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EPIC SMVI
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E M P O W E R I N G
P E O P L E
W I T H
I N T E L L E C T U A L
C H A L L E N G E S
EPIC SMVI
Inside Reading
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Events at EPIC SMVI
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Family and Friend’s Testimonies
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Family Ties
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Fallen Star/New Employees
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Employee Spotlight
MARCH 2013
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Staff Talent Highlight
Edition 2: “Moving Forward”
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Health and Wellness
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Celebrating Employment
Empowering People with Intellectual Challenges
STAKEHOLDERS
BULLETIN
EPIC SMVI
EVENTS
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Family Forum
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Fun Day
EPIC SMVI hosted its 2nd Family Forum Saturday, February 9,
Tuesday, March 12, 2013, The Residential Department
2013. Over 30 family members attended. At this particular
sponsored a day trip to the Sight and Sound Center in PA to see
forum, parents and guardians were able to voice their concerns,
Noah. After the show everyone was able to relax and enjoy a
as well as to hear about the changes that have taken place and
great meal at The Olive Garden..
will occur in the near future. This forum also allowed the families
to see and meet the new executive team and obtain contact
information of those in charge of the programs that their family
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Training & CAREMATIC
Safety is being planned so get excited! As normal this will be a
members attend. Exciting...The next one will be even better!
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Safety Day
day of training and fellowship. Stay tuned for date and place.
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All of the houses now have access to Carematic so staff
Job Fairs
Human Resources is in the midst of a massive recruiting
is able to make optimum use of this system. Staff should
effort. EPIC SMVI was fortunate to host a recruitment fair at the
ensure to you log on and change the password. Also after
Department of Labor’s “One Stop Shop” in Largo, MD
every session remember to log out. The Training Department
and participate in another recruitment fair at UMUC’s Largo
will be conducting trainings for all staff in April. BE ON THE
Campus. With the collaborative efforts of a dynamic HR team,
LOOK OUT! Also, the training calendar is now available on the
Residential staff, the Assistant Director of the Day Program
Carematic system. Staff is encouraged to register for courses
that they need. It is essential that staff check their certifications
to ensure they are current. Staff that are unsure should contact
the Training Manager Elin Johnson or HR as soon as possible.
(Angelique Holloway) and the Deputy Director of Operations
(Dorothy Hemphill), the majority of the vacanices have been
filled.
EPIC SMVI
Empowering People with Intellectual Challenges
February 2013 Parent Forum
THE HEART OF EPIC SMVI!
Changing Lives One Department At A Time
WE MAKE IT HAPPEN
C. Rivers, Residential
D. Hobbs, ES
To: Employment Services
A. Nyambi, QA
A. Holliway, Day Prog.
F. DiSalvo, Finance
G. Marshall, Facilities
S. Knight, HR
TESTIMONIALS FROM FAMILIES AND FRIENDS
Hi Don,
Michelle can hardly contain her excitement for being one of the lucky ones in obtaining fullime employment and hopes this is the start of great things to come.
Michelle has been with the SMVI family for a long time and I’m sure part of her reason for her wanting to stay is because she feels at home. That, in and of itself, speaks volumes to
everyone who has a hand in Michelle’s development and for that you have my deepest appreciation. I would also like to take a moment to thank Mr. James Yarsky for the incredible
job he is doing...take a bow Mr. Yarsky, you deserve it!
Whatever outcome, I want to thank you and everyone that have supported and nurtured Michelle throughout her time at SMVI. It is because of your efforts that she is able to
realize her goals and dream BIG.
- Priscilla
To: EPIC SMVI Family
I hope you can put the enclosed money (check for $4000.00) to good use. I would love to see some of it go to the amazing Day program that helped Richard so much,
but if you have more pressing needs, then of course we would like it used where ever it would do the most good.
I also wanted to tell you all how much the memorial service meant to us. It showed so much love, it was tremendously comforting. The group singing “i’ll Fly away” made
a very big impressionon me. I watched that song on Youtube many times after that. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if James and the SMVI folks could record that for youtube?
My sincerest thanks to all of you for your years of caring for Richard. those were the best years of his life.
- The Drazek Family
Family
Ties
Nyambi’s on TV
QA Director, Atai Nyambi shares her son with the world every Monday evening on Channel 9. Nyambi Nyambi plays Samuel
on CBS‘s hit show Mike and Molly. The acclaimed comedy follows the romanctic relationship between Molly Flynn (Teacher)
and Mike Biggs (Chicago Police Officer) who fall in love after meeting at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.Since the show aired in September of 2010, the show has received rave reviews and has just be renewed for its 4th
season. Mrs. Nyambi is truely proud of her son’s accomplishments and hopes that everyone will support him by tuning
Monday evenings at 9:30 pm EST.
To learn more about Mike and Molly or read up on Nyambi please visit http://www.cbs.com/shows/mike_and_molly/. Oh...
and don’t forget to “Like” the show on Facebook.
Fallen Star
EPIC SMVI!
Wecomes It’s New Team
Members
Joseph Rosier
Medical Appointment Coordinator
Juanita Lanham
[email protected]
Individual
Our friend Joe Rosier passed in January. Joe came to EPIC SMVI ‘s
Residential Program on March 6, 2000. He was very unique person
who was not bound to his diagnosis.
Joe displayed independence in his way of living; he had a special
way of communicating. He formed a close bond with one of his
roommates. Where ever this particular roommate sat, Joe would
Photo
Unavailable
Residential Coordinator
Wilma Purcell
[email protected]
ext. 127
ensure to sit close to him and they would rock together in their
recliners. Joe really enjoyed recliners that rocked. It was very
soothing to him. He also loved to clap his hands and sing while
he stripped his shirt off and walked around the house so he could
HR Intern
MyDiem Le
ext. 109
show off his muscles. When staff would sit in a chair, Joe would sit
on the floor and hug their leg tight while he rocked back and forth
with a smile on his face. That was his way of showing affection and
bonding with the staff.
Joe will truly be missed.
Volunteer
Amellia Elliott
By Cassandra Rivers
Employee
SPOTLIGHT
Abiola Gbadebo
On February 2, 2013 Abiola Gbadebo and Sekinat Mohammed were working at Rocky Springs
when Abiola smelled a strong stinch of gas. She quickly reacted and told everyone to get out of the
house. Between Abiola and Sekinat the two were able to grab the individuals (one without her shoe)
and their medical books and get to the van. By the time they pulled back to the neighbors house
and called 911 flames began igniting from the roof. Abiola’s quick thinking saved lives. EPIC SMVI
is proud to have such brave staff!
SMVI - Over 20 y ears of advocating and inspiring”
EPIC SMVI!
Celebrates Creativity
STAFF TALENT HIGHLIGHT
EPIC SMVI Supports Its Talented Staff And Their Businesses
Interior Designs by A. Flood
Mr. Flood’s talent goes beyond the
beautiful interior designs such as the
window treatment and floral design
pictured on the left he also creates
custom clothing and is an exquisite
tailor.
You will see Mr. Flood’s work
throughout EPIC’s Headquarters as
we work toward revitalizing the infrastructure of the building.
We appreciate and sincerely thank Mr.
Flood for his hard work and esthetic
eye.
To solicit Mr. Flood’s services please
contact him by e-mail at aflood@
smvi.org
A HEALTHIER YOU
SMVI’s Health and Wellness Guide
A Focus on Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Some Individuals with Developmental Disabilities may have associated alterations in the anatomy and physiology of various organ systems
that may be described as Congenital Deficits. Disorders of the Urinary System are said to be common among Individuals with Cerebral Palsy,
Spina Bifida and other developmental disorders due to deficits in sensation and neuromuscular control of the muscles within the Urinary Tract.
A Urinary Tract Infection occurs when bacteria and/or other infectious organisms are found in any part of the urinary tract. The infection may
present itself within the bladder ( cystitis), urethra (urethritis), prostate (prostatitis), or kidneys (pyelonephritis). When the bacteria enter the
blood stream and are circulated throughout the body, the Individual is said to be Septic or have Sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition.
Causes of UTI:
Poor personal hygiene, poor urine flow/stagnation of urine in the bladder, incontinence, immobility, use of certain medication, and certain
health conditions like dehydration and diabetes.
Some Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection:
Burning and/or pain during urination, foul odor to urine, feeling the need to urinate frequently, but little urine is released, lower back and/or
abdominal pain, increased temperature/fever, blood in urine, loss of appetite, tiredness and feeling “bad or sick”.
The Nursing Department
(Marcia Odeyemi, RN, Director;
Samuel Iyapo, LPN; Edith Arah, RN;
Juanita Lanham, MAC - Not Pictured)
How are Urinary Tract Infections treated and prevented:
Urinary Tract Infections are treated mainly with antibiotics (if bacterial) and Pyridium, which is used to control pain and/or burning. This
medication has a dye that makes the urine orange/red in color. A person should drink at least six 8oz. cups of water daily and avoid excessive
caffeinated and sugary drinks. Females must wipe from “front to back” after using the bathroom, practice good personal hygiene, empty the
bladder immediately when there is a urge to do so and assist individuals who are incontinent with frequent diaper change.
EPIC Southern Maryland Vocational Industries, Inc.
8000 Parston Dr.
Forestville, MD 20747
Epic • Encourages • Independence
Celebrating the Employment of our Consumers
u Maryland National Capital Parks u Bolling Air Force Base u Virginia Linen Service u Washington Navy Yard
u Old Post Office u Goodwill
“ EPIC SM VI thanks comp anies tha t e m pl oy our cons um e r s ”
www.smvi.org
With the hardwork and dedication of the Supportive Employment Department, especially Mr. James Yarsy (Pictured-Middle), 8 individuals within the Program have obtained paid jobs from the employers listed above. This is a huge accomplishment. SE is making EPIC SMVI proud!