Summer 2013 - Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA)

Summer 2013
Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.
extraordinary people, extraordinary programs
EHCA resident Aaron Helinski gives a “thumbs up” to the Options program’s
pre-Memorial Day picnic at Presque Isle’s East Pier picnic area. In addition to
holiday gatherings, Options participants enjoy volunteering at local agencies,
gardening, cooking, making crafts, playing games, and meeting friends at the
Options studio on Peach Street, affectionately referred to as the “clubhouse.”
What’s Inside:
Message from the Executive Director
Dance, Perry 200 float
Board Notes
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Walk, Spring Swing
A Page from Our Scrapbook
Calendar of Events
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Message from the
Executive Director
The 2013-14 state budget has been passed, and it
contains both encouraging and disappointing news for
our agency. Regarding services and supports for people
with intellectual disabilities and autism, the legislature approved an increase of
8.87% for the Office of Developmental Programs. Included is $18.5 million to
serve an additional 1080 individuals on the waiting list for services. While we
applaud the governor’s initiative to increase spending and expand serves to
those on the waiting list, we are saddened by the fact that this is yet another
budget that has no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) applied to the rates for
services.
Through our provider organization, Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources
for Autism and Intellectual Disability (PAR), we requested that the legislature
appropriate 26 million dollars for rate increases of 2% for all DPW funded
community-based services that support people with autism and intellectual
disability. Such an increase to the rates was already proposed in the budget
for nursing homes and managed care organizations. Existing services for
persons with intellectual disabilities and autism have not had a rate increase
since FY08-09. Because no COLA was added to this year’s budget, it will now
be five years in a row with no Cost of Living Adjustment for existing services.
The result of the lack of rate increases is that agencies are unable to replace
vehicles, unable to replace furniture and appliances, postpone needed repairs
and renovations, often freeze or reduce salaries, freeze or reduce benefits,
and lay off employees. Since the 2% increase was not included in the state
budget, we will have to work much harder to have a COLA included in next
year’s budget.
For those of you who have advocated on behalf of the 350 people per day
supported by EHCA, we thank you. By working together we can advocate
for the appropriate funding and policies needed to maintain quality services
and supports for people who are unable to advocate for themselves.
Paul Carpenedo
Executive Director
Mary Jo Fulton
Director of Nursing & Health Services
William F. Harriger
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
James R. McMann
Director of Human Resources
www.ehca.org
Board of Directors
Timothy S. Wachter, Esq.
President
Jeffrey J. Presogna, CPA
President Elect
Edwin W. Smith, Esq.
Vice President
Edison Nicholson III
Secretary
James Thomas, Jr. MD
Finance-Endowment
William G. DeWitt
Future Planning
Andrew J. Abramczyk
Bruce E. Arkwright
Carla Barnes
Lisa Bergquist, CPA
Jeffery I. Blake, MD
Rev. Samuel W. Bourne
Jerry Cannon
Nancy Dolan
Cathy Fresch
Colleen Gildea
Andrew J. Glass
Sr. Patricia Hause
Carl Larese
Angela L. Leasure
Elizabeth F. Lechner
Carly Manino
Ellen Masteller
G. Nan Mehl
Brenda Pasko
Erie Homes for Children
& Adults, Inc. (EHCA)
226 East 27th Street
Erie, PA 16504
Ph (814) 454-1534
Fax (814) 452-6723
Paul Carpenedo
Executive Director
Management Team
is a publication of
Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.,
and is distributed three times a year.
www.ehca.org
Peg Smith-Rich
Director of Residential & Program Services
Hope Ruedy
Director of Community Services
Jonathan Rilling
Director of Development
Barbara Renker
Executive Secretary
The mission of EHCA
is to assist people with
disabilities to live rich
and fulfilling lives.
Admissions, the provision of services,
and referrals of residents or program
participants shall be made without regard
to race, color, religious creed, disability,
ancestry, national origin, age, sex, or
limited English proficiency.
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EHCA dancers swing into summer at
Partners in Dance performance
T
H
E
Our dancers rock! EHCA and Dafmark Dance Theater journeyed to the era
of big bands and swing music for Swingin' Summertime, the Partners in Dance
performance held at St. Benedict Community Center on June 13. This was the
12th season for our collaborative dance program for participants in EHCA’s
MOVE program and Dafmark dancers.
We want to thank dance instructor
and choreographer Leslie Loop,
Dafmark Dance Theater, our talented EHCA assistants, the
wonderful staff at St. Ben's, and our generous sponsors and
supporters: Arts Erie, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Erie
County Gaming Revenue Authority, Erie County Farms, and
HealthAmerica.
EHCA spirit and pride set sail
in Perry 200 Grand Parade
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H
E
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T
Our agency’s dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic crew of staff and
clients made this wonderful EHCA float in the Perry 200 Parade
possible. The crowd loved our powerful message, our smoking canons,
our squirting water, and our rotating EHCA houses. We were cheered
by dozens of staff, clients, and supporters all along the route.
O
F
We can’t list all the people who helped
with this project (you know who you are),
but there are a few names we just have to
mention: our maintenance crew
extraordinaire - John Vogel, Brack Smith,
Terry Adams, Chris Proper, Robin
Kightlinger, Ed Angelotti, Mike Swab, Louis
Smith, and Brad Trayer; MOVE director
Debra Niland; our wonderful MOVE and
Options clients; and
Shannon DeSantis of
DeSantis Janitor Supply for
the colorful “pom”
materials.
O
U
R
M
I
S
S
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N
www.ehca.org
Board of Directors Notes
I was recently asked to describe the culture of Erie Homes for Children and Adults. As I
reflected on that question, and on the last 101 years of service provided by EHCA, it became
clear that the very core of EHCA is summed up in one word – Compassion.
Erie Homes for Children and Adults was started by a group of women to care for a foundling
infant. At its most basic level, EHCA was formed to provide compassion to that child. EHCA
continued to provide services with a common theme of compassion through it’s various
evolutions and periods of growth to bring us to where we are today. Today, EHCA shows compassion to nearly
350 people each day. Whether we are providing a home, a service, or a family, EHCA does so with a
compassion that is second to none.
Tim Wachter
Board President
I often have the opportunity to bring people through our homes and the honor “...the very core of EHCA
is summed up in one
to introduce them to our agency. Whether these people are Congressmen,
State Representatives, agency or community leaders, they are all deeply moved word — Compassion.”
by what they see.
At first, I thought that they were moved by the clear physical and intellectual challenges faced by many of our
residents. I have come to learn that it is much more than that. Those we introduce to the agency are moved by
the compassion that is provided by our agency and staff. They are thankful that, should anyone in their family
have a need for our services, that EHCA exists and can provide such compassion to their loved ones. Each time
I am involved in a tour of our agency I am reminded that EHCA provides a quality of life for our residents and
program participants that they are unable to provide for themselves. There is no larger calling on this earth.
It is vital to those we serve that EHCA is able to continue to provide that level of care, those services, that
compassion, for as long as the service is needed. While EHCA has weathered funding cutbacks and regulatory
hurdles better than many in our industry – and this success is a direct result of our talented staff and board of
directors – EHCA must continue to evolve to ensure that we are able to meet the needs and demands of the
community that we serve.
This evolutionary process is necessary to ensure that we are able to continue to provide quality and
compassionate services for the next 101 years and beyond. As we continue to evolve and adapt to the funding
and regulatory realities faced by our industry, we pledge to you that we will never lose focus on EHCA’s core
competency – providing the level of compassion to our residents and program participants that they deserve.
Photo project provides opportunity
for fun, creativity, and recognition
As I See It is a photo contest and exhibition open to children and adults
with developmental disabilities. Co-sponsored by EHCA, L’Arche Erie, and
Corry Counseling Services, As I See It invites individuals to submit photos
in three categories. The only requirement is that the person submitting the
photo operates the camera, either independently or with the assistance of
an adaptive switch.
A group of professional photographers will judge the entries, and the top
25 photographs will be displayed in the fall. For additional information and
submission forms, go to www.asiseeitcontest.com.
www.ehca.org
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Over 100 residents, staff, and friends hit the trail
for EHCA at the annual Highmark Walk
What’s better than a day at the beach? A morning walk for a good cause, of
course. EHCA had 117 walkers making strides for people with disabilities
during this year’s Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community, held June 8 at
Presque Isle State Park. With money still coming in, we raised over $3,700
for the EHCA Foundation.
This is more than just a fundraising event. The
Highmark Walk is a fun-filled opportunity for our
residents, staff, families, and
supporters to be together on a
spring morning and enjoy the beauty
of Presque Isle. With every step, they
made a difference in the lives of
people with disabilities.
Spring Swing Highlights
April 19, 2013
Over 230 people attended the 12th annual Spring Swing at the Ambassador
Center. The evening included live and silent auctions, dinner, and music by
Gem City Bands. We thank host Sandra Jarecki, emcee Brady Louis, auctioneer
Tim Rocco, mission speakers Gene and Shirley Warner, our wonderful guests,
our generous auction donors and program advertisers, Carl Larese of Larese
Floral Design, and our dedicated crew of volunteers.
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www.ehca.org
Skating Party
Perry Elementary School 5th graders
and EHCA residents held a skating
party at Evans Skateland in May. The
students raised money for EHCA by
selling subs. The partnership with Perry
School brings students and residents
together and takes the “dis-” out of
disabilities.
Below: Resident Sheley Bartholomew is surrounded by jigsaw puzzles
she has completed over the years.
Resident Michael Howard received honorable mention at BNI’s
annual art show for his painting “Morning Coffee.” The painting
sold for $300.
PNC Bank awarded a grant to EHCA for the purchase of an
advanced training mannequin that will be used for training staff
in medical care and emergency procedures. Pictured from left
are EHCA’s executive director Paul Carpenedo, EHCA director
of nursing and health service Mary Jo Fulton, and PNC senior
vice president Matthew Zonno.
www.ehca.org
Nina Roggenkamp, a
direct support professional
in Titusville, received
EHCA’s Lifesaver Award
in April for using her
emergency training to save
a resident. Also receiving a
Lifesaver Award was Erie
County Options employee
Nicki Williams.
Resident Zach Silvis
graduated from Barber
National Institute on June 6.
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Calendar of Events
8 Great Tuesdays
EHCA Luncheon and Tour
Tuesday, July 16
Liberty Park, Erie
Friday, August 23
Friday, September 20
Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Residents and staff enjoyed an outdoor concert and
EHCA cookies at the tent provided by HealthAmerica.
Join us for lunch and see firsthand the work that we do. Call us
at 454-1534 to make a reservation.
Erie Elks Zoo Day
Founders’ Day
Sunday, July 21
10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Erie Zoo
Thursday, September 26
Ambassador Center
6 - 9 p.m.
This is the 6th year that Erie Elks Lodge #67 has provided
a picnic and train rides at the Erie Zoo for EHCA residents
and their families.
Founders’ Day is an opportunity for us to honor our volunteers
and celebrate our agency’s anniversary.
Erie Gives Day
Kegs & Corks
Tuesday, August 13
8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
See page 8 for details. Watch our website and Facebook
page for our traveling acorn!
Memorial Service
Saturday, October 19
Blue Canoe, Titusville
12 - 3 p.m.
Support EHCA and enjoy an afternoon of beer and wine
tasting, food, entertainment, and prizes.
Wednesday, August 21
6:30 - 8 p.m.
EHCA Memorial Garden
This event celebrates the memory of loved ones and includes
a butterfly release, symbolizing hope and transformation.
To Life!
EHCA participants
take to the stage
in local Fiddler production
EHCA resident Randy Brown and Options/MOVE participant Kristi
Hurst performed in the Millcreek Adult Special Needs Class production
of Fiddler on the Roof in April. The musical, presented at McDowell
Intermediate High School’s Little Theater, showcased the talents and
hard work of 33 actors and 30 volunteers.
Mary Hoffman, who with co-director Mary Ellen Lieb founded the
organization Inspire, has known Randy for nearly 40 years. Mary and
Mary Ellen have been producing musicals with special needs students
in their evening classes for the past 25 years.
“Theater gives them self-expression,” Mary says. “There are no limits
for that.”
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www.ehca.org
Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.
226 East 27th Street
Erie, PA 16504
www.ehca.org
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
ERIE PA
PERMIT NO 273
extraordinary people, extraordinary programs
Grow your gift
on Erie Gives Day
The Erie Community Foundation is once again sponsoring Erie Gives, a unique
opportunity to support area nonprofit organizations and earn additional matching
funds provided by the foundation and GE Transportation.
When: Tuesday, August 13, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Where: Go to www.eriegives.org
This is an online-only event. Go to the Erie Gives website and select Erie Homes
for Children and Adults (EHCA). Erie Gives requires donations of $25 or more and
only accepts Visa and MasterCard.You will receive an email receipt from the Erie
Community Foundation within 24 hours. If you intend to donate to EHCA’s Annual
Appeal this year, consider doing it on Erie Gives Day! Watch for our traveling acorn at
www.ehca.org or on our Facebook page.
Our pledge to you
you:: Every gift will be used to provide quality
services and opportunities that help people with disabilities to live rich
and fulfilling lives. Check out our website or attend an EHCA luncheon
and tour to see for yourself what a difference your caring can make.
Save the date, make a donation, and watch your gift grow.