“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

There has been a lot of  “buzz” around here lately.  It seems to have been caused by a little form called a 360 Feedback form.  Some are concerned that they will be misunderstood if they give feedback that is not very favorable to their supervisor.  Others are very concerned that they will be rated unfavorably by their employees on areas where they have no real control.  Others are concerned that the feedback will be a part of the evaluation and again will have some sort of negative impact which is not the case at all.

Everyone who knows anything about management knows the benefits of getting feedback.  During the evaluation process supervisors are rating employees’ performance and giving them feedback on what they perceived to have been their performance during the year.  When these supervisors are evaluated by their supervisor, the same process is repeated.  However, one important piece in rating that supervisor’s performance is how that performance is perceived by their employees.  The 360 Feedback will add that other dimension to this  process.  Although the 360 Feedback will not affect the rating of the overall evaluation, it will provide opportunity for discussion on certain areas. After all, the evaluation process is a way to determine how a person is performing at their job functions, what they need to improve upon, and then use some of those needs to establish training goals for the coming year.

This year for twenty-two management personnel the evaluation process is much more involved with items dealing with how they are performing certain HR functions that are a specific part of their job responsibilities.  Also, the supervisors will be looking at some of the capacity management activities they have performed during the year.  These management responsibilities are a way that everyone can help the organization achieve greater goals in the future.  Other information on everyone’s  form will deal with general work skills which are important to everyone’s productivity which actually robs it with lost work time.  All and all the evaluation has changed greatly and offers a greater opportunity to deal with what should be most aspects of an employee’s involvement with the organization.

There are numerous reasons for these improvements in the evaluations.  Most everyone has declared that the old evaluations were not adequate.  We have to make the evaluation be consistent with the job descriptions as recommended by one of our licensing agencies.  The HR feedback had to be added because we have experienced a huge problem with supervisors not completing timely HR functions which caused us stress during our licensing renewal process and in some cases could have caused deficits  in the area of our employment guidelines.  Also, the job keeping skills are often overlooked but really speak to people being prompt and focused on their work.  Deficits in these areas can rob the time needed to perform a job competently.  And, the 360 Feedback adds more information to open up dialogue with an individual on how their employees feel about some of their skills and some of their perceived needs for things like training, feedback, inclusion, etc.

It is a fact that annual performance evaluations have to be completed in order for our organization to keep its licenses and certifications to provide the services we do.  No one likes doing them, but I truly hope they  more fairly recognize the many efforts of very good employees who truly identify with our mission.  To all of you who meet that criteria I truly take my hat off to you and thank you on behalf of all of our consumers.  Keep up the good work.Happy Birthday!!
Marsha Mars  8th
April Rinkines 8th
Crystal Lackey 11th
Stephen Posey 12th
Ruthie Beal  12th
Megan Easley  18th
Vicky Goodwin 19th
Michael Harris 20th
Karen Grant  21st
Sue Nelson  23rd
Boyce Cate  30th

Blytheville News
By: Christy Wyatt
Things are calm here in Blytheville. There is a strong focus on staff performance and attendance and the employees have responded well. We have had a lot of staff changes lately and we think the changes are positive. The employees we have right now share our vision and values so we expect great things over the next several months.
A new 45 foot wheelchair ramp is being built and will be installed on Good Friday if all goes well.
Paul Hedge resigned as of March 12th to go to Nursing School. He was a good sport when we suggested that we have a cookout and that he be the star attraction in a dunking booth or a pie-in-the-eye contest. The consumers and staff all had a good time throwing whipped cream pies at Paul in the front yard.

Welcome to A. U.
Michelle Cain  ACS Implementor
Becky Vinson  ACS Implementor
John Cornish  Flex
Phillip Cornish Flex
Ryan Holt  ACS Implementor
Rhiannon Morgan ACS Implementor
Cynthia Graves ACS Implementor
Felecia Pique  WAC/AD Aide
Brett Casey  Flex
Brandy Shelton WAC/AD Aide
Carrie Hopper ACS Implementor
 
 

March Service Awards
Congratulations to Judith Taylor and Crystal Lackey on their one year anniversary with A.U. Each received a pin and certificate for their hard work and dedication. Keep up the good work!
 
 

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced; live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.       - Cherokee Saying
Medical Reimbursement
Medical reimbursement of funds for the year May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004 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 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 any questions, please call Lorene Gibson.

New Inventory of Formals and Bridal Wear
Are you or someone you know still looking for a Prom dress? Well, we can be of help. The Jonesboro retail store also has a large inventory of prom and pageant dresses and bridal wear for that special occasion. These dresses are gorgeous and are priced at a fraction of the cost you would pay in department stores. We know that prom can be an exciting but sometimes expensive event so let us help you make this year memorable without breaking the bank!!
      
CHRONIC MENTAL ILLNESS  BRIEF
by Christy Wyatt, L.S.W.
This is the second in a series of articles regarding diagnoses of chronic mental illness (CMI).  Its purpose is not to teach staff to diagnose consumers, but rather to help staff see the difference between symptoms of mental illness and learned behaviors.  The characters in the articles do not depict anyone known to the writer.

PANIC DISORDER
Edwin is sitting next to you, and begins to wheeze.  He starts to have a wild look in his eye and is clutching his chest.  His breathing is becoming increasingly labored.  He says that there is a buzzing in the top of his head, and you can see that his face is flush.  You check his pulse which is 160.  He tells you that everything looks yellow.  He  doesn’t know who you are, or where he is.
Edwin is having a panic attack.  A panic attack is a sudden production of adrenalin resulting from the fight or flight reaction to anxiety producing thoughts or situations.  Panic attacks usually seem to come out of nowhere.  Some theorists state that it is the subconscious that is involved in an anxiety producing thought process.  For example, Edwin may have been assembling some parts and talking about a school function, while his subconscious was remembering a very difficult test that is coming up and how his father hit him the last time he came home with a “D”.
Panic Disorder is two or more attacks or a persistent fear of having another attack.  Panic disorder may come with an array of symptoms that do not seem related.  Some such symptoms might be present when there is no panic attack at all.  Such symptoms might be upset stomach, tingling in the extremities, poor equilibrium (feeling like one is standing up in a rowboat), chronic diarrhea, and depression.  When the panic attack comes it might include a feeling that one’s body parts are not one’s own or feeling like they are unfamiliar.  One might have the feeling that a familiar place or person is not at all familiar.  The victim might become disoriented to the point that they cannot find their way out of a building, or might lose track of how they came to be there.  He/she might not be able to decipher what people are saying.  He/she might and may see a golden haze over everything, or see everything as if it were in slow motion.  There may, of course, be problems with fast heartbeat and high blood pressure during the attack. Some people have bronchial spasms which cause their throat to make a wheezing noise, usually during a nasty bout of hyperventilation.  The bronchial spasms and pounding heart cause increasing panic starting a cycle that sometimes ends in a fainting spell.  While unconscious the person begins to breath normally eliminating the danger of lack of oxygen.
About 60% of people with panic disorder have major depression.  Many develop persistent beliefs that they have life threatening illnesses especially when the panic disorder is undiagnosed.  They tend to feel like they are losing control of themselves, they are weak, they are “going crazy”, and may shy away from situations they think might cause further attacks.

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. There will be mandatory meetings regarding the changes with our insurance providers during this time. You will be notified of these scheduled times within the next few weeks. AFLAC will also be holding mandatory meetings this month for eligible full time employees. Please be considering your coverage options during this time.
Spring Fling at the Unlimited
? April 3rd -April 9th  green tags are 40% off
? April 10th - April 16th green tags are 50%off
? April 17th - 23rd  blue tags are 20% off
? April 24th -30th  blue tags are 30% off
 
 

Consumer Services   - JonesboroKNOW YOUR RIGHTS
By Stephanie Gotay
This month we move to the second amendment fo the constitution in our review of the Bill of Rights.
Amendment II
“A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
At the time this amendment was written, it was critical to the safety of each individual and their family as well as to the nation.  When our country was in its early years, there was no organized army to defend it nor were there police to protect individuals from danger.  Each individual held the responsibility of protecting there own families as well as being armed to protect the nation should the need arise.  Today, with police protection available and armed service men in place to defend our country, the situation is very different.  Still, the right to bear arms is one of the basic rights provided to us as U.S. citizens.  Along with this right immense responsibilities are attached.  Gun owners are increasingly held more responsible for the guns they own and nay actions involving these guns.  Through ongoing legislation and court decisions, this amendment continues to be challenged.  The debate is not an easy one as there are strong opinions on both for and against gun control.  Over the past years, their have been some limitations and monitoring systems put into place regarding gun control.  Further changes regarding the second amendment are possible in the coming years as legislation continue to struggle with this issue.
Employee of the Month
It takes special people to do what we do! .   It takes someone with a kind heart, a purpose in life and a love of their fellow man. We are fortunate enough  to have many such wonderful people.   Beginning this month, we would like to honor some of the unsung heroes of our company.
Judith Taylor  has been selected as our April  employee of the month.  Judith is incredible.  She is a wonderful room mate.  She took a consumer into her home almost a year ago and two months ago she took another consumer into her home.  She now is a room mate to a married couple.  She manages their needs and activities and assists them in coping with married life, very independently.  She organized most of the preparations for the couple’s wedding and hosted it in her home.  Judith has amazing patience and compassion - she always puts her consumer’s needs before her own and sets an example that leaves her supervisor in awe.  We are honored and grateful to have her on our team!

Amazing People
Jim Abbott, born in 1967, was a southpaw pitcher who went directly from the University of Michigan to the California Angels pro team.  Prior to becoming a professional pitcher, Jim played in the Pan-American Games in Cuba, won the Golden Spikes Award honoring him as the best armature baseball player in the US, and participate on the 1988 US Olympic baseball team.  In 1992, Jim began pitching for the New York Yankees where he played a no hitter (1993).  He has since gone on to play for the Chicago White Sock and the Milwaukee Brewers.  Although Jim Abbott is without question, an outstanding pitcher, what makes him even more extraordinary is that he is a one handed pitcher.  Jim was born with only one hand.  When pitching, Jim held hi glove under his right arm.  After a pitch, he would quickly move the glove to his left hand in order to catch any balls hit back to him.  Jim does not see this limitation as a disability.  It is a part of who he is, and he has made the accommodations needed to overcome and achieve.
Quick and Easy Ways to Gain a Positive Attitude

1.  Take Inventory:
 You have to realize if you are in a bad mood before you change it.  You are the best judge of your mood, however, sometimes if  we listen to other people they will let us know how we appear to them.
2.  Decide to Change
 You have to decide that you want to change.  That is not as easy as it sounds.  When we are upset, we don’t want to hear how we should be happy.  We usually just want to be left alone to wallow in our misery. You will have to make a conscious effort to change.
3.  Find the Source
 Now that you know that you are in bad mood and you have decided you want to change, you must determine the source of that bad mood.  An easy way to begin this process is to write a list of the things that are troubling you.
4.  Fix the Source
 Now it is time to address the issue or issues that are causing the bad mood.  If someone is upsetting you, then you must discuss the matter with them.  If you are worried about getting a task done, work on that task until it is finished.  You must meet the source of your bad mood head on and deal with it.
5.  Do Something That Makes You Happy
            Sometimes you just can’t fix the source of your bad mood, in this case you must find something that makes you happy and do it.  A change in our thought pattern to happier things always helps.