“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 presented the Board with a copy of our official annual report that is required by the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS).  ARS requires several different items be assessed or reported on as part of their annual certification process as it regards the services of Work Evaluation, Work Adjustment Training, and Extended Services.  This part of the report comprises only a couple of pages of material, but I have used this as another opportunity to educate our Board about our many programs.  In addition, I involved the staff in many aspects of evaluating how well they have done during the last year and setting future goals.  This year’s document and the 3 Year Strategic Business Plan have dovetailed in several areas as it relates to some of our strategic planning and setting goals.  I wanted to give you some of this information with some excerpts from this report as a way to better understand how our organization is growing.

To characterize this year with a single word, that word would have to be growth.  We have realized nearly a 20% margin of growth over our projected budget for the year.  This has propelled us to a budget for the current year of $4.8 million and have projections of exceeding this level.  The single largest contributing factor for this is the increase in the yield of the Medicaid Waiver contracts for both Waiver Case Management and Waiver Coordination.  To a lesser degree would be that we opened a full branch satellite at Blytheville in March of 2002.  That branch satellite has begun to have a greater positive impact on our budget during this year.  Our contract sales and retail sales along with the two-year-old The Unlimited-A Consignment Shop have also helped to nudge that bottom line upward.  Having just received our audit for this period, it is always great to have closed a year that finishes in the black.

Primarily due to the growth in the number of Waiver contracts we have added some new positions and upgraded others.  We have increased the Assistant HR to full-time status and have hired a Staff Attorney.   With the Assistant HR becoming full-time there arose a significant need and opportunity to transfer the training completely over to HR from Consumer Services.  It was estimated that about 50% of the Assistant HR’s time and effort will be involved in the significant training requirements under DDS. Although her primary area of concern is HR and training we will have access to some of her marketing expertise.  Due to that change and the continual increase in the number of employees, where currently there are more than 250 budgeted positions, we felt more help needed to be added.  A full-time HR clerk was added that will have duties both in HR and in the general business office.  Also, an Access program is being developed to help with the tracking of data related to HR and training. The Adult Development has continued to grow in Blytheville.  Also, the 22 Waiver conversion slots added at that location has nearly reached capacity which helps provide more services and better billing.  Another significant change for that area was an upgrade of a management position, Christy Wyatt, to that of Delta Region Coordinator who will manage all of the operations in that area.

A recent analysis of the last part of the year for the entire Blytheville Branch operations has shown a net income.  It has been a large investment to get the project to this point which required us funding it for about a year at a loss.  We were finally able to get the Main street location and have renovated it to accommodate the thrift store operations having closed the one at the Aeroplex location.  The new location was opened the latter part of January.

There are many other points of significance to mention but there isn’t enough space.  I hope this does give you some additional information about our organization.  As always I appreciate all that you do on behalf of our consumers.  Keep up the good work.

March Birthdays

Amelia Rainwater  2nd
Janet Gregory   3rd
Charles Simmons  3rd
Michael Chism  7th
Freda Shaker   7th
Erocktonya Smith  9th
Russell Thomas  11th
Jimmy Goodson  11th
Jeanne Bailey   11th
Phyllis Bullard  11th
Amber Hawthorne  20th
Brenda Porter   21st
Linda Legvold  24th
Sarah Humphrey  24th
Travis Woodruff  24th
Meloide Bumpers  27th
Monique Smith  27th
Dennis Raines  30th

Welcome to Abilities Unlimited
Sara Ferguson            ACS Implementor
 

February Service Awards
Several employees celebrated their one year anniversary with A.U. this past month and they are: Jedsia Brown, Loretta Cook, Laura Slayton, and Adrian Mitchell. Each received a pin and certificate for their dedication and hard work. Kitty Swindle celebrated her five year anniversary with A.U. in February and received a pin and plaque for her outstanding efforts. Way to go!!
 

Cord Jewelry
All A.U. stores are currently selling cord jewelry in several styles and colors. Our current stock includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and sterling silver rings. Come by to see our collection and don’t forget that A.U. employees receive a 10% discount on all purchases!
 
 

Exciting Events Continue for the
 Adult Development Programs
The Paragould Adult Development Program is getting a minor face lift in order to better facilitate some curriculum and format changes. Donated paint and supplies are going to give the building a more soothing atmosphere while changes in program structure will provide a more diversified and well rounded curriculum for the consumers. More information on the exact nature of these changes will be coming next month. We are sorry to note the departure of Krystle Morris from the program, as she moves to pursue other interests but are excited to have Melissa Wheeler step in and attempt to fill her shoes.
In Jonesboro, the “Everyday Sunshine” arts program was a great success! The participating artists had an opportunity to perform, display, and sell their work. The art program known as L.E.A.P. (Learning Expressive Arts Program) has received a lot of media attention and has drawn interest from other facilities and DDS representative. L.E.A.P. continues to grow and build and is an exciting addition to Adult Development programming.
Stephen and I would both like to thank the staff at the Jonesboro center for all their extra hard work and cooperation with getting this program off the ground. Without the contributions of Charles, Tobi, Sarah, Brenda, and Tonya this program would not have been the success that it is.
-Chris Paslay, MRC,CRC
 
 

The Unlimited to Host a
“Prom Preview” Tea
The Unlimited is hosting a “Prom Preview” Tea on March 13th from 10:00 to 5:00. The Tea is open to the public and will exhibit a new stock of formal gowns and bridal wear. There are several colors and styles to choose from. Sizes range from 2- 14. The Unlimited is located in the Ridgeway West Shopping Center at 6002 W. Kingshighway in Paragould.. We hope to see you there!
Chronic Mental Illness  Brief
by Christy Wyatt, L.S.W.

This is the first 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.

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Andrea is rarely able to take part in her family’s activities because when she attempts to leave the house, she becomes engaged in a ritual of checking and rechecking the stove, iron, coffee maker and gas water heater.  She never feels comfortable that she has checked each one enough times to be sure that nothing bad will happen while they are gone from the house.  If she is made to leave before she is comfortable, she is not able to concentrate on the conversation, or enjoy the company because of constant invading thoughts of the appliances at home.
Andrea is diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  Andrea is reacting to an invading thought of her home burning.  She is attempting to reduce that anxiety by checking and rechecking heat producing appliances.
Obsession is a recurring thought that cannot be successfully blocked, and causes disruption to the person’s life.  Compulsion is a strong need to repeatedly perform an act which causes a disruption to the person’s life.  The act has the sole purpose of reducing the anxiety produced by the obsessive thought.  Most often the OCD consumer will be concerned about contamination, dirt or disorderliness.  Some of these compulsive behaviors might include cleaning rituals, setting things in order, counting things, or washing hands repeatedly.  Some other obsessions might be sexual, or social such as a fear of hurting someone’s feelings or of having a conversation turn out badly.  In a social obsession, one might repeatedly apologize, refuse to speak, or perhaps go through a ritual of dialing and redialing the phone with an unrealistic belief that this ritual, if done just right, will help the conversation turn out better.
The consumer may, at times, understand that the urges are unreasonable, and may even state such in a safe situation, however, when faced with the anxiety producing stimulus dirty laundry, money, toilet seats) the urges cease to seem unreasonable.  At this time, if the consumer attempts to resist the urges, he/she may feel increasing anxiety until they are removed from the situation or they give in to the urge.
Two good examples of OCD would be Jack Nicholson’s character in As Good As It Gets or the main character in the television show Monk.
 

“Grand Opening” at the New Store in Blytheville
The “Grand Opening” on February 6th was a big success. The Blytheville Chamber of Commerce  and United Way were well represented. The Blytheville Courier News gave us some great publicity. Donations have increased, as well as customer traffic. A special thanks to Saprina, Sean, Martha, Lorene, Penny and Brian for making the store look so impressive, not to forget the Carmichael crew. It has been a long but rewarding process.
Ms. April Rinkines has graciously accepted the title of Production Supervisor. Ms. Rinkines began working for Abilities over a year ago as a flex worker, and then became a driver/flex worker. She took the job of Work Instructor about six months ago and proved herself a very able leader and problem solver. At this point, she continues to impress us with her industriousness and team spirit.
Mr. Paul Hedge, Site Manager, will be leaving us as of March 12th. We thank him for everything he has done for us. Paul was one of the six original members of the staff and has seen the Blytheville program grow from nothing, to a multifaceted organization providing a full array of services to twice as many people. Good luck and we will miss you.
          -Christy WyattConsumer Services   - Jonesboro

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
By Stephanie Gotay

Many of the freedoms and rights we exercise each day are provided to us through the Constitution of the United States.  Yet as much as this document effects our daily lives, few of us truly know what is actually contained within the Bill of Rights.  This problem is magnified even more for our citizens who have disabilities as they are often “taught” they do not have equal rights.  This message of inequality is generally indirect and often even the outcome of a society that is attempting to “protect” people with disabilities.  Unfortunately, this protection actually results in the limitations of basic constitutional rights.  So, in order to bring this to the forefront of our thoughts, we will begin reviewing the amendments from the Bill of RightsAmendment 1
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

There is much contained in this First Amendment.  The constitution is attempting to protect us from the narrow minded thinking of others who would limit our ideas and thoughts from being expressed verbally or in writing.  It is protecting our right to chose the religion we wish to follow and have no one governing religion in this country.  It is also guaranteeing the citizens a means to express their ideas to the government through assemble and petition.   Of course with these rights comes responsibility.  The legal system has many times tested the limits of the first amendment and these limits will continue to be tested.  Still, it is important that our consumers understand they are entitled to rights under this amendment and they should enjoy these rights while respecting the responsibility these freedoms place upon us.  Please keep this in mind while working with your consumers during this month.  Try to find opportunities to identify how this first amendment gives us rights as well as reviewing our associated responsibilities to be citizens as we all work to make this great country even better.
 

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.

Jackie Cassidy has been selected as our March  employee of the month.  Jackie has worked with AUI for almost 17 years.  She has been a roommate for one of our consumers for over 13 years.  Wow!  She has provided this companionship service in a manner that has encouraged rights and encouraged individual choice.  It is a unique person who is able to provide this level of care to someone for so long and with such great dedication and compassion.  Jackie is just that kind of person - AMAZING and WONDERFUL!  Thank You, Jackie.
 

Assigned Parking
Although they are not marked at this time, we have assigned parking spaces.  This means that if you are not a full time employee (this includes ALL Implementors) you have not been assigned a parking space.  You should either park across the street or in front of the Dupont building next to the loading dock.  If you have any questions concerning parking, contact your supervisor.  There are  designated handicap parking spaces.  However, you must have the proper permit to park in those spaces.  If you are not sure where these are located, see your supervisor and they should be able to show where they are located.

We could learn a lot from a box of crayons:
- some are sharp
-some are pretty
- some have weird names
- some are dull
and all are different colors.
Yet, they all exist nicely in the same box.

Congratulations to the Adult Development
The production of “Everyday Sunshine” was a great success.  The dance performance was excellent and the art show was quite profitable.  Many of the unique and one of a kind art pieces were sold with the profits going to the artist.  A big thanks goes to the AUI staff and the Foundation for the Arts.  Their joint effort has provided our consumers with the opportunity to show off their talents.