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Dear friends and colleagues,
In times like these, the work of building compassionate, person-centered, and resilient organizations matters more than ever.
With that in mind, we are revitalizing Thrive our quarterly newsletter to share what we’re learning alongside regional centers, service providers, and leaders across the country. Our hope is that this newsletter becomes a steady touchpoint-a place to offer practical insights, thoughtful reflections, and stories from the field that remind us what is possible when values are put into action.
In this edition, we are excited to welcome a new HSA USA associate, Paul Johnson, reflect on highlights from recent projects, and share upcoming offerings and new resources. Shawna Hall is back with one of her wonderful mindfulness moments to help keep us grounded during these busy days.
Thank you for being part of this community. We’re grateful for the work you do every day, often quietly and persistently, to support people to live lives of meaning and connection.
| Welcome our new associate Paul Johnson to HSA USA! | |
Hello! I’m excited and honored to be joining the HSA USA team. I’m passionate about partnering with organizations to create psychologically safe, people-centered cultures that bring out the best in their people. With a background in leadership and organizational development, my work focuses on DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging), systems change, and culture transformation, with a deep commitment to centering people—especially those most marginalized—within that work. I bring a coaching mindset, curiosity, and a focus on continuous improvement to everything I do, and I’m excited to collaborate with others who believe that when people feel safe, seen, and supported, they can truly thrive.
You can reach me at Paul@helensandersonassociates.com
Click here to learn more about Paul.
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Over the past year, we had the pleasure of partnering with over 200 leaders from organizations across the country.
Program participants discovered the leader within based on reflection and coaching on individual leadership assessment results. They explored how to hold positive and productive meetings, and practiced making better decisions, faster. Along the way they practiced skills in person-centered supervision, compassionate communication, giving and receiving feedback, navigating complexity, and shaping a healthy team culture.
One participant shared "Building Psychologically Safe Teams Through Supervision and Development is one of the most impactful supervisory trainings I have experienced.
The curriculum builds intentionally on Person-Centered Thinking practices embedded in daily operations, strengthening both leadership accountability and team development. It reinforces the connection between values, supervision, and organizational culture in a meaningful way."
Meaningful change takes courage and persistence, and we want to acknowledge the participants who demonstrated both.
Be on the look out for future leadership development opportunities from HSA.
If this is something you think you might like to bring to your organization, we would love to chat.
Contact Jamie@helensandersonassociates.com
| HCBS Community of Practice
across California | |
The HCBS Community of Practice has continued to grow and strengthen across California throughout 2024 and 2025. In partnership with nine regional centers, we’ve supported the development of vibrant learning communities where service providers and regional center staff come together to share ideas, problem-solve, and encourage one another to go beyond minimum HCBS requirements.
What has been most inspiring is not just the content of the conversations, but the culture that has formed — one of curiosity, accountability, and shared commitment to ensuring people are truly connected in their communities and living lives of purpose. Communities of Practice remind us that sustainable change rarely happens in isolation. As Etienne Wenger, who helped popularize the concept, writes, a community of practice is “a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”
It has been powerful to see these communities take root in different regions, each shaped by local leadership and context, yet united by shared values. We look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve and the impact they will have in the years ahead.
To learn more about bring HCBS Community of Practice to your community reach out to Jamie@helensandersonassociates.com for a chat.
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Training to help you thrive
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For more information about the next cohort starting at the end of March contact
Andrea Schacht Andrea@helensandersonassociates.com
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Curious Conversations Free Webinar Introducing the DIY Conversation Guides
We’re excited to share a new resource in 2026 that grows out of the work we’ve been doing with regional centers and service providers to support the HCBS Final Rule requirements.
These sessions have brought people together with different experiences and perspectives to explore how HCBS requirements can be put into action - using the TCRC HCBS Final Rule: The Animated Series as a launching point for thoughtful discussions.
Curious Conversations create a safe, welcoming space to listen, learn, and reflect together. Each 90-minute session focuses on a different HCBS requirement, sparking conversation through engaging videos and small group discussion.
These sessions are perfect for anyone interested in exploring HCBS requirements in a practical, community-focused way.
These DIY conversation guides can support you to create opportunities where ideas are shared, connections are strengthened, and the work of making HCBS requirements meaningful comes to life. Join the upcoming webinar to learn more!
RSVP for the March 26th free webinar introducing the Curious Conversations Guides all attendees will be the first to receive these free resources.
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Person-Centered Approaches
E-Learning Options
HSA offers 3 different self-led learning opportunities for your new hires
Trying to keep up with new employees joining your team? Introduce them to person-centered approaches as part of their onboarding program. Our e-Learning programs, are effective, efficient, and affordable.
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Mindfulness Moment with Shawna
Welcome to today’s mindfulness moment. Self-care is an open portal to your best work.
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I invite you to close your eyes and settle into your chair allowing your body to be and its most comfortable position. Breathe in from the soles of your feet as if you're drawing fresh oxygen straight up from the ground, in and through you all the way to the top of your head.
Click here for the full script
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In 2026, we look forward to continuing to share engaging webinars and practical strategies for person-centered support, leadership, and community. We’ll also be introducing an updated Menu of Services and exploring new possibilities together. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” We’re grateful to be creating and learning alongside you.
With gratitude,
The HSA Team
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