Keystone Human Services

SRV Study Group: Better Off Dead
2025-03-28 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Online Platform
SRV Study Group: Better Off Dead

In recent years and in many places, euthanasia laws have become increasingly permissible, quite often as they relate to people who are marginalized. Laws include broader and broader definitions of who medical assistance in dying can be applied to and eradicate more and more safeguards, all posing a serious threat to people with disabilities when making the most profound and irreversible decision a person can make. Consider this alongside the countless studies that have consistently revealed that health care providers hold negative views of people with disabilities that too frequently translates to failures to equitably protect, serve, or support disabled people and the results are devastating.
Please join the Keystone Institute, along with the SRV Leadership team, to watch the thought provoking and prescient documentary Better Off Dead, which explores this topic from the perspective of people living with disabilities. Following the online screening of the documentary we will use SRV to guide our discussion of these life and death issues. Registration for this event is open to those who have completed a full 28-hour in-person or 32-hour online SRV workshop.
Register

Ideas That Matter
2025-03-29 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-04 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-11 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-30 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-06 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-27 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-11 09:00 - 12:00 and 7 more dates | Online
Ideas That Matter
Ideas that Matter is a half-day workshop aimed at offering a very brief look into some of Keystone Human Services’ foundational principles. We begin by exploring the history of disability, including how people with disabilities have been treated and thought about throughout history. We will take time to consider the threads and consequences of historical mindsets on the treatment of people today.
Looking forward, we discuss KHS’s vision statement in a small group format, sharing insights into how it resonates with and impacts our work individually and collectively. The session ends with a glimpse into the ideas of Social Role Valorization, a powerful framework for assisting people we serve to gain access to the good things of life.
Part of the New Employee Orientation process, all Keystone Human Services employees are required to attend this core developmental course. Employees should sign up through Relias.

The Power of Roles
2025-04-03 09:00 - 2025-04-08 12:30 | Online
The Power of Roles
This workshop gives participants a practical introduction to the principles of Social Role Valorization. Through a combination of multimedia presentation and small group discussion, participants will learn about the phenomenon of social devaluation. This event includes discussion of how people with disabilities and other devalued groups have been systematically hurt and harmed by society, and what the impact of that devaluation has been. Participants will also learn about ways to help people have better lives by supporting them to achieve positive valued social roles. We will discuss practical strategies to make this a reality for the people you support.
*This workshop takes place in two parts over two separate days via Zoom. It is necessary to attend both parts to receive credit for this workshop. KHS employees should register for this workshop through Relias.*
4/3 and 4/8 Registration
Day 1: April 3, 2025 9:00 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Day 2: April 8, 2025 9:00 am – 12:30 pm EDT

The Power of Roles
2025-04-24 13:00 - 2025-04-28 16:30 | Online
The Power of Roles
This workshop gives participants a practical introduction to the principles of Social Role Valorization. Through a combination of multimedia presentation and small group discussion, participants will learn about the phenomenon of social devaluation. This event includes discussion of how people with disabilities and other devalued groups have been systematically hurt and harmed by society, and what the impact of that devaluation has been. Participants will also learn about ways to help people have better lives by supporting them to achieve positive valued social roles. We will discuss practical strategies to make this a reality for the people you support.
*This workshop takes place in two parts over two separate days via Zoom. It is necessary to attend both parts to receive credit for this workshop. KHS employees should register for this workshop through Relias.*
4/24 and 4/28 Registration
Day 1: April 24, 2025 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm EDT
Day 2: April 28, 2025 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm EDT

8th International Social Role Valorization Conference
2025-05-05 - 2025-05-09 | Halifax Convention Centre, 1650 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J
8th International Social Role Valorization Conference

The Good Things of Life at Home, School, Work, and Beyond
Celebrating over 50 years of Normalization and Social Role Valorization!
This conference is an exciting opportunity to meet and hear from people from around the world who are using SRV to support others to create better lives for themselves.
Social Role Valorization (SRV) and its predecessor, Normalization, have been very powerful ideas in assisting people with disabilities and other devalued conditions to have positive social roles as a productive and helpful response to wounding life experiences. SRV is a comprehensive theory which provides insights as to why certain groups of people become devalued in society, what life experiences are likely to befall people once they have become devalued in the eyes of others, why valued social roles are a powerful response in combatting the negative life experiences, and ten essential themes which can guide implementers in pursuing valued social roles by, with, and for those practitioners desire to serve.
Dates
Pre-conference events: May 5-6, 2025
Conference: May 7-9, 2025
Cost
Early Bird (ends October 18): $760 CAD
Regular: $875 CAD
More details and registration

The Power of Roles
2025-05-08 09:00 - 2025-05-13 12:30 | Online
The Power of Roles
This workshop gives participants a practical introduction to the principles of Social Role Valorization. Through a combination of multimedia presentation and small group discussion, participants will learn about the phenomenon of social devaluation. This event includes discussion of how people with disabilities and other devalued groups have been systematically hurt and harmed by society, and what the impact of that devaluation has been. Participants will also learn about ways to help people have better lives by supporting them to achieve positive valued social roles. We will discuss practical strategies to make this a reality for the people you support.
*This workshop takes place in two parts over two separate days via Zoom. It is necessary to attend both parts to receive credit for this workshop. KHS employees should register for this workshop through Relias.*
5/8 and 5/13 Registration
Day 1: May 8, 2025 9:00 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Day 2: May 13, 2025 9:00 am – 12:30 pm EDT

Introduction to Social Role Valorization
2025-05-19 09:00 - 2025-05-22 15:00 | Bongiorno Conference Center, 430 Union Hall Road, Carlisle, PA, 17013, United States
Introduction to Social Role Valorization
This intensive workshop presents the idea of assisting people with disabilities and other devalued conditions to have positive social roles, which serves as a productive and helpful response to wounding life experiences. People wishing to understand the life experiences of people they support and the implications of those life experiences, and those who are committed to working toward making life better for others are encouraged to attend.
This foundational material is essential to those wishing to serve others in meaningful ways and who are impassioned to make a difference in the lives of others. Many participants find the learning within this event to be the most helpful, inspiring, and clarifying body of knowledge they have been exposed to in their professional development. It assists in long-term understanding and focus of service to others in ways that matter.
The workshop includes multi-media presentation, small and large group reflection and discussion, and resource materials. Participants should be prepared for significant presentations as well.
Schedule
Day 1: May 19, 2025, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Day 2: May 20, 2025, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Day 3: May 21, 2025, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Day 4: May 22, 2025, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Overnight accommodations are available.
Register

The History and Implications of America’s Segregated Institutions
2025-06-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
The History and Implications of America’s Segregated Institutions

Much can be learned about human effort, societal forces of oppression and marginalization, and the possibilities for change by studying the rise and fall of “The Great Institutions.” This presentation will describe the founding of such institutions, with lofty and earnest aspirations, through the vast growth of segregation and congregation fed by eugenics ideology, and the eventual decline of the “total institution.”
Through photos, stories of people’s lives and narrative, we will explore the connections with today’s services, the insidious staying power of segregation, and the lessons we can draw from this. This workshop will be led by Betsy Neuville, who worked for many years creating community alternatives for hundreds of institutionalized people all over the world and has supported the settlement agreements at numerous facilities which have promised better lives for people.
Registration

The Power of Roles
2025-06-05 13:00 - 2025-06-09 16:30 | Online
The Power of Roles
This workshop gives participants a practical introduction to the principles of Social Role Valorization. Through a combination of multimedia presentation and small group discussion, participants will learn about the phenomenon of social devaluation. This event includes discussion of how people with disabilities and other devalued groups have been systematically hurt and harmed by society, and what the impact of that devaluation has been. Participants will also learn about ways to help people have better lives by supporting them to achieve positive valued social roles. We will discuss practical strategies to make this a reality for the people you support.
*This workshop takes place in two parts over two separate days via Zoom. It is necessary to attend both parts to receive credit for this workshop. KHS employees should register for this workshop through Relias.*
6/5 and 6/9 Registration
Day 1: June 5, 2025 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm EDT
Day 2: June 9, 2025 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm EDT

SRV Refresher Course
2025-06-10 09:00 - 2025-06-11 13:30 | Online
SRV Refresher Course

Haven’t been to SRV for a while and are looking for a refresher course? Join us as we review the themes of Social Role Valorization and discuss how we have used these ideas over our years of serving others. A series of short presentations will be followed by chances to illustrate, discuss, and share ideas and struggles. Join us to learn about the several new themes of SRV, sharpen your grasp of the principles, recommit to using and teaching the ideas, and do it all in a relaxed atmosphere.
Prior attendance at a 3- or 4-day Introduction to Social Role Valorization workshop is required to register for this event.
This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. You will receive a Zoom link in the confirmation email close to the date of the workshop.
6/10 and 6/11 Registration
Day 1 June 10, 2025 9:00 am – 1:30 pm EDT
Day 2 June 11, 2025 9:00 am – 1:30 pm EDT

SRV Study Group: Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum
2025-06-23 10:00 - 12:30 | Zoom Online Platform
The mindsets held about people with disabilities, particularly mental disorders, and African Americans permeate our collective culture and drastically influence what is done in the name of “treatment.” Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum explores these issues as it chronicles the 93-year-old history of Crownsville State Hospital in Maryland, the last standing segregated asylum in our country. Built by the very people who would eventually become incarcerated within its walls, the story of Crownsville traces the legacy of slavery to the treatment of African American people’s bodies and minds in our current mental healthcare system. After reading the book, participants will join SRV Leadership members Barb Dyer, Shonna Stevens, Vicki Hoshower, Katina Atmore, and Matthew Nguyen for a conversation centering on the themes of SRV, such as mindsets, interpersonal identification, and unconsciousness, and how they relate to the historical contents detailed in the book.
The book will be provided to participants upon registration. Prior attendance at a full 32-hour SRV workshop, in-person or online, is necessary to register for this study group.
Register

Journey to a Better Me
2025-07-08 09:00 - 2025-07-09 15:30 | Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5395 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17110, United States
Journey to a Better Me

Join the Keystone Institute for this newly revised curriculum, “Journey to a Better Me.” This active, participatory workshop focuses on leadership development and personal and professional enrichment through an engaging process. Effective listening, communication skills, attitudes of empowerment, creative problem solving, team building strategies, and reaching one’s potential are focal points around which participants both learn from and teach each other! The workshop will be held in-person over two days and facilitated by Ernie Jose from the HR and Development team in collaboration with KI faculty.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
7/8 and 7/9 Registration
Day 1 July 8, 2025 9:00 am – 3:30 pm EDT
Day 2 July 9, 2025 9:00 am – 3:30 pm EDT

The Power of Roles
2025-07-15 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Power of Roles
This workshop gives participants a practical introduction to the principles of Social Role Valorization. Through a combination of multimedia presentation and small group discussion, participants will learn about the phenomenon of social devaluation. This event includes discussion of how people with disabilities and other devalued groups have been systematically hurt and harmed by society, and what the impact of that devaluation has been. Participants will also learn about ways to help people have better lives by supporting them to achieve positive valued social roles. We will discuss practical strategies to make this a reality for the people you support.
*KHS employees should register for this workshop through Relias.*
Registration

Creating True Home
2025-07-22 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
Creating True Home

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Maya Angelou
This half day of reflection, discussion, and discovery will focus on the concept of home:

What is the importance and meaning of home?
What does it mean to have one’s own home?
How do we create home for others?

Through small group work, presentation, and discussion, we will explore ways to assess how we are doing in this area, which is central to so much of the work that we do.
Register

Distance Introduction to Social Role Valorization
2025-09-09 09:00 - 2025-09-24 12:30 | Online
Distance Introduction to Social Role Valorization
The Introduction to Social Role Valorization is an intensive workshop which presents the idea of assisting people with disabilities and other devalued conditions to have positive social roles as a productive and helpful response to wounding life experiences. Social Role Valorization is a comprehensive theory which provides insights as to why certain groups of people become devalued in society, what life experiences are likely to befall people once they have become devalued in the eyes of others, why valued social roles are a powerful response in combatting the negative life experiences, and ten essential themes which can guide implementers in pursuing valued social roles by, with, and for those practitioners desire to serve.
This foundational material is essential to those wishing to serve others in meaningful ways, and who are impassioned to make a difference in the lives of others. Many participants experience the learning within this event as the most helpful, inspiring, and clarifying body of knowledge they have been exposed to in their professional development, and it assists in long-term understanding and focus on being of service to others in ways that matter.
The workshop includes pre-recorded as well as live presentations, small and large group live reflection and discussion, online forums and resource materials. Participants should be prepared for significant presentations.
Course Schedule:
Week 1
Day 1: Tuesday, September 9, 2025: 9:00 am to 12:45 pm, live Zoom session with 2 additional hours of independent assignments
Day 2: Wednesday, September 10, 2025: 9:00 am to 2:15 pm, live Zoom session and small group work with 1.5 hours of additional independent assignments
Week 2
Day 3: Tuesday, September 16, 2025: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, live Zoom session
Day 4: Wednesday, September 17, 2025: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, live Zoom session with 45 minutes of homework before the next session
Week 3
Day 5: Tuesday, September 23, 2025: 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, a combination of live Zoom session and independent assignments
Day 6: Wednesday, September 24, 2025: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, live Zoom session
*This course will take place entirely online. Participants must attend every session in order to receive credit for the workshop.*
You will receive a course syllabus in a confirmation email from the Keystone Institute. A manual will be mailed to you prior to the workshop. You will use the manual extensively throughout the workshop.
Register
