My Job: Executive director has heart for families
Thursday, December 4, 2008

Paul Landers
Executive Director; West Tennessee Family Solutions

Karen Pulfer Focht/The Commercial Appeal

The details

First job: Delivering newspapers. Back in the early ‘70s, just about every kid in my hometown had a paper route. We would all ride our bikes with our paper route bag over our shoulder, tossing papers door to door.

Most recent job: Prior to coming to Memphis, I was the CEO at Pathfinder Village in upstate New York. Pathfinder Village is the only residential facility in America serving children and adults living with Down syndrome.

Career highlights: More than 25 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities, 13 of which have been in a leadership capacity. Helped shape and facilitate positive change and growth for nonprofits in the Northeast and recently here in Memphis.

Most satisfying career moment: To witness the growth and success of West Tennessee Family Solutions and to be a part of each family’s life journey ... it is truly an honor to witness these remarkable examples of courage and commitment.

Career advice: Love what you do, listen more, be patient.

Person(s) I most admire: Present: My wife, Adele. She has an infectious spirit, a keen mind and impeccable integrity.
Past male: President John F. Kennedy; Past female: Anne Sullivan, the teacher of Helen Keller (visually and hearing impaired woman).

Hobbies: Sailing, running and skiing.

Last book read: “Two Years Before the Mast,” by American author Richard Henry Dana Jr., written in 1840 about a man’s two-year voyage at sea.

Favorite film: Any Woody Allen movie.

Where is your favorite vacation spot: Cape Cod, Mass.

What is something about you that most people don’t know: In high school I was a thespian and acted in many theater productions.

Change I would like to see: To see a new social movement in America, much like we had in the ‘60s where young people want to serve their fellow man and assume new leadership roles in human services.

Paul Landers finds satisfaction in being “a part of each family’s life journey ... it is truly an honor to witness these remarkable examples of courage and commitment.”

Résumé:
Executive director for West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS). WTFS is a family-governed nonprofit, founded in 2000 by local family members, whose primary mission is to support and provide opportunities for people who live with developmental disabilities. WTFS has grown to be an $8 million corporation that employs more than 200 staff in the Memphis area. WTFS is also the only sponsor of the Teaching Family Model of care in the Mid-South. The Teaching Family Model is the only nationally recognized evidence-based model of care for children and adults in the country. WTFS is in the process of obtaining national certification in the model and will be the first certified Teaching Family Agency in Tennessee.

Age: 45

Hometown: Duxbury, Mass.

Education: Bachelor's degree from Boston University, and master's degree from Cambridge College

Personal: Wife, Adele; son Jesse, 26; daughter Jillian, 20.

Civic involvement: Board of directors for Tennessee Community Organizations (TNCO), Special Olympics

 

RELEASED: JUNE 8, 2008

WTFS Spin Day
June 7th, 2008
By Angelo Sales

West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS) is really on to something!  Saturday, June 7th, marked the first ever WTFS Spin Day, a fundraiser to help the new WTFS Good Life Center located at 6050 Summer Avenue. “I think it has a lot to do with being something new and different,” explained Mary Claire Giffin, one of the events coordinators, “ I see Spin Day as a neat opportunity that will be around for a long time. It is a unique concept that promotes so many positive things in the lives of everyone involved, especially the individuals who participate at the Good Life Center.”   It started as the brainchild of Lori Mills, the WTFS QA Consultant who also happens to be a certified Spinning instructor for French Riviera Spa.  Spinning is a new form of stationary bike riding, but not to be confused with the old style bikes with the separated push and pull handles.  The patented hi-tech bikes and varying workout routines simulate everything from cross-country to off-trail bike rides, without the distance and obstacles along the way. About the event itself, “It just seemed natural,” said Lori. “Paul was looking for new ideas for fundraising and I’ve never heard of anyone else doing a Spin Day, so I suggested it. Paul gave us the green light and it just took off.” 
“One Day – One Class – One Community” became the motto, French Riviera Spa, one of the premiere workout spas in the city, was the target location.  But there was no hesitation in the positive response from French Riviera Spa, who graciously donated the use of their Poplar location’s Spinning Room as well as their Spinning Instructors for the entire day.  “It was a great idea for a great cause,” said a pleased Mary Suddeth, one of the owners and coordinators for French Riviera Spa here in Memphis. “We’ve been looking for ways to draw more attention to our new Spinning Room which just opened this past January at our expanded Poplar location.”
There were five ninety-minute sessions, which started at 10:30 AM and lasted until 8:00 PM with thirty-minute breaks in between.  The much needed proceeds raised will help to purchase equipment, supplies and be used for the upkeep of the WTFS Good Life Center, a multi-functional facility that offers day programs and activities to individuals with developmental disabilities. Other sponsors included; Wild Oats, Pepsi-Cola, Commercial Bank and Trust, Leboneur Children’s Hospital and News Channel 3, who highlighted the event on their Live at Nine broadcast. 
WTFS is already gearing up for the next Spin Day. “We can see this growing into something pretty special!” exclaimed Paul Landers, WTFS Executive Director, “One day we hope to have it on a major scale, in several venues, all at once. Sort of like a Spin across the Mid-South… or beyond!”

For more information about the WTFS Good Life Center or how to get involved with the next Spin Day event, please contact Mary Claire Giffin at mcgiffin@wtfs.org.

 

RELEASED: AUGUST 29, 2007

WTFS TOPS IN TENNESSEE FOR 2007

West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS) is a non-profit organization started in 2001 that provides supported living services to individuals with special needs.  Most of their Service Recipients have transitioned out of the Arlington Developmental Center that is currently in the process of closing its door due to a recent court order by U.S. District Court Judge Bernice Donald.
Now that many of the former ADC residents have taken up residency in the community, strict attention is paid to their care and close monitoring is kept on the agencies providing the services.

Dr. Nancy K. Ray, Ed. D., is the monitor for the Arlington Class.  Her and her team, based in New York, come annually in the spring for their review of the Tennessee provider agencies.  The Court Monitor’s review focuses mainly on the rights of the individual and whether or not systems are set up to maximize their potential and growth.  WTFS has done increasingly better year after year since their inception, reaching the “Quality Tier” status in the last 4 reviews – this year included.  However, this year is extra special considering WTFS, one of the youngest provider agencies, has outscored all other agencies in the state of Tennessee. 
The following is from the actual report: “As reflected in the report of the Monitor's Office 2007 Community Status review for West Tennessee Family Solutions, WTFS performed exceptionally well.  Its homes received "excellent" ratings in 15 of the 18 performance domains and "substantial compliance" ratings in the remaining three domains.  The agency's total score was "33", which was the highest score achieved by any agency in the 2007 review.  The only quality improvement recommendation offered is that the WTFS should "keep on" the way it is already going.  It is apparent that the agency's internal quality controls are effective and that the agency has consistently challenged itself to consider initiatives that will continue to improve its services and supports.”

Paul Landers, the Executive Director for the agency, is both excited and humbled at the results.  “This score is strategically in line with our plan to build a quality organization”, says Paul, “but without the support of our great staff, both administrative and in the homes, this kind of thing coming to fruition would probably still be future tense. He also adds, “Its one thing to be on top – it’s another thing to stay there. Our focus is to remain consistent with our short and long term goals and objectives, which we know will only prove us to be this caliber time and time again”.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Tennessee Family Solutions Celebrates 5 Years of Serving Individuals With Special Needs And Their Families

Memphis, TN, May 26, 2006 / West Tennessee Family Solutions / -- The premiere Ridgeway Country Club at 9800 Poplar Ave. will be hosting the evenings events that will begin at 6:00 PM with a reception and the agency’s “Historical Time Line” exhibit down the main hall. Beginning at 7:00 PM, fine dining, a multi-media production, an awards segment, and addresses by several dignitaries will then commemorate the evening.

About West Tennessee Family Solutions

What began as quite a dilemma way back in 1991 has turned into one of the most solid organizations to come along in the history of caring for the developmentally disabled in West Tennessee.  The question was simple; “What will happen to our children now?”  The regional developmental center run by the state of Tennessee had come under investigation that ended up leaving them in a situation where they were forced to relocate nearly all of the individuals who once called the facility home.  Although several of the parents of the center’s residents were against any moves at all, some saw the need for a drastic change and Thank God! Dick and Carolyn Johnson were among them.  Their vision of a family-governed provider, which earned the couple the prestigious Jefferson Award for community service, has turned into what is now known as, “West Tennessee Family Solutions” and, after five years the organization finds itself among the cream of the crop in the region for providing quality services to this deserving population.

Contact: Nicole Brown, Office Manager, WTFS, (901) 373-9559 ext. 201 or openingdoors@wtfs.org.

A NEW HOME, ANOTHER WAY OF LIFE, AND IT'S WORKING

- ARLINGTON CENTER RESIDENTS HELPED

Date: February 12, 2004
Section: Bartlett Appeal
Page: BT4
Illustration: photo
Source: Patsy Keith Special to Bartlett Appeal
Edition: Final

Paul Landers can't keep the excitement from his voice.

Since last spring, he has been the executive director for West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS). The organization began in 2000 as an answer to the court order that required residents at Arlington Developmental Center to be placed in the community.
According to Landers, the uniqueness of WTFS is that it was formed and continues to be run in part by West Tennessee parents. With the blessings of the state and a federal court monitor, these parents chose a family teacher model for their adult children.
Among other pluses, this model provides for each adult child coming out of the environment at Arlington to have his own home.
Parents explored many options, finally settling on following what had been developed by the University of Kansas. The model calls for two homes side by side. One home houses the individuals served. The other home houses the family teaching couple.
In the WTFS plan, all the homes are built as needed in a new subdivision. The client and the parents or guardians get to point out to the builder if they need special features. They get to pick out furniture.
Being treated as a normal person with worth and value is a new experience.
"Many of the individuals we serve thrive in this family teaching model," said Dr. Andrew Dunn, one of two behavior analysts working with WTFS. "For some it is a return to the nurturing environment from which they came. For others it is their first real experience being part of a caring, mutually supportive group."
Being in a warm, nurturing environment that includes direct contact with the Family Teaching couple for 12 hours a day, five days a week changes people.
Usually two individuals from Arlington share a home. Carolyn and Richard Johnson, one of four parent groups who traveled to Kansas to see their model, remain active in the program.
Dick serves as president and Carolyn serves as secretary of the WTFS board. They see miracles daily.
The Johnsons' daughter lives in one of the homes.
"The family teaching couple helps those with behavior problems, and they teach enrichment skills," said Carolyn Johnson.
The Johnsons' daughter did not reach out to others, or do anything while at Arlington.
"Now, she knows how to load and unload the dishwasher, and put the dishes away," she said "It may not seem much to you, but we are amazed."
Another child who had been labeled nonverbal now is talking. A girl with bizarre behavior during her years at Arlington has changed now that she has learned to communicate.
She has stopped doing motions hurtful to her body. Now she sings and is working with a music therapist. She shops for groceries and has made friends.
Dunn said that while the change is good, "We don't ever say we've done enough. We go into this field believing anyone can be improved. When you have someone with mental retardation, I believe the most helpful tool is a strong, functional family."
In January, the new agency met to plan strategic goals. They left with excitement and a desire to let the community know who they are.
"We want to expand and help more folks," said new executive director Landers.
Presently there are 13 couple-homes serving 25 clients. A 14th and 15th home are planned for completion this year.
The homes are built in zero-lot communities. One community is near Houston Levee, the other off Whitten Road.
"Our people make wonderful neighbors," said Landers.
Another goal is to build community interest and involvement in this program, and to raise money to do more.
"We want to raise $2.5 million in the next five years," said Landers. "While we can offer some day programming at our office at 2795 Appling, we can't do as much as we could with a larger building."
WTFS dreams of offering enrichment skills and job training to all of the community.
"Part of our program is to blend these people who have been isolated in their own worlds with society," said Dunn.
According to Dunn, what drew him to WTFS was the family-like atmosphere.
"We all know every client and we work together to help them," said Dunn. "I've seen the assistant coordinator putting up blinds, and the executive director working with plumbing. Everyone is on the same side. Not on paper, but in real life."
Patsy Keith is a freelance writer.
Caption: Many of the Arlington Development Center clients involved in the recent moves are thriving, say those involved.
Keywords: AGENCY
Document Number: 100AFE1548AF15DE

All content herein is © 2004 The Commercial Appeal and may not be republished without permission.
Photo by A. Sales

11 receive Jefferson Awards for effort -- Distinguished public service is honored

Date: April 16, 2005
Section: Metro
Page: B3
Illustration: Photo
Source: Carla Underwood underwood@commercialappeal.com
Edition: Final

Eleven local heroes are being recognized for outstanding civic service.

The 11 are this year's recipients of the Jefferson Awards for Distinguished Public Service, and were feted at a dinner Thursday night.
The awards are granted nationally each year by the American Institute for Public Service and locally by The Commercial Appeal.
This is the sixth year that the ceremony has been held in Memphis.
"We recognize you because you perform a vital community service with no regard for personal recognition," said Paul Jewell of The Commercial Appeal during the ceremony at The Peabody.
"You do it out of love, out of concern and out of a desire to make your community a better place."
The honorees are:
Dr. Catherine Oster for her crusade to develop therapies and support for cancer patients and survivors.
She is also this year's recipient selected by the Jefferson Awards board to be honored in a special ceremony in Washington.
Johnnie D. Amonette for her lifelong commitment to medical education and research.
Joey Williams for his revitalizing efforts in the South Main Street Arts Area and his contributions to Hope House.
Lynne Buckley-Noble for her role in establishing a Special Olympics program for Tipton County.
Carolyn and Richard Johnson for their development of parent-governed community services for adults with developmental disabilities.
Judge Kay Spalding Robilio for her pioneering role in the recognition and resolution of emotional abuse.
Lakendrick M. Wilson for his work with 4Life, a group advocating positive influences for young people.
Joe Walk for his efforts to ensure that the city's fallen police officers, firefighters and military personnel are not forgotten.
Ronald Baldridge for his work helping turn around the lives of troubled youth.
Karlescia D'Niece Perkins for establishing the "Uniforms N' Style" project that provided school uniform shirts and supplies last year to 60 needy families.
- Carla Underwood: (601) 352-8631
Caption: Catherine Oster
Keywords: award namelist
Document Number: 109906CD546426D7

All content herein is © 2005 Commercial Appeal, The (Memphis, TN) and may not be republished without permission.

The following article is © 2005 Commercial Appeal, The (Memphis, TN) and may not be republished without permission.Document Number: 10CF66BACA28C8C8
Disabled Help Victims of Hurricane

Date: September 29, 2005
Section: Cordova Appeal
Page: CR6-7

Source: Paul Landers Special to Cordova Appeal
Edition: Final

Though West Tennessee Family Solutions (WTFS) is a nonprofit agency located in Memphis, it provides residential and day supports to a group of people who live in Cordova.

Many of these Cordova residents have lived here for four years or more after being residents of Arlington for 10, 20 and even 30 years.
These disabled residents require 24-hour support but learn to be independent while residing in nice, three-bedroom homes throughout Cordova with a family teaching couple living next door.
Family teaching couples are either a married couple or single person hired to care for children, elderly or mentally disabled people in the WTFS program. These teaching couples are specifically and thoroughly trained to help people with special needs.
They have become meaningful members of their community by worshiping, working at local businesses and accessing services such as stores, banks and restaurants.
Soon after Hurricane Katrina hit, one of the staff members of WTFS, Ginger Sunbom, an agency behavior analyst, asked to coordinate a relief effort on behalf of the agency and its service participants.
She managed to coordinate the purchasing of relief supplies and organize assembly lines, packaging squads and delivery people.
In just over three weeks, WTFS donated over $500 of goods to Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova and the Red Cross.
One special delivery was made Sept. 16. Another staff member at WTFS, Pam Odom, informed us that her son, Todd Pease, a firefighter in Louisiana, was in New Orleans helping with the relief efforts.
He was on his way home for a mandatory rest period of four days before returning to the devastated area.
Stephen, a Cordova resident and one of WTFS service participants and his family teacher, Cordova resident Markeith Johnson, presented Odom's son with a box of goodies for the survivors back in New Orleans.
This project is another example of the many wonderful opportunities that people with disabilities are experiencing through the efforts of local provider agencies and the statewide initiatives to integrate people with disabilities into their communities.
To learn more about WTFS or to be a family teacher, call 373-9559.
Paul Landers is executive director of West Tennessee Family Solutions.

Officer Todd Pease of the Springfield, La., police receives hurricane relief supplies from Stephen.

Cordova resident Michael loads up relief supplies as Ginger Sunbom holds open a bag for him.

Smiling Cordova resident Keith is happy to load up boxes of Hurricane relief supplies.


Sharon Rayner assists Cordova resident Trevor as they package relief supplies.

Photos by Angelo Sales

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