“To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities for persons with severe disabilities.”
EEO/AA/M/F/D/V

DIRECTOR’S CORNER
By: Phil L. Taylor
I hate to take up my whole article on the legislative process that just occurred, but it is probably one of the most important things that has happened to us in the last few years.  Or, I should say that it could have had the most devastating effect on AUI and its consumers had the legislators not fixed some of the problems in the special called session in May.  Although not every thing was completely fixed, we are reasonablely sure that we have basic and stable funding for the next two years in our state contracts for services.  There are many Acts that were passed that have some affect on us, but I want to mention some of the most significant.  It is important for all of us to realize how close we were to losing some of our funding for consumer services.

In the area of revenue and budgets the legislature finally completed the session with agreeing on a compromise revenue plan.  It was one that raised some tobacco taxes and imposed a 3 percent surcharge on state income taxes. This measure is estimated to generate about $95 million in new revenue next year.  The fear that Medicaid Services could not be maintained was remedied by producing sufficient new money for the state primarily by this and several smaller revenue bills.  This in particular had a lot of implications for our programs had the funding not been found.
A balanced budget was adopted for state agencies for the next two fiscal years and spending priorities were set. The legislature is tapping several sources of "one time" money, to balance the budget. About $25 million is being drawn from the Property Tax Relief Fund and about $14 million is coming from the Unclaimed Property Proceeds Trust Fund.  The 3 percent surcharge on income taxes and cigarette and tobacco levies helped also.  I realize that due to a slump in forecasted revenues is forcing the agencies to reduce some of their budgets that rely on general revenue funds.  I’m not sure just how this may affect some of our state contracts that have a lot of general revenue funding used for purchasing services.  At this point there may be some slight cuts in one or two of our programs, but I have not been notified of any thus far.  Other important legislative actions were:
 Division of Medical Services: Act 17 (SB 23) - First Extraordinary Session, 2003
• Restores February 18, 2003 cuts of $7,469,149 in Salary Savings and Medicaid Programs.
• Special language changes the State Medicaid Program - Personal Care Program to allow reimbursable personal care services seven days a week.
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services: Act 16 (SB 22) - First Extraordinary Session, 2003
• 277 positions, including 85 positions transferred from the Division of Medical.
• Restores February 18,2003 cuts of $1,036,837 in Salary Savings, Operating Expenses, and grants to Community Programs.
• Provides for the transfer of management duties and state and federal appropriations of the Children's Medical Services program from the Division of Medical Services to the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services.
• Provides additional appropriation of $12,526,369 in FY04 and $24,426,369 in FY05 in Grants/Patient Services to develop community Behavior Health Centers, add 600 individuals to the Medicaid Wavier Program and accommodate federal grants.

I hope this helped to understand some of what went on.  Keep up the good work.
 
 

Jennifer Ball      1st
Bobbie Fisher    1st
Rick Alsup   2nd
Peggy Hudson  10th
Mary Starling    10th
Rocshell Bryant  12th
Heidi Hannan      13th
Sandra Porter      13th
Shane Davis         14th
Jennifer Johnson  16th
Billy Lambert       16th
Earline Coleman  18th
Alex White          19th
Carrie Armstrong  21st
Sandra Grimes    24th
Sherry Veteto     24th
Adrian Mitchell  28th
Jennifer Alexander  29th
401 K Open Enrollment
For employees currently participating in the 401 K Retirement Plan, now is the time to make any changes. If you would like to increase or decrease your salary contributions, please let DeeDee know by Friday, June 20th. Employees who are just now eligible to participate, I will be sending you notification of your eligibility this week. Then, those of you wanting to participate for the first time have until June 13th to notify DeeDee so she can arrange a meeting with a representative from The Principal. As always, you can change you investment mix at any time by calling the TeleTouch Interactive Voice Response System at 1-800-547-7754. Have your social security number ready and our contract number (428773.)
New Store Hours
The AU Retail Store is now open from 8:30a.m.-6p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• Donations accepted.....
• New Stock arriving daily...
• AU employees receive 20% off

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited
Shane Davis   Flex
Kelly Gregg  ACS Implementor
Jackie Rice  ACS Implementor
Tina Freeman  Van Driver-Blytheville
Tracy Lee  ACS Implementor
Stephanie Darr Work Instructor
Julia Qualls  ACS Implementor
Sandra Porter  ACS Implementor
Chad Heap  ACS Implementor
Gloria Roark  ACS Implementor
Rocshell Bryant ACS Implementor
Jennifer Ball  ACS Implementor
Marilyn Murray ACS Implementor
Megan Easley  ACS Implementor
Cynthia Cassulis ACS Implementor
Dianna Dennison ACS Implementor
Teresa Selvy  ACS Implementor
Hope Moody  Retail Store Cashier
Elizabeth Spencer ACS Implementor
Patrick Pattee  Flex
Jimmy Goodson Flex
Kathy Wells  ACS Implementor

              Incentive Award Winners
The following incentive awards were chosen for the months of March and April. The safety winners were Brenda Porter, Darren May, Patty Brewer, Julie Pieri, Jeannie Hyde, Brian Simons, Lorene Gibson, Alex White, Saprina Aldridge and Treece Speed. The attendance winners were Charles McKinley, Mike Chism, Paul Gunter, Vicky Goodwin, Stan Arnold and Mary Mooney. Quarterly safety winners were Brian Rookey, Charles McKinley, Paul Gunter, Stephanie Gotay, Mary Mooney, DeeDee Daniel, Carrie Armstrong, Kathy Branscum, Paul Hedge and Saprina Aldridge. Quarterly attendance winners were Darren May and Paul Gunter. The grand prize attendance winner for March and April was Shannon Agee. She will receive four hours off with pay! Thank you all so much for your hard work!


June Jamboree at the Unlimited
? June 7th -13th   Lavender tickets are 40% off

? June 14th -20th Orange tickets are 10% off

? June 21st -27th Orange tickets are 20% off

? June 28th Orange tickets are 30% off

Father’s Day drawing to be held on June 14th. Come in and register to win!
 

Proof of Residency
The following is a list of employees who have yet to turn in their proof of residency. It is very important that you see to this as soon as possible. If you have received a fingerprint card from us, please return it soon! Contact Carrie at ext. 32 if your name is  on the list. Supervisors - contact your employee if you see their name on this list. Every employee has to have this in their file according  to DDS guidelines. We need your cooperation to complete this. It is your responsibility to make sure we receive this as soon as possible as it is a requirement for your position.

Kimberly Cavaness  Joanne Dean
Kathy Wells   David Brown
Teresa Selvy   Erica Smith
Tina Freeman   Sue Nelson
Marilyn Murray  Jason Heath
Cynthia Cassulis  Crystal Lackey
Chad Heap   Bobby Willis
Sandra Porter   Michael Clanton
Julia Qualls   Micah Ballard
Shane Davis   Stephen Posey
Patrick Pattee
 
 

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain.
- Helen Keller
 
 

Memorial Day Barbeque
The Blytheville site had a barbeque in honor of Memorial Day. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled and all the staff, consumers, and some family members gathered outside to enjoy lunch and conversation with each other. A good time was had by all and they plan to do this again for the Fourth of July!
    AU Softball Team
With warm weather comes the much anticipated softball season. The Abilities Unlimited softball team is coming off of a somewhat disappointing last season and are looking to redeem themselves within the coming weeks. The team members are Alex and Tressa White, Darren and Katherine May, Patty Brewer, Kim Head and her parents, Kim Young, Daniel Crawford, Stephanie Darr, Latonya Anderson, Scott Humphrey and Chris Paslay.  The team plays within the D-League at the Southside Softball Complex on Friday nights. Come out and support our team!!  CPR & First Aid Training
If you are working in direct care as an implementor, work instructor, supervised living trainer, etc., you are required to be CPR/1st Aid certified. You can call the American Red Cross directly and schedule a time to do this. The number is 932-3212. However, you must pay for the class up front. If you will bring in your receipt for these services, you will be reimbursed. This is one of your job requirements so it is your responsibility to take care of this. If you have any questions, you can call Sherry at ext. 10. Thanks!
 

May Service Awards
Congratulations to Betty Sailor, ACS Implementor and Christy Wyatt, Counselor/Case Manager in Blytheville on celebrating their one year anniversary with Abilities Unlimited. They both received a certificate for their dedication and hard work! Thank you both for all you do!
 

Consumer Services- JonesboroThe Double Standard
By Janet Gregory
 
Across the country, children and adults with disabilities (in all environments - work, school and home) are being held to a higher standard than those who impose the standard.

On numerous occasions I have heard it said that a consumer is “lazy” or “he likes to take the easy way out”.  When we say things such as this I wonder if we realize that we are passing judgements on that person using a double standard.  When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand?  Or balanced your checkbook with a piece of paper and pencil ?  My guess would be that you, like me,  used a computer to compose a letter and a calculator to balance your checkbook.  Yet often times we expect our consumers to spend a great deal of time on these obsolete skills and wonder why they want to “take the easy way out”.   We must remember that we are endeavoring with our program to help the individual with a disability to become integrated into the community and have as normal a life as possible.

We must allow our consumers to have some say in how their daily routines will be structured.  We must allow them to decide, as much as possible, how they would like to spend their time.  When writing a goal plan, the coordinator must first attain what goals the consumer wants to acquire.  Likewise, it is the responsibility of the direct service provider (implementor) to allow the consumer to have input into how and when the goal will be implemented.

It is important for all of us to be aware of the possibility of a double standard and strive to always put the consumer and their needs above our own.   It is important to remember that individuals with disabilities should be able to (1) be included and supported in all environments, especially those with individuals without disabilities, (2) live self-directed lives that are full of choices and opportunities and (3) attain personal goals that are relevant and meaningful to them.

Summer Luau
There will be a wonderful day of fun in the sun for all consumers at the Personal Adjustment Center ( 710 Walnut Street) on Tuesday June 10th.  Admission will be $3.00 and snow cones will be sold for 25 cents a piece.  The activities include a dance, bobbing for apples, water balloon toss, water limbo, sand digging, and a hula hoop contest.
 

 “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood - make big plans, aim high in hope and work.”
-Daniel H. Burnham

Remember :You and your consumer (when working together)  are able to access ( free of charge) the YMCA ... Have a fun summer!
 
 

Case Note Requirements
By Kim Young
Most implementors  are good about telling their supervisors  where and when they take their  consumers.  However, there are more requirements needed to complete  case notes than just the where and the when.   The following are a few of the issues that need to be addressed in case notes:
1.  Tell which goal you are working on (if you do not have a list of goals, see your supervisor).

2. Document any progress or regression you notice in your consumer’s goal activity.

3. Be specific in describing how you are trying to achieve or maintain a goal.

4.  It is very important that you write clearly enough that your supervisor (and DDS) are able to read your notes.

5.  Remember to write your name and your consumer’s name on all pages that you turn into your supervisor.

Please see me if you have any questions.