Congratulations, Jerome Tesoro

August 2015
A Monthly Newsletter for
the Melmark Community
Congratulations, Jerome Tesoro
Our Employee of the Month
Jerome joined Melmark in May 2014, and he has
proven to be a valuable addition to the Education
Department. As an ABA Counselor in Classroom
2, he is always available to help his co-workers no
matter what is going on. Not only does Jerome
demonstrate a friendly demeanor to his colleagues,
but he is also kind, respectful and compassionate
to all of the individuals he interacts with
throughout the day.
Jerome is knowledgeable of the BSPs for the
students in Classroom 2 and assists other staff who
may not be as familiar with an individual. Newly
hired staff have described Jerome as extremely
helpful and say he actively listens to all of their
questions, always providing thoughtful answers. Employees who work in Classroom
2 appreciate Jerome’s commitment to the students and can tell this is more than a
job for him.
His co-workers value the extra effort and support he provides when behaviors arise,
and say Jerome always has student and staff safety at the top of his mind. Melmark
students benefit from Jerome’s contributions, hard work and dedication. Please join
us in congratulating Jerome on this well-deserved recognition.
Mandatory
All-Staff Meetings
Tuesday, September 29:
9:15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 30:
2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
• Construction News
• Melmark Updates
• Opportunity to “Applaud”
Co-Workers in Open Forum
• Refreshments
All meetings held in Melmark’s
Multi-Purpose Center (Gym)
Need $500?
Know someone who would make an
exceptional member of the Melmark
team? Tell them to check out Career
Opportunities and apply online at:
www.melmark.org/careers.
We’re looking for motivated and
caring individuals who want to make
a difference in the lives of children
and adults with intellectual and
developmental disabilities.
An existing Melmark employee gets
$250 when the new hire is here for
three months and another $250 when
the new hire is here for one year. You
can refer new hires all year long!
Just fill out the employee referral form,
found in HR, before the new hire
begins at Melmark.
Jerome with student, Brenna, and colleagues
Watch video of Jerome receiving his award on Facebook!
www.Facebook.com/MelmarkPA
The Joybells of Melmark
Performing at World Meeting of Families
The Joybells of Melmark have some exciting news to share. On September 27, adults in this hand bell choir will perform at
The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, on the same day Pope Francis says Mass in the city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for The Joybells, who were selected from thousands of performers and groups.
The World Meeting of Families takes place every three years and is the world’s largest Catholic gathering of families. The
Philadelphia event begins on September 22 and ends on September 27. Pope Francis is scheduled to make two appearances
on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway - the Festival of Families on September 26 and Sunday Mass the following day. Organizers
expect as many as two million people to converge on Philadelphia during the gathering.
To learn how you can participate in the events surrounding the Pope’s visit, go to The World Meeting of Families’ website:
http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/
6abc was there when The Joybells learned about this remarkable opportunity. To see video, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfW_W4WCOxE
The Joybells will perform on Sept. 27 at
Eakins Oval, between Love Park and
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
A Message from Our President
Joanne Gillis-Donovan, Ph.D.
At Melmark, a big part of our work is to
create opportunities for the children and
adults we serve. Imagine our excitement
when we learned The Joybells were
selected from thousands of applicants to
perform at The World Meeting of Families during a visit from Pope Francis.
Talk about an opportunity!
We are still learning details about
The Joybells’ performance, which will
take place on the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday,
September 27. While transportation
to the event will require great patience
and planning, we encourage everyone
to visit The World Meeting of Famlies’
website to learn how they can attend,
if they are interested. For those of you
who would rather stay home and avoid
the traffic and crowds, we will forward
information about any television coverage as we learn of it.
We also encourage all Melmark staff
members to make appropriate plans to
get into work on time despite anticipated heavy traffic and planned road
closures during the Pope’s historic visit.
As always, the continuous safety and
care of the individuals we serve are of
utmost importance.
Celebrating an Anniversary
25 Years After the Americans with Disabilities Act
On July 25, The Joybells of Melmark performed at The National Constitution Center to celebrate the 25th Anniversary
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities, The Office of
Councilman-At Large and longtime Melmark friend, Dennis M. O’Brien, Liberty Resources and the National Constitution
Center hosted the celebration. Below are photos from the event.
The Joybells performing at the National Constitution Center
An inflatable puppet from the parade leading up to performances
The Joybells having fun after their performance
Advocacy Corner
State Budget Update
I had the privilege of attending a press conference hosted by the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
(MHASP) at Pottstown Recovery and Education Center on Monday, August 17. I was there representing MAX as Chair of
the organization’s Policy and Advocacy Committee and of course, Melmark. The following people were in attendance and
made statements:
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PA Secretary of Human Services - Ted Dallas
Chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners - Josh Shapiro
Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners - Dr. Valerie Arkoosh
Representative Madeleine Dean, Montgomery County
Representative Mary Jo Daley, Montgomery County
Both the administration and the members of the General Assembly who spoke (all Democrats) stressed the importance of
passing a state budget as soon as possible. They were critical of the Republican leadership, whom they feel is holding up the
passage of a state budget favorable to human service programs. Rep. Daley made the comment at the end of her remarks
that there is a provision that allows the Speaker of the House to call the General Assembly back to Harrisburg prior to the
scheduled date of August 25 if the two sides get closer in their negotiations.
Montgomery County made its own commitment to providers to keep paying until the end of September, and there was
a round of applause for Mr. Shapiro and Dr. Arkoosh as a result. Shapiro did say, however, that the faucet would run dry
eventually. Interestingly, there was a story in Wednesday’s pennlive.com feed, which said the following: “Gov. Tom Wolf
said on Wednesday he will support setting aside money in the final
budget to reimburse those organizations for the interest payments
associated with their need to borrow money while waiting on state
funding.”
Michael Donovan
Manager of Operations
and Strategic Initiatives
Help Around the Office
Vocational Job Requests
Who doesn’t need a little help around the office? The young men and women who participate in the Christopher Maurer
Vocational Program at Melmark are offering you a helping hand. And thanks to some help from our MIS Team, getting
that help is as easy as a click of a mouse. Using Sharepoint, you can now request services ranging from binder assembly to
recycling pick-up and Melmark vehicle cleaning. Just go to the Sharepoint home page, select “Client Job Request” and fill
out the appropriate fields. Someone from the vocational team will be in touch to schedule your job request.
Sharing Our Expertise
Melmark Clinical Staff Present at National Conference
Members of Melmark’s clinical team attended the National
Autism Conference in State College, PA earlier this month,
sharing their research with other professionals in the field.
Jen Croner, M.S.Ed., BCBA, Melmark’s Research and Training
Coordinator, presented a poster comparing two interventions
to determine which was more effective in reducing
inappropriate vocal behavior.
Behavior Analyst, Sam Russo, M.Ed., BCBA, presented a
poster demonstrating a successful intervention to increase bit
presentation and consumption with two individuals who attend
the Melmark School.
Melmark Behavior Analyst, Sam Russo, M.Ed., BCBA with Melmark
Research and Training Coordinator, Jen Croner, M.S.Ed., BCBA, at the
2015 National Autism Conference
Melmark is committed to contributing to the field of Applied
Behavior Analysis through these presentations as well as
through articles in peer-reviewed journals, magazines and
newspapers dedicated to evidence-based interventions for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Melmark’s Got Talent
Classrooms Perform Together on Stage
On August 12, students at The Melmark School performed for parents, staff and friends at the 2015 Melmark’s Got Talent
Show. From dancing carwashers to a surfing safari, everyone had a great time. Below are photos from the show.
Callum and Darth Vader
Brandon and his staff on stage
Joey dancing to “Happy”
Jordan dancing at the talent show
Everyone’s Campaign
Progress has been steady as we move closer to the ultimate goal of the Promises to Keep Campaign.
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Total Commitments to Date:
Total Requests Pending:
Pledge Fulfillment:
Total Donors:
$10,966,978
$10,040,000
$7,203,201
339
We are grateful for the major support toward our goal of $20 million. Consider that we have 5 commitments of $1 million,
30 volunteers made up of family members and friends serving on the Campaign Cabinet, and over 88% participation from
all individuals solicited.
The Campaign will positively impact everyone associated with Melmark. Subsequently, its success will require everyone’s
participation. Advancement staff and Campaign Cabinet members are currently reaching out to all Melmark family
members and friends to share the details of Promises to Keep and to encourage participation. Anyone wishing to learn
more about the objectives of Promises to Keep should contact the Advancement Office.
Each month, we’re updating staff on construction taking place on Melmark’s campus.
Below is a look at some of the main tasks underway in “The Construction Zone”:
Plenty of Parking!!
Isn’t that music to your ears? The new Education Parking Lot has been completed and is open for use. With the
opening of the new lot, we now have more parking than at any time before on campus.
Staff are reminded to park only in designated parking spots on campus. Any cars found parked illegally, on the
grass, in visitor spots or in the driveways of Melmark houses will be tagged. The information will then be turned
over to the staff ’s supervisors for corrective action. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy all those extra
spots!
A welcome sight!
Thank you to everyone for their cooperation during
the site work construction. All campus improvements
are designed to provide optimal safety to Melmark’s
clients, staff and visitors.
Losers R Winners Weight Loss Challenge
The Losers R Winners Weight Loss Challenge is back! This challenge is an 8-week program that encourages
employees who are above the CDC’s recommended body weight to lose weight by dropping unhealthy habits and
adopting healthy ones, with the goal of weight loss.
Initial weigh-in sessions began on Monday, July 13, and the final weigh-in will conclude on Friday, September 11.
Earn points toward a discount on next year’s insurance! Participants who are above the normal range for BMI will
be eligible for the 50 healthy lifestyle points if they lose 5% of their body weight by the end of the program. Employees
who are already within the CDC’s recommended body weight range only need to weigh in any time before September
11 to earn the points.
Here is the link to the CDC’s Body Mass Index Calculator to see if you are “Underweight”, “Normal weight”,
“Overweight” or “Obese”. You’ll just need to enter your height and weight, then press the “Compute BMI” button.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
Final Weigh-Ins
Monday, September 7 - Friday September 11
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
We are excited to have launched another Walking Works
Challenge, which began Sunday, August 16 and runs
through Saturday, November 14th. This is a
12-week challenge to see how many miles teams (four
to eight people per team) can walk by the end of the
program.
This is another opportunity to earn Healthy Lifestyle Tracker points, which can add up to savings on next year’s
health insurance premium! In addition to earning points, there will be prizes for the team with the highest average
miles walked over the 12-week challenge and a prize for the person with the overall highest total number of miles
walked.
Current Teams
Band of Buddies
Team Awesome
Fearsome Foursome
Team Holey Walkamolies
HR Runs Far
The SHOE
Mission Slim Possible
The Walk-inators
Operation Save Money
Walk it Out
TT’s Trotters
Walking Wonders
Staff Reaching 90 Days of employment
Employee Name
Position
Department
Hire Date
Tanisha Bardlavens-King
ABA Counselor
Education
4/6/2015
Faustina Kandeh
Residential Aide
Adult Community Residential
4/6/2015
Kristen Madera
Family Services Admin. Asst.
Education
4/6/2015
Laconya Toler
Residential Aide
Adult Campus Residential
4/7/2015
Mary Bunde
Residential Aide
Children’s RTF
4/20/2015
Stephanie DiLoreto
Registered Nurse
Health Care
4/20/2015
Nicole Esposito
Registered Nurse
Health Care
4/20/2015
Zebena Fallah
Residential Aide
Adult Campus Residential
4/20/2015
Congratulations, New hires!
Employee Name
Position
Department
Michael Abu
Stephanie Bearish
Lisa Bowers
Amelia Brickhouse
Shareefah Brown
Kenneth Carter
Kollie Catakaw
Fatmata Charm
Famatta Crawford
David Czeponis
Ononuju Dike
Tennie Duncan
Courtney Durham
Samantha Evans
Brigid Fellenbaum
Brittney Guyton
Danielle Hinton
Sadan Kaba
Musa Kamara
Theodore Longmire
Melissa Miller
Alpha Moseray
Jennifer Mucellin
Michael Nwanah
Josiah Paris
Kiana Pittman
Gessie Senatus
Fatima Sheriff
James Smith
Kelly Stith
Alphonso Tiady
Matengy Toure
Eddie Towah
Monica Traveres
Alyssa Trim
Andrew Vandi
Yvonne Warren
Dawn Warren
Sharniece Washington
Shellie Watson-Tucker
Registered Nurse
Teacher
Adult Program Manager
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
ABA Counselor, Education
Incident Management Analyst
Residential Aide
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Repairman
Clinical Associate
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Office Manager
Clinical Associate
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
ABA Counselor
Residential Aide
Residential Aide, Adult Services
Residential Aide
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
Assistant Director
ABA Counselor
Residential Aide
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
ABA Counselor
Residential Aide, Adult Services
ABA Counselor
ABA Counselor
ABA Counselor
Clinical Associate
Licensed Practical Nurse
Clinical Associate¸ RTF
Residential Aide, Adult Services
ABA Counselor
Licensed Practical Nurse
Environmental Services Attendant
Residential Aide, Adult Services
ICF Homes
Education
ICF Homes
Education
Education
Quality Assurance
Children’s Residential
Waiver Homes
ICF Homes
Facilities
RTF
ICF Homes
ICF Homes
Waiver Homes
Human Resources
RTF
Education
Education
Children’s Residential
ICF Homes
Children’s Residential
Education
Children’s RTF
Education
Children’s Residential
Education
Education
Education
Waiver Homes
Education
Education
Education
RTF
Nursing
Education
Waiver Homes
Education
ICF Homes
Facilities
ICF Homes
Tuesday, September 15
Janssen Care Days
Meadows Garden
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 16
Janssen Care Days #2
Meadows Garden
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, September 18
Melmark Heritage Festival
Complimentary Lunch
Center Circle
Gym
10:00 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
Monday, September 21
Vanguard Volunteers
Meadows Garden
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2
Shire Pharmaceuticals
Volunteers
Campus
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Monday, October 5
Hubert J.P. Schoemaker
Classic
Waynesborough CC
St. David’s Golf Club
Gulph Mills Golf Club
All Day / Evening
Thursday, October 29
Newtown Square Rotary
Dinner
Meadows
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30
SAP School Halloween Party,
Parade, Hayrides for Adults
Campus
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 31
Lansdale Catholic HS
Halloween Party
Gym
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 16
AmeriKids Concert
Gym
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21
ValleyPoint Church
Christmas Lights/Caroling
Campus
9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Luncheon
Gym
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 2
Melmark Service League
Trim the Tree
Center Hall
9:30 a.m.
Friday, December 4
Staff Holiday Party
Springfield CC
Time: TBD
Sunday, December 6
PBM Lions Club
Christmas Party
Gym
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Monday, December 7
Melmark Players Dress
Rehearsal
Gym
8:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9
Melmark Players Assembly
Gym
1:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 10
Melmark Players Opening
Night
Gym
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13
Melmark Family Christmas
Party
Gym
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13
Melmark Players Cast Party
Meadows
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 15
Chester County Band
Christmas Concert
Gym
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16
Santa Sing-Along
Center Hall
1:30 p.m.
Friday, December 18
Adult Day Christmas
Luncheon
Gym
11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Friday, December 25
Christmas Luncheon
Gym
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
We are happy to once again offer you discounted tickets to Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom this summer! Employees,
friends and family can purchase discounted tickets (online only) at a savings of $15 per ticket for use any day.
*LIMITED TIME OFFER ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE.
Purchase your advance tickets today at: https://www.dorneypark.com/melmark
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