Joseph Fernau
Summary
Experienced leader and director with a track record of over 25 years in guiding individuals to reach their full potential. Seasoned trainer and educator with 20 years of delivering impactful presentations, providing one-on-one and group training, and excelling in public speaking. Proficient in assessing, planning, implementing, evaluating, and enhancing programs, behavior plans, and systems for individuals of all ages and abilities. Confident team player adept at making swift decisions in high-pressure situations. Impeccable driving abilities spanning three decades without any accidents or traffic violations, prioritizing safety on the road. Results-driven management professional known for leading successful initiatives and programs. Recognized for fostering collaboration and achieving impactful outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, excelling in strategic planning and team leadership.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Director
REM IOWA; SEVITA
08.2024 - Current
- Directed programs at 3 houses in the area
- Responsible for overseeing all activities, ensuring payroll is completed correctly, make sure all required documentation is completed correctly and timely
- Directly supervise 2 - 3 Program Supervisors (PS's), ensure they are completing tasks on time, assist with leadership of staff at the houses, and give direction on how to handle various situations with clients and staff
- Indirectly supervise around 15 - 20 Direct Support Professionals (DSP's) giving support as needed, helping with training, assisting with behavioral needs, giving direction, and conducting investigations and following up with any needed corrective action
- Establish collaborative working relationship with all members of the Interdisciplinary Teams (IDT's) of clients, including but not limited to; Case Managers; Parents/Guardians; Medical Personnel; and most importantly, Clients
- Maintain all necessary documents and records for clients to maintain independence under Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) or Habilitation (Hab) rules and regulations
- Develop systems for tracking and ensuring due dates for various appointments and documentation are completed
- Supervise staff at 3 Supported Community Living (SCL) homes
- Hire, train, and give guidance to DSP's and PS's
- Develop both group and individual activities and programs for each home for individuals to enjoy
- Assist in mitigating and reducing problem behaviors from clients as needed
- Follow and abide by the State of Iowa Code for HCBS and HAB homes
- Maintain and/or exceed the quality standards of Sevita and REM Iowa
UNEMPLOYED DUE TO ILLNESS
10.2022 - 08.2024
- Diagnosed with lymphoma in April 2020
- Continued working full-time through various treatments until June 2022
- In June 2022, had to take leave for a stem cell transplant
- When that transplant failed in August 2022, more intense treatments were required moved to long-term disability in October 2022
- Second stem cell transplant performed in December 2022 with a relapse in March 2023
- Began a new treatment at that time which has kept lymphoma in remission since and allowed the second transplant to work
- Have spent the time since recovering and building strength and stamina in preparation for returning to a more ‘normal' life and to the workforce
Behavior Specialist
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS; CENTER FOR DISABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT; MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON
11.2017 - 10.2022
- Collaborated with individuals with various disabilities and mental illnesses, families and guardians, partner agencies and co-workers to coordinate completion of a Functional Behavior Assessment and a Behavioral Support Plan to promote success for all entities in an individual being able to decrease, minimize and eliminate interfering behaviors in support of living as independently as possible within the community of their choice
- Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with all parties involved
- Regularly communicated with all entities through phone, e-mail, text, Zoom, and face to face contact
- Performed Functional Behavioral Assessments and interviews to determine root causes of any behavioral concerns
- Developed Behavior Support Plans which addressed the behavioral concerns and strategies for the individual and persons working with the individual to implement in decreasing, minimizing and eliminating interfering behaviors
- Trained and re-trained staff on proper use of the Behavior Support Plan, as well as techniques for minimizing interfering behaviors and maintaining personal safety, as well as the safety of others involved
- Had moderate travel around the state of Iowa utilizing a University issued vehicle
- Assisted in developing state-wide guidelines for behavior programs within waiver programs
- Assisted in teaching the MFP Positive Behavior Support program and CPI
- Managed schedule to include travel around the state of Iowa for completing Functional Behavior Assessments, training of Behavior Support Plans, on-going support and training of staff on techniques to better work with individuals with behaviors, meetings, collaborations, and continuing education events
Youth and Family Program Director
YMCA OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
03.2016 - 11.2017
- Create and plan family events that are attractive to the families in the community as a means of connecting with them and helping them to see what the YMCA has to offer them
- Identify new areas of programming needs for members and non-members and implement
- Plan and coordinate a variety of non-sporting youth events including before and after school programming, summer day camp and other individual events to improve the lives of the youth
- Develop and expand the Day Camp Program
- Develop a before and after school program in collaboration with the Mid-Prairie Community School District
- Ensure programs for school-aged children meet or exceed DHS regulations and guidelines
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations
- Develop, monitor and operate within program budgets
- Promote programs, memberships and the YMCA within the community through the use of social media, e-mail, phone and other forms of communication in order to build and maintain positive relationships with members and supporters of the YMCA
Activities Director
PARKVIEW MANOR NURSING AND REHAB FACILITY
09.2015 - 02.2016
- Assess and evaluate residents and their needs for activities and recreation associated with living in a nursing facility
- Ensure the monthly calendar meets and exceeds the mental, social, cognitive and physical needs of the residents
- Maintain accurate records of resident interaction and participation in programs
- Establish regular community time for the residents to get out of the facility and live as normal of a life as possible
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community schools and organizations
- Develop, monitor and operate within program budgets
- Navigate difficult situations of physical discomfort, mental anguish due to loss and social incompatibility of individuals due to personal needs, space and ethnic and cultural backgrounds
Supported Community Living Specialist
GOODWILL OF THE HEARTLAND
01.2014 - 03.2015
- Supervise 12 employees in 5 locations, overseeing the retail training of clients served with a variety of ability levels
- Coach and train new staff in retail knowledge and in working with people with various disabilities
- Provide direct support to clients to ensure they maintain as independent of a living environment as possible
- Serve individuals with a multitude of disabilities including: Autism; Intellectual Disabilities; Learning Disabilities; Cognitive Disabilities; PTSD; Mental Illness; Physical Disabilities; and a variety of other disabilities or other factors leading to a limited ability to be productive and successful in the workforce
- Recruit and train staff to work directly with clients in a retail setting
- Assist in the development and maintenance of budgetary needs for program success
- Manage an on-going caseload of clients
- Assist clients with activities of daily living including: shopping; budgeting; transportation
- Assume role of payee and double signature party for up to 7 clients
- Maintain certification and serve as a training coordinator of Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention through the Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc
- For entire organization
- Provide on-going staff training and support in the areas of: positive behavior support; ability awareness; training techniques; and retail best practices and operations
Director of Training and Outreach
SPECIAL OLYMPICS IOWA
11.2007 - 05.2009
- Recruit and train volunteer coaches who serve over 13,000 athletes across the state of Iowa
- Plan training events, find and recruit volunteers who are competent in each sport offered (or become knowledgeable to train others)
- Maintain accurate records of training to provide to higher levels of competition in Special Olympics
- Redesign the coaches' education system to be compliant with Special Olympics expectations
- Recruit new athletes and teams around the state who have interest in competing in Special Olympics
- Supervise volunteers for safety and security of athletes
- Plan and coordinate special events in support of coach and athlete success
- Assist in the planning, coordination and execution of the State Games with advancement of top level athletes to the National Games
- Assist in the selection of and coordinate all support efforts of athletes and coaches selected to advance to National and World Games and competitions
Education
Master of Arts - Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY: ONLINE
Phoenix, AZ12.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Therapeutic Recreation
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Cedar Falls, IA05.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Leisure Services: Programming
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Cedar Falls, IA05.2001
Skills
- American Sign Language (Basic)
- First Aid and CPR
- Relationship building
- Program leadership
- Budgeting and financial management
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Conflict resolution
- Training and development
- Documentation and reporting
- Problem-solving
Additional Skills And Certifications
- Commercial Driver's License (Class B with School Bus and Passenger endorsements)
- Previous Trainings/Certifications in: Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR, Universal Precautions, Essentials Child Care Preservice, Iowa Mandatory Reporter, Certified Trainer for Nonviolent Physical Crisis, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Timeline
Program Director
REM IOWA; SEVITA
08.2024 - Current
UNEMPLOYED DUE TO ILLNESS
10.2022 - 08.2024
Behavior Specialist
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS; CENTER FOR DISABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT; MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON
11.2017 - 10.2022
Youth and Family Program Director
YMCA OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
03.2016 - 11.2017
Activities Director
PARKVIEW MANOR NURSING AND REHAB FACILITY
09.2015 - 02.2016
Supported Community Living Specialist
GOODWILL OF THE HEARTLAND
01.2014 - 03.2015
Director of Training and Outreach
SPECIAL OLYMPICS IOWA
11.2007 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Therapeutic Recreation
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Bachelor of Arts - Leisure Services: Programming
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Master of Arts - Special Education: Applied Behavior Analysis
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY: ONLINE
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