Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Certification

Professional Development

Timeline

John Craig Laskowski

Waterloo,Illinois

Summary

Training professional with extensive leadership experience in staff development, process and productivity improvements, performance management and curriculum design.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

State Director

Vista Care

02.2023 - Current

Responsible for the overall administration and growth of the business and services within the state including the management, operations of services, personnel, physical location, and financial goals
Ensured the delivery of high-quality services and supports through consistent compliance with Vista Care's vision, values, and policies, including the hiring, training, and supervision of personnel
Served as the primary representative for Illinois and liaison between Senior/Executive staff, funders, and other external stakeholders
Oversaw compliance with federal and state regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and reporting to ensure continued funding support.

Training and Development Senior Specialist

Sevita Healthcare/Missouri Mentor

04.2022 - 01.2023

Responsible for the development of the Missouri Mentor NationalTraining Network, and oversight of the Missouri Mentor St. Louis Region Training Department
Develops and updates training curriculum to include innovation and best practice
Align curriculum in accordance with the CMS Competencies, NADSP Competencies, and NADSP Code of Ethics
Presents training using various forms of format using in-person, hybrid, asynchronous and synchronous learning methods
Maintains records of training, and development activities attendance, results of test and assessment
Conducts research on evidence-based curriculums for the development of a DSP Apprenticeship Program
Supervision of trainers and support staff.

Senior Employment Facilitator

Challenge Unlimited, Inc.

06.2021 - 04.2022

Responsible for facilitating rehabilitation and vocational training services which provide people with disabilities opportunities to work and receive work support as needed achieving the highest level of independence possible
Implemented Provider Transformation (Meaningful Day Model) from agency centered supports to community based supports.
Manages the day-to-day operations of the facility and supervision of employees and clients assigned to the program
Responsible for case management for clients with disabilities and the supervision of the employees who assist the educational classes, community inclusion, and competitive integrated employment
Establishes and implements person centered supports and services with clients and related stakeholder's input
Ensures the implementation and provision of services required by Illinois Department of Human Services Community Day Services program

Chief Program Officer/Director of Quality and Training

Human Support Services

09.2017 - 01.2021

Serves as a strategic visionary team member of the executive leadership team, building and supporting effective collegial relationships with internal and external constituents and stakeholders to ensure optimal operating effectiveness and strategic positioning
Develops and implements Performance & Quality Improvement activities across departments which includes data analysis, program improvement, process improvement, licensing and accreditation compliance, and safety/risk management
Drives supports and models a service-oriented culture focused on service excellence, fiscal responsibility, quality life outcomes, and partnerships with families and individuals served
Leads a variety of grant initiatives, project workflows, and quality improvement activities in support of system enhancements with the partnership of the Illinois Council for Developmental Disabilities, Illinois ARC, Illinois Division of Developmental Disabilities, and the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services
Provides training and quality enhancement strategies for professional outpatient counseling services, substance use treatment, financial case management, traumatic brain injury services, residential, home based, and vocational services for adults with developmental disabilities, and mental illness
Research and development of the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities' Southern Illinois Transition Grant Project
The Southern Illinois Transition Project grant which targets students and adults with disabilities age 14 -30 transitioning out of high school
Collaborated with Oklahoma University, University of Southern Florida, and national subject matter experts to develop all programs and resources to address the requirements for the grant: self-advocacy and self-determination training for individuals and families, person centered planning, customized employment, innovative and best practice transition practices for high school professionals and agency staff, financial literacy training, and post-secondary education, employment & community living.
Established the SeeMore Inn Bed and Breakfast as the first and only bed and breakfast in the State of Illinois and only one of three in the nation to be ran and operated by people with developmental disabilities

Southern Region Representative

Illinois Department of Human Service, Division of Developmental Disabilities

01.1995 - 09.2017

Manage all funding and programmatic aspects of the Division of Developmental Disabilities' Medicaid, and Medicaid Waiver funded programs for developmentally disabled adults and children in the southern thirty-three counties of Illinois
Supervised two Individual Service Coordination agencies to provide preadmission screening, case management, individual service coordination and individual service and support advocacy
Provide leadership in the design, promotion, delivery and quality of programs and services to over 5000 children and adults with disabilities
Provide consultation to Medicaid funded Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD), Skilled Nursing Facilities for Pediatrics (SNF/Pediatrics), Children Residential programs, and Home and Community Based Waiver funded programs that are having trouble with State licensure, certification, and/or accreditation
Utilize program analysis to maintain outcome performance measurements, closely monitoring progress across all programs
Subject matter expert in person centered planning and service enhancement.
From October 2004 to October 2007 was temporarily assigned to the Bureau of Quality Assurance and System Improvement to ensure compliance with Rule 50/51 (Abuse & Neglect), Rule 115 (Community Integrated Living Arrangements), Rule 116 (Medication Administration), Rule 119 (Developmental Training), Rule 120 (Home & Community Based Waiver)

Adjunct Faculty

McKendree College

01.1999 - 01.2000

Developed a curriculum for a psychology course titled PSY490 Developmental Disabilities: Treatment and Habilitation
Planned course content, method of presentation, and prepared an outline of material to be covered and submitted it for approval
Selected and assembled materials to be used in teaching assignment and arranged the use of real-world experiences, audiovisual equipment, and other teaching aids
Evaluated class member performances, administered tests, and issued grades in accordance with methods used by the college.

Public Aid Inspector of Care III

Illinois Department of Public Aid, Bureau of Disability Services

01.1989 - 01.1995

Independently or as a member of a professional team, served at the expert level by regularly performing the most difficult and complex assignments with State licensure, Medicaid certification surveys, investigations, inspection of care and reinspections of Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF/DD), and Skilled Nursing Facilities for Pediatrics
Utilizing interview, inspection, and other investigative processes, monitored and observed facility conditions and care provided to recipients
Evaluated the need for legal action and facility progress in meeting plans of corrections
As a preceptor to new surveyors, conducted training for purposes of initial orientation and continued development including such topics as changes in regulations or survey techniques
As a team coordinator, coordinated survey assignments; ensured completion of required records and reports; conducted entrance and exit conferences with health facility owners and operators
Provided assistance to providers by conducting and participating in preplanning conferences, on-site visits and workshops; explained and interpreted State laws, standards, Department rules and regulations.

Habilitation Specialist II (Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional)

Missouri Department of Mental Health, St. Louis Developmental Disabilities Treatment Centers

01.1988 - 01.1989

Provided active treatment services in accordance with Federal and State ICF/DD requirements
Conferred with consumers, parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and others to develop individual program plans for individuals with developmental disabilities
Observed implementation of the individual program plan, evaluated and prepared monthly progress reports for each consumer
Observed individuals for signs of maladaptive behavior and employed various behavior intervention techniques
Developed training programs to improve the health, sensory-motor, perception, memory, language, cognition, social, and emotional development
Worked with consumers to increase motivation, provide consistent reinforcement to learning, continuous assessment of the level of functioning, and continuous feedback to consumers for all learning activities
Provided in-service training to direct care staff in areas such as behavior intervention, data collection, community inclusion, individual program plan development, and developmental disabilities.

Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional/Administrator

E & R Enterprises

01.1986 - 01.1988

Joined this dedicated team of professionals at this premier intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled
Provided active treatment services in accordance with Federal and State ICF/DD requirements
Hold core responsibility for the planning, coordination, and supervision of a diverse schedule of activities, programs, and services to enhance the quality of life and environment of residents
Extensive involvement in staff scheduling, budget development, meeting planning, family and resident relations, completion of individual program plans, staff training, staff supervision, and facility upkeep
Observed, evaluated, and prepared monthly reports on the progress of consumers being served
Conducted habilitation aid training in accordance with State and Federal training requirements
Provided ongoing staff development in such areas as behavioral intervention, CPR and first aid, individual program plan development, data collection, normalization, and community inclusion.

Education

Master of Arts - Education, Coaching

Greenville University

Greenville, IL

08.2016

Master of Science - Education (Counselor Education)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL

12.1986

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL

08.1983

Skills

Operations Management
Team Leadership
Performance & Quality Improvement
Training & Development

Regulatory Compliance
Strategic Planning
Interpersonal Communication
Person Centered Planning

Certification

Completing Person Centered Thinking Trainer Credentialing

The Learning Community for Person Centered Planning

Person Centered Thinking

The Learning Community for Person Centered Planning

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid Missouri

Discovery and Customized Employment with Systematic Instruction

Marc Gold & Associates

Community Employment with Emphasis in Customized Employment (ACRE Certified)

Griffin-Hammis Associates

Savvy Caregiver Trainer

Affiliated Trainer in Dementia Capable Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities & Dementia

National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices

Dementia Care Specialist

Illinois Department of Aging

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

St. Louis University, Gateway Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program

Adult Mental Health First Aid USA Instructor

National Council on Behavioral Health

Adult Mental Health First Aid USA Instructor Designation for Older Adults

Professional Development

Tiered Support/Tools of Choice

Missouri Mentor/Missouri Dept. Mental Health

Performance and Quality Improvement

Council on Accreditation

Crisis Intervention Team Training

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Charting the Lifecourse: Planning for a Good Life

University of Missouri Kansas City – Online

Charting the Lifecourse: Employment Video Series

University of Missouri Kansas City - Online

2019 Continuous Quality Improvement Conference

Illinois School of Social Work

Strategies & Practice for Measuring Outcomes that are Hard to Define

Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School

Southern Illinois Cohorts’ 10 Commitments

Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, and Illinois Partners for Human Services.

Redesigning Your Organization: Board, CEO, CFO, Middle Management, Front Line Staff, Employers and Stakeholders