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May Host Home Provider of the Month

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Whether it’s a hobby, skill or job, we all know how challenging it can be to learn something new. From learning new policies, practices and procedures to getting to know new people and personalities, it can sometimes be a lot to take in – and Migmar has done just that, rising to the challenge beautifully! Bryan moved in with Migmar and her partner, Zack, just a few weeks ago, allowing her the opportunity to wear the hat of Host Home Provider for the first time. And she’s absolutely crushing it!  

Growing up in a family involved with the IDD community, Migmar began providing respite care as she went through college. She found herself not just being helpful to her family but genuinely loving the company of the individuals she was meeting and providing care for. She pursued a degree in psychology with the goal of helping people, and in her role as HHP, she has found a way to make a real difference every single day in a very hands-on way. When asked what sort of change Bryan has brought to her life, Migmar said “Bryan is so funny! He’ll try to make us laugh every day. Plus, he gets me out all the time!” They try to get out of the house multiple times a week, going shopping, taking trips to the library, playing tennis, but Bryan would tell you that his favorite thing to do with Migmar is go to the movies (particularly horror movies because as he said, “Migmar gets a little scared and hides her face.”). 

Not only has Migmar opened her home to Bryan, but she truly goes out of her way every single day to make sure he has what he needs to live a full and comfortable life. From contacting day programs in her free time to physically walking into his place of work to help him iron out his schedule, to signing up for classes to expand her knowledge, Migmar consistently goes above and beyond to be the absolute best provider she can be. She may be new to the job title of HHP, but anyone who meets her or talks to Bryan about how happy he is in their home would know that she is the exact type of person who is meant to make a difference. Her dedication and heart have impressed everyone on Bryan’s team. We are so honored to work with such incredible people and providers at Support Inc! 

 Thank you, Migmar, for your outstanding work and congratulations on being named the May Host Home Provider of the Month!!!

 

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Kelly Completes the Highline Canal Race!

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Support Inc. individual in services, Kelly, recently completed the Highline Canal Race! Kelly was able to participate in this 5k race with the help of Ainsley’s Angels a group that recruits runners to push riders in specialized wheelchairs to give them the experience of racing. Our very own, Kelly, raced in this year’s event! Congratulations to Kelly on this special accomplishment and thank you to Ainsley’s Angels and all the volunteers that made this possible!

 

 

Intake

Intake Department News & Updates

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Greetings from the Intake Department! We are excited to introduce you to our new team structure and provide an update on the Support Inc. Intake Team.

New Team Structure:

Director of Intake and Public Relations- Brian Slusarz

Lead Intake and Marketing Specialist- Cathy Kellogg

Intake Specialist- Cindy Cridlebaugh

Intake Specialist- Kristin Kemp

Intake Team Updates:

The Support Inc. Intake Team continues to work hard with a focus on bringing new individuals, families and providers into our wonderful services. Our job is to make the onboarding process into our services as seamless and as simple as possible. Are team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition with a heavy focus on customer service. Our new team structure, with added staff resources has hopefully, enhanced the customer experience when enrolling in our services.

In addition to the above core function, we continue to search for in-home respite providers! If you live anywhere along the Front Range and are open to providing respite in the family’s home, please email us at placement.team@supportinc.com. We also continue to recruit host home providers in Jefferson, Pueblo, El Paso, Larimer, Boulder, Weld, Washington, and Yuma counties. We are also searching for providers with behavioral experience. We will pay a one-time $300 referral bonus to anyone that refers friends or family to us! (For placements that last 90 days or longer). We are also providing sign on bonuses to HHPs in certain locations. Please visit Support, Inc. – Career Page (applytojob.com) for more information.

Lastly, the Intake Team is excited to announce the opening of our new office in Sterling, CO!!! We have been serving individuals and families in Northeastern Colorado for over a decade and we’re excited to finally have a physical location in Sterling. We will be hosting an Open House BBQ Party on June 13th. For more information, please contact info@supportinc.com

QA COrner

Quality Assurance News & Updates

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June is National Safety Month, and this year the focus is on safety in the workplace.

Preventing injuries at work.

  1. Have good lifting posture.
  2. Before lifting
    • Be aware of the object’s weight
    • Make sure the work environment is flat, dry, and debris-free
    • Check that the lift direction is straight
    • Take care of any tripping risks or debris
    • Look for any muddy or slippery areas
    • Make multiple trips, don’t try to do it all at one time
  3. During lifting
    • Never twist your torso while lifting
    • Stay “nose between your toes”
    • Never lift a heavy item above shoulder level
    • Never carry a load that obstructs your vision
    • Never hold your breath while lifting, moving, and setting the load down
    • Keep the load close to your waist for as long as possible
    • Adopt a stable position
    • Don’t flex your back any further while lifting
    • Avoid twisting your back or leaning sideways especially while your back is bent
    • Keep your head up when handling
    • Get a good handhold and do not twist while lifting
  1. Always follow standard precautions.
    • Standard precautions apply to the care of all people and are applied when there is a risk of exposure to (1) blood; (2) bodily fluids/secretions/excretions; (3) non-intact skin, and (4) mucous membranes.
    • Standard precautions include:
      1. Hand hygiene: wash hands frequently for at least 40-60 seconds.
      2. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) to serve as a barrier to protect skin, mucous membrane, airway, and clothing. This includes gloves, masks and gowns.
      3. Follow respiratory hygiene/ cough etiquette.
      4. Properly handle, clean and disinfect care equipment.
      5. Routinely clean and disinfect the environment.
      6. Follow safe injection practices.
  1. Prevent slips, trips, and falls. Falls can happen anywhere. Whether it’s working at heights or tripping on the same level, you always need to keep your eyes out for hazards.
    • Keep walkways and staircases clear.
    • Practice good cord management! Secure cords and when needed, tape down power cords and cables to prevent tripping.
    • Clean up spills and messes promptly.
    • Ensure there is proper lighting.
    • Keep floors clean and dry.
  2. Be prepared for an emergency.
    • The 1st week of June is national CPR & AED awareness week. Delivering first aid quickly and effectively can be lifesaving as every second counts when someone has lost consciousness. CPR/FA training must be renewed every 2 years, to find a class near you use this link.
    • Have basic supplies: water, flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, radio, etc.
    • Be prepared for natural disasters, listen to EAS, NOAA weather radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
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The Hive Community Center

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The Hive Community Center is a new, inclusive space in Parker! Through Mill Levy funding, Developmental Pathways is sponsoring individuals residing in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert Counties to utilize The Hive. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis and only for a limited time. Even after sponsorship funding expires, all Health First Colorado members will always receive 50% off reservations. Check out the link below for more information.

https://files.constantcontact.com/b48dec08001/5b77235c-7aae-4f84-8fbe-e3c325afd60a.pdf?rdr=true

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JD Attends Monster Jam!

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Seldom do you see this young man without a smile, JD is one of the most joyful people you will ever meet. He is a curious, bright, sweet, and polite guy to everyone he meets. He works hard at his job and is the most proud, enthusiastic janitorial expert ever. He looks forward to sharing bits about his day at work with anyone who will listen. When the opportunity came along to add some extra excitement to his life, there was some mild hesitation as he is very rarely without his host home provider. They are the best bonded pair, but JD got to have a dream from TV come true, with a trip to see the monster trucks at Monster Jam. This was his first experience at a large venue and his first time taking in a show with this level of excitement and let’s face it… noise. He loved every second of it all!! The car trip to Colorado Springs, the pizza and souvenir cup, meeting the drivers, seeing the trucks up close, the noise from the fans, and then seeing the stunts and the times when trucks flipped over were some of the highlights of the day. His delight continued when the day wrapped up with a blended coffee drink topped with whipped cream. There is something amazing and so special about seeing someone experience new, thrilling events in life when they work so hard and are so deserving of great experiences like this. JD has overcome so many obstacles in his life with support from the ones who care most about him, he gets to shine and it’s the sweetest thing. Congratulations, JD, and thank you to the Pueblo Community Resources team for making this dream possible!

 

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Host Home Provider of the Month!

by Information & Resources

Please join us in congratulating our April Host Home Provider of the Month- Jackie Muniz of Pueblo Community Resources! There are so many of our providers that stand out as just all-around amazing humans. Miss Jackie Muniz is just that, an amazing human. She lives next door to her ageing father, who we all affectionately call, Mr. M. He has been a host home provider with Pueblo Community Resources since nearly the beginning, worked with many different people in services and has been a haven for CR for a long time. When Jackie noticed her father was really struggling with his health, she called us at the office to do a little wellness check right away. CR was safe and happy, but it was clear that it was time to make some changes for Mr. M to be able to focus on his own health. Jackie was more than willing to take CR in her home, having been in this field for over 30 years, she knew that she could offer a similar lifestyle and safe place that CR is most used to. He moved in with Jackie, right away and she has worked so hard to make sure he has everything he needs to feel at home. She caught on to our software quickly, she never hesitated to jump right in and has been able to nourish the relationship the CR and Mr. M have. They maintain their close friendship with daily contact and Jackie makes sure neither of them feels the changes too hard. Her home is comfortable, he is very well fed (Jackie is a stellar cook!) and she has CR out running around with her all the time. He is living his best life with Jackie! We are forever grateful to her for her attentiveness to everything with CR and Mr. M. Her care and concern are truly why CR continues to thrive. Thank you, Jackie, and congratulations on being named the April Host Home Provider of the Month!!!

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Finance Department News & Updates

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The Finance Department:

Greetings from the Finance Department. We are excited to introduce a new team member and provide an update on HHP payments.

New Team Member:

Please welcome Venita Ogle, our new Receptionist. She joined Support, Inc. in February 2024. She has a background in waitressing and title insurance. She graduated from Hinkley High School. She enjoys quality time with her family. She loves Football and watching movies with her husband of 35 years. Venita has two boys ages 35 and 21. She really loves doing arts and crafts with her 6-year-old granddaughter. In the office, Venita is providing many of the same supports that her predecessor, Tammy, did. Answering your questions or directing concerns to the right department is just one important part of what she does. We are so happy to have her on our team, ensuring we continue to provide the level of customer service we pride ourselves on.

Updates on Moving Host Home Provider Payments to ADP:

ADP is the HR Platform that Support, Inc. uses to track its employee files and run payroll. Over the past several months, we have been working with the HR Department to add our Host Home Providers (HHPs) to the same system.

Moving our HHPs over to the same system not only helps with back-end consistency but will also automate their bi-weekly payments leading to a higher degree of accuracy and fewer errors. HHPs will be able to access personnel files (see when they are coming due), personal data, and pay stubs directly through a secure online portal. In addition, HHPs can see and update direct deposit information securely.

The Finance and HR Teams are still testing the new system and have been working closely with the Operations Team to ensure a seamless transition.

More on HHP Bi-Weekly Pay:

Below is a 2024 pay schedule for HHPs. The first two dates indicate the date range within the pay period. The third date is when funds are directly deposited into bank accounts. Using ACH (or direct deposit) is the most efficient way to receive payment. Physical checks are processed using Bill.com, Support’s payment processing system, and subject to processing times of the US Postal Service.

Please e-mail us at accountspayable@supportinc.com with any questions or requests.

In the Spirit of Gratitude:

We, the Finance Team, want to give a big thank you to all our Department Teammates, Support Leadership, Directors, Associate Directors, Coordinators, Direct Support Professionals, Providers and Caregivers. We are so grateful to each one of you for partnering with us.  We appreciate your patience as we encounter challenges that arise from the implementation and integration of new systems.  As part of the Support Family, you have our commitment to bring you the best customer service possible.

Common Question Topics for Finance and Where to Direct:  

Host Home Provider Payments – accountspayable@supportinc.com & hradmin@supportinc.com

FCG-IC Payments – accountspayable@supportinc.com

FCG or Employee Pay History – Can be found in your ADP Portal under “Myself”- “Pay”- “Pay & Tax Statements”

Bill.com Questions/ Payee Account Set up – accountspayable@supportinc.com

Verification of Income/Employment Requests for HHP  – hradmin@supportinc.com

Verification of Income/Employment Requests for FCG-ICs – accountspayable@supportinc.com

Verification of Income/ Employment Requests for Employees or FCGs – hradmin@supportinc.com

Medicaid Redetermination Questions – Lily.kirkman@supportinc.com

Social Security Benefits & Paperwork Requests – Lily.kirkman@supportinc.com

Cigna and Other Insurance Benefits Questions – hradmin@supportinc.com

 

How do I update my direct deposit information?

  • If you are set up with an ADP account, Log into ADP, under “Myself” – “Pay” – “Payment Options” from there you can add or edit the bank information we have on file.

 

  • If you are not set up with an ADP account, e-mail accountspayable@supportinc.com. Please include your support team in case we need to contact you with any further questions.
QA COrner

QA Department News & Updates

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Over the Counter (OTC) Medications:

We would like to give a reminder about over the counter (OTC) medications. This could include scheduled medications such as Zyrtec, Claritin, Vitamins, eyedrops or it could be as needed (PRN) medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Neosporin, etc. When purchasing these items for the person(s) you support please make sure you label the medication and the box with the person’s full first and last name. Because these items usually aren’t being filled by the pharmacy they will not come labeled with the person’s name. The labeling of these medications is a regulatory requirement.

For PRN medications, if the person(s) you support has a prescription medication ordered PRN, such as inhaler, rescue seizure medication, etc. you need to always have these medications available in the home. For over-the-counter PRN medications such as Tylenol, Robitussin, Milk of Magnesia, etc. we do not expect you to have these available in the home. These over-the-counter medications are likely to expire before you need to use them, and they are easy to get when they are needed from any local grocery store or retail pharmacy.

Please reach out to info@supportinc.com if you have any questions.