Volume 5 - EMI Steps It Up

Helping People
Build Better Lives
Since 1954
Essentials
EMI has been entertaining the
idea of a Skills Building class for quite some time
that targeted job seekers who are interested in
learning the intricate details of job development and
also teach them a little bit about themselves along
the way.
We have seen many “generic” courses that seemed,
well, generic, and didn’t take personality, and
varying ability levels into consideration. They also
seem to miss a very important step: figuring out
what each individual is good at and what is that they
really want to do.
When our Job Developer at EMARC Metro North,
Mark Beckwith was hired, he was approached about
a possibility of starting a class but he was told that
we would need to start it from scratch.
Job Developer Mark Beckwith and job seekers Cathy Dean, Pat
Maloney and Rob Tucker in “Interview Theater”
(Photo by Heather “H-Bomb” Weikel)
Staff Newsletter
December 2010
Vol. 5
Cyndi Damon and Alex Marxsen answer questions during “Interview
Theater for the Job Search and Skills Building Class
(Photo by Heather “H-Bomb” Weikel)
Thus the Job Search and Skills Building Class was
born. Mark partnered with Matt Tetrault, (then
Employment Manager) and developed a curriculum
that not only challenges the individuals to think what is
important for them in a job but teaching them skills to
become less dependent on staff assistance. Some of
the topics include: Interests and Abilities, Resume
Writing, Cover Letters, etc.
Participants are required to attend regularly and should
complete home work assignments to hone those new
skills.
In October, Mark had introduced the class to the new
Burlington program where it was received which much
enthusiasm. It was as educational to the participants
as it was to the Employment Specialist, who is now
able to take this great curriculum and mold it to their
needs.
By all accounts, the class has been a hit with all
participants. They are eager to share their ideas,
dreams and eager to tackle the next challenge.
Article by Cub Reported Alex “Eagle Eye” Marxsen
The Job Search and Skills Building Class is always looking for people who do hiring and interviewing from area
business and companies to help out with Interview Theater! If you know someone who would like to volunteer
an hour or so of their time to do “mock interviews” to help people build their interviewing skills, have them
contact Mark Beckwith at 781-942-4888 ext 5020 or [email protected]
What Are You
Curious About?
Do you feel lucky?
Do ya?
Do Ya???
Lucky Birthday
Winner
For January is
Nancy Woolman
Is there part of the Agency that you’d like
to learn more about? Curious about a
program, activity, group, committee or
event? Got a suggestion for an article? Or
for a StaffLight? Drop us a line!
Residential Supported
Living Director
Congratulations,
Nancy!
[email protected]
We want to know what you think!
LifeSaver
Awards
LifeSaver Winners for December!
Nomination forms can be found at S:\Blank
Forms\LifeSaver Nomination Form.doc, or you can get
one from Cyndi Damon in Human Resources, or e-mail
[email protected]
Sean Batchelder – Reading Life Choices Creative Expressions Instructor
Brittney Malionek – Haven Street Residential Program Director
Grace Ligunya – Reading Life Choices Nurse
Magi Lindeman – Albion Street Residential Program Director
The Staff at Haven Street – Chris Tetrault, David Allen, Nickesha Thomas, Kala Malionek, Janani
Ligunya
Laura Morabito
Every month, all eligible employees from EMARC
are put into a raffle. A computer generated lucky
number is drawn and the lucky person wins a Bravo
Basket! Bravo Basket are personalized by the Staff
Appreciation Committee using their S00per Secret
Ninja Skillz to determine what the lucky winner likes.
The Life Choices Independent Living Groups
(Reading) put the basket together. So far we have
had chocolate baskets, movie baskets, candle
baskets, coffee baskets and much more!
Assistant Director of Recreation
Department is our
December Winner!
Will YOU be the next lucky
winner?
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, December 2010, Vol 5 PAGE 2
Staff
Lights!
Mindy Calisto
School to Work Director
Kristen Smith
School to Work
Educational Administrator
You can find truly dedicated School To Work Program Director Mindy Calisto and
Educational Administer Kristin Smith working in the basement of Spruce St where they
develop relationships with 14-22 year old children and their family. School To Work has been
around for 8 years and provides transitional work opportunities for these developmentally
disabled persons after school as they learn new skills and prepare them as they age out of
the school system.
Mindy holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in French from local Saint Anselm College. She
had previously worked in a residential setting which was a hospitalized locked unit and
wanted a more personable approach to improving quality of life. Mindy has worked for
EMARC in the department for 3 years starting off as a Specialist working her way up to
Assistant Director and to her current position of Program Director. Her job entails directing
and managing day to day specialist and student schedules, job development, progress
writing, data inventories, developing program policies and supporting her 9 staff. Mindy also
is a classroom instructor at Reading Memorial High School in the special education life skills
classroom and is currently in Nursing School.
Kristin is from New Jersey and possesses a BS in Elementary Education, Special Education
Certification for students with moderate disabilities, and over the summer finished her
Masters in Education from Fitchburg State College. She was a special education classroom
teacher for 5 years; 3yrs in Pennsylvania and 2 yrs at Beverly School for the Deaf before
joining the EMARC team last January. Kristin was looking for 1:1 student support driven work
that was also more personable, which was what School To Work provided. Her job includes
collaborating and communicating with various school districts, coordinating contracts for
student services and providing vocational assessments that the school district feels is
necessary. Kristin also helps develop and helps other specialists utilize the curriculum and
supports her supervisor Mindy on any director assignments or if she is more familiar with
parent situations/communication. On top of that, she provides support to two Reading and
Stoneham students with job development, life skills development, and social skills. Kristin is
very, very dedicated to supporting others with the skills she possesses that she even tutors
students after work! Her schedule is packed but she still manages to find the time to belong
to a bowling league!
Submitted by Cub Reporter Aimee Levesque
When one door closes, another door opens……
We said goodbye to a dear, old friend this month; Lebanon Street, or the Men’s House, as it was
sometimes still called, had been an EMARC home since the 1970’s. People who lived and worked there
enjoyed the 3 story Victorian house located in the heart of Melrose, but after many years of service, it
was closed down on December 9th. But, as with the end of every story, a new story begins, we’ve
opened a new house on Woodcrest Drive in Wakefield!
This lovely, two-story home is located in a great neighborhood with access to many amenities.
It is the new home to Stephen, Ed, Billy, Joe and Sean, formerly of Lebanon Street. Of the
other men who used to live at Lebanon Street, Rich and John have moved to the Cliffside
house in Malden and Peter has moved to the Haven Street house in Reading.
HUGE props go out to Tracy Hanson, Residential Program Coordinator for organizing
everything, and for making it such a homey atmosphere; to Anne Tetrault for organizing the
medical stuff; and to Director of Residential Services Tina “Fearless Leader” Claydon. Also
thanks to Brittney Malionek and Chris Tetrault for helping to unpack all the chaos! And to
Mark Mahoney’s team of John Costas and Dana Carr for all the moving and fixing; and Bob
“The Builder” Apse for his building skills, Bob Doyle for the electrical work and Paul Connelly
from Haven Floor Covering Center for all their fantastic work!
Ed, Stephen and Billy enjoying a first supper!
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, December 2010, Vol 5 PAGE 3
Awards for General
Awesomeness
Melina Struthers, QUEST Expert and
Survey Consultant Extraordinaire
wins the She-Ra Award for all her
hard work in helping us to prepare for
QUEST, THANKS MELINDA!
Reader Rewards!
Last month we asked you
to do a little detective work
and search the EMARC
Facebook page for photos
from the Tucker Event.
The lucky winner is Tina
Claydon, Director of
Residential Services!
This month, to enter into a drawing for a $75
gift card, you’ll need to read the EMARC
Essentials Newsletter carefully. Send an email to [email protected] with the
answer to this question:
What was EMARC’s overall Certificartion
score for QUEST 2010?
CEA artists were busy painting, glittering and otherwise
decorating handmade ornaments for the 9th annual
Festival of Trees. The event, which took place on Saturday
and Sunday December 4th and 5th at the Parker Middle
School in Reading, is an important fundraiser for Reading
Technology and Education Foundation, Inc. RTEF
provides funding for teacher initiated technology grants.
This is CEA’s first year participating in this event, and the
excitement level was high.
Photo by Heather “H-Bomb” Weikel
CEA Artist Hoang Nguyen seen here painting ornaments for the EMARC
Tree which was donated to the Reading Festival of Trees to support the
Reading Tachnology and Education Foundation.
CEA artist Hoang Nguyen stated “I am happy to decorate a
tree to help raise money.” The theme of the CEA tree was
“All That Glitters”, and featured glittering handmade
ornaments custom crafted by CEA artists, as well as a
50.00 gift card to Natural Elegance Jewelry. The Center for
Emerging Artists, a program supported by EMARC, fosters
the artistic talents of individuals with disabilities. EMARC is
located at 20 Gould Street in Reading. To learn more check
out www.TheEmarc.org
Article by Ace Reporter Amy “A-Bomb” Ruiter
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, Vol. 2, December
2010, Vol 5 PAGE 4
During this holiday season and throughout the rest of the year
EMARC’s services play a critical and important role in the lives of
many hundreds of individuals and their families. I consistently hear
from families how grateful they are about the positive impact that
EMARC’s services has on their lives. EMARC’s ability to consistently
perform at such high levels is due to the spectacular group of staff and volunteers that day in and day out keep their focus
on implementation of our mission.
As part of our ongoing quality assurance plan we routinely seek critical feedback from program participants and their
families. The feedback we consistently receive confirms that EMARC is providing the services promised, addressing
individual needs and is helping people build better and more productive lives. This conclusion was just recently validated
by a formal Department of Developmental Services (DDS) quality assurance review.
Every two years EMARC undergoes an extensive re-certification and re-licensing review by the DDS’ Office of Quality
Enhancement. The purpose of this review is twofold: First is to certify the quality of our supports and services and the
second is to review the organization’s compliance with all applicable contracts and regulations. This is an intensive review
process that involves virtually every aspects of the agency’s operation. DDS’ survey staff assesses: the quality and
quantity of EMARC’s services; the effectiveness of our fiscal, management and human resource systems; the upkeep and
maintenance of our buildings; our record keeping systems; our in-house quality assurance systems and processes; and a
variety of other operational functions.
I am pleased to say that once again the quality of EMARC’s services and operational systems was validated by this
review by being awarded a Two Year Certification (the maximum available) with an overall Certification score of 95%.
Below are some of the comments noted in the official DDS Office of Quality Enhancement report:
• The agency had maintained many commendable practices while continuing to develop innovative systems and services.
• There was an agency wide emphasis on the training and support of a well educated, diverse, and creative staff.
• The agency supported a variety of both large recognition events and smaller but meaningful acknowledgement for the
day to day efforts of individual staff, helping to create a positive work environment and contributing to good staff morale.
• The agency had effective systems to manage risk, utilizing HCSIS as required and maintaining its own data collection
and internal reporting systems.
• Emergency systems such as on-call and evacuation plans and procedures were responsive and effective.
• There was an agency wide effort to include families as an integral part of people's support team. Family members were
regularly included in agency wide, site and individual specific meetings and events.
• Staff strongly supported people to maintain a variety of relationships including family, friends, ex-housemates, ex-staff,
as well as neighbors and co-workers.
• The agency is supported by an active and involved Board of Directors and through a flexible and dynamic strategic plan.
• EMARC continued to be locally active and supported individuals and staff to give back to their communities in a number
of ways.
• The agency supported a well trained and creative workforce, and maintained a number of innovative and effective
systems and services that led to positive outcomes for the people served.
Submitted by Cub Reported Terry “T-Dawg” Kennedy
EMARC’s New Community Partnership with Longhorn Steakhouse
“29 million tons of food waste each year, or enough to fill the Rose Bowl every three days. Nationwide, restaurant food
scraps make up 17 percent of what we send to landfills. “ Locally there is a restaurant helping make a change. And here
at EMARC we are benefiting. Longhorn Steakhouse of Reading has recently started donating food that would otherwise
turn to waste. Longhorn along with Christine Burke (one of our awesome Program Coordinators) work together every
Thursday morning to get some great food into our residences. The items we are getting are of great quality. In the
morning when cutting steaks and salmon sometimes they end up with some odd pieces that just don’t quite make the
correct portion size. There are also times when mistakes are made and caught before they leave the kitchen. Those items
are immediately frozen for us. Last but not least… Sometimes they over order and things go off the menu. The companies
which provide these items will not take them back. So we are lucky enough to receive them. I have walked into a couple
different homes where I have seen the people we support enjoying great steak, salmon, and recently some phenomenal
scallops. Christine has set up a great system where the houses receive these donations in a rotating order. So far its
going great! We would like to take this time to thank Christine and the Longhorn Steakhouse for its participation.
Longhorn is located at 39 Walkers Brook Drive in Reading… feel free to stop in and say thanks!
Submitted by Cub Reported Tom Barton
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, December 2010, Vol 5 PAGE 5
Pat, the CPR/First Aid Attack Weasel
Wants to know if you’re Certified!
All staff who work in Group Homes, Supported Living, Life Choices,
Employment Services or Transportation are required to have current
certification in Adult CPR and First Aid. To sign up, please contact:
Christine Burke, ext. 5031 ([email protected]) or
Kathy Custer, ext 4045 ([email protected])
Please remember that you MUST sign up for a class in advance to attend:
CPR
12/16/10 11a-1p
1/10/11 11a-1p
1/11/11 6p-8p
1/26/11 1p-3p
2/7/11 1p-3p
First Aid
1/12/11 1p-3p
1/24/11 11a-1p
1/25/11 6p-8p
2/2/11 6p-8p
2/21/11 1p-3p
O
Oppeenniinnggss @
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We have room for new staff! If you know someone who is interested in
joining the EMARC family, have them speak with Cyndi Damon 781-9424888 ext 4015 for more information and minimum qualifications.
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Program Manager: 40 Hours
Program Director: 40 Hours
Supported Living Mentors: Hours Vary
Employment Specialist/Mentor: 40
Hours Reading
Driver: 20 Hours Reading
Driver: 20 Hours Reading
The Mall…. Just another joy of the holiday season! No Parking to be found, a 20
mile hike (through the rain and snow) to the entrance. Finally inside you find over
priced products, being gobbled up by mobs of shoppers. As you try to make your
way through the crowd WHAM! You are hit in the face with the must be mustard
gas, only to hear the perfume counter girl whisper “eau de expensive “before it all
goes black. When you finally come to you find yourself in crumpled in the corner,
covered in expired coupons desperately clutching a credit card bill the size of your
mortgage. Wish you could just skip it all? Well you can! The answer is to bring
your Holiday list to a CEA event. CEA artists have created a gift for everyone on
your list. From the girl who has it all (EMARC limited edition signature bracelet!) To the Sports Fan Dad (Fenway and
Gillette Cards, Tees and Magnets) to that special someone (Swarovski crystal earrings). The best part about shopping
CEA is that everything was created by Artists supported by EMARC, and each artist receives a commission for her/his
work.
Now imagine shopping in a calm atmosphere, finding everything you need, and leaving with your wallet and you
conscious both happy. That is the CEA shopping experience. Check us out online at http://www.theemarc.org/ You can
also find Natural Elegance on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/naturalelegance Submitted by Ace Reporter Amy “A-Bomb” Ruiter
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, December 2010, Vol 5 PAGE 6
The HR Corner
Want to save some$$? Are you a member of the
From the Desk of Cyndi Damon, EM ARC Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plan? If you
Human Resources answered YES….Take advantage of all it has to offer!!
Get discounts, learn from popular health and wellness
articles, and explore condition management programs.
It’s easy! Just go to: www.BCBSMA.com
click member section and create an account.
My Blue Health
Once you've registered and taken the health assessment,
you will receive personalized action plans and suggestions
for healthy resources to help you achieve your wellness
goals, including articles, recipes, trackers, and more. Online
lifestyle management programs and online communities
provide the support you need to start making healthy
changes.
Living Healthy Smoke Free
If you're ready to quit smoking (or ready to get ready)
SM
Living Healthy Smoke Free program can help.
Enroll in our multi-session telephone counseling service*
with experienced counselors who will help you set a date
and prepare for quitting, and give you helpful advice and
support along the way. Nicotine replacement products (like
the patch and gum) and Zyban are covered on your
pharmacy plan. To use your pharmacy benefit for smoking
cessation products (including over-the-counter aids), ask
your doctor for a prescription
Safe Beginnings
Save up to 15% on an extensive selection of child safety
products and infant and toddler accessories from
The Catalog for Safe Beginnings. Visit
www.safebeginnings.com. When ordering, make sure to
enter code BCMAW for the group number.
Vision Discounts
Your Blue Cross Blue Shield ID card is your key to 25%
savings on frames and lenses and 20%
savings on dailywear contact lenses
(10% on disposables) at over 1,500 participating eyewear
retailers in New England. To find a participating Davis
Vision eyewear discount provider, just call 1-800-515-3388
or visit the Davis Vision website at www.davisvision.com
Save on Laser Vision Correction Procedures
You may be eligible for up to a 25% discount on laser vision
correction procedures.
Drugstore.com
Take advantage of the special offers on
health and wellness products available
through drugstore.com.
If you have a Flexible Spending Account, drugstore.com
has now made it simple for you to use it with the
introduction of their new FSA Store. The FSA Store
contains products that are most likely to be eligible for
reimbursement—all in one easy-to-shop location. Plus, the
new FSA Manager keeps track of your eligible purchases
and provides you with a receipt to submit to your FSA
administrator for reimbursement.
Drugstore.com is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Massachusetts retail pharmacy network. This means you
can order up to a 30-day supply of your prescriptions online
at their website. Up to a 90-day supply of your prescriptions
may be purchased with the Mail Service Pharmacy Benefit.
Weight Loss Benefit
Provides $150 toward fees paid for a qualified Weight
®''
Watchers (Weight Watchers Traditional or Weight
Watchers at Work programs only) or hospital-based weight
loss program.
Contact Lenses Never Looked So Good
Enjoy special savings and the convenience of mail order
delivery through the Lens 123® program.
To get started, just call 1-800-LENS-123 and identify
yourself as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
member. Then fax or send in your current contact lens
prescription. Most orders will ship within 24 hours of faxing
in a valid prescription or calling in a reorder.
Health Resources
Social networking is a great way to share tips and
experiences, engage in health dialogue, and make
supportive connections. My Blue Community is your online
destination for social health and wellness.
Fitness Benefit
Provides up to $150 that your family can
use toward membership or exercise
classes at a health club.
EMARC Essentials, Staff Newsletter, December 2010, Vol 5 PAGE 7
January 2011
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
National Eye Care Month * National Blood Donor Month * National Mentoring Month * National
Get Organized Month * Birth Defects Prevention Month * Bath Safety Month * Celebration of Life
Month * International Creativity Month * National Soup Month * National Staying Healthy Month *
National Thank You Month * Hot Tea Month * National Braille Literacy Month *
NEW YEAR’S
DAY
2
7
8
14
15
PAYDAY
Makara
Sankranthi
(Festival of
Harvest) in India
3
4
Festival of
Sleep Day
National
Motivation and
Inspiration Day
5
National
Trivia Day
6
Svyat Vechir
Russian &
Ukrainian
Christmas Eve
9
10
16
11
17 MARTIN
Feast of the
Santo Nino in the
Philippines
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13
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25
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Australia Day
27
28
29
Squirrel
Appreciation
Day
LUTHER
KING DAY
24
The uniting of
Moldavia and
Wallachia 1859,
30
12
PAYDAY
HOW “HAPPY NEW YEAR” IS PRONOUCED ALL OVER THE WORLD:
31
Arabic: Kul 'aam u antum salimoun Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo means "Good Parties
and Happy New Year" Chinese: Chu Shen Tan Czechoslavakia: Scastny Novy Rok Dutch: Gullukkig
Niuw Jaar Finnish: Onnellista Uutta Vuotta French: Bonne Annee German: Prosit Neujahr Greek:
Eftecheezmaenos o Kaenooryos hronos Hebrew: L'Shannah Tovah Tikatevu Hindi: Niya Saa
Moobaarak Irish (Gaelic): Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit Italian: Buon Capodanno Khmer: Sua Sdei tfnam
tmei Laotian: Sabai dee pee mai Polish: Szczesliwego Nowego Roku Portuguese: Feliz Ano Novo
Russian: S Novim Godom Serbo-Croatian: Scecna nova godina Spanish: Feliz Ano Neuvo or
Prospero Ano Nuevo Turkish: Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun Vietnamese: Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan
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December
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F
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31
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11
18
25
Birthstone: Garnet
Flower: Dianthus caryophyllus or
Galanthus
Capricorn (December 22 to January 20)
Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
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February
W
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