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January 2010 |
Volume 2, Issue 1 |
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Blue Valley Industries January Newsletter |
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Mission Statement |
Blue Valley Industries provides employment, training and access to support services for adults with disabilities while enhancing their dignity, encouraging independence, maximizing opportunities and fostering community integration.
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BVI Worker Demographics |
- 77% of persons have a cognitive developmental primary disability
- Other listed primary disabilities include: Autism (8%), TBI (3%), Borderline IQ (6%), Visual Impairment (2%), Mental Illness (2%), Physical Disability (1%), Cerebral Palsy (1%)
- 59% are male and 47% are female
- 2% are under the age of 18 and 4% are over the age of 40
- 48% African American, 48% Caucasian, 4% Hispanic
- 40% live in their natural homes, 23% in group homes, 17% in an ISL apartment, 14% live independently
- 84% live in Kansas City, Missouri, 6% in Independence, 2.5% in Sugar Creek, 2.5% in Raytown, 3% in Grandview and 1% in each Blue Springs and Lee's Summit
- 34.5% use DOT, 30% use residential provided transportation, 24.5% use Metro Bus Service, 10% use cabs and 1% are transported by family members
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Outcomes |
95% of BVI workers surveyed between January and June of 2009 reported Overall Satisfaction with services provided.
Overall Satisfaction is determined through a questionaire covering a variety of topics including:
- freedom to talk with supervisors
- understanding of needs
- attention to opinions and ideas
- assistance is given when needed
- important part of work group
- learning of interests
- how to get involved in the community
- safety
- self advocacy
- earnings
- learning skills and to get along with others
- satisfaction with services provided by BVI
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Jackson County Parks & Recreation presents: |
Friday, February 12th
Vesper Hall
Blue Springs, MO
6:30 - 8:30 pm
$2 per person
Door Prizes! Drinks! DJ!
Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger Dance
Friday, March 26th
Brush Creek Community Center
Kansas City, MO
Dinner 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Dance 6:30 - 8:30 pm
$3 per person
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Community Spotlight |
Everyone at Blue Valley Industries had a blast at the Annual Holiday Celebration! Almost 20 volunteers came in to cheerfully serve a holiday meal while jazz music was provided by Donald Cox & Touch of Class!
Elaine R. received the 2009 James Stewart Memorial Award by meeting the following criteria: having a positive attitude about work, having 90% or above attendance over the last 12 month period, and showing outstanding effort when working.
Andisa T. received the 2009 Friendship Award by a vote of her peers.
Both received an award certificate and an $100 award!
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Featured Staff |
Ken Slagle, Director of Operations
Ken began working at BVI in June 1983 and is responsible for all aspects of business operations including: business sales, creating production systems for the work process, bookkeeping and reporting.
BVI presents a unique set of demands when determining the production process for each different job. Tracking and managing the capabilities of diverse individual workers adds an element of problem solving to the existing challenges and responsibilities of business operations.
Ken works with production floor supervisors to tailor each task for the greatest skill development and productivity. Business was steady in 2009 and is going strong, with an assortment of contracts providing plenty of variety for BVI's almost 100 employees. 2010 looks like a great year so far, with more workers being added to meet the increasing work flow. A production assistant was recently hired to help Ken maintain his high level of productivity that allows BVI to provide superior services to both customers and employees.
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Going Green - Spring 2011 |
Blue Valley Industries is in the process of developing plans for KC Grows, an alternative training center that will be an inclusive experience for BVI workers while enhancing the greater community.
KC Grows will be a unique garden nursery center/social service entrepreneurial venture in the greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. KC Grows will provide quality choices for garden, bedding and container plants as well as vegetables and garden related supplies.
Planning is underway for Spring 2011 opening.
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Together we can have a positive impact in the community while empowering people and changing lives.
Sincerely,
Brian Hogan Executive Director |
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