Congrats to Alyson Rupe for receiving January’s Employee Spotlight! Alyson excels at creating a positive environment and building relationships with people in order to provide better supports.

Congrats to December’s Employee Spotlight, Christina Poitra. When a new person enrolled in the Rolla Day Hab program several months ago, Christina worked hard to get to know him through research, creativity, and encouragement. Christina used the principles of Active Support to encourage him to participate in his daily routine. He now responds to verbal prompts, reaches for objects, and pushes buttons! Plus, she ensures that he exercises every day with his adaptive bike.

Congrats to November’s Employee Spotlight recipients, Josh Nelson and Bev Halton. New experiences can be challenging, but Josh and Bev have been creative in finding ways to take advantage of natural incentives. They are also careful to pick up on cues that indicate when the person they work with is fulfilled with the new activity. The result: several successful new experiences and a broadening of horizons!

Congrats to the October Employee Spotlight recipient, Sarah Boucher! Active Supports training has taught us the importance of making sure that everybody has opportunities to participate in life as much as possible, completing tasks or parts of tasks themselves instead of having staff do things for them. Sarah integrates Active Supports principles into finances! ABLE accounts are designed so that people can save money for the future without jeopardizing benefits. Sarah provides individualized support to each person and/or guardian when opening an account. When she works with the program enrollee in person, she has him or her participate as much... Read More

This summer, PreVocational staff maximized the training opportunities provided by tending a garden to incorporate many general work skills, even selling some of the produce, making signs to decorate the garden area, and building relationships with nearby gardeners. When staff organized an event to celebrate successful community employment for a year by two program participants, they used the event to teach organizational skills, problem solving, and budgeting. Since most celebrations include food, the program worked together to create side dishes using produce from the program’s garden. The team’s creativity is developing work skills and the drive to become successful employees... Read More

Congrats to the August Employee Spotlight recipients Stephanie Marquez, Ann Reistad-Bauer, Jesika Sullivan & Dustin Alderson! Stephanie successfully established a positive relationship with the military at the MAFB Fitness Center by being proactive and providing outstanding customer service. Fitness Center staff recently expressed their appreciation when Stephanie immediately took charge of cleaning up after an incident at the facility. When a program enrollee was recently diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, Ann assisted him and his staff to learn about and implement major changes to his diet at home. She also helps him plan what to order at a restaurant... Read More

Congrats to Melissa Zietz and Robert Schaan for receiving July’s Employee Spotlight! Robert was nominated for two major achievements: (1) He successfully encouraged healthy eating habits and increased exercise for a person that had recently gained weight. Not only did the extra weight disappear, but one of his roommates also started working out at the activity center! (2) Robert helped a person transition from getting a ride to work to taking the bus to work, resulting in more independence and a greater degree of job satisfaction. Melissa utilized active support principles to change breakfast habits at 1109. Tenants were used... Read More

Congrats to June’s Employee Spotlight selections: Naomi Kelly, Mason Schmidt, and Amy Michels! When a PMC requested detailed data in order to monitor the impact of medication changes for a person enrolled at 1005, Naomi took the initiative to take the data that was requested PLUS provided additional relevant information to support adjusting the medications and assist with getting the right dosage. Mason assisted four people at 1101 with completing an art project to commemorate Mother’s Day. The project combined stepping stones and flowers, and is on display outside 1101. The project was also an opportunity for participants to share... Read More

Congrats to Wendal Ebach for receiving Employee of the Year! From daily interactions to major events, Wendal has been recognized multiple times for ensuring that people have positive experiences and a good day whenever he is around. We also hear directly from some of the men that he currently supports – the effort that he puts in to organizing and following through on events like season-long fishing tournaments and trips to visit relatives has a major impact on their quality of life and progress towards goals.