In November Ricardo Martinez became Director of Staff Development and CNA Department Supervisor, relieving overburdened staff who have been dividing up these duties in addition to their other responsibilities since we had to cut a staff position during the budget crisis of 2003.

Ricardo has been with us as a part-time LVN since 2001, so he knows our residents and our needs well. We are delighted to have him take on this new position. He is doing a fantastic job, upgrading our training programs and materials, creating comprehensive up-to-date monthly training for all staff, and implementing more direct, hands-on supervision of the Certified Nursing Assistants.

Client Services Director, Gail Metzger, who had previously taken on the responsibility of hiring, supervising and scheduling the CNAs is now able to focus more time and attention on improvements and additions to the many therapeutic programs and recreational opportunities we offer our residents. Our initial focus is on increasing needed life skills programs, implementing more community involvement, devoting additional time to training the physical therapists, and more closely monitoring the day programs that residents attend, among other benefits.
 

Thanks to help from the Weingart Foundation (see below), we are very glad that we can improve the care and programs for our residents by re-instating this important staff position.