May 2009 Insider

The Insider
May, 2009
UNIVERSAL MH/DD/SAS Mission Statement
Universal MH/DD/SAS is dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by mental illness, developmental
disabilities and substance abuse in achieving potential to live, work and grow in the community.
WHY THE NEED FOR THE INSIDER ? The purpose of this newsletter is to provide specialized information to all Universal MH/DD/SAS
employees. The intent is to develop a better informed workforce, to foster a greater sense of community, and to build morale.
MESSAGE FROM THE AGENCY DIRECTOR
Inside This Issue
™Message from the Director
™Employee Profiles
™Match Face with Name / Client
Success
™Devince Boykins
™Transporting Clients
™Friendly Reminders
™Closing the Gap / Birthdays
So far 2009 has been good to us. The rates have remained stable and our number of
clients served has remained steady. I want to inform you of two new services that will
be started any day now in the Asheville area ~ Intensive In-Home Services and
Community Support Team Services.
Dawn LoPresti will be the Lead for Intensive In-Home Services and Eugene Jones will
Supervise the Community Support Team. We feel that both of these services will be a
natural progression for our clients and will only make the services we provide more
comprehensive. We are looking forward to great things from the addition of both of
these new services!
~
Amy
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EMPLOYEE PROFILES
The Insider
Emily Frey –“I am a life long resident of North Carolina as I was born and raised in Hendersonville until my
family moved to Charlotte in 1985. I lived there throughout high school and some college and moved to Wilmington
in 1997 to complete my first two years of college. I then decided that Wilmington was too hot and I was far away
from my family, so I decided to move back to Western North Carolina in 1999 to attend UNC Asheville, which I
graduated from in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. I also lived in Candler, NC until 2006 when
I bought a home in Hendersonville. This was a 21 year circle for me and I am very happy to be back in
Hendersonville and closer to my family. I live with my boyfriend, our roommate and our collective 6 dogs
(Johann, Red, Sonny, Lady, Max & Bella) and 2 cats (Garfield & Camo). We all get along amazingly well! I enjoy
cooking, reading, gardening, hiking with our dogs and spending time with friends and family. Before I became a
Universal employee, I worked at Cornerstone Group Home for three years as a residential staff and was a QP, QP
Supervisor and Authorization Coordinator at New Vistas for two and half years.
Emily Frey - Asheville
Regional Mental Health
Manager
"I have very much enjoyed my employment with Universal Mental Health and have gained valuable experience in
many arenas. There are so many great people and clients that it makes going to work a pleasure! I look forward to
being an employee of Universal Mental Health for years to come ”
Anita Ledford
- “I live in Bethlehem with my wonderful husband Jody and my two beautiful daughters Megan -14 and Hanna
-10. My girls are great students at school but teach me much about life when at home and I am grateful that the Lord sent them for
me to "borrow" for a time here on earth. I’ve gradually worked my way through college (on and off for 13 years) and graduated
from Gardner Webb University in Social Sciences with a Concentration on Human Services. My goal in life used to be to become
a Therapist but the Lord arrested me in CAP-MR/DD world when I started with Catawba County Area Program. I knew this was
what I was meant to do for many years to come. I started doing Case Management with the mind set that I was going to help "these
people" but now realize we all are just living life together - no matter our ability or disability - and that we all help each other to
live and learn about life. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many wonderful people in the
Catawba Valley Area and pray to do the best I can for others and that the Lord will mend the mistakes I make along the way. I
attend Freedom Assembly Church of Hickory and am a Prayer Intercessor in and out of church.
Anita Ledford
Lead DD Case Manager
- Hickory
“Here in the Hickory Office I am blessed with a fine team of Professionals to work with each day. It is so encouraging to see the growth and teamwork that is
developing in our company and I find it hard to believe all of the change that has happened in 2008--but we have survived and continue to grow and
improve. Universal is unique to me because I have worked with an Area Program and with other private providers and am appreciative of the benefits offered here. I
have never felt like the true issues that may be barriers for my job to be done quicker and better were ever heard before now and know that this "team effort" will only
continue to prosper our company. I am grateful for the tools provided to do my job and to walk daily with the knowledge that we have a secure job while actually
helping to make our community a better place through our labors."
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The Insider
Be on the lookout for student-athlete
Devince Boykins!
2/17/09 - Charlotte Observer
East Rutherford High’s Devince Boykins is a 6’3 185 pound sophomore who can dunk two basketballs at
the same time from one step inside the free throw line.
Few people see as much in-state boy’s basketball talent as N.C. recruiting analyst Mike Talbott of Star
Hoopers. Talbott is convinced that East Rutherford sophomore Devince Boykins is going to be one of the
nation’s best in a few years. Boykin’s coach Brad LeVine says the same thing. “There’s no question,
he’s a big-time D-1 kid. He’s got all the tools.” LeVine swears that Boykins, can take one step inside
the free throw line, jump and slam two basketballs held in either hand. “He can really do it! Bang
bang,” LeVine says, I’m not saying this to blow anybody up. He can almost touch the top of the square
(on the glass backboard). He has a 3.2 GPA. He can shoot it and handle it. This kid is special! ”
Devince’s father Robert Boykins says that “North Carolina Tar Heels, North
Carolina State, Wake Forest, Clemson Tigers, South Carolina Gamecocks and
Florida Gators are already heavily recruiting Devince. Wake Forest came to
see him workout on March 28th and North Carolina came to his school on
April 20th. We are looking forward to others coming as well. Devince has
already been offered a full scholarship from South Carolina Gamecocks. He
plays summer AAU basketball with a team based out of Asheville called the
Carolina Raptors. You sports fans keep an eye or an ear out for him. If you
want to learn more about Devince Boykins, simply Google his name.”
Where does Devince get his basketball talent? From his father Robert
Boykins, QP in the Forest City office. Robert played six years in Europe
and four in the USBL before retiring in 1999. We at Universal congratulate
Devince for his success and anticipate following his exciting career!
Page 5
The Insider
1. Always look around the car prior to transporting client!
2. Instruct client to sit in the back seat on the passenger side!
3. Use child locks!
4. Make sure the emergency information is locked in the trunk of the
vehicle!
Interested in learning more about Universal MH/DD/SAS? Visit our website at www.umhs.net.
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The Insider
Friendly Reminders
HR Reminder:
•All Supervisors are to report all subordinate’s absences in order for HRCs to record on the attendance
record.
Staff Development Reminder:
•Medication Administration is now an annual certification. Please instruct all employees to complete the
In-Service Med Admin in conjunction with their CPR.
Accounting Reminders:
•Please remember to verify client’s eligibility before providing services.
•Please be sure to get a monthly copy of Medicaid cards.
•Please remember to have an authorization prior to providing services.
•Please keep track of units to make sure the authorization is not exceeded.
•CAP Waiver Supply invoices should be faxed back to Tricia at Corporate within three days of
receiving.
QI Reminders:
•Make sure Incident and/or Restrain Reports are turned in within 24 hrs.
•There are new important Incident Reporting guidelines included in Implementation Update # 55. Please
refer to this update for specifics.
IT Reminder:
•Please remember to leave your computer “ON” at all times.
Page 7
The Insider
Assessing Your Leadership Skills
Meet the Leadership Challenge – Careertrack
Answer these four questions to assess how well you lead in certain circumstances.
1.
If you’re angry or disappointed with an employee’s actions, you’re likely to:
a.
Express your disappointment or displeasure.
b.
Let the person discover the consequences of his or her actions.
c.
Think about the message you want to convey, then act accordingly.
d.
Eat a carton of Twinkies to bury your disappointment.
2.
The most important trait for you to display when leading a team is:
a.
The wisdom of Solomon.
b.
The inspirational power of Dr. martin Luther King Jr.
c.
The patience of Job.
d.
The restraint of Adam Sandler in Anger Management.
3.
When you lead a department meeting, you:
a.
Sum up the meeting’s purpose – warm up the crowd – with a quick, 15 minute monologue.
b.
Ask open ended questions and lead discussions.
c.
Place a staff member in charge and observe the group dynamics.
d.
Fall asleep during “Old Business.”
4.
When one of your people admits a mistake, the first thing you do is:
a.
Show support. (“It’s great that you can admit your mistake.”)
b.
Downplay the mistake’s impact. (“Don’t worry about it.”)
c.
Gently chastise the person. (“Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again.”)
d.
Ask follow-up questions. (“What else have you screwed up?”)
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Page 8
The Insider
CLOSING THE GAP
“7 Things that Motivate Employees”
It’s a fact: Different needs motivate different people. Some crave power, others want money. Some want constant praise, others want to be left alone. It’s crucial for
managers to figure out what motivates individual employees. Ninety-nine percent of employees are motivated by one of the following seven needs:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The need for achievement: These employees want the satisfaction of accomplishing projects successfully. They are self motivated, so provide them with the right
work assignments and they will consistently produce.
The need for power: These employees get satisfaction from influencing and controlling others Give them the opportunity to make decisions and direct projects.
The need for affiliation: These employees derive satisfaction from interacting with others. Give them opportunities to interact with others: teamwork, projects,
group meetings, and so on.
The need for autonomy: These employees want freedom and independence. Allow them to make their own choices, set their own schedules, and work
independently of others.
The need for esteem: These employees need recognition and praise. Give them ample feedback and public recognition whenever possible.
The need for safety and security: These employees crave job security, a steady income, health insurance and a hazard free work environment. Give these
employees predictable work with little uncertainty.
The need for equity. These employees want to be treated fairly. They will be come discouraged if they perceive inequities.
~ Adapted from The Managers Desk Reference, The Motivational Manager
“When I must criticize somebody, I do it orally; when I praise somebody, I put it into writing.” ~ Lee Iacocca
SPECIAL May EMPLOYEES
SPECIAL April EMPLOYEES
Melissa Maxwell
Ashley Young
Sharon Rice
Drema Greer
April 2
April 4
April 14
April 19
(Sorry April employees – I’m a little late on our
birthdays)
Richard Greer
Theresa Miller
Heather woods
Sophia Bartlett
Sharon Machie
Kim Riggs
Susan Rainsford
Rose Younce
Tracy Frye
Pattie Fries
May 1
May 5
May 15
May 16
May 23
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
SPECIAL June EMPLOYEES
Andrew D’Onofrio
Elizabeth Baxley
Amie Wilkins
Amanda Hester
Emily Frey
Lakisha Danner
Jun 02
Jun 16
Jun 19
Jun 22
Jun 27
Jun 30