The Director`s Report

Winnebago County Human Services
Focus
The
ISSUE
June
2012
The Director’s Report
It’s hard to believe that we are
approaching the mid-point of
2012. Summer is upon us. I
hope all of you have a fun and
relaxing summer season.
The planning and budgeting
process for 2013 is in full swing
for us here at DHS. We look to
continue to improve the quality
and quantity of our service
delivery. Our public hearing on
services and the budget is soon to
take place.
Our acquisition of Towards
Tomorrow has been going
smoothly. We recently had a
Human
Human Services Board meeting
on the premises and
were given a guided tour.
Towards Tomorrow is a valuable
addition to our array of services.
I am hearing very positive things
about our redesigned Income
Maintenance process and would
like to thank everyone involved for
making it a great success. Our
ADRC, Clinic Walk-In service, and
Alternative Response system are
all also running smoothly thanks
to the staff involved.
regular programs and services
working smoothly. Our mission
statement is continually being
fulfilled every day. “To serve our
clients with professional, quality
and cost-effective services that
focus on prevention, protection,
mental health, family integration,
self-determination and recovery
with respect for and in partnership
with
individuals,
families,
caregivers and the community.”
Bill
Last, but not least, a continuing
thanks to all staff who keeps our
mission
Our Mission
To serve our clients with professional, quality
and cost-effective services that focus on
prevention, protection, mental health, family
integration, self-determination and recovery
with respect for and in partnership with
individuals, families, caregivers and the
community.
“Live out of your
imagination,
not your history”
~ Steven Covey
Economic Support Division
Behavioral Health Division
World Relief
Collaborative Success
In early 2012, World Relief, a resettlement agency, opened its doors in
Oshkosh. Since opening, they have welcomed several refugee
families to our area. The Economic Support Division works closely
with the resettlement agencies to ensure that consumers are attached
to services quickly so that their basic needs are met.
Collaboration across divisions continues to be
encouraged and is a valued concept within the
department. Staff are encouraged to work closely with
other divisions to problem solve difficult cases.
Increasing collaborative interactions have proven to be
helpful in dealing with several cases. A recent case
involved the Behavioral Health and Child Welfare
Divisions:
One of the families, arriving in February from Burma, are working
closely with the W2 case managers to support their family. The father
has been working full time in a supported employment environment,
as well as going to school to learn to read and write English. He was
so excited to have a job that he called all of his church sponsors to
share the good news. His English is improving so rapidly that World
Relief is taking steps to hire him as a translator.
A similar family from Somalia arrived in March. The father has a goal
of becoming a truck driver and World Relief is assisting him on that
journey. He currently has his learner’s permit and his road test is
scheduled. He is also working on his English skills and participating in
the W2 program. He is so excited about learning to drive that he has
loaned his DMV materials to friends so that they can also learn.
Living Green
This past year DHS has been experimenting with
reducing color printing in certain parts of the agency. This
was due to the nearly costly expense incurred on color
printing in 2010. Through the use of a log-in and
password, color printing is now filtered through a newly
implemented DHS Color Printing Requests Outlook
nd
rd
address for staff on 2 and 3 floors of the Oshkosh
office. Staff on these floors simply e-mail the documents
they wish to have printed in color to this e-mail address
along with the name of the printer they would like their
documents printed on. Within a minimal amount of time,
an Administrative Assistant prints the documents at the
specified printer and notifies the requesting staff person
that their print job can be picked up at the printer.
The efforts on 3rd floor have resulted in considerably less
color printing charges, and the implementation of
procedures on 2nd floor. We will continue to implement
these procedures department-wide in both Oshkosh and
Neenah in the near future. Not only will the reduction in
color copies save considerable funds, it will also improve
our environmental impact in regards
to toner related waste.
Several Child Welfare CPS staff approached one of the
BH Crisis Workers requesting assistance in assessing a
client at her home. CPS staff believed the client had
given birth seven weeks earlier and was experiencing
acute psychiatric symptoms. The pediatrician contacted
CPS when he became concerned after seeing the baby
the previous week for a routine check up. During the
check up the baby was found to be underweight. CPS
attempted to make contact with the client several times
at her home and by phone but were unable to reach
anyone. OPD was contacted and were prepared to
break into the home if DHS staff were still unable to
make contact.
Law enforcement forced their way into the home and
were able to get the child from her mother. The baby
was subsequently hospitalized and in very poor
condition due to being undernourished and dehydrated.
According to the treatment team in the hospital any
further delay may have resulted in the child’s death. The
baby’s mother was acutely psychotic and also
hospitalized for mental health treatment.
The baby was successfully treated and is expected to
make a full recovery. Child Welfare and Behavioral
Health staff continue to work together on this case.
There was great communication and collaboration
between Human Services staff and a coordinated effort
with law enforcement. The timing of this intervention
was ideal and resulted in a successful and positive
outcome. Had the two divisions not collaborated and
agreed upon a course of action the outcome could
easily have been tragic. While most cases do not rise to
this level there are many other examples of staff
working together across divisions to ensure the people
we serve receive excellent services. Thank you to all
that continue to collaborate to provide these excellent
services to our consumers.
Potentially Abusive Work Situations
Child Welfare Division
De-escalating anger, preventing violence
Family Reunification
The Safety in the Workplace policy Addendum J has a great list of
Do’s and Don’ts for reducing the threat of anger turning to violence.
Some of the items are common sense and easily understood, but
difficult to remember when confronted with such a situation. We have
a responsibility to each other and visitors of this building to create the
safest environment possible. By familiarizing yourself with this list you
will help do just that. Some of the items on the list include:
The Child Welfare Division is working across divisions with a family
that, despite a multitude of hardships, continues to work towards their
goal – to reunify the family. The immediate family has been open to
CW related services for several years, primarily in regard to neglect of
the children, behavioral health problems, and domestic abuse. Drug
abuse amongst family members, as well as physically/emotionally
violent relationships, have been significant challenges. The mother
has had to address her addictions, and continually works on
improving her mental health in order to effectively care for herself and
her children. These challenges have resulted in children being placed
outside the home. Service providers from Child Protective Services
include a CPS case manager, Intensive Ongoing Social Worker, and
a Home Consultant. Professional Services Group provides supervised
visitation as well as In-Home Therapy to assist in moving the family
forward. Our Long Term Support Division is addressing some
identified special needs, along with Integrated Youth Services. A
Juvenile Justice Social Worker is working with the family due to law
violations of one of the children. Workers across divisions meet with
the mother each month as a team. With the devoted work of a
compassionate, strong, and dedicated team, one child is home on a
Trial Reunification, two more children are about to begin a Trial
Reunification, and one child has home visits on the weekends. Thank
you to our divisions, working in unison!
Project Calmness, speak confidently.
Encourage the person to talk, listen carefully.
Focus your attention on the person.
Maintain an attentive posture, at a right angle to the person,
don’t square up.
5. Acknowledge the person’s feelings; let them know that you
understand they are upset.
6. Establish ground rules for unreasonable behavior; let them know
what is unacceptable.
7. Be reassuring and give choices, break the problem into smaller
parts.
8. Accept criticism in a positive way.
9. Ask for recommendations for resolution.
10. Arrange your office so that you can always get out.
1.
2.
3.
4.
For more details, and to see the listing of what not to do, go to the
policies/procedures page of the Intranet and look under Safety in the
Workplace.
MYTHBUSTER
MYTH: Indigent consumers receiving general
inpatient/inpatient specialty hospital psychiatric
or detoxification services authorized by our staff
have no liability to repay the department since
they often have “no ability to pay.”
FACT: Indigent consumers receiving general
inpatient/inpatient specialty hospital psychiatric
or detoxification services irrespective of their
“ability to pay” remain fully liable to repay 100%
of the costs paid by the county. In accordance
with state statutes liability is in effect for a
period of ten years. The billing, collection
including income tax intercept function for this
debt is handled on our department’s behalf by
an outside local vendor, Valley Credit Services.
Budget News
The Department’s 2013 Budget will be presented to the
Human Services Board at its annual budget meeting on
June 21, 2012. The gross expenditures of $44.6 million are
offset by combination of federal, state, and local WC Tax
Levy which is proposed to be $18 million. Following the
Human Services Board’s Budget meeting the Department’s
proposed 2013 Budget will move to Winnebago County
Executive, Mark Harris, who will present the County
Executive’s Budget to the County Board of Supervisors at
its annual Budget session in October, 2012. The
Department continues to implement previously identified
strategic planning decisions that emphasize serving adults,
children and families in community based non-institutional
settings. This approach to planning and budgeting has
enabled the Department to minimize costs and counter-act
other economic-based budgetary challenges.
United Way Employment and Help Guide
Information at a Glance
At a recent Administrative Service Division meeting, Sue Panek of the United Way gave a very informative talk regarding the
various services the United Way is involved with. At this meeting, Sue handed out the United Way’s Employment and Help
Guide. It was quickly determined that this guide would be useful to all the employees. Below are the contents of this
document.
Employment and Help Guide At-A-Glance
Child Care/Day Care
• Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh - School Aged Child Care (233-1414)
• Child Care Resource and Referral, Inc. (920-886-1211 or 1-800-749-5437)
• Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center - Child Care Assistance (232-6246) TDD/TTY: 303-3165
• Oshkosh Community YMCA: 20th Street (236-8439) or Downtown (230-3380)
• University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Head Start (424-2166) or (800-624-4436)
Clothing Assistance
• Goodwill Industries (233-3897)
• Second Chance Thrift Store (230-3565)
• St. Vincent De Paul Store Oshkosh (235-9368) or Neenah (920-727-1766)
• Upscale Resale - Service League Thrift Shop (426-4412)
Employment Resources/Job Search
• ADTEC Staffing Services (231-3010)
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - GED & HSED Instruction: - Fond du Lac (920-922-7760) or (800-631-7760);
Job & Business Development (426-0150) or (800-323-0150);
Wisconsin Senior Employment Program Neenah - (920-922-7760)
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Community Employment Program: (426-0150), Fond du Lac (920-922-7760) or (800-631-7760)
• Cadre (651-1990)
• Fox Cities Workforce Development Center (920-720-5600) or (877-367-1105)
• Fox Valley Technical College - GOAL Program (236-6187)
• Landmark Staffing Resources (231-3130)
• Life Style Staffing (303-1923)
• Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center (232-6200) TDD/TTY: 303-3165
• UWO AmeriCorps Connects - (424-2244) or (424-0290)
• WIA Adult Employment & Training Program – ADVOCAP: (426-0150), Fond du Lac - (920-922-7760)
• WIA Dislocated Worker Program ADVOCAP (232-6213)
• Winnebago County Literacy Council (236-5185) or (236-5219 ext. 4802)
Energy Assistance
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Home Weatherization (426-0150) or (800-323-0150) (for utility payment help)
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Housing Rehab (922-7760) or (800-631-7760)
• American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin - Bridges Program (231-3590)
• Energy Services, Inc. (231-0600) for appointments or (800-506-5596) for assistance program information
• Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (800-450-7260)
• State No. Energy + (State) (866) 432-8947
Financial Assistance
• American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin - Bridges Program (231-3590)
• FISC - Financial Counseling/Debt Reduction (966-1200) or (800-366-8161)
• LEAVEN, Inc: Menasha - (920-738-9635)
• Oshkosh Family, Inc. - Representative Payee Services (231-9520)
• Salvation Army-Financial Assistance (232-7660)
• Social Security Administration (800-772-1213) TDD/TTY: (232-0930) or (800-325-0778)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services Economic Support Division: Washington Ave - (236-4600)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. Human Services-Elderly Benefit Assistance Program (236-4685) or Neenah - (920-729-2749) or
(800-947-6644)
• Wisconsin Works (W-2) - Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center (232-6200) TDD/TTY: 303-3165
Food Assistance
• ADVOCAP- Senior Nutrition Program, Neenah (920-725-2791) or (800-631-2791)
• ADVOCAP, Inc./Salvation Army - Commodities Program at Salvation Army: (232-7660) or Fond du Lac - (920-725-2791)
• Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh - Free Hot Lunch and Snack Summer Program (233-1414)
• Emmanuel United Church of Christ - Food Pantry (235-8340)
• Father Carr's Place 2B (231-2378)
• His Church World Outreach Center (426-4596)
• Lutheran Food Pantry (231-5523)
• The Lord's Highlands - Food Pantry (233-4034)
• Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (651-9960)
• Oshkosh Family, Inc. - Meals on Wheels (231-9520)
• Salvation Army - Community Feeding Program (232-7660)
• Salvation Army - Emergency Food Pantry (232-7660)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services - Food Share (Food Stamp) Program – 236-6246
• Women, Infants, & Children (232-3350)
Health Care/Mental Health
• Affinity Behavioral Health Services - Mercy Counseling Service (236-8570)
• Affinity Visiting Nurses and Hospice Home Health: Neenah- (920-727-2000)
• Aging & Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County (877-886-2372)
• Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin - Fox Valley Office: Neenah- (920-727-5541)
or (800-272-3900) Help line (800-360-3900)
• American Red Cross - Medical Equipment Rental (231-3590)
• Appleton VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic: Appleton - (920-831-0070)
• Aurora Medical Center (456-6000) or (800-862-2201) - Behavioral Health (303-8700)
• Aurora Medical Center - Visiting Nurse Association (456-2050) or (800-862-2201)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Oshkosh – Dental Program (233-1414)
• Caring Connections (235-1100)
• Catholic Charities - Counseling (235-6002)
• City of Oshkosh Health Services Division (236-5030)
• Clarity Care-Help at Home (236-6567)
• Community for Hope - Suicide Prevention/Grief Group Support (230-4840)
• Father Carr's Place 2B - St. Francis Community Clinic (231-2378)
• Father Carr's Place 2B (231-2378)
• Fox Cities Community Health Center - Medical and Dental: Menasha - (920-731-7445)
• Fox Valley Children's Mental Health Center - Child and Family Counseling: Menasha - (920-996-2200)
• Hope and Care Drop In Center - Mental Health (233-3563)
• In-Home Family Counseling (292-4579)
• Living Healthy Community Clinic (424-1242)
• Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper Michigan, Inc. - Counseling for Seniors (232-5304)
• Mental Health Consultants (233-4557)
• Mercy Medical Center (Affinity) (223-2000)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (651-1148)
• Northeast Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (920-969-5325) or (877-568-5205)
• Nurse Direct (231-6578) or (800-362-9900)
• Oshkosh Area School District - School Psychological Services (424-0113) or (424-0112)
• Oshkosh Senior Center - Health Program (232-5300)
• Parent Connection (Family Services of NE WI) (233-6630)
• Planned Parenthood (235-0115) or (800 230-7526) or (800-230-PLAN)
• Reach Counseling Services - Sexual Abuse & Trauma: Oshkosh (426-1460) or Menasha (920-722-8150)
• Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley Inc. - Outpatient Mental Health Counseling (235-1678)
• Senior Care - Prescription Drugs for Wisconsin Seniors (800-657-2038)
• ThedaCare at Home: Appleton - (920-969-0919) or (800-984-5554)
• ThedaCare Behavioral Health (920-720-2300) or (800-501-8247)
• Tri-County Community Dental Clinic - Emergency Dental Care: Appleton - (920 -882-5500)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services - Behavioral Health Division (236-4700) TDD/TTY: 236-4612
• Winnebago Co. Public Health Department - Anonymous/Confidential HIV Counseling/Testing (232-3000)
• Winnebago Co. Public Health Department (232-3000)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services – Economic Support Division and Oshkosh Workforce Development Center
Medical Assistance Programs (236-4600) or (236-4700 or (800-947-3529) or (711)
• Wisconsin Well Woman Program: Appleton – (920-731-7142) or (800-807-0522)
• Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health hotline (800-722-2295)
Home Repair, Housing Options & Respite
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Homeless Assistance Program: Fond du Lac - (920-922-7760)
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Homeowner Development Program: Fond du Lac- (920-922-7760) or (800-631-7760)
• Aging & Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County (877-886-2372)
• Centennial Inn – Community Retirement Living (236-9360)
• Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin - Independent Living (424-4071) or (800-261-1895)
• Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin - Respite Care (424-4071) or (800-261-1895)
• Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin - Willo Housing (424-4071) or (800-261-1895)
• Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services - Shelter Services (235-5998) or (920-729-6395) or (800-261-5998)
• City of Oshkosh - Housing Rehabilitation (236-5059)
• Day by Day Warming Shelter (203-4865)
• Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley: Appleton - (920-734-9192)
• Fair Housing Center of Northeast Wisconsin: Appleton - (920-560-4620) or Complaint Intake line (877-6473247)
• Father Carr's Place 2B - Bethlehem Inn and Holy Family Villa (231-2378)
• Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh, Inc. (235-3535)
• Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh, Inc.- ReStore (230-3535)
• Oshkosh/Winnebago Co. Housing Authority (424-1450) TDD/TTY: 424-1479
• Summerfield Place Apartments – Median Income Housing (233-7410)
Information & Referral
• United Way 2-1-1 Information & Referral - (dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-924-5514) www.211now.org
Labor Related Resources
• AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison: Menasha - (920-954-7210 ext. 260)
• Labor Standards Bureau, State of Wisconsin: Madison - (608-266-6860)
Legal Services - Mediation
• City of Oshkosh - Fair Housing (236-5059)
• Lawyer Referral & Information (800-362-9082)
• Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. Civil Legal Services (233-6521) or (800-236-1128)
• State Public Defender (424-3304)
• Winnebago Conflict Resolution Center, Inc. (236-4711)
Personal & Family Concerns
• Affinity Behavioral Health Services - Mercy Counseling Service (236-8570)
• Aging & Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County- Caregiver Support & Elder/Adult At-Risk Services (877-886-2372)
Crisis (233-7707)
• Alzheimer's Association of Greater Wisconsin - Fox Valley Office: Neenah- (920-727-5541) or (800-272-3900 Help line)
• American Red Cross - Caregiver Support Services (231-3590)
• Arc - Fox Cities: Menasha - (920-725-0943)
• Arc - Winnebago Co. Disability Association, Inc. (236-9230)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters - Mentoring (231-2442)
• Catholic Charities - Counseling & Refugee Services (235-6002)
• Cerebral Palsy of Mideast Wisconsin, Inc. (424-4071) or (800-261-1895) TDD/TTY: (424-4076)
• Childhelp USA - National Child Abuse Hotline (800-422-4453 or (800-4ACHILD) TDD/TTY: 800 222-4453
• Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services - Offender Intervention: Menasha - (920-729-5727)
• Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Crisis Hotline (235-5998) or (920-729-6395) or (800-261-5998)
• Clarity Care-Help at Home (236-6567)
• Community for Hope - Suicide Prevention/Grief Group Support (230-4840)
• Covenant House - Crisis Intervention Hotline (800-999-9999)
• Domestic Violence Hotline (800 799-7233) or (800-799-SAFE) TDD/TTY: (800-787-3224)
• Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin: Oshkosh (920-236-6630)
• Father Carr's Place 2B (231-2378)
• FISC - Budget Counseling & Debt Reduction (966-1200) or (800-366-8161)
• Fox Valley Children's Mental Health Center - Child and Family Counseling:
Menasha - (920-996-2200)
• In-Home Family Counseling (292-4579)
• Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper Michigan, Inc. - Counseling for Seniors(232-9535)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (651-1148) Hope & Care Center (233-3563)
• National Hopeline Network (800-784-2433) or (800-SUICIDE)
• National Runaway Switchboard (800-786-2929) or (800-RUNAWAY)
• Oshkosh Area School District - Lighted School House (424-0460)
• Parent Connection (Family Services of NE WI) (233-6630)
• Reach Counseling Services - Sexual Abuse & Trauma: Oshkosh (426-1460) or Menasha (920-722-8150)
• Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley Inc. - Outpatient Mental Health Counseling (235-1678)
• Mercy Medical Center – Teen childbirth education (223-1244)
• Victims of Crime Resource Center (800-446-6564)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services - Behavioral Health - Alcohol and Drug Assessment (236-4734)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services - Child Abuse Reporting System (236-4615) or Neenah- (920-727-2882)
after 4:30 p.m. and Crisis (233-7707) or Neenah - (920-722-7707) or (800-947-3529) or (711)
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Human Services - Crisis Intervention/Help line (233-7707) or Neenah- (920-722-7707)
Refugee and Immigrant Services
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Translation/Refugee Services (426-0150) or (800-323-0150)
• Bureau of Migrant, Refugee and Labor Services - Dept. of Workforce Development, Migrant Labor Services (608-266-0002)
• Bureau of Migrant, Refugee and Labor Services – Wisconsin DCF, Refugee Assistance Services Program (608-266-6807)
• Catholic Charities - Refugee Family Strengthening Project (235-6002)
• Fox Valley Technical College - English as a Second Language (236-6142)
• Hmong Service Center - Translation and Refugee Services (235-5133)
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (800-375-5283) TDD/TTY: 800-767-1833
• Oshkosh Area School District - Sign Language Interpreters (424-0113) or (424-0112)
• Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center-Refugee Assistance Program (232-6200)
• United Migrant Opportunity Services (232-9611)
Transportation
• American Red Cross - Transportation Services (231-3590)
• Oshkosh City Cab Co. (235-7000)
• Oshkosh Transit System (232-5340)
• Oshkosh Transit System - Cabulance (426-3900)
• Valley Transit Fixed Route Bus (920-832-5800)
• Wisconsin Interfaith Needs Response - Donated Wheels Program (236-0131)
• Medical Assistance Transportation – Logisticare (866-907-1493)
• St. Vincent De Paul Store (235-9368)
(recipients who agree to volunteer at SVDP can receive gas card)
Veterans Services
• Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center - Veteran Services (232-6200) TDD/TTY: (888) 393-8914
• Winnebago Co. Dept. of Veteran's Services (236-4898) Veteran’s Administration Outpatient Clinic (831-0070)
or (877 831-0033)
Work-Related Services for Persons with Disabilities
• ADVOCAP, Inc. - Community Employment Program: (426-0150), Fond du Lac (920-922-7760) or (800-631-7760)
• Goodwill Industries: Menasha - (920-731-6601)
• Oshkosh Area Workforce Development Center - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (232-6250) or (800-848-4355) TDD/TTY: (424-2053)
• Lakeside Packaging Plus, Inc. - Sheltered Workshop (231-0870) or Neenah- (920-725-8241)
• Todd Stevens & Associates (232-3649)
Service Information and Referral for People with Hearing Impairment
• (800-947-3529) or (711)
This guide is prepared and provided as a community service by the Oshkosh Area United Way. A guide with program descriptions can be seen at http://www.oshkoshunitedway.org under Find Help.
(For changes or updates to this guide, contact 235-8560)
You can access additional resources by calling 2-1-1 or 800-924-5514 or visit the website at www.211now.org
Needed
Safe Homes for foster children of Winnebago
County. Foster parents are needed for all ages and
levels of care for children. This includes homes for
emergency placements; homes to provide on going
foster care; homes for teens that have special
treatment needs; and respite care. If you are
interested in fostering, please contact Winnebago
County Department of Human Services at 236-4658.
Long Term Support
Long Term Support
Associate with Autism Adds Value in Appleton
Associate with Autism Adds Value in Appleton
It’s exciting to read articles like this. As Jimmy aged-out
of Long Term Support Services, he successfully
continues on in his career that started with coordinated
LTS efforts with his family, employer, school and
contracted provider agency, Todd Steven and
Associates. The following is an article recently included
in the Furguson Enterprises employee newsletter. It was
published by Sherelle Morgan, Career Development
Specialist for Furguson Enterprises.
Jimmy’s parents have three sons – two of which have autism. His
mother became an autism advocate and works as an Administrative
Coordinator for the Autism Society of Wisconsin.
On any given weekday at the Ferguson branch in Appleton, WI., Data
Entry Clerk Jimmy Brodhagen can be found hard at work.
Sometimes he’s scanning and entering packing slips or credit and
debit memos. At other times, he’s shredding documents or assisting
Showroom Consultants by applying address labels to literature.
The professional and social achievements that Jimmy has made at
Ferguson are notable because he was diagnosed with autism when
he was two-and-a-half years old. Autism is a neurobiological disorder,
typically characterized by challenges with communication and
socialization. It’s defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a
―spectrum disorder‖ that affects individuals differently and to varying
degrees. About 1.5 million people in the U.S. have some form of
autism, according to the Autism Society of America.
When Bill Harrison, General Manager of Appleton, first met Jimmy, he
was amazed by his personality, attitude and ability. ―My first
impression was very positive. He smiled, said hello and started telling
me about how much he loved buses,‖ Bill said. ―I was also amazed at
his memory and ability to draw.‖
Bill and Jimmy initially connected through a work program sponsored
by Menasha High School when Jimmy was a student there. Jimmy
joined the Ferguson team officially in August 2010 and now works five
days a week for three hours per day.
Disability advocates are pushing to improve community connections
for individuals with autism. This integration is critical in the workplace,
where individuals with special needs can gain confidence, exert
independence and improve their quality of life.
Jimmy — whose contributions, performance and responsibilities
continue to grow — is a vital part of the Appleton branch and has
made a lasting impression on everyone. The team has grown
personally and professionally as a result of working with him.
―Jimmy has a huge heart and loves people,‖ Bill said. ―I am a much
better human being as a result of his influence.‖
While there’s limited data about the number of people with autism in
the workforce, recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
reveal that less than 20 percent of Americans with disabilities are
gainfully employed. By embracing inclusive hiring practices, Bill
Harrison and the team in Appleton are proof of how workplace
diversity promotes teamwork, performance and associate
engagement.
Bill acknowledges the benefits of inclusion in the workplace. ―The
impact is tremendously positive, not to mention the affect it has on the
associates at the branch,‖ said Bill. ―Jimmy has shown us that having
autism is not about having limitations but having ability and how to
use that ability to perform certain tasks.‖
Redefining conditions like autism as differences, rather than
disabilities, is critical to promoting an inclusive workplace. It is
important to recognize special abilities in people, realize they may
come with some challenges, and find ways to leverage those abilities
to advance the goals of our organization.
Jimmy will celebrate his two-year Ferguson anniversary in August.
Administrative Services Division
Current Initiatives
The Human Services Data Systems Unit has
been busy working on transitioning the
Behavioral Health Division from their paper
process for State HSRS reporting to
paperless by using the applicable windows in
TCM. From the dedicated and efficient work
of staff using those windows, we are able to
extract the data onto reports which are
currently keyed manually into HSRS. Later
this year HSRS, which has been used for the
last 30 years, will be replaced by the family
oriented Program Participation System (PPS).
Speaking of paperless, team members on the
Financial Support Team and Administrative
Assistant Team have taken the big leap to
going green and have began storing their job
related paperwork electronically. They do this
by scanning all documents they would have
previously photo-copied and filed. Once
scanned documents are saved in electronic
files in the team members personal U drives
as opposed to paper files in their desks. No
more bulky boxes to store. Way to go!!
moving forward in determining a standard
imaging process for our Child Welfare and
Long Term Support Divisions.
The Administrative Assistants have been busy
working on giving our Neenah office the
attention it deserves. The two supervised
visitation rooms on first floor have received a
cosmetic makeover with new furniture and new
age specific children’s toys. A general use
office was also transformed into a family
meeting room with the addition of comfortable
furniture giving the room more of a home-like
feeling.
Poster cases have also been added
throughout the building where old bulletin
boards once hung offering a cleaner, more
organized appearance. Nancy Ruedinger will
be collaborating with Debra Rosinski and
Neenah supervisors to ensure consistency of
postings throughout the Neenah and Oshkosh
offices as well as removal of outdated
postings.
The Office Systems & Confidential Records
Team
has
incorporated
the
Clerk
Typist/Clerical Filing position that was
previously under the Support Specialists
Team. Client file management has been
consolidated, with Julie Mabry as supervisor.
Room 003 has also received a make-over
through its transformation into a supply room,
offering a centralized location for the storage of
paper cases, cleaning supplies, soda, etc. to
be utilized by all divisions and teams. There
are also two carts located in that room for staff
use when moving large items or quantities of
supplies throughout the building. Not only has
this allowed for the organization of printer
areas, it has also generated a centralized
process for client workers, who will now deliver
reams of paper weekly to each printer in the
building. Look for many more additional
updates in the future at the Neenah office.
With great effort from Rachel Walker and
Charla Nettles, the room that holds the closed
Child Welfare files in Oshkosh is well
organized. Through collaboration, purging
efforts, and reorganization, they were able to
consolidate three rooms of overflow files all
into one main room, making file pulling for
worker requests more efficient. They are now
Lastly, the Administrative Assistants are
working on a redesign of the Human Services
website. Currently, their focus is the look and
functionality of the home page. Once that is
complete they will move on to pages related to
specific services, populations, and teams. Look
for updates to our website in the near future at
www.co.winnebago.wi.us/human-services.
The Support Specialist Team has announced
the arrival of our new 2012 Red Dodge
Caravan which will be on the sign out very
soon. The Chevy Malibu will no longer be
available as it is now at Summit House. Soon,
Toward Tomorrow will have access to a multipassenger Caravan.
REMINDER:
Desktop faxing is now
available for all DHS
staff. A simple, efficient
way to save paper and
time! Instructions on how
to fax from your desk
can be found on the
Technological page of
the Human Services
Intranet site. Step-bystep
directions
are
located under the Faxing
Blue Bar. For additional
assistance call Nancy
Ruedinger at extension
4821.
Want to help
eliminate waste?
Putting food waste in the
common area garbage
receptacles decreases the
use of the plastic bags in
office trash cans.
How can we help
you, help your
consumers?
Submit suggestions to
Ellen Shute
Do you have a
poster you would
like displayed?
Contact
Nancy Ruedinger
or Debra Rosinsky
to have it added
to the poster
cases.
Did You Know?
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States,
resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. In fact, on average,
excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning,
tornadoes and hurricanes combined. In the disastrous heat wave of
1980, more than 1,250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more
than 700 deaths in the Chicago area were attributed to heat. In August
2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.
North American summers are hot; most summers see heat waves in
one or more parts of the United States. East of the Rockies, they tend
to combine both high temperature and high humidity, although some of
the worst heat waves have been catastrophically dry.
Children, Adults and Pets Enclosed in Parked Vehicles are at
Great Risk
Each year, dozens of children left in parked vehicles die from
hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the
body absorbs more heat than it can handle. Hyperthermia can occur
even on a mild day. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a
parked vehicle can rapidly rise to a dangerous level for children, pets
and even adults. Leaving the windows slightly open does not
significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be more severe
on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.
Hyperthermia deaths aren't confined to summer months. They also
happen during the spring and fall. Below are some examples.
Honolulu, HI, March 07, 2007: A 3-year-old girl died when the
father left her in a child seat for 1.5 hours while he visited friends
in a Waikiki apartment building. The outside temperature was
only 81 degrees.
North Augusta, SC, April 2006: A mother left her a 15-month-old
son in a car. He was in a car for 9 hours while his mom went to
work. She is now serving a 20-year prison sentence.
How’s Your Etiquette?
Speakerphone Usage with Clients
Using the speaker phone function can make our work life easier,
freeing us to take notes, multi-task, or bring other people in on the
conversation. However, it’s important to use it wisely so that you don’t
ruffle any feathers. With the confidential nature of DHS work we must
use extra caution. It is easy to forget, when we are engaged in our call,
that others around us can hear our conversations. This is why it’s
always good practice to avoid speaker phone use when talking with
clients. Obviously this is not always possible, like when multiple
workers are involved in the call, however if the conversation is one on
one, the use of speakerphone could easily be replaced with the use of
a headset or earpiece. Remember, our clients’ privacy is of the utmost
importance and using speakerphone broadcasts your conversation to
more people than you may even be aware of.
Amanda Rentmeester Kathy Gibson
Amanda Peterson
Administrative Services Behavioral Health Behavioral Health
Office Systems & Confidential
Records Team
Summit House
Summit House
Denver, CO, August 2008: Two kids that died in an overheated
car may have been on their own for more than 3 hours as their
mother slept after working a night shift. The kids died in a closed
but unlocked car. Investigators believe the temperature in the car
may have reached 123°F.
Adults are in danger too. On July 12, 2001, a man died of heatstroke
after falling asleep in his car with the windows rolled up in the parking
lot of a supermarket in Hinds County, MS.
Kor Lee
Economic Support
Diane Nourse
Behavioral Health
Rhonda Reinke
Economic Support
Long Term Support Team
CCS/CSP Team
Family Team
How Fast Can the Sun Heat a Car?
The atmosphere and the windows of a car are relatively transparent to
the sun’s shortwave radiation (yellow in figure below) and are warmed
little. This shortwave energy, however, does heat objects it strikes. For
example, a dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in
the range of 180°F to more than 200°F. These objects, e.g.,
dashboard, steering wheel, child seat, heat the adjacent air by
conduction and convection and give off longwave radiation (infrared),
which efficiently warms the air trapped inside a vehicle.
Taken from http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/index.shtml
Virginia Brammer
Administrative Services
Rachel Walker
Administrative Services
Office Systems & Confidential
Records Team
Office Systems & Confidential
Records Team