Memorandum - Division for Regional Center Operations

Memorandum
To:
Pueblo Regional Center Staff
From:
Tracy Myszak, Director of Division of Regional Center Operations
Date:
June 3, 2015
Re:
A thank you and an update
First, I want to thank you all for participating in the staff interviews recently conducted by Lynch
Service Co., an outside firm. It was a productive process, and we learned a lot. That wouldn’t
have happened without your cooperation.
This valuable feedback allowed us to begin to review and improve operations at the Pueblo
Regional Center. I know we all share the goal of maintaining the center as a safe and caring
environment for the individuals who call the Pueblo Regional Center home.
One of the main themes we heard from you is a need for more and better training. In response,
we have set up a number of training sessions:
●
●
●
●
●
CPR and First Aid training/re-training sessions this month and next month.
We also will have four-hour sessions on two occasions to train employees in the Eden
Alternative, a cutting-edge philosophy that affirms care as a collaborative partnership.
In addition, in July we will have mental health treatment experts from CDHS’ Office of
Behavioral Health instruct direct care staff on ways to best deal with residents’ mental
health needs.
Staff with supervisory responsibilities will receive additional training on leadership and
staff supervision to make sure they have the skills and support to do their jobs well.
We will re-train staff on abuse hotline reporting requirements.
I want you to know that I am committed to continuing to improve training. It will be an ongoing
priority, with even more training sessions to come.
You also expressed concerns about the handling of abuse reports that go through the Regional
Centers abuse reporting hotline. We made changes and want you to know that the abuse
reporting hotline is now answered by third-party staffers who are not employed by the Pueblo
Regional Center. In response to those who expressed concern about possible retaliation, let me
be clear, we will not tolerate any retaliation for reporting abuse or neglect. Everyone at the
Pueblo Regional Center has the responsibility to convey abuse or neglect concerns so that we
can ensure all residents are safe and well.
Some of you mentioned concerns about the lack of adequate food and fresh fruits and
vegetables for the clients at the homes, a situation we’ve also addressed. We met with the
Pueblo Regional Center dietician, staff coordinator and shopper to develop a multi-faceted plan
to ensure houses are appropriately stocked and that menus take individual tastes into account.
We have better planned snacks and plans for what to do if supplies run low. We have heard from
you that this is already improving!
Some of you told us that you were concerned that Pueblo Regional Center management did not
spend enough time in the houses or interacting with residents. In response, we are enacting
protocols to address those concerns. You will see managers on a regular basis in the homes and
at programs, interacting with staff and residents. Managers have reported that they too enjoy
getting out and meeting with staff and clients.
I also wanted to take a moment to address the staffing situation. We are actively recruiting for a
director for the Pueblo Regional Center, direct health care staff and RNs. It is our goal to fill these
positions quickly with qualified professionals who share the same goals we all have -- to have a
positive environment that emphasizes high quality care. We will keep you updated on hiring
these positions, and encourage you to join us in welcoming these new employees.
Finally, we heard some staff ask to be more involved in a fair and equitable staffing schedule that
honors our residents’ desires for more consistent staffing. We look forward to working with all
staff, including Colorado WINS members, to address this important issue.
To be sure, there is more to come, but I wanted to update you on the progress we’ve made so
far, and also to sincerely thank you for your help. Your honesty and openness is helping to
identify ways to continue to make the Pueblo Regional Center a satisfying place to work and a
wonderful place to live.
2