“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
      We held our annual meeting in our June Board of Director’s meeting.  During the meeting I presented a power point presentation on all of our locations.  Also, I  presented a narrative as part of the annual report which I have included some of the excerpts here. We were carrying a good bit of red ink due to starting the Blytheville operation until March.  This was one of the primary reasons for negative cash flow along with some other issues like outstanding billing that was not billed for in TWC.  Some of the areas that have contributed to overcoming those deficits included  better management  in the Paragould thrift and consignment shops, improved profitability in the production department and the growth of services at Blytheville.  All and all we are looking at a good year as this last quarter and our year to date figures will finish in a positive position.

Turning back State General Revenue dollars for 22 Medicaid Waiver positions on basically a four to one swap allowed for a greater number of services to be provided in Blytheville.  Another ongoing issue in that area is that the former workshop Board is trying to give us their old property.  As I have mentioned previously, we plan to bring this property back to a condition to be able to put in our retail thrift store.  This would give us a down town location which would be favorable to that operation.

Certainly, another highlight was the purchase of the Monroe building at 1334 W. Monroe.  We feel that we have gotten a very good deal on the property.  We hope to occupy the property as soon as possible after July 1st, providing our builder gets the plans approved for the accessible restrooms we are installing.  We have already completed the truss and roof work, except for one little dormer.  Interior work is mostly completed with some hanging ceiling tiles to be replaced as they are finishing the restrooms.  We have added metal trim, fascia and soffit that I hadn’t planned at first.  The primary function of the location will be Adult Development Services and e-bay catalog sales or special services that will be developed later.

As we have talked before we still believe another location in Jonesboro should be considered for an upscale thrift and/or consignment shop. Our Paragould location for consignment and client services is up for lease renewal.  We feel we really need a larger place and are looking in the downtown area for something that might do.  We plan to stay at the present location if we can’t find another larger one.

A balanced budget concept was proposed to help the Board and our management team visualize business concepts and ventures that would better diversify our revenue streams.  This concept was introduced more than a year ago and still is part of our driving force to find other commercial opportunities.  This is especially needed when one considers about 70% of our revenues are generated from all of our consumer services that we provide with 90% of that being Medicaid programs. This approach would not affect our mission focus because any of these new or expanded areas would have to create work training and/or employment opportunities for the people with severe disabilities.  This is also part of our 3 Year Strategic Business Plan submitted in January.
 
During the year we have benefitted from two significant donations.  We had a house given to us near West Side.  The house will need some repairs including a central heat and air system and a new roof.  When we decide on its end use, then we may put together an estimate for the Board’s consideration.  Also, after the Board approved buying a used semi, we had a 1990 model donated to us.  This gave us the extra semi we needed at no cost.  I will reserve this expenditure approval until it may be again necessary to buy a semi. I hope this information will help you understand some of the things that have been going on this last year.  This report is an abbreviated one for the purpose of the annual meeting.  We will submit a lengthy and more detailed report in October after we complete our audit.Consumer Services - Jonesboro
 
 

Developmental age vs Chronological age
 by Janet Gregory

The “developmental (functional) age” concept is a disability - world paradigm that should stop us in our track.  Many children and adults with disabilities are routinely graded against a “developmental scale”.  If the person’s abilities are substantially lower than the “norm”, she/he may be saddled with a “developmental age” (DA).  The DA is a necessary measurement to determine one’s eligibility for services.  Unfortunately, the person’s chronological age (CA) is often dismissed as irrelevant.  From that point on, services, education and eve the way she/he are treated by family members are based on the DA.  YIKES!

What happens when, for example, a 35 year old (CA) is treated like a 10 year old (DA)?  Gee - I guess that he would act like a 10 year old!

Let’s use our common sense here!  Children who do not have disabilities are all over the map in their development.  A 10 year old reads like a 13 year old, plays soccer like a 16 year old and behaves like a 8 year old - and he is considered “normal”.  No one puts a functional age on him.  Why?  Because he has not been labeled as disabled.

So, what can we do when someone isn’t “at the same functional age” as his/her chronological age?  In some cases, the answer is nothing.  In other cases, we can provide accommodations, supports, and /or assistive technology devices!

When deciding whether to do nothing or something, we once again just need to use our common sense.  If a child, for example, is not quite as nature as his peers, so what?  Give him time to mature.  If he is 6, he needs to be surrounded by other 6 year olds to learn how to be six.  Keeping him with 4 year olds will only encourage him to behave like a 4 year old.

If, however, a 6 year old is thought to be like a 2 year old because he is not talking, he needs a communication device.

If a young adult, doesn’t behave at an age-appropriate level, he needs to be with others of a similar age, in a positive and supportive environment where he can learn “how to be” that age.  People around him need to have high expectations for him, as well as patience.
 
 
 
 

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

One Minute Idea
Follow these steps when offering criticism:
1.  Be calm: If you are already upset with the way the consumer has performed, wait until your anger has subsided before attempting to correct the behavior.
2. Be discreet: If you chastise the consumer in front of others, you are more likely to create resentment than effect change.
3.  Be specific: Tell the consumer exactly what the problem is - and offer suggestions for how the situation could have been handled better.  Then ask the consumer appropriate questions to ensure your message has been understood.
 
 
 

Listen
author unknown
When I ask you to listen to me,
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I have asked.

When I ask you to listen to me,
and you begin to tell me why I should feel that way.
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.

Listen: All that I ask is that you listen,
not talk or do - just hear me.

When you do something for me that I need to do for myself,
you contribute to my fear and feelings of inadequacy.

But when you accept as a simple fact
that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
then I can quit trying to convince you
and go about the business
of understanding what is behind my feelings.

So, please listen and just hear me
and, if you want to talk,
wait a minute for your turn -
and I will listen.

  July Birthdays
 
 Lorene Gibson  2nd
 Tiffany Lee   2nd
 Regeina Wilbanks  2nd
 Erica Smith   7th
 Laura Holt   11th
 Melanie McGhee  12th
 Kate Bearce   17th
 Clara Rush   17th
 Tina Freeman   18th
 Stan Arnold   19th
 Candace Humes  19th
 Letitia Rasdon   19th
 Betty Sailor   19th
 Jedsia Brown   20th
 Jackie Cassidy   20th
 Melba Rush   20th
 Liddie Riethbaum  21st
 Flo Bowlin   29th
 Martha Harris   29th
 LaRhonda Mitchell   30th
 

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited!!

Donna Nelson  ACS Implementor
Monica Meaders ACS Implementor
Tonya Stevens Flex
Angela Klemmer Flex
Carole Burnett  ACS Implementor
Sarah Estes  ACS Implementor
Cheryl Willie  ACS Implementor
Joyce Grant  Flex
Hope Davis  Cashier
Morgan Pippin FLex
Jacklon Steele  ACS Implementor
Tina Cornelius  ACS Implementor
Carrie Hopper  ACS Implementor
Family and Medical Leave Act Info.
Abilities Unlimited offers our employees family medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA). FMLA offers employees up to 12 weeks(84 days) of unpaid time off in the event of: the birth of the employee’s child; the adoption or foster care of a child by the employee; the caring by the employee for a child, spouse, or parent who has a “serious health condition” which makes the employee unable to work. Those that qualify for this benefit are employees who have worked with AU for a minimum of one year prior to the request for leave, and who have worked a minimum 1,250 hours during the prior year and works within 75 miles of AU. If you need more information, please contact DeeDee.

 
Former Client enters the Workforce at AU
The Blytheville Production Department is proud to welcome Mr. Lonnie Williams to the team. There is a certain level of excitement to this as Lonnie is a former client. Upon completion of the programs he was happy to be entering the workforce. We at Blytheville were excited when he asked if he could work for us. This has turned out to be a wonderful combination.
We are proud to announce the promotion of Ms. Robyn Jacobs to the position of Production Supervisor in the Blytheville Production Department. We feel confident that Ms. Jacobs will help lead our Production Team through fresh and inspiring ideas and improved teamwork. Blytheville currently has a posted opening for Work Instructor.
The Blytheville Team would like to wish everyone at Abilities Unlimited, Inc a safe and happy Independence Day.

June Service Awards
Candace Humes and Sherry Davis both celebrated their five year anniversary with us in June. Each will receive a plaque and pin for their hard work and dedication. Several employees celebrated their one year anniversary with us. They are Laura Holt, Dwight Bowman, Robert Swink, Stacey Simmons, Treece Speed and Margaret Meadows. They each received a certificate and pin. Thank you all so much for all you do! Keep up the great work!
 

Blytheville Site to Initiate Programs Soon
By: Christy Wyatt
Although the speech, physical, occupational therapies should have started in May, we continue to have problems getting signatures from primary care physicians for the therapies. Since the Case Manager has returned from medical leave, efforts will be restarted in this area.
The ACS Waiver efforts are working well for our clients. One of the clients got his driver’s permit last week and a few more are scheduled to take the test soon. Some of the ladies are learning to sew, and several of the clients are learning how to handle money. Although there is no Anchor Packaging work, the clients are still happy to come, largely because they are excited about the ACS Waiver Program. Thanks to Lilly and Jeanette.
We have applied for the United Way Grant and were visited by two board members on the 20th and will be attending the United Way Appropriations Committee on the 25th. We’ll let you know if we received the grant.
The clients and staff have begun a massive undertaking in processing huge quantities of clothing. Even though it started off a little rough, the process has smoothed out considerably. The room-size shelving racks left by the Air Force, have been converted to clothes hanging apparatuses that can hold literally thousands of garments.
A special thanks to those of you who assisted Blytheville during the month and a half without a Case Manager. You made a tough situation more bearable.
 

Parent/Guardian/Consumer Responsibilities inWaiver

From the very start of the Waiver program it has been automatic that the Parent/Guardian/Consumer has control over the hours and schedules of support personnel required to deliver the services the Parent/Guardian/Consumer has identified they needed.  This normally happens during the first MAPS meeting and then annually at the Continuing Stay Reviews or occasionally during a revision.  The professional staff of Abilities would then work with the Parent/Guardian/Consumer to find and hire suitable employees, many times being referred by the Parent/Guardian/Consumer themselves.  Up until the last couple of years the Parent/Guardian/Consumer could actually fire someone without cause which sometimes may have infringed on the employment laws.  Now, the provider has the final say in these situations, but the Parent/Guardian/Consumer has significant influence in that decision.  As always the Parent/Guardian/Consumer has the ultimate say so, in the fact they have always been able to change providers for any reason at all.  The professional staff of Abilities feels there are many positive benefits for the Parent/Guardian/Consumer to be involved in every aspect of the program.  Abilities’ professional staff is providing the services which the Parent/Guardian/Consumer has complete and total control over.  Abilities’ professional staff plan to invite each Parent/Guardian/Consumer to be more actively involved in the hiring process or elect, at least, to get formal notice of the employee that was hired.  Also, we will ask for evaluative feedback for performance evaluations as we have in the past but more deliberately and formally.  We, also, will request prompt feedback regarding any unsatisfactory employee performance.  We hope to encourage more involvement and help from the Parent/Guardian/Consumer which will keep them in the driver’s seat.  This will help empower the Parent/Guardian/Consumer to get the most out of this consumer driven program.
 

? Just a Reminder ?
You have until August 15th to complete your required training and to turn in you TB Test Card.