Shift is the industry’s first curriculum and community that is standardizing the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to transform an organization into one that is Technology First. Led by Cameron Kempson, M.Ed., Director of Education for SimplyHome, and Dustin Wright, CEO of Disability Cocoon, Shift is making enabling technology less intimidating and more approachable for provider organizations and state agencies. 

“It will give professionals and organizations the confidence needed to overcome the fear of not doing tech the right way and putting people they support at undue risk,” said Dustin.

What is Shift?

Cameron: Shift is an online learning community inspiring transformation and standardizing best practices in Technology First programming. Currently, it includes 3 programs:

• Enabling Technology Credential for professionals who want to learn more about how to use enabling technology as a natural support for people with I/DD

• Enabling Technology Integration Specialist Certification that provides specialized training in person-centered technology assessment and implementation

• Technology First Accreditation for organizations demonstrating sustainable and standardized best practices in enabling technology integration  

Cameron: With the inclusion of new technologies that empower independence, we are seeing states and organizations referencing themselves as Technology First. In conjunction with Disability Cocoon, SimplyHome began looking at ways to standardize best practices in Technology First programming by developing a nationally-recognized credential, certification, and accreditation program. This new partnership has resulted in Shift. 

Dustin: Disability Cocoon has respected the SimplyHome approach to using technology to increase independence. SimplyHome’s decades of experience in helping support teams safely increase independence through technology combined with Disability Cocoon’s broad and neutral position made the partnership a no-brainer. The leadership that created Shift has decades of combined experience. It was time to democratize this knowledge so more people benefit from technology.  

Who can benefit from Shift? 

Cameron: Professionals, provider organizations, support coordination agencies - anyone who works with people with I/DD to offer natural and direct support services. On a broader scale, we also want to impact the support provision system to ensure that best practices are being implemented consistently. 

Dustin: State DD Divisions looking for ways to standardize Tech First approaches, State Medicaid agencies looking to financially incentivize the appropriate use of technology, Managed Care entities (MCOs) looking to give their organizations a competitive edge, and all the other professionals involved in disability services/supports.  

What are some possible outcomes with Shift?

Dustin: People with disabilities will get more opportunities to achieve amazing outcomes through the appropriate use of technology. For example, states will finally have an easy training solution to equip their disability systems with proven and time-tested knowledge in an organized package that is quick to deploy. Service provider agencies will learn how to use technology to reduce the reliance on scarce human resources and reduce the overall cost of care. Service Coordinators will feel confident walking into a person-centered planning meeting and talking about technology. 

How do you see Shift impacting the industry?

Cameron: Up to this point, we’ve seen organizations move straight into tech implementation without education and training. As a result, they lose the buy-in from staff, families, and self-advocates. In a time when people use technology for professional and personal support, education and re-skilling are critical. If we expect technology to be successful as a natural support, then we need to train people on the tools and practices they need to integrate technology safely and effectively. When organizations invest in education, it really becomes a win-win for everyone.

Dustin: Shift will become a prerequisite for the use of enabling tech, assistive technology, remote supports, and other future forms of technology in a Medicaid Waiver environment.  States will start to create regulatory environments that require Shift, or other comparable training/education programs, as a requirement for vendor/provider certification (supplementing the Assistive Technology Professional requirement when appropriate). I can even see a future where States’ financially incentivize reimbursement structures based on the agency Tech First Accreditation, knowing it will save money in the long run through the use of technology as a natural support. 

How do organizations prepare to make the shift, to Shift?

Cameron: All an organization needs to do is make the commitment that they want to be a Technology First organization and be willing to invest the time and resources needed to educate their stakeholders. Our platform provides them with everything they need to move forward - interactive courses, live webinars, printable materials, applied learning projects, etc. The best part is that they’ll also be connecting with people from other states and organizations and can learn from their experiences as well.

Dustin: Organizations need to ask themselves if what they are doing is sustainable. If they have any questions about that then they need to explore cutting edge alternatives to doing the amazing work they do to support and maximize independence for the people they serve. 

Ready to Get Started with Shift?

There are a few ways to participate. 

Visit the Shift website at www.techfirstshift.org. You can learn more about the programming as well as Contact Us. You can also email admin@techfirstshift.com and a Disability Cocoon team member will contact you with details on how to begin the Tech First transformation through Shift. 

Currently, Shift is in its pilot project but has a waiting list for the national soft launch beginning in September.

Make the Shift