september newsletter community catalysts of california 2009 CEO Corner... First of all, thank you again for your efforts to hold down costs and maximize services to our consumers! Here are a few of my guides when I make decisions. Focus on Mission: We are catalysts helping people with disabilities achieve a higher quality of life. Value People: Consumers and staff are our real assets. Forward Thinking: Look beyond today and make choices that will be right tomorrow. Plan, Plan, Plan: Keep updating our Strategic Plan—prepare for the unknown. Leadership: Commit to excellence in everything we do. Fiscal Strength: Spend and save wisely. Keep Moving Forward: Opportunities are part of adversity. Thanks again, Jim Jenkins, CEO …employee anniversaries… 18 years Sandra Caldwell - STK 15 years Maria Dora Lamas - SM 8 years Sandra Rodriguez - EC 6 years Valeri Campbell - UK Maria Zuniga - VIS 5 years David Bergheim - SC Keltoum Cherki - SM Maria Lua - MCD 3 years Wendy Ly - FSO 2 years Juliet Baker - FSO Evelyn Bardales - SD Jessica Rodriguez - MDO 1 year Matthew Brady - SD Vince Castillo - STK Everardo Cazares - EC Michael Elkins - PACE Mijha Leasure - VIS Carol Pendley - UK Rosealie Prater - RH Melissa Tuboly - SM Robert Dawson - SM Marlena Hughley - PACE Jerreesha McDonald - PACE southbay santa clara and salinas The Salinas office bids farewell to Loreley Salazar Chan and Alex Bravo. We wish them the best in all of their future endeavors. Karla Martinez will also be leaving the Salinas Office but she will be joining the team in El Centro. We are sad to see her go but know she will do a great job in SOCAL! Also, Lydia Melendez has left on maternity leave and we wish her the best of luck! South Bay ILS remains strong and has continuing referrals. Great job everyone and keep up the great work! We would like to thank Martha Olvera, Case Manager in the Fresno office for coming and providing CPI training for both South Bay offices on August 28th. …consumer anniversaries… 18 years Eric A. - SD 17 years John M. Jr. - SM 16 years Paul C. - SM 15 years Arthur M. - SM Jason T. - SM 14 years Kathy N. - SM Christina C. - SD 13 years Kenneth P. - MCD 12 years Michael N. - SC 11 years Hector G. - EC Sage B. - FSO Luz V. - EC 10 years Kathy F. - SC 9 years Martha C. - SAL Canh D. - FSO 8 years Kenneth W. - UK Randy D. - UK 7 years Tammy S. - FSO Hugo T. - MCD 6 years Gilbert G. - SAL Enrique A. - SAL Ross B. - SM 5 years Roberto M. - SM Omar P. - SM Maria G. - SAL 4 years Richard S. - SC Ken C. - MDO Thelma C. - MDO Paul S. - UK Jean M. - UK Eileen C. - SC 3 years Jonathan H. - FSO Diana D. - PH Mark B. - PH Harry H. - PH Katherine T. - PH Robert P. - SC Robin S. - SM Christopher V. - SM 2 years Ruben C. - MCD Judy B. - EC Lac H. - SC Marcus B. - SAL Susan L. - MCD Becky B. - MCD Sergio L. - SAL Connie L. - SC 1 year Miguel M. - MCD Christopher F. - SC Francisco O. - SC Kyle B. - SM Esmerelda G. - MDO Janice M. - SD Norma C. - SD Donald G. - FSO central valley & corporate merced We here in Merced want to say “Happy Anniversary” to Bob and Shelley Cook for 13 years of marriage. Also, congratulations to Phillip (Dion) Jenkins who is going to be a Daddy!! Our consumers and staff went to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. They had a great time getting on the rides, playing in the water and walking the boardwalk. corporate The corporate office would like to congratulate Jayme Ingram (formerly known as Jayme Dix) on getting married on August 29, 2009. James and Jayme’s friends and family showed true dedication to the couple as they endured the 110o heat of the day at the Old Richland Schoolhouse in San Marcos. It was a great time despite the heat! James and Jayme spent the next week relaxing in Lake Tahoe and truly had a wonderful time! southern california el centro, san diego & san marcos el centro The El Centro office is very excited about growing our transportation program. We just landed a contract to transport consumers from El Centro to San Diego during their intake phase. We believe that this will not only grow our transportation program, but ultimately expand all of our services since we will have an opportunity to prove ourselves to consumers who may need services. Even in our remote area we continue to grow, grow, grow! We have been working so hard and we like to balance our work with play. Some of our staff went on vacation this month to places such as Las Vegas and Mexicali. Our consumers are also excited about the upcoming Padres game. We have a huge list of consumers that have RSVP’d to root for our team. GO PADRES! Luz Olmos deserves special recognition for her leadership while managing the programs and balancing the growth of the services. Thank you Luz and keep up the great work! san diego SLS & ILS: We would like to thank one of our SLS DSA’s, Regina Factoran for her calm demeanor and speedy action in a recent situation within the community. On August 10, 2009, as she and one of our SLS clients arrived at a bank in El Cajon, they witnessed an elderly lady fall and strike her head on the ground. Regina grabbed her first aid kit and stopped the bleeding with gauze and then called 911, continuing to attend to the woman’s wounds until the paramedics arrived. A few days later, the client pulled her DSS aside to recount the story again and said she was very grateful to have Regina as her staff. We all feel the same! We have 2 new referrals: (1) ILS and (1) SLS that are going through the assessment phase. We have 4 new staff that have joined our team: Regina Factoran, Lynda Holden, Elise Romero and Eula Wilburn. They are all doing a great job in their programs and the consumers are very happy to work with each of them. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT: Our Supported Employment program has received 3 new referrals in August. One consumer has been interviewed several times for full-time employment in a California State position and it looks like she will be hired within the month of September! We welcome our new Employment Specialist to the team and look forward to witnessing the success she will bring. san marcos ILS: ILS team has done another fantastic job of reaching their goal for hours. Case Manager, Teresa Grenawalt would like to thank her ILS team: Jennifer Bachand, Keltoum Cherki, Femy Cordero, Dora Lamas, Stacy Meyer and Melissa Tuboly for stepping up and covering all the clients’ hours. This is how we help our clients reach their goals! ILS welcomes new team member Dawn Stanley, DSA. Stacy Meyer was promoted to ILS Direct Service Supervisor! Stacy has demonstrated leadership skills and will make a great supervisor for the North County area. Congratulations! ILS client Jeff, recently moved into a new apartment and with his team’s help is learning how to navigate the transit system. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT: Our Supported Employment Program is excited as there have been many job placements this month at various locations. Eternal Hills Memorial Park is our latest job placement location and our consumer is doing a GREAT job of setting up and removing the memorials. Our job developers, Krista Hribar and Margie White, are to be commended for their hard work in assisting the consumer’s in the preparation process which has been the reason for the success in new job placements at such locations as Von’s and Albertsons as well as a new group place for our Oceanside movie theater. Additional job placements are at Boomers in San Marcos and Pizza Hut in Encinitas. A special Thank You to all of our Job Coaches who have done an exceptional job in building the skills of each of our consumers. SLS: SLS client Jack B. recently celebrated his 50th birthday. His staff worked hard to put together a pool party at his apartment. Jack decorated the patio area and the staff provided the great food. It was attended by a large crowd of family, friends and neighbors. Case Manager, Teri Geston would like to thank Larry Steckling, Kathy Hartland and Connie English for their dedication to Jack and for helping this to be a huge success. SLS client Debbie has found a reliable handyman to help her out at her home. He recently built a dog run so Debbie’s dog “Emma” does not have to fear the coyotes anymore. Give a hardy WELCOME to the SLS team’s new hires, Connie English and Diana Jarrett! alcohol and aging understanding the risks Alcoholic beverages, consumed in a responsible manner, can add to the enjoyment of a meal, contribute to a favorite recipe or help celebrate the quality of life that older Americans are entitled to experience. However, older adults face distinct risk factors that complicate alcohol consumption and can lead to alcohol abuse. Why Alcohol Consumption Becomes More Complicated as One Ages Because of a changing metabolism and changes in levels of body fat and body water, a • standard drink produces higher blood alcohol levels and causes greater intoxication in an older person than it would in a younger drinker. Alcohol is known to interact adversely with up to 50 percent of the most commonly prescribed • medications. It’s important to speak with a health care professional or pharmacist about possible alcohol and drug interactions. Older adults often use alcohol as a coping mechanism for life-changing events as retirement; • the death of a family member, a friend or a pet; reduced income; health concerns; or family conflict. They also may turn to alcohol more often to deal with mental-health challenges such as depression, loss of self-esteem, loneliness or feeling useless. What Adult Children or Concerned Friends and Family Should Know Would you know if your loved one had a problem with alcohol or substance abuse? Often the outward signs are mistaken as being a part of aging, dementia or depression when, in fact, the person may be drinking too much or mixing alcohol with medications. The following signs and symptoms are commonly seen in older adults who have an alcohol or substance abuse problem: Signs and Symptoms • Yellowish or unhealthy-looking skin, yellow or bloodshot eyes • Swelling or losing weight • Excessive fatigue • Frequent and unexplained headaches, pain or injuries • Memory trouble after having a drink or taking a medication • Confusion, irritability, mood swings • Sadness, depression • Loss of coordination (walking unsteadily, frequent falls) • Changes in eating or sleeping habits • Wanting to be alone much of the time During these difficult times, it’s important that we are accessing our resources and getting the support that we need. The EAP (Employee Assistance Program) is a confidential counseling and referral service that can help you and your family successfully deal with life’s challenges. EAP services are available to you at no cost, as Community Catalysts of California has invested in you as people and has prepaid these services. You have up to 5 counseling sessions (per subject) available to you. The EAP can help with things like job or work stress, parenting, alcohol and drugs, marital problems, anxiety, depression, legal issues, financial concerns, and dependent care issues. This service is available to you and anyone within your household. • Neglecting personal hygiene; failing to bathe or keep clean • Difficulty staying in touch with family or friends • Lack of interest in usual activities If someone you care about is having a problem with alcohol or another substance, please seek help. Getting your aging loved one help and treatment will vastly improve their physical and mental health and go a long way to enhancing their overall quality of life. For more information, please access our Employee Assistance Program hotline at toll free number 1-800-523-5668. employee assistance programmagellan health servicesEAP BEnEfitsClinical First Answer - Live Answer: When you call your EAP, you will speak with a counselor• Magellan Absence Management: Supporting your return to work from disability leave.• Crisis Management 24/7: Immediate phone-based crisis services available 24 hours a day• In person brief counseling: In-person counseling with an EAP clinician• Online and Office Tax Filing Service (H&R Block): Online and Office Tax Filing Service• 24-7 telephone access: Program information and access available 24 hours a day• Call 1-800-523-5668 and talk to someone today! Latika Wilson Community Catalysts of California is proud to announce that Latika Wilson was selected to receive the Catalyst P.R.I.D.E. Award~Leading by Example for August 2009. Latika has been with Community Catalysts of California for about a year and a half as the Residential Care Manager for the Ray Hyde House. Latika was recognized for going above and beyond her call of duty, often times managing her job as the RCM while also providing help to the PACE, REST and TRIPS programs as well. She has a great ability to handle challenging behavior in a professional manner and always has a willing attitude. She has proven to be very resourceful and compassionate and her peers and consumers look to her as someone they can trust. Latika has excellent communication and listening skills and is an all around great team player. She has the ability to turn a negative and stressful situation into something positive and overall is a valuable asset to the Ray Hyde House team. We appreciate the great service and dedication to the vision of Community Catalysts of California that Latika has provided and would like to recognize her for her hard work and for Leading by Example. Consumer Catalysts of the Month September 2009 Darryl Corday Darryl has been with the Supported Living program in the Ukiah area for eight years. He is always in a good mood, seldom loses his cool and always has a bright cheery smile for everyone. He is great with people! Darryl has won several award certificates at school for his outstanding work in math, art and other learning skills. At his job, he is also consistently receiving certificates for perfect attendance. Darryl’s hobbies include going to church, cooking, physical fitness activities, camping, going to parties, barbeques and casino outings with his family. He is busy! He also enjoys dancing, bowling and the guitar. The one thing everyone agrees to about Darryl is his outgoing social personality. He is comfortable conversing with all kinds of people. Everyone knows and loves Darryl and we are proud to recognize him as Community Catalysts of California’s Consumer of the Month for September! Congratulations Darryl!