Check out this cool resource below. Follow the link to learn more about an online platform and app to search and find accessible businesses. Friendly Like Me assists individuals and families with finding local restaurants, movie theaters, etc. that are accessible and friendly to the IDD community.
We want to recognize and congratulate Support Inc. Residential Coordinator, Richard Shaw, and Host Home Providers, Diana and Kenny Wijaya, for their amazing work. They were recently honored by Kirk of Bonnie Brae UCC.
From: Vicki Wright and Ann Karlberg, Guardian designees for Kirk of Bonnie Brae UCC.
For the past 38 years, the Kirk of Bonnie Brae UCC has served as the legal guardian for Dean McEahern who receives Support Inc. services. The mission of the church was initiated by a passionate member of our congregation, Carol Rickus, who was called to be God’s servant to the developmentally disabled. Through her activism, Carol inspired the Kirk to become the legal guardian for Dean, who at the time, was only 19 years old, without a family to advocate for him and dependent on the system for his every need.
Ann- Fortunately, Dean began receiving services through Support, Inc., an agency that provides comprehensive community-based services including residential care, a day program and clinical services. His residential program coordinator, Richard Shaw, has worked with Dean for 18 years. Richard’s consistent and dedicated oversight of Dean’s services has provided Dean with the stability he has needed to really thrive. In addition to the excellent residential care Dean receives, his life is enriched through the experiences and opportunities available to him through Support, Inc.’s fine day program. Richard has been instrumental in making sure Dean has received all the resources needed to ensure the best quality of life. We are so grateful to Richard for his devoted service.
Vicki- To tell you a little bit about Diana and Kenny, some of the most compassionate Host Home Providers/caregivers we have come across in all our many years in social work. They are Indonesian by birth and came to the US in the early 2000s when Indonesia was ridding itself of Christians and other non-Muslims. As refugees, they were dependent upon Indonesian friends who came before them. They came to Florida, Virginia, then Denver, where they were told economic conditions were better. Their network in Denver suggested that Diana apply to be a host home provider, as she was new to the community and pregnant at the time. So here they are, 20 years down the road, with 3 disabled adults living in their home, and Dean has been with them for 15 years. They puree his food, feed him, thicken his water so he can drink, help him drink, even had adjustments made to their shower so they can keep him clean more easily. And I think this is Kenny’s favorite part—they take him on vacation and to local events such as Red Rocks.
The Kirk is proud of its guardianship ministry, but we couldn’t do it without the partnership of Support, Inc. and the devoted service of Richard Shaw and Diana and Kenny Wijaya. Their committed efforts have been crucial to Dean’s well-being and very much a part of this ministry. On May 21st, all three were honored for their work with a certificate of appreciation from the congregation. Congratulations Richard, Diana and Kenny!!
Coming July 2023: New Relias Training Plans.
At the end of 2022 we began an organization wide training project. This project included cleaning up our Relias (our E Training platform) system, reorganizing Relias hierarchies, developing a backend connection between Relias and ADP (our payroll and HR management system) and redesigning our training plans. We have reorganized our Relias hierarchies to assure each employee and contractor was attached to a supervisor. The Human Resources (HR) team is in the process of changing all employees and contractor’s usernames to align with ADP ID numbers. If you have not yet received your new Relias login name, please contact your supervisor. The HR team is also making the final backend connections to integrate ADP and Relias. The final piece of this will be rolling out the new training plans. We have developed new training plans based on job title in an effort to ensure new employees and contractors joining the organization receive training relevant to the work they do. We also streamlined annual training requirements for all positions. The new training plans will be rolled out in July 2023. Watch for emails from the Quality Assurance (QA) team with an official go-live date and a comparison of the changes based on your job title. If you have any questions please reach out to your supervisor, the HR team or the QA team.
Please join us for our monthly caregiver support group. Family Caregivers, Host Home Providers and individuals in services are all welcome. This will occur virtually on zoom, June 21st, at 11am. For more information, please contact Brian at brian.slusarz@supportinc.com
We want to highlight and congratulate Roy on his recent accomplishment! Roy made the decision to leave a day program that he had been with for many years to pursue more job/volunteer involvement opportunities and community engagement. After starting his new day program, he quickly got nominated and received the Rookie Award for his hard work and dedication with his job development groups. Keep up the great work, Roy! Roy participates in Support Inc. host home program and his Host Home Provider, Kathy, has been instrumental in his success.
Please join us for our Testimonials Webinar on June 20th, 11am. This will occur virtually on Zoom. The virtual webinar will focus on testimonials from FCGs, HHPs and individuals receiving our services. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about our services and people’s experiences working with Support Inc. Two FCGs, one HHP, and an apartment individual will join us on the panel of experts. The meeting will start with a short presentation and conclude with open discussion and dialogue. We will also answer any questions that you may have. Zoom link for the webinar can be found below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85736684653?pwd=Mk1uSHE3MFlUMVpDNHFLbGpQaStuQT09
A great opportunity for IDD individuals to play softball! This event is hosted by the Beautiful Lives Project which helps people with disabilities to live their dreams through sports and other programs across the country. On Wednesday June 28, 10am-12pm, in Aurora, CO, they are hosting an event where 60 adults and children with any disability can play on the field with AAU softball players as a part of a summer tournament put on by Triple Crown Sports. The individuals with disabilities will have the opportunity to learn softball skills from high school softball players from across the country and to create friendships that will last a lifetime. Follow the link below for more information and to register.
Field of Dreams Softball with Triple Crown Sports — Beautiful Lives Project
We want to highlight and congratulate Tina who has been receiving Support Inc. Host Home services for many years. Tina has participated in Laradon`s art and craft fair for the last two years. Customers come to this art fair and purchase art pieces and the funds go straight to the creator. This year Tina had her own table with lots of paintings and specifically stuffed animals she crocheted clothes on. In her bio she said “I like to complete artwork so that I can look at them and share my happiness with other people”. This year was a big hit for Tina as she made $100 dollars which she plans to save so she can play casino games at Blackhawk! Check out some pictures below from the event.
Please join us in congratulating the Host Home Provider of the Month, Billie!!! The Denver-Colorado Springs Team is nominating Billie Allor for Host Home Provider of the Month for going above and beyond with person centered thinking for KB. KB has put several goals in place since living with Billie, and she helps him get the full scope of what needs to be done for him to achieve them. She will go in depth with planning to make sure KB understands the obstacles with his goals, and what they can do to challenge them head on. Every month, KB is always closer to reaching his goals than the month before. KB is growing more than ever, and we want to thank Billie for all that she has done to help him. We appreciate you! Congratulations, Billie!
We want to celebrate Rachael’s latest achievement! Rachael recently performed in the Spring Concert with A Positive Note. A Positive Note or APN is a music making program designed for individuals with disabilities in Colorado Springs. At the concert, Rachael sang Colors of the Wind from the Disney movie Pocahontas. She also plays the piano both at APN and at home. Rachael has limited movement in one side of her body which includes one of her hands, but she doesn’t let that stop her from rocking out on the keyboard! Rachael has been playing the piano since she was a toddler, and she has been going to APN rehearsals every Saturday for 17 years. She says, playing the piano makes her feel really happy, very full of energy, and she never wants to stop. Rachael is a great example of moving past perceived boundaries of capability. Congratulations, Rachael! Thanks for being a role model to all of us.
PHONE: (303) 340-0322
FAX: (303) 340-0385
HOURS: Mon – Thurs: 8:00am – 6:00pm
EMAIL: info@supportinc.com
15591 E. Centretech Pkwy
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 303-340-0322