Spring News from The Progress Center

Non profit day

A shout out to Debbie Boulet for her Rotary volunteering that is in it's 3rd year! Check out the soon to be released video, link below. Shout out to Larry for his untiring focus on inclusion! Terry Cole

Thanks To Laurie for all her hard work in her new Operations Role and for putting up with her tiny office! Deb

Thanks to Stacy and Kathy for the hard work you both have given to the Day Services. Great job. Deb

We would like to welcome Bonnie Chille to the CCM program. Bonnie come to us with many years of experience, she has worked for Catholic Charities of ME, Goodwill Ind., as well as Greater Lynn Mental Health & Retardation Association,in Lynn,MA. Bonnie has 5 dogs at home and a large bird with an attitude. Bonnie enjoys the outdoors where she can walk and hike and enjoy nature. Bonnie is a transplant from NEW YORK, and we welcome her to the team anyway!! WELCOME BONNIE

Erlene would like to say thank you to all her dedicated hard working staff at Spring Street. We have been in transition for 2 months with Gregs new bedroom and moving into new Arts & Craft Room.

Thanks to Deb for coming in on her own time to assist me with moving furniture & equipment.

Nikki thanks for working the overnights until we have a new staff CRMA certified. Nikki has also been accepted to a nursing program and will begin her classes in April. Congratulations Nikki!

Dan thanks for everything you do for the guys at Spring Street, you are a great role model. Thank you for coming in before your scheduled shift and shoveling off roof!

Michele thanks for everything & meeting the needs of Miss Betty.

Thanks to Kristin for her support, guidance, & hard work that you do every day. You go above & beyond to meet the needs of all staff & especially the people we support!!!!!!!!!

Sarah congratulations on the purchase of your new home. Sarah thanks for all you do at Frederick Ave for the people you support. You are an asset to our agency and your mother should be proud, as the apple does not fall far from the tree!!!!!!!!

Shonna thanks for everything you do for the guys at KJ. The home has had many updates & it is seen upon entering the old "staff lounge". Thanks for all the rides to work. You are a great role model for all you support.

I want to say thanks to Bill Sivgney, Ross Mackay, & Marion Fringe for all your help at the Community Suppers that are held the third Thursday of every month.
Liz is lucky to have a dedicated & hard working team.
Thanks to all the groups of people in day program who helped with printing information & cutting up for distribution.
Liz thanks for your hard work & you go above & beyond.

Deb Anthony thanks for your hard work & dedication for the guys that we support!!!!
Erlene

Shout out to Mike for all his IT support and great sense of humor.
Shout out to Larry for being a good sport. He's deeper than we think!
Shout out to Julie for becoming our Therap champion. She's instrumental in our getting Therap off the ground.
Shout out to Erwin for continuing to quietly and competently going about his job. I'm not sure anyone can do what he does (but I'm hoping Julie can!).
Shout out to Kristin for being a source of strength and maturity. Kristin, you are much wiser than I was at your age!
Shout out to Chris D. for having so many solid ideas. You are bringing our finance dept. into the 21st century. Thank you! I couldn't understand any of this stuff without you.
Shout out to Deb for being a great leader - I appreciate your vision and energy and sense of humor.
Shout out to Pam W. and the case management team. Go, mental health license and CCM certification.
Shout out to Christen, my right hand in Children's Services. You should be going to college.
Shout out to Brigid. You can quit pretending you're having a baby, already.
Shout out to Pam H. and Laura for adjusting to all the changes in admin.
Shout out to Pat, my future roomy. Please get your stuff out of my space.
Shout out to Erlene, Shonna and Sarah for gamely keeping up without having access to the Shared Drive. Your time will come!
Laurie

Priscilla thanks for all that you do to keep the community coming to us! Deb

Paul has taken up snowshoeing and seems to really love it. Thanks Ben. Liz

Thanks a lot to Marion for all the hard work she does for me on Fridays helping with hot lunch. Marion, you work really hard. Liz

Way to go David and Bill S! They started a new volunteer job at the food bank and they really love it. Liz

Thanks to Liz and Erlene for making the community suppers such a great success. Thanks for the care you give to all the people in or community. Deb

Thanks Kristin for being such a dedicated leader. You are doing a wonderful job. Deb

Thanks to the Larry for your energy and support. The maintenance training program has been wonderful. Deb

Priscilla you are doing a wonderful job. You bring such fun and energy to our world. Deb

Gary thanks for your patience and hard work making our partnership with RM Transition a success. Deb

Thanks to Pat V. for cleaning up the AR. We are finally getting ahead. You rock! Deb and the Board

Thanks to Fred, Greg and Bruce for the very cool work you are doing on the cutting board business! Deb

To the entire CES team for hanging in there and working hard to provide awesome services to "the guys".
To Kathy Brown, BIG THANK YOU for covering my side for the last 2 Fridays while I was sick.
To Kristin, your patience and guidance are hugely appreciated.
To Deb A, your vision continues to inspire and move us all in a better direction.
To Pam W, for taking on all you have been given with passion, compassion, humor, and grace.
To Steve...thanks
StacyH

I would like to do some shout outs for all my staff for doing all they do and especially helping to support one of our residents who is in great need of tender loving care. Also a big shout out to Stephanie Danico for staying to do an overnight after working an 8 hrs shift, also to Jean Britton for always offering a helping hand whenever needed! Sarah

I would like to send a shout out to the CES team!Everyone has done their best to adjust to all of the changes & make accommodations for the people that we serve.The work has been difficult at times & it often seems like there just aren't enough hours to get everything done. Some staff have gone above & beyond. You're all appreciated! Lisa

Erlene/Kristin - Thank-You for all the support you have given me, YOU GUYS ARE GREAT ! Shonna

KJH Staff - Cherie, Steph, Richard,Lisa, Carlene, Deb
Thank-You, Thank-You for all you do ! Keep up the good work !
Shonna

To Our Subs - Diane , Heather,T., Lisa, Kathy - Thank-You For being so flexible and always being there when we need you ! Diane - You always save me , You know that !!!!!
Shonna

Richard and Carlene - Great job learning the computer ! You guys are doing a great job with Therap and Web- Mail !
Shonna

Mike - Thanks for the computer and all you do with fixing them ! I wont break it , I promise !
Shonna

A big "hi-five" to Sarah for learning to type. Way to go girl!   Priscilla

To all who participated on the budget committees, you did a wonderful job! You all deserve a huge pat-on-the-back for your dedication and caring for your fellow peers as well as to The Progress Center, your understanding of the problem at hand, your resolve to find solutions that are fair to all concerned, and of course, the professionalism you showed while working to solve a very emotional problem.    Priscilla

I want to thank our Business Advisory Committee for their support. You know they are committed to helping our consumers with their ongoing quest to find meaningful employment when they show up for a 7:30 a.m. meeting. "Thank You" again, Tina, Becky, Karen, Liz, Terry, Bruce, Jeff, Mike, and Dana. We really appreciate your time and effort.   Priscilla

To Jean Record for coming in and helping us. You are the number ONE volunteer. Now that you are working more we miss you! We remain grateful for all you do. Deb and the Admin Staff.

Thanks Ben for keeping positive and getting us healthy! deb

Thanks to Gary and Ralph for joining us and making employment for people with disabilities a priority. You are a huge asset to our team! Deb

I would like to send a shout out to Kristen B. for being so understanding and supportive of me as I continue to learn and process my job responsibilities. Kathy B

I would like to thank Stacy H. for being my best cheerleader and support person! We make a great team and I am excited and proud to pair with Stacy in making TPC all we are striving for!! Kathy B

Another shout out to my staff, who go above and beyond to keep this ship sailing smoothly! Kathy B

Welcome to Ken Ruff to Day Services!! We are very happy to have you join our team! Kathy B

A special shout out to Becky Connell who always jumps right in and gets things going every morning and never complains or waivers in her devotion to the guys. You are an inspiration! Kathy B

To Jessica Paradis for being patient as we strive to start a more organized PD program and also for always stepping up to the plate whenever I need a helping hand!! Thank you Jessica! Kathy B

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Hello Friends....

It is hard to believe that Spring is upon us. In a few short weeks the long Winter season will officially end. With Spring there is a wonderful sense of being new, fresh beginnings and promise.

We have come through a hard season of economic changes and difficulties. Jobs have changed, people have given up vacation time, and benefits to continue to make the Progress Center a center of excellence in the Oxford Hills of Maine. We have partnered with our local community to share food, meals, space and the many, many talents of the consumers who seek services from us.

It is said that the the measure of a person is what wakes them up at night. Many of you have spent countless hours awake planning, thinking and giving to this organization. The combined effort of staff, families, consumers and the board of directors allowed us to create a budget and plan that allowed us to prepare for the future with hopefulness.

It is a wonderful season. Our food cooperative begins again, our garden is prepared for the harvest season, our trail grows as phase two begins and is completed by the end of the summer and our warm weather traditions begin once more. Liz's Friday lunch on the grill, Fred's fishing derby, picnics at the lake and summer splash. Life is Good in Oxford Hills. Happy Spring.

Deb

Sarah's Place

News for those supported here!
sarah

ABOUT SUFU

WHAT IS SUFU?
Speaking Up For Us is a statewide coalition with representatives all over the state who work to support local and statewide self-advocacy organizations to network with each other and with national organizations.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?

To help self-advocates keep in contact with each other.
To assure proper supports for self-advocates and self-advocacy groups in Maine.
To help people know their rights.
To speak up for our rights.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Speak to the Maine Legislature on important issues.
Teach other people how to speak up for themselves.
Teach support staff and families about self-advocacy.
Travel to conferences to present and learn.
Hold statewide meetings so we can meet new people and get more people involved with important issues.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? Contact Sarah in the Administration Building

Sarah
President
Speaking Up For Us

Laurie's News--Operations Scoop

fall flower Welcome Bonnie Chille, our newest Community Case Manager. Bonnie has many years of experience working with adults with disabilities, including mental health issues. She is settling in quickly and has been busy visiting clients and learning to navigate EIS. Pam, Debb, Bette and Ashley, in their usual friendly manner, have incorporated Bonnie fully into the case management team.

Terry Cole, and her PCP crew (Deb Peaco, Terry Hoyt) have been holding monthly PCP committee meetings, along with program supervisors and managers. They are currently looking at ways to truly individualize PCPS, whether through power point presentations, memory boxes, photographs, visits to work sites, video shows. Please share your ideas about how to help people express and celebrate themselves at PCP meetings (r anywhere, for that matter) with the committee (Terry Cole's ext. is 303).

Julie has become our Therap in-house expert. She creates ISPs, assists with data entry, updates plans, runs reports - you name it, she can probably figure out how to do it! Her next big project is to learn how to do the transportation billing. That will allow Erwin to feel comfortable about taking more than a day or two off at a time!

It's co-op season, and Mike is ramping up for another summer of the logistics of supplying 30 to 50 families with fresh produce delivered right to their front door. It's a great deal -- $450 for 16 weeks of locally grown greens, herbs, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, leeks, onion, garlic, shallots (these are like a cross between a garlic and an onion - delicious and stinky!), cukes, summer squash, winter squash, carrots, beets, radishes, and much more! Filling out the orders are locally produced items such as anadama bread, sourdough bread, whoopie pies, doughnuts, date bars, eggs, honey, maple syrup, and much more! Every week is like Christmas - you don't know what you will get, but it is all delicious and fresh and healthy.

You can also participate in direct orders, where you order and pay for specific items each week. Direct orders can also be delivered to your home. Please see Mike (ext. 209) for more information or to sign up food delivery through the co-op.

Larry is developing a Maintenance Training program, combining DSP work while keeping our facilities running. He and his team are currently constructing an office in the Admin building (it's going to be Laurie's, so don't get your hopes up!). They recently built a wall to enclose a new bedroom at Spring Street and will be starting to chip away at the 08/08 energy audit recommendations, starting with KJH. This week, Larry and his team have had to address several emergency leak situations at the homes - what are you all doing to those dishwashers and washers and toilets, for heaven's sakes!

Erwin continues to run transportation in his low-key and unassuming way. However, a recent meeting with him revealed the billing and tracking system to be very complex and detailed. His years as a math teacher are finally paying off! Erwin suggested training Julie as a back-up for billing - he is eager to ensure that TPC is reimbursed for all the miles staff drive in the course of providing services. And there are a lot of miles!

Pam Holt is running our HR department. She is the person to see when you have HR issues, including grievances. Pam brings years of HR experience to her position. She orients new staff, maintains databases of information, keeps the personnel files in order, manages benefits, and performs a lot of other unsung but necessary HR functions.

Christen Marshall, our Lead Children's Services staff person, is more and more assuming supervisory duties in that program. She writes assessments, facilitates annual and 90 day review meetings, writes plans and updates and is learning how to provide DHHS with the very specific information required for this service. Next steps for Christen: billing and staff supervision!

Recent QA activities have included TCM and CCM file audits, day services billing audits, and safety reviews. Basically, QA never stops. We can show up at any moment to review files, look at facilities, and interview clients. Be a boy scout and Be Prepared!

Quote from Operations: The world is a tangled knot. Who will untangle that knot?