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Support, Inc. Welcomes New Medical Coordinator

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Please join us in welcoming Hannah Ivey as our newest Medical Coordinator!

My name is Hannah Ivey. I’m from Austin, TX and moved and have only been in Colorado since May 17th. I received my bachelor’s degree in Clinical Exercise Science with a minor in Healthcare Administration and hope to utilize that degree to bridge the gap in healthcare services to many populations. I have previously worked in vet medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, and optometry which has given me insight into various medical fields and driven me towards community health.

I hope to become an avid hiker, camper, climber, and be involved in snow sports in Colorado, but my tolerance to the altitude is not the best just yet! I look forward to learning from everyone and feel very fortunate to have found a team so aligned with my own goals.

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Abe is Living His Best Life Thanks to Agnes

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Moving from your family home to a new setting can be stressful and unfamiliar. But when Abe was matched to Agnes, his team felt confident this could be a great match.

Agnes came to us as a very strong and confident provider and also a breast cancer survivor. Danielle (Abe’s Residential Program Coordinator) relays that Agnes is always very humble, polite and respectful to talk with. We couldn’t think of anymore more deserving to win this recent Host Home Provider of the Month nomination!

Danielle submitted these details on Abe’s behalf- Agnes has been a great fit for Abe with his medical needs. Not only is Agnes a nurse with many years’ experience, she also understands the social and emotional needs of Abe. Abe had a great time visiting Glenwood Springs thanks to Agnes bringing him on a small weekend trip. Between joining Support, Inc.’s Day Program and living with Agnes, Abe has been happy as pie. One of his favorite things to do is listen to Garth Brooks with his provider!

Agnes knows another couple at Support, Inc. and they are Host Home Providers, as well. When Abe recently celebrated his birthday at the bowling alley, he had a great time hanging out with the other individuals in services. He loves outings to the bowling alley, so this was a real treat. In addition, Agnes has a young daughter, and Abe greatly enjoys spending time with her. His face lights up when he sees her, and he loved socializing with everyone in attendance. All in all, it was a wonderful day for Abe and his providers!

We cannot brag enough on Agnes’ behalf- Agnes, along with his guardian, make sure to take Abe to all of his doctor’s appointments in a timely manner. They ultimately ensure his needs are being met, and Abe has flourished in his new setting in the last several months. Agnes understands the importance of documentation and always keeps her team in the loop on recent updates. She knows how to manage his G-tube and provides the excellent medical care he deserves. The quality of life she relays remains top notch. We thank Agnes for being such a great provider and for going above and beyond on Abe’s behalf!

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. For 2022’s Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI will amplify the message of “Together for Mental Health.” We will use this time to bring our voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care through NAMI’s blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and national events.

One in five adults experiences a mental health condition each year. This means mental illness stigma affects a significant chunk of the American population, including people in offices and worksites across the nation.  These numbers rose through the pandemic as people struggled with grief, isolation, economic hardships, and anxiety related to COVID-19. Because mental illness is so prevalent, conversations about mental illness are more important than ever but, that doesn’t mean these conversations are easy. Breaking the stigma and common misconceptions surrounding mental illness allows us all to live healthier and happier lives. Stigma is when someone, even yourself, views a person in a negative way just because they have a mental health condition. Learning how to avoid and address stigma are important for all of us, especially when you realize stigma’s effects:

  • People experiencing mental health conditions often face rejection, bullying and discrimination. This can make their journey to recovery longer and more difficult.
  • Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States.
  • Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services and treatment get the help they need.
  • The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is 8-10 years.
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth ages 15-24 and the tenth leading cause of death for all Americans.

Many people living with mental health conditions often don’t feel comfortable talking to friends and family. Even worse, individuals living with mental illness often internalize the stigma that exists in our culture, damaging hopes for recovery. Being aware of the language we use can be a good first step to reducing stigma.

You can read a message from the HCPF Executive Director regarding mental health awareness month in Colorado through this link.

You can also read the White House’ A Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2022 thought this link.

To learn more about NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Mental health Awareness month, you can visit NAMI’s website through this link.

Every day brings new hope. Every day, we have an opportunity to help create broader understanding of mental health, overcome stereotypes and break down barriers. We can all do a little bit more each day to eliminate stigma and replace it with help and hope.

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Residential Updates

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The Residential Team continues to expand to meet the demands of new admissions now and in the future. As we move through 2022, we continue to get closer to our goal of 7 Residential Teams, each consisting of one Associate Director (AD) and 4 Residential Program Coordinators (RPCs).

Our newest team Denver Metro 4 is led by Associate Director Liz Hildebrand. Liz previously was the Associate Director overseeing our Colorado Springs Region. Liz is joined by RPCs Anna McFarland and Jordan Ocana. We welcome Jordan as the newest member of the Residential Team! Liz and team cover the entire metro but will have a special focus on the Denver Metro North region.

Liz Hildebrand, Associate Director for Denver Metro 4

Jordan Ocana, Residential Program Coordinator for Denver Metro 4

 

Our total team count is currently at 6: Denver/Colorado Springs (AD Danny Hill), Denver Metro 1 (AD Becca Peloquin), Denver Metro 2 (AD Danyelle Grajeda), Denver Metro 3 (Lieke vandenBerg), Denver Metro 4 (AD Liz Hildebrand), and Loveland (AD Brian Slusarz).

Our 7th team (Denver Metro 5) will help us keep caseloads small as we prepare for new admissions that we expect to take on as a result of the State of Colorado increasing their commitment to funding the release of more DD waiver slots.

We continue to hire for RPCs to round out our existing teams and also start building Denver Metro 5. If you or someone you know may be a good fit, please put them in touch with any member of our Residential Team and/or direct them to the jobs page on our website.

As always, please reach out to a team member if you need assistance or have questions.

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Leslie Travels to Lincoln, Nebraska

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When our Host Home Providers send us photos from a weekend expedition, we love to live vicariously through the family! Leslie had an excellent time during a recent trip to Nebraska. Henry (her Host Host Provider), relayed how they use out of town trips to bond with family and also individuals. Henry and his wife, Nelke, also prepared to turn around, in case Leslie didn’t want to travel all the way to Lincoln. What a heart of gold these providers have, to be so flexible with no expectations attached to their trip.

Henry and Nelke also planned ahead by budgeting two hour stops into the drive, to ensure they fulfilled her needs.

Upon checking in at the Marriott hotel, located in downtown Lincoln, the receptionists were so sympathetic. They realized Henry and Nelke care for Leslie and felt especially touched by their career choices. The next morning, Marriott Staff surprised the family by providing a discount for the stay.

The trip continued with a tour to Sunken Gardens. This special place is the only garden in the state of Nebraska to be listed in the National Geographic Guide to Public Gardens 300 Best Gardens to Visit in the United States. Henry reports that Leslie had a blast. The flowers were vibrant and beautiful, with bright pops of color.

She kept on requesting me to buy Mother’s Day gift for Nelke. Instead we surprised her with a balloon and a stone with wonderful words ingrained on the stone.

Henry and Nelke believe Leslie enjoyed the trip, as evidenced by following indications- When driving home, she started loosening her grip on the front seat and fell asleep for a nap. Normally, Leslie hangs on tight to the seat in front of her. In addition, she thanked the couple for the trip once they arrived home. And before Leslie fell asleep that night, she asked Henry when they’re heading to Las Vegas.

We can’t thank Henry and Nelke enough for bringing Leslie on their trip! As we always say, we truly have the best providers. We thank Henry and Nelke for their kindness and dedication to Leslie. We also thank Danielle for nominating these two for Host Home Provider of the Month.

If you’re interested in applying to become a Host Home Provider, please visit this link to learn more.

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Greg Lands a New Job

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At Support, Inc. we pride ourselves on helping our individuals reach their goals. When Greg reported that he wanted make some extra money and create new relationships, the team worked on a plan to help Greg make his dreams a reality. Through working with DVR and a job coach, Greg was able to land a job at Goodwill in Northern Colorado. There, he was able to learn new skills, meet new people, occupy his time in a positive manner, and make that extra money.

Greg has been working at Goodwill now for 6 months and has expressed that he enjoys the independence he gets, in a setting that is positive for him. His favorite part of the job is pay day, where he is able to cash his check and spend his money the way he wants to. More recently, Greg has expressed interest in gaining his driver’s license and has begun saving for a car. At work, you can find him interacting with customers, helping his co-workers, and showing people the car he is saving for. Outside of work, you can find Greg shopping, enjoying leisure activities, finding new celebrity gossip to share, finding new cars to save for, or looking for a way that he can work more hours.

Big thanks to Greg’s residential team for helping Greg reach this milestone!

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Host Home Provider of the Month

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Please join us in congratulating Sophia on her Host Home Provider of the Month award! This nomination was submitted by Jared, on behalf of the Denver Metro One Team-

I am writing this on behalf of Sofia Escobedo and the amazing work she does with her individual in services. Sofia had her individual J placed in her home in the summer of 2020 and has been an extremely supportive and hands-on provider. She is very aware of his needs at all times and does everything within her power to make sure he is comfortable. She is also a strong advocate for J and makes sure his voice is heard by his team and the other individuals in his life.

Sofia has always been extremely compliant with her paperwork and understands the job fully. She takes pride in her work and is always quick to respond to her teammates if a question or concern arises. She understands J’s limitations and is able to help facilitate for him, and that allows him to engage in all of his planned events. She also helps him get to his appointments on time, especially his virtual clinical appointments.

All in all, Sofia has shown herself to be an exemplary provider and Support, Inc. is fortunate to have her. J has grown as an individual since joining her household and no greater compliment can be paid to her than that. Thank you Sofia for your continued hard work and attention to detail. You deserve the honor of Provider of the Month.

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Ryan Lives Life on His Own Terms

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If there’s one thing we love at Support, Inc., it’s helping individuals reach their goals. Ryan recently joined us for services, and his dreams of living independently have now become reality. Ryan was excited to move out on his own and reports he is loving his new space!

Ryan relayed that the move was a smooth transition from his Host Home Provider’s residence to the apartment. His apartment borders Aurora and Denver and is nestled nicely into a suburban sprawl. Ryan relocated to a trendy area in Denver where some of the space around him is still being developed. Still, the large park next door is available for walks and an Arc Thrift Store is just down the street for shopping. There’s a Starbucks within walking distance, along with several other restaurants and a grocery store. When asked what he’s enjoyed most about moving out on his own, Ryan replied

I love the freedom of doing what I want, when I want. In the past, I’ve had staff on top of me. With Support, Inc., I have the freedom to be myself and make my own choices.

Ryan looks forward to buying new furniture soon, unpacking his remaining boxes and settling into his new bachelor pad. His job remains a grounding element in his life as he adjusts to living in a new place. When he’s not working, Ryan is involved in super cool activities, like singing the National Anthem at local sporting events!

As the conversation wrapped up, Ryan explained what he’s liked about working with Support, Inc.

You guys offered a lot more things to do than other companies, like overnight outings in the summertime. Camping and stuff like that is fun. From the day I moved in with Asdesach to having my own place, I’ve been supported the entire time, and my team always goes above and beyond. They ask me to come up with ideas of what I need, and I appreciate that.

Ryan’s story is one of many we are happy to share! We currently serve over two dozen individuals living on their own in the community and offer our expertise to those that need it.

If you’re currently enrolled in the DD Waiver in the state of Colorado and would like to explore a new setting, don’t hesitate to contact us! We help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find new apartments, connect with host home options and also serve constituents through our Family Caregiver Program.

We understand each situation is unique- let’s chat and see how we can help you explore DD services! Contact us at Intake@support.com

Support, Inc. redefines the life experience for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1989, Support, Inc. has evolved into the premier provider of community-based solutions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the entire front range of Colorado. We offer residential services, along with clinical, nursing and social supports, to the individuals we serve.

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Congratulations to Our New Quality Assurance Coordinator

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We are growing and so is our Quality Assurance department! Congratulations to Nick Sickels on his acceptance of the Quality Assurance Coordinator position. Nick has been with Support, Inc. for about a year- many of you know him through his work as a Residential Program Coordinator on our Denver- Colorado Springs Team. In his time here, Nick has excelled as an RPC as he built rapport with the individuals he serves, providers and families, while always have an eye for quality and compliance. He will be moving into our new Quality Assurance Coordinator role in May. We look forward to seeing Nick’s contributions to the agency continue in his new role.

Stay tuned for more updates on the quality initiatives this year!