By Jonathan Widran

We’ve all heard about good old fashioned Southern Hospitality, but Northern Louisiana based multiple business owner Daryn Clark has put his trademark on a concept called Southern Ingenuity—the name of the successful service provider company he’s operated for nearly 20 years (www.southerningenuityinc.com) as well as an apt description of the progressive, pro-active principles he’s applying to his latest endeavor, the Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning website What’s Your Fight? (www.whatsyourfight.com).

Although Clark began studying kung fu in high school and trained early on in Judo and Tae Kwon Do, it was the tremendous stress of working with Medicaid and running his 140 plus employee companies serving so many disabled people (originally for various small group homes and provider agency programs, then later as president of his own company) that led him back to martial arts in his late 30s.

A longtime instructor at Clyde Stanley’s School of Martial Arts in Minden, Louisiana, Clark has earned a fourth degree black belt in Isshinryu karate and a black belt in Ju Jitsu and competed in national and international tournaments; in addition to Isshinryu and Ju Jitsu, he teaches boxing, San Soo and Muay Thai. For the past four years, he has served on the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Board of Directors as Vice President and has recently received his certification as a Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach, through NESTA (National Exercise and Strength Trainers Association).

While he’s never drawn a salary for his work with students in martial arts, the natural born entrepreneur is excited about the revenue generating possibilities of What’s Your Fight?, a scientifically based online MMA conditioning program for anyone who, as its website says, wants to get into fighting shape.

The site’s 50-plus instructional exercise videos teach the proper technique for each workout for beginners and advanced MMA enthusiasts, with goals set on each exercise regarding sets, repetitions and the pace of the exercise. The site also introduces the NESTA Strength Training Pyramid, which offers a progression based workout that helps users achieve their goals safely and effectively. The GAS theory, Fitts and Posners Three Stage Model of Motor Learning and the study of Kinematic Chains were also utilized in the development of the WYF training progressions. The site also teaches self-defense and relaxation techniques.

At first glance, Clark’s passion for martial arts would seem at odds with his successful “day job” in provider services, but in both endeavors, he is devoted to helping people become the best they can be and reach their highest potential. The chapter he wrote for The Win Book (an anthology dedicated to contemporary business strategies, penned by successful entrepreneurs across the spectrum) is dedicated to the idea that staying physically fit and healthy can be profitable for business.

During his days training people from California to Tennessee in Isshinryu and Ju Jitsu, he realized the enormity of the market for people who need to work out but don’t or are working out but going about it in ways that can be counterproductive or cause injury. He found novel ways to motivate the 122 employees who work out of Southern Ingenuity’s three locations to exercise. First was “Laps For Lucre”: if employees walked a lap around one of the building’s long circular driveways, they earned a buck; if they ran, two dollars. He later amped this up with “Laps For Life.” Besides good exercise, it was a way for his employees to “de-stress” after long days and weeks dealing hands on with the many “consumers” of varying disabilities that Southern Ingenuity provides round the clock primary care for.

When Clark founded the company in 1991 with $150 of his own money, he could never have imagined that he would eventually build a multi-million dollar business with 140 employees; over the years, Southern Ingenuity has collected over $45 million from Medicaid and other government funds to help provide care for people of varying ages and degrees of disability.

After receiving his masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Northeast Louisiana University, he quickly realized that counseling people his whole life wasn’t going to fulfill him. In 1986, he experienced what he considers a life changing first visit to a small group home (aka an “intermediate care facility”) for men with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Shreveport. He felt a calling to work within the service delivery systems established by Louisiana and supported by the Federal Government to help people stay in their community.

“Shortly thereafter, I began working for Caddo Bossier ARC, running and supervising two, then later three of their homes, which housed six men each,” says Clark. “I grew fast in that company and soon ran their entire residential program. I took some of the knowledge I had from teaching introductory computer classes while still in school and applied it to the paper records that the government demanded. I wound up creating the Active Treatment Paperless System, which streamlined all the notes, schedules and figures related to care giving.

“I started getting job offers from Southern Louisiana,” he adds, “and eventually ran three different companies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, implementing not only my paperless system but also developing fleet management systems for transportation and a human resource system. I always believed in the concept of dynamic partnership and worked closely with computer programming experts to make these things happen. In 1991, Louisiana implemented and designed a home and community based waiver program that allowed some of the higher functioning disabled men and women that had lived in group homes to move out on their own. As they received an opportunity for independence, I saw the possibilities to help provide them services by starting Southern Ingenuity.”

One of the first waiver providers in the state, Southern Ingenuity has grown to serve more Louisianans in need with offices in Natchitoches, Homer, Shreveport—and for its first 15 years, a base office in New Orleans which was later destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Southern Ingenuity helped over 60 families evacuate that terrible storm and the aftermath that followed. The company was the first provider to be selected in the federally mandated downsizing of Louisiana’s institutions in 1996. “Consumers” who had lived in the institution for over 40 years were now experiencing life in a real community through Southern Ingenuity’s efforts. Clark worked directly with the Federal Justice Department to assure that the services of those in the institution were transferable to their own home in the community. The first people out of Pinecrest Institution are still consumers of SI some 14 years later.

Beyond working to “mainstream” physically and developmentally disabled people, the company also provides assistance to the elderly; with a caregiver’s help, many can stay in their longtime homes rather than be put in nursing facilities. Clark has played a key role in helping the Department of Health and Hospitals make important changes to the services in Louisiana. He was part of a diverse committee that was charged with getting a community based service system accepted by the Federal Government; he and SI were one of only three providers on the 12 person committee.

Services range from children’s services, family training, attendant care services, temporary out of home care, crisis intervention, home and vehicle modifications, supervised independent living, family home assistance and case supervision.

Clark sees a distinct parallel between helping improve the lives of the “consumers” in his company’s charge and his work with kids in martial arts settings, where the skills he imparts build self esteem, self-confidence and an improved attitude towards schoolwork. Some of the higher functioning consumers even participate in some of his classes at Clyde Stanley’s. If you visit the What’s Your Fight? website, you will encounter a bald African American gentleman named Willie, who has been in the care of SI for many years. When he was 19, Willie was living with foster parents but wanted out of that situation. With the help of a lawyer, Clark ensured Willie’s release from foster care and helped set him up in an apartment in New Orleans. After Katrina, Willie moved up north to live near Clark and his family—and he now takes exceptional defense classes and is testing for his black belt.

Another incredible story that reminds Clark of the way he and his company have impacted and improved countless lives involves Kenny and Ed, two men in wheelchairs with Cerebral Palsy who were part of a class action lawsuit regarding the living conditions at an institution in Texas (where Louisiana once farmed out some of its “consumers”) that was more like a concentration camp, barbed wires and all. As plaintiffs in the case, Kenny and Ed were entitled to anything they wanted and needed—and Clark helped them secure their own apartment. Clark has helped both of them work out to the best of their abilities at the DOJO Training Center, and one day Kenny even managed to get out of his chair and back in it without any assistance whatsoever after a time working out on the mats.  Kenny now gets into and out of his chair with complete independence.

“I live for these moments when I get to see someone I have taught win a championship fight, or to see Ed’s face light up when he finally got an electric wheelchair and could move himself around,” says Clark. “Both fields are tremendously rewarding on a personal level, and while it gets crazy at SI because Medicaid changes their payment rules every six months, I have three directors to help me sort things out. I may get frustrated at times with the business aspects, but all I have to do is spend hours with my consumers and I remember why I’m doing what I’m doing. There’s a tremendous peace that comes from knowing that what I am accomplishing is making other people’s lives better.

“It’s as if I am hard wired to help people be all they can be and get everything they can out of their lives,” he adds. “I am dedicated to that, it’s in my DNA. This next step I’m taking with the health business with What’s Your Fight? fits perfectly into my life because it is also about helping people do things they never thought they could do. I am hoping that ten years from now, I will be reading success stories about lives that were saved from following my website and its workouts. I’ve never brought my fitness and training ideas to the masses and I am excitied to see where this endeavor takes me and how many people I can help.”

Due to a reduction in Federal money received by Louisiana for Medicaid services, as well as the increased demand over the last 5 months for these services, Louisiana Medicaid funds are running out for 2010.

When it comes to services for those with developmental disabilities and the aging, stark reductions in the amount of services offered as well as the amount paid to provide the services have been proposed. Community Care Programs have been eliminated. Emergency room visits and prescriptions covered under Medicaid are also being reduced by up to 25%.

The effective date communicated for the cuts to Louisiana citizens and providers is December 1, 2010. DHH is looking at immediately reducing the rates and the amounts of services used to support people in their community. The one time money put into this current year’s State budget to make ends meet was not enough to get the State through 2010/2011.

Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, OCDD, recently gathered providers from around the state for a frank discussion in Baton Rouge at the state library. SII attended the meeting and is working hard to impact the process in a positive way. The reality of the cuts was communicated by several state representatives. The two types of cuts they discussed were reductions in the number of support hours offered to recipients, and cuts to the rates that are paid for the services.

Either way providers of service will find it challenging to meet the needs of the individual, Louisiana, and the provider agency itself. Moreover OCDD communicates that no “one-time” money exists anymore and going into the next fiscal budget more hurdles will have to be overcome for programs to stay viable (businesses and programs to stay “alive”).

There is a meeting scheduled for November 30, 2010 to further discuss the problems and the reductions being made to solve them. Consumers and their families are encouraged to go.

If you have ideas, comments or questions please contact me via http://www.southerningenuityinc.com/contact Working together we can keep services sufficient enough to keep Louisiana’s consumers in their communities.

Good help is hard to find.

It’s even more difficult when looking for someone you can trust in your home to take care of your love one whether they are elderly or have a disability. You will want to find the most qualified and trained person you can but there many other factors you will need to know and do before you find the right caregiver for your love one.

First you will want to find information on holding out taxes, unemployment insurance, workers comp and other legal implications. Once you have considered all of the legal and financial implications it is time to start looking for that right person. Keep in mind that these are people that will be working in your home, and you will be exposing your family to strangers. Make sure that you do a thorough background and reference check. Find a reputable company to do your background checks and motor vehicle checks if you plan on them driving your love one. Make sure the sexual offenders list is included when choosing a company to do your criminal background checks.

After you have run your help wanted ad and identified several candidates it’s time to start the interview process which can be very timely. It might be helpful to schedule several interviews with a candidate, schedule one outside your home (coffee shop, restaurant, etc….) and one in your home to see how they interact with the person needing care. Have them to fill out a job application to gather needed information you will need to help make your decision like personal information, job history, training certifications, work references and personal references.

Now that you have identified the right candidate to take care of your love one’ and all background checks have come back negative and work references are favorable make sure they fill out an I-9, W-4 and your states tax forms. It is also a good idea to make sure they fill out a post offer medical questionnaire; this will help identify any health or past injuries that might “bite” you later.

Hiring someone on your own can be very stressful, costly, time consuming and expensive (criminal background and motor vehicle checks take time and money). There is also the legal and tax implications and what if this person gets hurt on the job, will they sue you? You will also have to consider a backup plan if your caregiver gets sick and cannot work. Do you have someone else to help you or will you have to take off work yourself?

The best solution is to find a reputable company, Provider, which specializes in giving quality home care to the elderly and disabled. Look for a company that is well established, has been around your area for a long time and is licensed. They will be able to take the hassle, stress and cost of hiring someone on your own and provide you and your love one with a qualified trained caregiver. Providers have 24 hour on call systems and many ways to make your life less complicated.

For help finding a qualified caregiver, please use the resource links below, or call us at (318) 927-5046.

Resources

• http://lamedicaid.com/
• http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?id=191
• http://www.bayouhomebureau.com/FOC%20List%20Rg%208.htm



1. Qualify for one of the many Louisiana Waiver programs for intellectually and developmentally disabled, as well as the aging. Service for intellectually and developmentally disabled are available for children and adults. Those seeking help in qualifying for the right waiver can contact us for assistance.
2. Private insurance companies have authorized services via Long Term Care Insurance policies, injuries due to Workers Compensation injuries and some medical conditions. SI will be glad to discuss your situation and any insurance options you may have.
3. Private pay options are available for all services covered on this website. The family sets the agenda and picks the services they want and need. The family is invoiced and payment comes from the family.

Benefits of private pay through SI versus hiring your own worker

All Staff of Southern Ingenuity receives benefits and supports that if not present create liability and can have legal ramifications on the family if paying people directly without the assistance of a provider:

Southern Ingenuity, Inc. takes care of:

• Social Security payments calculated and paid on time
• Workers Compensation Benefits provided assuring no legal issues for the family if the worker sustains an injury because of service provision
• Un-owned and operated vehicle coverage when staff is transporting the consumer in their community.
• Assuring a qualified trained replacement is available when emergencies arise in a staff person’s life
• Scheduling Staff to the families requests
• Assurance and oversight by the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals in regards to automobile insurance for the workers car
• Sexual misconduct insurance for both the consumer and staff are provided

Other Staff Benefits include:

• Tuition Assistance
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Time and a half for holidays worked
• Mileage
• Sick Pay
• Bereavement Leave
• 24 hour on call back up

For more information about any of the services on our website, please contact us at (877) 627-5046 ext. 108

The Louisiana New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) is a 1915 C Waiver and is designed to provide Home and Community Based Waiver Services to recipients who otherwise would require the level of care of an Intermediate Care Facility.

The NOW was created to utilize the principles of Self Determination to supplement natural and/or community supports while promoting dignity, self-respect, quality of life and security in the everyday lives of people while maintaining community placement.

Services to be provided are based on the need of the recipient and are developed using a person centered approach.  The person-centered approach is coordinated by the recipient’s support coordinator and is individualized for each recipient.  NOW services are provided based on need and must be specified in the recipient’s Comprehensive Plan of Care (CPOC).  NOW services are provided as a supplement to regular Medicaid State Plan services and natural supports.  NOW services should not be viewed as a lifetime entitlement or a fixed annual allocation.

NOW recipient services are initially accessed through the recipient’s support coordination agency.  Agencies are selected through a Freedom of Choice process.  Agencies are listed alphabetically so go to S’s for Southern Ingenuity.  Support Coordination is not a NOW service but is required for participation in waiver services.

To Qualify for NOW services, a recipient must be at least three years of age or older, offered a waiver slot and meet all of the following requirements:

• MR/DD as defined in L.R.S. 28:380
• Be on the MR/DD request for services registry
• Meet financial eligibility for Medicaid
• Meet medical certification eligibility
• Meet the health and welfare requirements
• Meet the ICF/MR Level of Care.  The ICF/MR level of care requires active treatment of mental retardation or a developmental disability under the supervision of a qualified mental retardation or developmental disability professional
• A resident of Louisiana
• Be a citizen of the United States or qualified alien

There are 8-10 Thousand people on the waiting list, but do not let that be a deterrent to getting your name on the list also.  You have to start somewhere.

Facilitators are directly in charge of assigned consumer needs within that consumer’s homes. They are supervisory staff that are in charge of several employees (Direct Care Support Staff). They must be able to travel throughout the parishes in which Southern Ingenuity provides services.

The position requires knowledge of Management and motivation of people. You must be able to coordinate activities for several consumers in all aspects of their lives. The position requires long hours and the ability to manage multiple priorities. The qualifications for this position require a High School Diploma, a Degree is preferred. Must have great references and be very flexible. Must maintain a clean driving record with current automobile insurance for any vehicles used for company purposes to get and maintain employment.

This position comes with a great pay package and many benefits including 14 Holidays per year.

They help and assist with personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, toileting, transferring, light house cleaning, changing linens, laundry, meal preparation, cooking, disinfecting the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, provide transportation and errands as needed. The qualifications for this position requires a high school diploma or GED, clear driving record, clean background check, strong work references and dependable transportation. Sick, holiday, vacation, mileage and many other benefits come with employment as SII.