Does your human services organization need help navigating the business world? Does your staff development program lack the focus on business skills you need to drive your organization forward? Are you having trouble finding a business book specifically written for human services professionals? If you answered these questions "yes," this book is for you. Since the 1970s, private human services organizations have been assuming the critical responsibility to care for people with disabilities, a duty formerly carried out by the government. Yet the philosophy of supporting individuals to live independently in the community is now colliding with the reality of limited funding. Regulators are demanding that agencies achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Human services organizations can no longer ignore the need for their key managers to make program decisions using sound business concepts. The human services field attracts many people who "enjoy working with people, not numbers." But good mission is not possible without good business. Without a strong business foundation, your company will be unable to deliver the services that will fulfill its mission. If you are-or aspire to be-in a position of authority in our special industry, this book will be a vital tool. We hope it will enable you to understand: The world we live in Public policy Agency mission Organizational structure Corporate culture and leadership Birth, life, and death of a program Accounting and finance concepts Revenue strategies Support functions Business valuations PLUS twenty critical takeaways for industry professionals

This case study book serves as a companion to the text "The Business of Human Services: A Guide to Running a Successful Human Services Company." A more complete understanding of the human services industry requires not only studying the text chapters, but also applying those principles to situations that have occurred in real life. Since the 1970s, private human services organizations have been assuming the critical responsibility to care for people with disabilities, a duty formerly carried out by the government, religious organizations, or others. Yet the philosophy of supporting individuals to live independently in the community is now colliding with the reality of limited funding. Regulators are demanding that agencies achieve quality outcomes at lower cost. Human services organizations can no longer ignore the need for their key managers to make program decisions using sound business concepts. The human services field attracts many people who "enjoy working with people, not numbers." But good mission is not possible without good business. Without a strong business foundation, your company will be unable to deliver the services that will fulfill its mission. If you are-or aspire to be-in a position of authority in our special industry, this book and workbook will be vital tools. It is our hope that you can use the text and case study book together to help you achieve your mission. Whether the answers are in black and white or reside in the cloudier world of grey, your studies will place you and your agency on the right path so you can control your own destiny. Our industry is special, and like any specialized industry, it demands specialized ways to make effective decisions. Let us help you fill your toolbox with the tools necessary for success.

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and more, Mr. Incredible is the fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autistic disorder. On Adam's first birthday, his mother recognizes that something is different about him: he recoils from the touch of his family, preferring to accept physical contact only in the cool water of the family's pool. As Adam gets older, he avoids eye contact, is largely nonverbal, and has very specific ways of getting through the day; when those habits are disrupted, intense meltdowns and self-harmful behavior follow. From seeking a diagnosis to advocating for special education services, from keeping Adam safe to discovering his strengths, his family becomes his biggest champion. The journey to realizing Adam's potential isn't easy, but with hope, love, and the right tools and teammates-they find that Adam truly is Mr. Incredible. This book is part of the ORP Library series of books.

For Parents, Educators, Pediatricians, and Mental Health Professionals. Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and more, Meltdown is the fictional story of Benjamin, a boy diagnosed with Asperger's disorder and additional challenging behavior. From the time Benjamin is a toddler, his parents know he is different: he doesn't play with his sister, refuses to make eye contact, and doesn't seem to understand how to communicate with others. And his tantrums are not like normal tantrums; they're violent meltdowns that will eventually make regular schooling-and day-to-day life-impossible. From first clues to diagnosis, navigating the special education system to securing expert help, Benjamin's parents must become his greatest advocates. Together, they learn that the journey toward hope isn't simple-but with the right tools and teammates, it's possible. This book is part of the ORP Library of disability books. www.orplibrary.com

Nearly one third of all school children are bullied each year. That's more than thirteen million kids who face physical, verbal, cyber, and social bullying on a regular basis. For years, educators and parents have searched for ways to end bullying, but as that behavior becomes more sophisticated, it's harder to recognize and to stop. In Classroom Heroes, Jason is a quiet, socially awkward seventh grade boy who has long suffered bullying in silence. Zaria is a teacher who understands that in order to effectively stop bullying, we have to change the mindset. We have to enlist not just the educators and parents, but also the children to create a community that does not tolerate bullying. Classroom Heroes is a heartbreaking but ultimately heartening story of how one class changes its environment to end bullying, one student at a time.

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, and speech and occupational therapists, Incredible Adam is the illustrated fictional story of Adam, a boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The story follows a social narrative format to depict a typical day in Adam's life within his therapeutic residential school. From the time Adam wakes to the hour he sleeps again, his day presents him with successes to experience and challenges to overcome. With the support of his caregivers and family, he is able to use tools he's learned to help with attention, engagement, and regulation of his behavior. Offering unique insight and understanding into the journey taken by lower skilled children with autism spectrum disorder, Incredible Adam offers parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists a special tool to help the children in their lives. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.

Based on dozens of intensive interviews with parents, clinical psychologists, teachers, therapists, and more, An Unlikely Trust is the fictional story of Alina, a young girl adopted from Russia. After a lengthy adoption process, Alina's parents are confounded by their daughter's behavior upon arriving in America. They were aware that she did not speak English and expected some developmental delay, but they did not foresee that the tiny four-year-old would hoard her food, deeply mistrust affection from others, and fail to initiate or respond to most social situations. Most concerning, though, are Alina's rages. When she is frightened, overwhelmed, or confused, Alina lashes out with the strength and stamina of a person many times her size, leading to injury, property destruction, and eventually police intervention and hospitalization. Alina's parents know that their daughter needs help-more than they can provide-and work endlessly on her behalf. From seeking a diagnosis to advocating for special education services, from keeping Alina safe to discovering her strengths, her parents become her biggest champions. They know there is hope for Alina-and their family-and will not stop their quest until that hope is realized. This book is part of the ORP Library series of disabilities books.