“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 hope this will help to update you on what’s been going on lately within our organization. We have finally obtained the property located at 317 Main that the former Blytheville  workshop program had owned.  We are in the process of getting it ready for a retail store.  We are having to do some renovations to it.  This includes taking down some freestanding office panels in order to open up one large room where the main part of the store will be; some electric, heat and air work; roof, ceiling and wall repairs; painting; and replacing all of the store front windows. This should put the approximate 5,000 sf. portions of the 20,000 sf. building back into service as a thrift store.  There will be support services and training for some of our consumers at that location as well.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we have hired a Staff Attorney,  Leif Hamman who has been on board for about seven weeks.  He has hit the ground running and at the present is working three days a week for us.  He has reviewed and helped to write two policies for Board approval and made some recommendations for changes in the Administrative Manual.  He is studying all of our procedures and policies regarding negligent hiring, wrongful termination, ADA, and Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment and the new HIPAA regulations.  He is beginning to advise us on some of our procedures dealing with terminations.  He will be helping in many areas that deal with both legal advice and representation.  In the future we hope to develop avenues for parents that may allow them to help provide for the life long needs of their children in the form of special need’s trusts.  We will  assist with some of the legal and the life care planning issues.

As I reported to the Board, I began a management training program in January that dealt with four different management levels and the roles of management for 22 staff.  This training outlines what their core competencies should be in their specific jobs and what they need to become in the areas of management skills, professional activities and PR, vision, and strategic planning.  Each person received an individualized manual with a suggested one year plan of how to carry out each level of training objectives on a quarterly basis.  As I  work through the senior management on this training being carried out, I believe by this time next year we will have much of this accomplished. This will greatly improve the depth of our managers in each of these levels.  Our organization will greatly benefit by having staff that can demonstrate competencies in a wide area of management skills.  With this soundly in place I will be able to train and transition more management duties to my senior management staff.  And, with Blytheville becoming financial stable, I will be able to direct my efforts toward some of most pressing initiatives.  I really believe I am at the point of being able to put much more emphasis on building our income diversity.  I believe strategically we need to have a near equal income of that from Medicaid.  This would help us survive in case of major federal cuts in any of these programs.  I believe the way to build that diversity quicker is to go in the retail store direction and open up more stores.  We presently plan to look to the Jonesboro area for our next location after the new Blytheville store is up and running.  I will be addressing this in my three-year strategic business plan in the next few months.

Upon the advice of our insurance carrier we have changed our policy and procedures with employees who are hurt on the job.  They will have to sign and follow the prescribed procedure for their location or community which will require that their supervisor is notified and in some cases HR is notified, the company nurse (a function we pay for separately with our carrier)is called, be authorized by the company nurse to see the specified company doctor or clinic in their area, and that a drug test will be performed on everyone at the time they go to that doctor or clinic.  These new procedures will be disseminated in the next few weeks.

Again, I appreciate everybody’s efforts on behalf of the consumers.
September Birthdays
 

Martha Orr  2nd
Paul Hedge  4th
Chris Pitts  7th
Margaret Meadows 11th
Jacklyn Martin 12th
Carrie Hopper  14th
Hassan Amegdoul 16th
Elizabeth Flaga 20th
Latoya Gates  25th
Tina Cornelius 27th
Marion Morgan 29th
Roger Hudson 30th
 

August Service Awards
Several employees celebrated their one year anniversary with A.U. this past month. They are Jacklyn Martin, Angie Hilliard, Boyce Cate, Thomas Webb, Shamika Davis and Cindy Lambert. They each received a pin and certificate for their dedication and hard work. Jon Legvold and Janet Gregory celebrated their five year anniversary in August. Each were invited to attend the Monthly Board Meeting where they received a pin and plaque. Camille Harris celebrated her 10 year anniversary with A.U. in August and she also received a pin and plaque for her dedication to Abilities Unlimited.
 
 

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited!!

Jessica Germano ACS Implementor
Elizabeth Flaga ACS Implementor
Alisa Smith  ACS Implementor
Carrie Henley  Waiver Intern
 

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
-Thomas Edison
 
 

Continuation Of Group Health
Coverage Notice
A federal law (Public 99-272, Title X) known as COBRA(Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) requires that most employers sponsoring group health plans offer employees and their families the opportunity for a temporary extension of health coverage at group rates in certain instances where coverage under the plan would otherwise end. This notice is intended to inform you of your rights and obligations under this continuation coverage provision of the law. This summary of rights should be reviewed by both you and your spouse (if applicable), retained with other benefit documents, and referred to in the event that any action is required on your part. If you are an employee of Abilities Unlimited covered by its group health plan, you have a right to choose this continuation coverage if you lose your group health coverage because of a reduction in your hours of employment or the termination of your employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct of your part.)

If you are the covered spouse of an employee, you have the right to choose continuation of coverage for yourself if you lose group health coverage for any of the following reasons: the death of the employee; the termination of the employee’s employment or a reduction in the employee’s hours of employment; divorce or legal separation; employee becomes entitled to Medicare; or the dependent ceases to be a “dependent child” under the terms of the group health plan.

In the case of a covered dependent child of an employee, he or she has the right to continuation of coverage if group health coverage is lost for any of the following five reasons: the death of the employee; the termination of the employee’s employment or reduction in the employee’s hours of employment; parents’ divorce or legal separation; employee becomes entitled to Medicare; or the dependent ceases to be a “dependent child” under the terms or the group health plan.

Under the law, the employee or a family member has the responsibility to inform Abilities Unlimited, Inc. of a divorce, legal separation, or child losing dependent status under the plan. This notification must be made within 60 days of the date of the qualifying event which would cause a loss of coverage. This notice must be in writing, and should be sent to : DeeDee Daniel, Abilities Unlimited, P.O. Box 1207, Jonesboro AR 72403 

New Thrift Store Location for Blytheville
By: Christy Wyatt

The new property has passed into our hands this last month and work is beginning on the area, which is to be the thrift store. The clients are excited about being able to do something different in cleaning up the property. Some of them may even get to do some minor parts of the refurbishment. Since work is in short supply, it is a great relief to have something new to do, and in a new location. The store space is about 2,000 square feet with large plate glass windows across the front. It is one large room and will serve us well for the purpose of a store. The face-lift that Shorty Carmichael is giving the store will make it a bright and airy space. This purchase has also brought us several vehicles and some other rather exciting properties including trucks and vans.
 

Bargains at the Unlimited
It’s time to buy school clothes once again! Are you hoping to save a little money this year? Or, maybe you would like to earn some money from last year’s clothes. If so, shop or consign at the Unlimited in Paragould. It’s the ideal shopping experience if your looking for “like new” items. The Unlimited sells career, kids, men, women and teens clothing.
Consignment items are accepted during store hours, which are 10a.m.-5p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by appointment. The Unlimited only accepts high- quality, brand name merchandise allowing us to offer an up-scale inventory at incredible prices. We encourage everyone to come and see what we have to offer as well as what you might have to offer us!
 

Just a Friendly Reminder
It is really important that you make sure that you put your name and consumer names on every page of your time sheet. We have to make sure there is a note for every day that is on your time sheet. If we get a case note with no name, you may not receive pay until you resubmit a case note. Thanks!
 
 
 

YMCA has lots to offer!
If you are looking for an ideal recreational area for you and your consumer, the YMCA has a lot to offer you both. With basketball courts, a swimming pool, a walking track and playground, you are sure to find something to keep you busy.
Also, if you are looking for a reasonably priced gym with unique classes, the YMCA is for you. Because Abilities Unlimited is a United Way affiliated company, the YMCA will waive the enrollment fee of $40 and all you pay is $20 a month! Aerobic classes are offered starting at 5:30p.m. and a yoga class is offered nightly at 7:00p.m.. They also have a weight room upstairs complete with both machine and free weights and cardio equipment. If this interests you, take advantage of this opportunity now!
 

Here’s a little poem to keep in mind as you go about your day!

It’s Up to You
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make a difference,
You see, it’s up to you!
~Author Unknown
 


Consumer Services
 

   Re-defining Disability
By Janet Gregory

Historically, a disability has been seen as a problem “within” a person who has a disability.  In Western cultures, disability has generally been seen as a “personal tragedy.”  We are surrounded by an abundance of evidence of this type of thinking.  For example, when a child is born with a disability people often believe this is a “tragedy.”  The media portrays people who acquire a disability though an accident or illness as a “tragedy” because a “healthy” person has loss something so valuable. Unfortunately, even disability organizations use the pity approach to raise money, which perpetuates the “tragedy” paradigm.

The real problem for people with disabilities lies in societal attitudes and perceptions.  The “problem” has never been and will never be within the person who has a disability, but within societal attitude and perceptions.  Therefore, it is time to move from a “personal tragedy” theory to the “social oppression’ paradigm in regards to disability.

Today’s concept of disability is a social construct -  it is a “status” or a set of conditions that enable a person to receive services or the protection of certain laws.  Since it is a social construct we can deconstruct it.  Consider the following:

Disability is, first and foremost, a medical diagnosis.  Just as we would not let other diagnoses define a person, we can no longer us a disability label to define a person, his abilities, potential or character.

A disability simply means a body part works differently.  Not better or worse, just differently!  A person with cerebral palsy has legs or arms that work differently.  A person with Down syndrome learns  differently.

Disability labels are socio-political passports to services.  In our society, one must have a label to get services.  So, within the service system, labels are important.  But within families, among  friends a and in the community, a disability label should be irrelevant.!
 

AUI’s Mission Statement: “To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities of persons with severe disabilities.”

“ Some people see things as they are and say “Why?”  I dream things that never were and say “Why not?”.
 George Bernard Shaw

3 Steps To Creating A Positive Attitude
1. Realize that you have control
 The great thing about your attitude is that it is yours!  You can’t control what others say or do, but you can control how it affects you.

2.  Be Thankful
 Each day you must put things in perspective.  Once you are thankful for the things you have, not having something won’t matter as much.

3.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Remember what’s important and let the little things roll on by.  Once you focus on the larger picture, you will find less frustration and headaches in your daily interaction with othes.
 

Time Sheet / Case Note Reminders:
1.  Case notes are to be written on company approved and issued sheets only....no notebook paper.

2, Case notes and time sheets must match...you will not be paid if they do not.

3.  Mileage must have accurate and complete odometer readings...no partial numbers.