. So Milton Blackstone asked the regional center to provide a one-to-one intervener for his son.

Would duplicate services

The regional center refused, saying it would be a duplication of services. They would have to pay the day program and the intervener for the same time. But Milton Blackstone knew that other regional centers had one-to-one staffing, so he gave the regional center the details. When they again refused, he asked for a fair hearing.

Evidence supports intervener

At an informal meeting, Cathy Kirscher, San Diego representative for the Helen Keller Center; John McKee, director of programs at ARC North Shores; Joe Tontodonato, the assistant clients’ rights advocate with the Office of Clients’ Rights Advocacy; and Milton Blackstone presented their evidence and testimony.

Offered four hours

After hearing the testimony, the regional center agreed that Jamee Blackstone’s current program was not appropriate and offered an intervener for four hours a day. Milton Blackstone insisted on six hours – to coincide with his son’s 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. program. So they went to a fair hearing, with Tontodonato representing Jamee Blackstone.

Dubois becomes intervener

Milton Blackstone met Vanessa Dubois at an American Association for the Deaf and Blind conference in San Diego.

“That’s when I started interacting with Jamee, in the afternoon, doing some outdoor activities,” says Dubois. “Then when the position of intervener got accepted, Milton offered me this position, and I decided to work at the ARC with Jamee.”

Dubois knew sign language and was working with autistic children. A citizen of France, she has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. As a student intern through San Diego State University, Dubois has worked with dolphins.

Regional center funds position

Milton Blackstone doubted that Dubois would accept a part time position, since she would have to leave her job. Eventually, the regional center agreed to fund:

• A rate that reflected Dubois’s unique ability; and

• Six hours a day for a six-month trial period.

ARC agreed to accept the rate that the regional center offered for the trial period.

Vanessa is unique

“Vanessa is unique and has had phenomenal success with Jamee,” says Milton Blackstone. “He is happier, more alert, and doesn’t fall asleep in class. He’s developing skills and independence that he can carry forward. Vanessa has him in an art program. He gave us a painting for Christmas.”

Guides him through

At ARC, Dubois works with Jamee Blackstone during all of his class sessions and activities. Using the one-to-one hand-over-hand technique, she guides him through each task.

Uses about 10 signs

Dubois thinks Jamee Blackstone is a little more confident and outgoing, too. “He is using about 10 signs, including ‘Yes’ and ‘No,’” says Dubois. “He tries to get my attention and tell me when he wants a straw, or more lunch.“

Goes to the gym, visits friends

Then Dubois adds that, “After class, we go to the gym, or shopping, or we go and visit some of my friends. This way, Jamee is learning to interact with new people.”

Jamee may get a job

Since the ARC program allows some off-site activity, Milton Blackstone has asked Sea World if his son might get a job there, with Dubois, working with or near the dolphins.

Can use a treadmill

At the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Dubois has taught Jamee Blackstone to walk on a treadmill and ride an exercycle by himself. Again, she works with him one-to-one until he is comfortable using a new skill.

Needs a higher rate

Dan Brown, the Service Coordinator at the regional center, recently told Milton Blackstone that, with the progress Jamee Blackstone is making, there is very little doubt that Dubois will be continued after the six months are up. The Blackstones hope that she will become a regular ARC staff member so she can get benefits, but ARC needs a higher rate to make that possible.