 |
 |
|
Newsletter for
May 2006
Volume 3 - Issue 5 - Page 2 |
Day
Services
Sarah Krom
Sam and his crew have been mowing, trimming and watering the last
few weeks and things are greening up nicely. Several folks have
passed the safety program he has in place and are excited to be
a part of the crew. As we spruce up we are looking for donations
of lawn & garden supplies, landscaping items, and plantings. The
slump seems to be over and we are back to being too busy to
spend much time on the plant fix up projects we started but
little by little we are getting them done.
CHS hosted a trip to Dillon Nature Center in April and already
have a busy schedule planned for May. Highlights include a trip
to the Zoo and observance of THE GREAT AMERICAN GRUMP OUT {Any
questions??? Call Penny!}
Transportation
We received some very good news from KDOT - they have adjusted
our grant to reflect the increases we have experienced in fuel
costs, which assists us in maintaining our current fare
schedule. Along with this adjustment they have allowed me to
project reasonable increases in cost for next year and are
adjusting that grant award also. There is new Federal money in
the public transit budget and we hosted a meeting at BCCC where
numerous area providers were able to give feedback to KDOT
administrative staff as to what they would like to see funded in
the future. Currently KDOT does not allow us to submit any of
the administrative costs {my time, fiscal time, drivers
training, etc...} for reimbursement. The group has suggested
that those expenses be allowable in the future.
We still have not received the vehicles ordered in December.
They have determined that some seat design issues have added
additional weight to the vehicles and consequently are in
process of remedying the problem. While patiently waiting is not
my best attribute, I would rather wait and be sure we get the
safest, and best vehicles possible.
Recycling
We are pleased to announce that the expanded hours at the
Drop-Off facility have begun and customers are utilizing this
opportunity. Morning hours being crewed by an all client work
force has necessitated some changes in long established routines
but staff and clients have really made it happen as smoothly as
possible. We had a very nice article in the Tribune for Earth
Day and numerous folks entered our t-shirt drawings and 'guess
the weight' contests.
Dan visited the Children's Learning Center and was a real hit as
he and RECYLE REX {a video about some prehistoric recyclers}
encouraged the youngsters to recycle. Dan, Harold, and/or I are
available for presentations to groups and we do tours of the
facilities. As we teach our younger citizens about recycling we
typically see them bringing Mom and Dad to the drop off and them
making a change in their families 'trash' behavior. Earth Day is
all about sustainability of our planet and for us the changes
families make also contribute to the sustainability of our
recycling program.
EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH
ALL of the Day Services Staff were honored at the April staff
meeting. Each of them brings something valuable to this agency
and to the folks they work with - dedication to the services we
provide! Whether they work with employment or therapeutic
activities their focus on quality services for the
client/clients they are with is easily spotted. You can see it
in the gentle support of someone walking to gain strength to
become more mobile, calm instructions to someone learning how to
wrap a hose, quiet listening to someone distressed, or any of
the other thousands of things they do. I am proud to have them
as my staff.
Join me in a rousing round of applause, a soft 'pat on the
back', and the next time you see one of them. Tell them Sarah
says " you're the best" and that you appreciate them.
|
|
Residential Supports
Shelly Shelton
Congratulations go out to one of our individuals who got married
on April 1. No it is no April Fools Day joke. Our best wishes go out
to the newlywed couple.
At last count there are 14 folks from the residential program that
have sent in applications to attend CP camp this year. Most have
applied to attend the week of June 11-17. One of our folks has
requested to attend for a second week. Staff will be working with
the parents and guardians to make sure that all have what they need
to take with them. Medical services will be getting medications
lined out for the period of time that they will be gone. Most are
anxiously waiting to hear back as to whether they get to go during
the time frame that they selected as their first choice.
The 23rd of April was the SDS Roundup at the Expo and lots of
individuals attended. They seemed to enjoy the outing and most have
indicated they really enjoyed the dog show, along with the bird show
and getting to see the horses. The weather was warm but windy but
was just right for an afternoon outing.
Two individuals made out-of-town trips to see their families this
past month. One spent four days visiting. This is always a good time
for them.
We have a lady that is in our residential program that works in the
community and at the plant. She has wanted a new table set. After
budgeting and saving her money, she was able to purchase the dinette
set that she wanted. It is so rewarding to work hard and then to get
to purchase something that you really want.
One of our group homes received a new stove this month and the other
group home received a new stove and refrigerator. Staff was very
happy to get the new appliances. The old refrigerator was brought
out to the plant to be used as a staff refrigerator in the break
room.
Yellow job tickets, as they are known in residential, have been
changed. They have been modified and made much more user friendly.
Instead of being completed and sent in daily, they will now be
completed daily and a full week will be on one sheet and they will
be sent in weekly. Staff are very excited about the change.
I have had to be in and out quite a bit over the last month due to
my husband being diagnosed with cancer. I can't imagine working
anywhere else that I would find the kind of support that I have had
from my co-workers and from SDS in general. If asked, SDS is a
wonderful place to work and I am proud to be a part of such a
wonderful organization.
 |
