Employee Newsletter

CARF Accreditation
AEDD, Inc. is currently accredited by the
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Consumers face a variety of options when deciding
what services to use and who should provide
them. Accreditation is a sign of quality and is
an important consideration in their decision making.
Achieving accreditation requires AEDD to commit to
quality improvement, focus on the unique needs of
each person the we serves, and monitor the results of
services. AEDD will again begin the process of CARF
Accreditation in April.
News About
You
A Night to be Remembered
LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! A Night to be Remembered will take
place on April 12th, 2014 in the AEDD Multipurpose Center from
4:00PM-9:00PM. The Consumers at the AEDD Landers Center will
enjoy an evening of Hollywood madness as they dance the night
away!
“Empowering individuals with disabilities to improve the quality of their lives.”
AEDD Employee Advocates for
Private Option Health Insurance
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Consumer CPR & First Aid Training
15 Points of AEDD
Awesomeness
2
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 &
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
Upcoming Events
and Closings
2
HR News
3
Miracle League
3
Diversity
4
Anniversaries and
5
9:00AM and 2:00PM
at The Lacy Landers Center
Contact Jennifer Williams at 501-562-6579 for more information
New Hires
ARKANSAS ENTERPRISES
for the
DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, INC.
105 E. Roosevelt Road
Little Rock, AR 72206
Halloween Costume Winners
February 2014
Bingo Night
6
Employee
Acknowledgement
Banquet
6
WOW
6
Birthdays
7
Career
7
CARF
8
A Night to be
Remembered
8
Kiswanna Randle, Teachers
Aide at Sammie Gail Sanders Children's Learning
Center, is one of many who
supports the funding of the
Private Option health insurance in the state of Arkansas. As a recipient of
the Private Option, Kiswanna believes this is a great
benefit for Arkansas.
“Many may need ongoing services or
will need emergency surgery. With the
help of Private Option, these citizens
now have the access they need.” She
recently completed interview segments with FOX 16, KARK, and NBC
News regarding her passion for the
State of Arkansas to continue funding
the Private Option Health Insurance.
Children’s Learning Center New School Library
Establishing a school library at Sammie Gail efforts began. Regions Bank provided volunSanders Children’s Learning Center was only teers to assist completing the project. Also,
a thought a few years ago during a staff
through the efforts of Debbie Grooms, Geormeeting. Due to
ganna Imhoff-Huddleston, and
limited spacing, a
donations made in honor of
small scale library
the late Jim Hinson, AEDD’s
was formulated in
retired Chief Financial Officer
the teacher workenough money was raised to
room. Yet, teachers
complete the project. The liand students were
brary was dedicated in honor
elated to now have
of Mr. Jim Hinson who graaccess to books.
ciously dedicated his time to
Having a complete
those with disabilities.
library is to introWe will continue to accept
duce students to
monetary donations as well as
reading before heading into kindergarten.
new and slightly used books. Our goal is to
The staff and Debbie Grooms, began a jour- keep the library stocked with books for the
ney of turning this dream of having a full
children to enjoy.
library into a reality. Last Fall fundraising
15 Points of AEDD Awesomeness
1) Employee is productive, exhibits commitment to quality in carrying out job responsibilities and is an asset
to the staff of his/her department.
Happy Birthday
March
April
May
2) Employee is willing to take initiative and accepts and carries out additional responsibilities beyond regular job assignments.
Tony Dunnick
1
Jessica Dirden
3
Robbie Washington
1
Mary Giles
2
Donna Whitmore
5
Barbara Whitfield
2
3) Employee is consistently dependable and punctual in reporting for duty, completing assignments on
time, and participating in additional responsibilities.
Cheryl Perry
4
Marquette Watts
5
Crystal Brown
2
Charles Dirden
4
Earl Franklin
6
Bertha Parks
4
4) Employee portrays a positive attitude toward work responsibilities, co-workers, and customers and serves
as a role model for others.
Maxine Miller
8
Sonya Ledbetter
8
Sharon James
4
Jana Fells
15
Porsha Hart
12
Jimmy McCool
5
5) Employee exhibits a willingness to work in a team setting within and/or outside of his/her assigned department.
Ometra Okuwoash
16
Emily Miller
13
Susan Greeson
12
Helen Mosley
16
Bobbie Gatewood
14
Amy Jones
13
Lorine Gooden
18
Randall Gilbert
15
Barbara Gardner
15
Angela Brown
18
Shawnya Polk
16
Odessia Gaston
17
Victoria Overton
18
Cheryl Garry
17
Tiffani Barnes
17
Titus Trotter
19
Georganna Imhoff
19
Dorothy Nolan
18
Dana Brown
21
Rashiat Wright
20
April Wyatt
18
Lasha Brown
21
Jerri Washam
20
Rita Rheams
19
Conray Strong
22
Monica Sholly
21
Donna Cohen
19
Angelia Bowden
24
Michael George
22
Leslie Jackson
21
13) Employee displays outstanding leadership skills when working with peers
Shontrice Jones
24
Stephen Martin
22
Miriam Jackson
22
14) Employee exhibits exemplary service in daily work
Monique Jefferson
27
Linnie Wimes
24
Shannon Combs
24
15) Displays outstanding teamwork, leadership, support and dedication
British Burnam
27
Vannett Barker
25
Harold Johnson
27
Shonia Wiley
26
Ashley Long
27
Jamayel Toney
27
Jennifer Williams
30
Carrissa Akins
30
6) Increase safety awareness
7) Contribute to safety in the work area
8) Enhance the safety of others
9) Demonstrate safety leadership
10) Employee should display amazing character
AEDD 15 Points of Awesomeness is a criteria
used to award employees for their motivation,
devotion, and commitment. Employees who
have exemplified any of the 15 points have
made a lasting impact on the lives of those they
serve. We want to express our sincere gratitude
for illustrating the 15 Points of Awesomeness.
11) Employee exceeds the request and expectations
of an employee
12) Employee excels in knowledge and expertise in his/her department
Upcoming Events
AEDD Closed Dates
March 4th:
Fat Tuesday
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26th
March 9th:
Daylight Savings
March 12-13: Consumer First Aid & CPR
Training
These dates do not apply to the
Page 2
March 17th: St. Patrick’s Day
March 21st:
Bingo– Admn Building A–
6:00PM-8:00PM
April 7th:
Tee Off for a Cause
April 12th:
Prom– Multi Purpose Center–
4:00PM-9:00PM
April 18th:
Children’s Learning Center
Easter Egg Hunt
April 20th:
Easter
Moving On Up
Omont Wiley began his career at AEDD in transportation and as a teachers aide at the Sammie Gail Sanders Children’s Learning Center. O’Mont was recently hired as a Direct Support Supervisor for the Waiver Department. “This
position has allowed me to improve the quality of living for our consumers within AEDD,” stated Wiley.
Robin Hunter started at Community Life Services as a Life Skills Instructor (LSI). Since, Robin has been promoted to Lead. Hunter
stated, “When I first started working at CLS
Aedd Cookbook and Candle Baskets
Are you looking for an Easter Gift or a Mothers Day Gift? If so, AEDD Cookbooks are
now on sale for ONLY $10! Also, you can purchase a complete basket for $25. It includes a cookbook, AEDD wax candle, votives and more! Please contact HR to place
you order now!
NEWS ABOUT YOU
Halloween Costume Winners
Page 3
FEBRUARY 2014
Employee Appreciation Committee
It’s that time again! The Employee Appreciation Committee will be
sponsoring Bingo Night on Friday, March 21st from 6:00PM– 8:00PM
at the Administration Building A. Cash prizes as well as a Grand Prize
will be up for grabs.
This is not a work related event and is not mandatory.
Only employees can participate.
2014 Employee Acknowledgement Banquet
The first AEDD Employee Acknowledgement Banquet was held Friday, January 17th in the AEDD Multipurpose Room,
where employees shared the evening with their consumers, coworkers and family members. This banquet was designed to illustrate our deepest appreciation for the work the AEDD and CLS employees do every day. Each department
awarded individual awards based on the 15 Points of Awesomeness. Some of the criteria included: Employee should
display amazing character and Employee is willing to take initiative and accepts and carries out additional responsibilities beyond regular job assignments. Lastly, we would like to thank everyone who served and helped make this event a
huge success. It was a great night, we’re looking forward to Friday, January 16, 2015!
Human Resources News
CPR/First Aid Training will be held on the second
Saturday of each month at 9:00am at the Administration
Building A. Please call HR at 501-666-0246 to schedule
your CPR/First Aid Training.
Defensive Driving will be held monthly on the third
Saturday at 9:00am at the Administration Building A.
Please call HR at 501-666-0246 to schedule your Defensive Driving.
HR has a new email
account that all
suggestions and concerns
can be submitted
[email protected]. You can
still submit these to your
perspective location
suggestion box.
Quarterly Departmental Winners
Community Life Services and The Lacy Landers Center both were quarterly departmental winners. Both
departments met the HR goal of not having any personnel items due by the end of the quarter. HR provided each department with sandwiches and baked chips from Subway. Congratulations to Community
Life Services and The Lacy Landers Center. It is AEDD’s goal to have all employees personnel items current.
Please contact HR if you have any questions regarding personnel documents.
Same-Sex Marriage Insurance Update
Crystal Brown (right; Community Life Services) Acknowledgement Award Recipient Tameka Suggs (left; Children’s
Learning Center)
Andrea Moore (right; Waiver) Acknowledgement Award
Recipient and Patricia Curry (left; Clinical Services)
WOW
AEDD would like to recognize employees that have done something extra within their perspective departments.
Community Life Services had several employees who met the expectations of CLS during the December winter weather
storm. We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the following employees: Carrissa Akins, Mary J. Baker, Angela
Brown, Lori Chaloner, Ella Craig, Jessica Dirden, Jacqueline Dyer, Tova Ellison, Anesha Goner, Melisa Manirath, and Linda Travis. A special thank you to Crystal Brown, Robin Hunter, Michelle Marshall, Victoria Overton, Stephanie Rhodes,
Cherelle Roby, and Angela Williams for going the extra mile. These employees received a token of appreciation for all
their hard work and dedication.
Beginning March 1, 2014, Health
Advantage will allow same-sex
legally married couples to add a
spouse as a dependent to their
health insurance plan. Stating
March 1, 2014, Health Advantage
will offer a 30-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
to allow spouses that were not
previously covered an opportunity
to enroll on the health plan. After
that SEP closes, additions will only
be allowed with a qualifying life
event or at open enrollment. If you
have any questions please contact HR.
Since 2007, AEDD, Inc. has organized and directed The Miracle League Adult
Baseball games. Over 80 players gather for fun and spirited competition
each week to determine the best team over the 8 week season. This baseball league is run by volunteers through supporters of AEDD as well as AEDD
staff. Games are played at the Miracle League Fields inside the Jr. Deputy
Ballpark off of Cantrell Road in Little Rock. Each team plays one 60 minute
game per week. Games are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are
competitive and non-competitive leagues to suite each style of play. Registration for the upcoming season has started and the cost is $25 which includes a MLB shirt and ball cap. Contact Brad Hagan at (501)837-7634 or
[email protected] for more information or to volunteer. We always
need coaches, umpires, announcers and scorers and drivers.
Page 5
FEBRUARY 2014
s
y
r
t
v
i
i
e
D
March
Historian, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founded the Association
for the Study of Negro Life and History. Today, this organization is known as the Association for the Study of African
American Life and History (ASALH). Dr. Carter and this organization initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. This week was selected because it is the birthdays of former presidents Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick
Douglas. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter officially
acknowledged the month of February as Black History
Month. Throughout the month prominent historical figures are recognized for their hard work and dedication to
ensure that African Americans receive equality in America.
Mardi Gras is a carnival held in some countries on Fat
Tuesday, which refers to grand feasts held before the
fasting and prayer season of Lent, in the 40 days leading
to Easter Sunday. This is most famous in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Fat Tuesday is Tuesday, March 4th, 2014. The
city of New Orleans will fill the streets with beads, people, and innovative floats. Also many will indulge in some
of the favorite creole dishes such as King Cakes,
Étouffée, and Muffulettas.
Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious
and cultural holiday which is celebrated annually on March 17th.
It is named after Saint Patrick,
who is a well recognized patron
of saints in Ireland. The day com-
memorates Saint Patrick and the
early arrival of Christianity in Ireland. Celebrations generally include festivals, wearing of green
attire or shamrocks.
Anniversaries
Name
Amber Cockings
Coleman Lambert
Jacqualine Deguisne
Mary Owens
Years Service
18
11
10
April
Name
Years Service
Patricia Curry
26
Sherry Daughtery 17
Lekeshia Turner
7
Name
Peggy Davis
Lupale Lewis
Angelia Childress
8
6
5
10
Barbara Gardner
7
Donna Cohen
5
Marilyn McCool
Jimmy McCool
Ima Johnson
Harold Johnson
Marsha Johnson
Sandra Scott
Rose Dirden
9
9
9
9
7
7
7
7
6
6
5
2
2
2
Willie Jones
Monique Andrade
Robert Mosley
Susan Greeson
Jennie McIntryre
Michael Vaden
Jessica Dirden
4
4
4
3
1
1
1
Lisa Denton
7
1
Falana Moore
1
Lakesia Buckley
Terry Montgomery
7
5
Lorine Gooden
Nikki Long
Jeanelle Duff
Andrea Wooten
Lekisha Higgins
Valrita Meredith
Pamela
Matthews
Ranardra MaxeyJones
Larry Jenkins
Ibdelia Nelson
Shawnya Polk
5
Erica Broadway
1
Patsy Dennis
Gail Brown
Shannon Combs
Jerome Jones
5
5
3
3
Donna Whitmore
Cherelle Roby
Ayanna Hayes
1
1
1
Tamika Lockridge
Sonya Ledbetter
Victoria Overton
Tonja Bryant
Elizabeth Waddle
Mayumi Takada
Ina Chaloner
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
Amanda Johnson
1
Years Service
1
1
Winners
NewGroupHires
Production
Dennis Whitbey (Maintenance)
SGSCLC
British Burnam (Van Rider)
Easter is a Christian Holiday celebrating the resurrection of
Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary.
This biblical story can be found in the New Testament of
the Holy Bible. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of
Christ, preceded by Lent, which is a forty-day fasting.
Many Easter customs include, sunrise services, decorating
eggs, and egg hunts. Easter will be observed on Sunday,
April 20th, 2014.
Page 4
May
NEWS ABOUT YOU
Waiver
Loria Harris (Teachers Aide)
Jana Fells (Direct Support Professional)
Krystal Johnson (Van Driver)
Lise Kraemer (Direct Support Professional)
Darrell Pierce (Van Driver)
Jarriel Moore (Direct Support Professional)
Dearies Settles (Van Rider)
On behalf of your colleagues, we welcome you to Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled
(AEDD) and wish you every success here. We believe that each of our employees contributes directly to the
growth and success of AEDD. We hope you will take pride in being a member of our team. We are pleased
that you are joining us and we know that your contributions will assist AEDD in remaining a leader in this
community and in our industry.