The APSI Advisor                                                                                             Issue 6
                                                                                                                                                          Winter 2015
FROM

Advocacy & Protective Services, Inc.
Wishing you health and happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. 
Greetings!

As 2015 comes to a close I want to thank everyone connected to APSI for your hard work and dedication to those we serve. As most of you know we have seen significant change in the DD system in Ohio this year. APSI's role as guardian is also changing as we continue to serve individuals with very significant and complex challenges.

In 2015 we underwent  a program review and this has resulted in several recommended changes. These changes have begun to be implemented in late 2015 and will continue to be implemented in 2016. 

My goal in engaging in this restructuring is to strengthen APSI services as we serve more complex individuals and to best utilize innovation and emerging technology to enhance our services and sustainability.

By streamlining and integrating policies, procedures, and systems, I hope APSI can make the difficult task of providing guardianship services to the individuals we serve a little less daunting. In addition, we are currently interviewing for a Chief Program Officer to direct and implement the program changes. 

As with any restructuring there will be a period of transition for everyone. I know I can count on your support as we at APSI move forward in this vitally necessary process.

Thank You,

Karla Rinto
Staff Spotlight: David Galipault
David Galipault, APSI Adminstrative Aide

David is employed by APSI as an Administrative Aide and recently celebrated his 18th anniversary with the agency.

David works part time at the APSI Central Office building where his duties include shredding, document disposal, and transporting bins of recyclable plastic and cardboard outside for disposal.

I recently spoke with David about his long time work with APSI and he had this to say about his job, "I like it. My favorite thing is taking out the recyclables." When I asked him about the individuals he works with at APSI he said, "I work with Jason and Trisha and they help me and check on me." David also has a job coach named Michael who stops in to touch base with him once a month.

David explained that on the days he is to go to work at APSI he gets up early (he says he doesn't want to be late)  takes a shower and gets ready to leave home. He likes to stop at Tim Horton's for breakfast and then takes the #3 bus and the #2 bus to get to the office on time. 

During the course of his typical workday David carries out his duties while at the same time keeping everyone he encounters informed about upcoming events in and around the city of Columbus. He is very busy outside of work and especially loves to attend festivals and parades. David also enjoys visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  
DODD Exit Waivers

Great news! APSI was recently informed by DODD that the December list of exit waiver candidates includes potentially 50 APSI individuals.  Each of these individuals will have the opportunity to move into a less restrictive community setting. Individuals were selected as exit waiver candidates by DODD based on their waiting list date and date of admission to an ICF. 

As part of the next step in the exit waiver process, Protective Service Representatives from around the state will be working hard throughout the next week to provide options counseling for the individuals who require it.
 
APSI staff members will be using the documents developed by  CareStar and DODD to complete the options counseling requirement related to the exit waiver process.
APSI Anniversaries
              
               November                                         December
One Year
MaryAnn Holtschulte
Jim Scenters
One Year
John Brickner 
Kevin Solon
Three Years
Clarence Plump
Ron Spencer
Jazmine Waites		Two Years
Pat Dahlinghaus

Three Years
Six Years
Bev Short 
Talia Powell
Eleven Years
Carolyn Winnard
Six Years
Rick Russo
Thirteen Years  
Debbie Grieshop
Twelve Years
Christy Snyder
Twenty-Seven Years
Earl Cline
Eighteen Years
David Galipault




                                                          January
One Year 
Kim Starling
Two Years
Darleen Burnison
Three Years
Terry Cooper
Inez Hunter
Five Years
Mike Walters
Eighteen Years
Charly Steinbrenner
Twenty-Two Years
Jan Bannon
 
Welcome
We would like to extend a warm welcome to APSI's newest employees!

Gary Russo (NE)
Sarah Molde (NE)
 Michelle Landman (EC)
Carmella Nicholson (NE)
Kroger Community Rewards Program

Tired of making the same old resolutions for the New Year?  Why not choose something different this year and resolve to support APSI by enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards Program.

Follow the instructions below to create an account and enroll in the program:
  • Go to krogercommunityrewards.com 
  • Click "create an account" 
  • Enter your email address and password. 
  • Confirm your password 
  • Enter Kroger Plus Card OR Alt ID Number 
  • Go to Community Rewards (near bottom) 
  • Follow the prompts to enter the necessary information (name, address, etc.) 
  • Put in the group number or part of the name of the organization. 
  • Choose the correct organization. 
  •  Click Enroll.
 You should now be enrolled for the May 1, 2015 - April 30, 2016 Kroger Community Reward year. If you have questions or need assistance with enrollment, please feel free to contact Angie Gerding at agerding@apsiohio.org
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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