Newsletter for September 2006 Volume 3 - Issue 9 - Page 2

Residential Services
Shelly Shelton
As I write this article, temperatures have cooled off and we have received a much-needed rain – but then came the mosquitoes. Clients are being encouraged to do activities inside as much as possible and if they go outside to put on plenty of mosquito spray. I have had several individuals comment about not wanting to be outside. Some clients that like to walk and go to ball games have chosen to stay inside due to the mosquito population.

In this month’s article I’d like to concentrate on residential staff (and day staff that fills in residential hours) and what their job responsibilities consist of and the dedication it takes to be a good residential staff person. Staff is provided as much training as possible to get them ready to work in a residential site. Classes include ethics, abuse, neglect and exploitation prevention, rights and responsibilities, CPR, First Aid, residential handbook, medication administration, supporting healthy living and MANDT. After completion of these classes, employees are given a schedule for the site they will staff as well as the shifts assigned to them. New staff then “shadow train” with experienced staff and triage in each site that they will work. During this time staff read and become very familiar with each individual’s plan and all pertinent information concerning the individuals at a given site. Staff is not just a companion or housekeeper. Their job is to work with the individual to help them become more independent and the most they can be. On a daily basis staff collect data and record it for programs, positive behavior plans, community outings and data for the BASIS. Staff is responsible for administering medication and recording this on the MAR. The events of a client’s day are recorded in a communication book and shared with on coming staff in a shift logbook. Cash is kept for the individuals in a locked cash box and staff is responsible and held accountable for keeping an accurate balance. Staff, with the client’s assistance if possible, is responsible for shopping and performing all household duties. Staff is required to fill out incident reports on any injuries, behaviors or any out-of-the ordinary events that occur. Nursing referrals are completed and sent to medical services for all illnesses and medical concerns about the client’s health. There are many other duties that arise that are too numerous to mention.

During staffing shortages, staff are called at all times of the day and night to come in and work open shifts. Staff always rises to the occasion. As you can see, it takes a very dedicated person to be a good residential staff person. I have a deep admiration and respect for the staff and the job that they do.

At the regular monthly residential meeting, results of the staff satisfaction survey were discussed. Staff had a lot of good feedback for us and some suggestions to make things work better. The residential management team is working on the suggestions made to try to make the program as productive and positive as it can be.

Safety News
Harold Jones
Safety News
In August’s Safety Meeting we reviewed accident reports for the months of June and July. Here’s what we noted:

     * Our accident review sessions are almost boring. Once
        again there were no major safety concerns, and once
        again there were no major injuries. Good job everyone!!

Recycle News
The Recycle crew has been running at full speed – at putting in some extra hours – to keep up with the volume of material coming in over the summer. So far this year we’ve processed a total of 897 tons of material (that’s 1,794,000 pounds), or about 52 tons more than the same time last year. Look for this trend to continue, and look for the Recycle Team to keep hammering away through the Fall season.

We’ve added a new Evaporative Cooler in the Recycle building. It’s pushing somewhere around 11,000 cubic feet of cooler air per minute and seems to be help hold the temperature down to a more comfortable level.