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

The Director’s Corner
By Phil L. Taylor, Executive Director
 
 

As I mentioned last month, we are opening a full satellite at Blytheville. All of the initial consumer services staff has been hired and each received three or more days of training in Jonesboro.  The consumers were actually started on April 22nd  and we had 22 the first day and 27 the second day and it is still climbing.  There are several in the referral stage and a few others that are interested in coming into the program but  their paperwork has not been completed.  The Production Supervisor  has been on the job a week and we still lack a Branch Manager.  All of this is great news and I am really proud of everyone’s effort on our staff.  Lorene Gibson and Darren May have been interviewing the business side and will supervise the Branch Manager.  Cheryl Heskett and Patty Brewer have hired the consumer staff and Patty will primarily supervise them.  We have completed all of the necessary licensure and certification visits by DDS and ARS to get everything going.  Much of the month of April will be involved in getting all of the plans set up for everyone in their various programs.  Two industries are working with us to help provide some of the work assignments we need for rehab and WAC consumers.  The staff and consumers at Blytheville have done a great job helping to get everything cleaned and set-up.  We have gotten so much positive feedback from everyone in Blytheville and truly realize that the need in that area is enormous.  We are so lucky to have been able to hire the caliber of staff we needed for that site.

At this point we have gotten the two State vans (1999 and 2001 w/lift) transferred to us from the program that closed.  With those we have been able to start running the three routes that the previous work center had.  This takes us all of the way from Osceola to Leachville.  After two weeks with one driver we are trying to hire another one to take one of the routes.  We are in the process of purchasing the other necessary equipment to bring their program completely up to speed.

Another significant thing that is going on is the beginning of our budget process.  That also means that most everyone’s performance evaluations are coming due in the next couple of months.  That process will help to establish each person’s training plan for the coming year.  That training is necessary for us to meet all of the applicable standards for training and to work on need areas identified in the performance evaluation.  I want to end this with my thanks for everyone’s efforts in working with our consumers.
 
March Service Awards

Trisha O’Neal, Darrell Marks and Amy Ellis all celebrated their one year anniversary with Abilities Unlimited and received a certificate and pin.  Also, Charles McKinley recently received a plaque and pin for five years of service to our company and Paul Gunter has been with us for ten years and received a plaque and pin as well.  Thank you all so much for your dedication to Abilities Unlimited!

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited

Saprina Aldridge  WAC/AD Aide Blytheville
Jamie Allen   Cashier - Retail Jonesboro
Kimberly Bobo   WAC/AD Aide Blytheville
DeJean’ Brown   Production. Suprv. - Blytheville
Michael Brown   Flex - Production
Laura Clark   WAC/AD Supervisor Paragould
Fredric’ Estell   WAC/AD Suprv. Blytheville
Cassie Graves   Flex - Paragould
 

       Happy
             April
                Birthdays
 
Sue Masters    5th
Crystal Lackey   11th
Ruthie Beal    12th
Vicky Goodwin   19th
Michael Harris   20th
Jamie Allen    21st
Karen Butler    21st
Lynda Dillon    24th
Kelly Nelson    24th
Kelly Gilbert    28th

Kelly Nelson    24th
Kelly Gilbert    28th
Travis Honeycutt  ACS Implementor
Susan Kercheval  ACS Implementor
Megan Levacy   ACS Implementor
Sue Masters   Counselor/Case Mgr.  Blyth.
Jim Stanley   Driver - Blytheville
Jennifer Williams  TWC Implementor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
INCENTIVE AWARD WINNERS

The incentive award winners for January and February were chosen from a drawing at the February staff meetings.  Two employees at each meeting were chosen from all eligible employees to win a prize for meeting safety requirements and for maintaining perfect attendance.  The safety winners were: Kitty Swindle, Jean Williams, DeeDee Holland, Penny Pickrell, Alice Waddell, Vicky Goodwin, Darren May, and Mike Chism.  The attendance winners were: Alex White, Jan Parker, Phil Taylor, Penny Pickrell, Stephanie Gotay, Vicky Goodwin, Mike Chism, and Bobby Cater.  And the grand prize attendance winner for February is Mike Chism.  He will receive four hours off with pay.  Congratulations to all of you!!
 

HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
 
We are in the process of getting our quotes in from the insurance companies for our health insurance renewal. Open enrollment is April 1st - April 30th, so we should know something soon.  I will send a memo to all employees eligible for the insurance to let you know the dates and times we will be having our enrollments.

 
MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT
“USE IT, OR LOSE IT”

Medical reimbursement of funds for the year May 1, 2001 through April 30, 2002 is coming to an end.  This is a reminder to be sure and use these funds as soon as possible.  If you have any funds left for this above listed year, please submit any outstanding receipts on the appropriate reimbursement claim form.   REMEMBER, IF YOU DO NOT USE THESE FUNDS, YOU LOSE THESE FUNDS!!  If you have questions, please call Alex White or Lorene Gibson.