Positive Impact of the Second Course of the SMMCO in Mallorca

We are excited to share the success of the second course of the SMMCO Support Module for the Management of Care Organizations, aimed at directors of day centers for people with disabilities and the elderly. The course, led by the Social Cooperative SI, was highly successful, with remarkable levels of participation and interaction from the attendees. The training was attended by managers and key decision-makers within their organizations. Many participants highlighted the lack of similar training opportunities in Mallorca, and the course filled up in just one week.

The course made a significant impact on the participants’ understanding and practices. It heightened their awareness of the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as the need to shift the focus of care services. The training emphasized that services should not revolve around the organization’s needs, but rather the individual needs and preferences of those they serve. However, placing the individual at the center remains a challenge within organizational structures and professional roles.

Another key outcome was the impact on the technical staff of each day center. Directors shared the knowledge gained with their teams, leading to changes in attitudes and services to better align with the desires and needs of individuals. Participants also conducted a self-assessment of their own centers throughout the course. Additionally, the perception that all changes must come from the public administration in the form of regulations and funding was addressed and dismantled. It was emphasized that changes can be made within the team, where small adjustments at all levels can be implemented to offer more individualized, personalized services based on rights.

Finally, the impact extended to the broader network of day centers, both public and private, across Mallorca. We have established a self-help group for these centers to stay connected, share resources, and exchange tools that will help implement the shift from an organizational-centered to a person-centered and self-directed care model.