"We are the trailblazers."

This is how Christine Francis, the Lead Community Training Specialist at Elmsford Day Services views YAI after 22 years on the job.

"Over the years, I've worked in so many different parts of YAI," she says. "It's just so amazing, that these individuals were coming from institutions, like Willowbrook, and now they are working in the community. We are really doing it. That what's so exciting."

Christine's career began as a floater at YAI's former Bedford day program. She joined Tarrytown Day Services, where she worked in the pre-vocational program. She helped develop the the first day hab program and volunteer sites. Christine transferred to YAI's Elmsford Day Services, working in several different departments. She worked in the Options for People Through Services (OPTS) program, which enables individuals in day services to work a few days each week at Nordstrom Rack, CVS, Walgreens and Atlanta Bread Company with on-site staff support.

Christine knows that creativity is the key to helping individuals learn and retain essential skills. A few months ago, Christine and her colleagues at Elmsford did just that -- using a stack of index cards and a wheel resembling the one used on the game show "Wheel of Fortune." 

Together, the staff and participants create questions about specific life skills and put them on cards. If an individual answers a question correctly, he or she spins the wheel to win a prize or participate in an activity tied to the topic on the card.
The individuals are excited and they are actively engaged in learning. "Everyone's alert and wants to answer a question," Christine said. "It's a sensory tool that brings everyone together."

By using Velcro, staff can change the categories and the prizes on the wheel, allowing more topics to be covered. Staff have used the wheel to teach money, nutrition, cooking and fire safety skills.

They also have implemented buzzers and applause sound effects to make the game even more exciting. The game is especially useful in engaging individuals who are non-verbal, since they can understand the pictures on the cards and the wheel.
Christine and the rest of the Elmsford team look forward to designing smaller versions of the wheel to use in residences and other day programs.

Christine is glad that she is part of YAI, an organization that encourages innovation.

"Every day, YAI helps me think outside the box and be creative," she says. "After 22 years, my passion is still there."