ACHIEVA Informer

You can then shop as you normally would and ACHIEVA will receive 0.5 percent of the total amount that you purchased. Items will have the words "Eligible for Amazon Smile donation" in the product description.

ACHIEVA's New Mission, Vision & Core Values

ACHIEVA's Boards of Trustees have adopted a new strategic plan to respond to the ever changing environment in human services. This plan is designed to provide more individualized and independent support services for ACHIEVA customers and families.

This plan addresses many of ACHIEVA's challenges and opportunities, including:

Transforming ACHEVA's vocational supports to real work for real money in the real world
Positioning ACHIEVA as a leader in human services by promptly adjusting to statutory and regulatory changes
Ensuring ACHIEVA has top-notch leadership and human capital to accomplish its objectives
Embracing innovation throughout ACHIEVA

ACHIEVA's Boards of Trustees also approved new statements of Mission and Vision for ACHIEVA, as well as new Core Values for the entire organization.

ACHIEVA's Mission - ACHIEVA supports and empowers individuals with disabilities and their families.

ACHIEVA's Vision - ACHIEVA envisions a community where disability is a distinction that makes no difference.

ACHIEVA's Core Values

Respect, value and celebrate everyone.

Embrace and drive change toward innovation and inclusive practices.

Infuse integrity, ethics and best practices in everything we do.

Inspire, challenge and support each other.

Demonstrate passion about ACHIEVA's mission and vision.

Bene-bits

From the Human Resources Department

We all know we can do a better job in improving our health. But, how do you get started. Sometimes it seems so overwhelming we just end up doing nothing. How do you take that first step? Our new health insurance administrator, Cigna, can help. Click on the link below to find resources for weight management, smoking cessation and stress management. As a famous Chinese proverb says, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." So, take the first step!

Click here for the flyer and additional information.

STAR for June 2014

Congratulations Karen Leonard!

Karen has been selected as the featured "STAR" recipient for June 2014. Karen is an Advisor for Residential in Pittsburgh. Her nomination read, "Not only is Karen Leonard an outstanding employee, caregiver and one whose work reflects the overall mission statement of ACHIEVA, but I believe she should be viewed, first, as an outstanding leader. Karen is - and has been - a leader in direct care and for the profession itself since working as an advisor in the residential department. She is a loyal and dependable staff who remains very attentive to the needs of the ladies she supports. Whether she is at home or on vacation, Karen goes the extra mile to offer her opinions and suggestions toward enhancing the lives of all that she touches. Her continual patience and creativity, as well as her tireless commitment toward each of her ladies' personal achievement gives her fellow co-workers constant gratitude for her motivational spirit. Karen's overall dedication is immeasurable. She knows this is her life's passion and calling - and not just her job.

Thank you Karen! Your dedication is truly appreciated!

Congratulations to all nominees of the "STAR" program for June 2014.

Bonita Harris - Home Care Provider in Pittsburgh

Star Program Nominations

Did you know that when you nominate a co-worker for the STAR program you could win $125? If the person you nominate is selected, then you are entered to win $125. It's just that easy!

Nomination forms must be submitted by the 5th of each month to nominate someone for the previous month. To get more information about the program, nominate someone or read about previous nominees, visit the ACHIEVA website and click on Your Chance to Win $125 or contact

Michelle Bowser, Director of Quality Assurance, 412-995-5000 x517 or email:

mbowser@achieva.info.

Pittsburgh Pirates Game

From the Internal Marketing Team

Please join us at PNC Park on Sunday, August 10, 2014 to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play the San Diego Padres. The game begins at 1:35 p.m. All children ages 14 and under will receive a Pirates cereal bowl. After the game, kids can go on to the field and run the bases. During the game, our two lucky winners: Natalia Nolan, granddaughter of Diane Seaman (residential in Greensburg); and Layla Finch, daughter of Satomi Finch (ATF in Greensburg) will go onto the field and help the grounds crew change the bases during the third and sixth inning.

The cost of the tickets is $12 each and there is no limit as to how many tickets can be purchased. The seats are in sections 302 and 303 which are in the upper grandstand on the first base side. The regular price for these tickets is $14. Wheelchair accessibility is available.

Tickets can be paid for with cash, check payable to ACHIEVA or by payroll deduction. Payments can be spread over 10 pays beginning on July 25, 2014.

Click here for the payroll deduction and order form. All orders must be written on the order form.

New Hires!

Congratulations to our new hires!

Catherine Belasco	A Home of My Own Counselor	A Home of My Own
Alyssa Dezulovich	Counselor	Camp
Brittney Dragan	Home Care & Com Hab Provider	Home Care
Ethan Franz	Assembler/Material Handler	Vocational
David Guidas	Home Care & Com Hab Provider	Home Care
Jenna Haaf	Counselor	Camp
Emily Hayburn	Outreach Coordinator	Early Intervention
Chelsea Heckel	Home Care Provider	Home Care
Lara Hendershot	Counselor	Camp
Monique Jefferson	Advisor	Residential
Laraine Macio	Counselor	Camp
Susan Mamone	Counselor	Camp
Caitlin O'Connor	Counselor	Camp
Michael Petrucci	Truck Driver	Vocational
Melissa Ridjaneck	Counselor	Camp
Leanne Rolla-Cargo	Instructor	Adult Training Facility
Steven Romanchak	Counselor	Camp
Megan Sansonetti	Home Care & Com Hab Provider	Home Care
Linda Savini	Counselor	Camp
Eric Schneider	Driver/Advisor	Residential
Erik Scuilli	Counselor	Camp
Mary Scuilli	Counselor	Camp
Brandi Sobeski	Counselor	Camp
Laura Steyer	Residential Counselor	Residential
Jennifer Tritt	Counselor	Camp
Raymond Wiethorn	Supported Employment Specialist	Supported Work
Dayna Wilson	Home Care & Com Hab Provider	Home Care
Joann Zindel	Home Care Provider	Home Care

Welcome to ACHIEVA's team!

Service Anniversaries!

Congratulations!

Please click here for the August service anniversaries.

Birthdays!

Happy Birthday to each of you on your special day!

Please click here for the August birthdays.

Winners of the July 2014 Good Attendance Raffle (GAR)

Congratulations to the following:

Terri Bohn, Community Home Specialist, Residential Department
Latisha Hines, Advisor, Residential Department
Loreli Kosmatine, LPN, PreVocational Department
Dwayne Wilson, Residential Counselor, Residential Department

Terri, Latisha, Loreli and Dwayne each won $125.

Click here to view the complete list.

Employee Appreciation Banquet

From the Internal Marketing Team

Please mark you calendars for Saturday, October 11, 2014. That is the date for the annual Employee Appreciation Banquet. The venue is the same: Edgewood Country Club.

We will be celebrating those employees that have reached 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service with ACHEVA. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Dates to Remember

Monday, August 18, 2014 - ACHIEVA's 16th Annual Million Dollar Golf Outing at Valley Brook Country Club, McMurray

Saturday, October 11, 2014- ACHIEVA's Employee Appreciation Banquet at Edgewood Country Club. We will be celebrating those employees that have reached 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service with ACHEVA.

Monday, December 8, 2014 - ACHIEVA's Annual Awards of Excellence at Station Square, Pittsburgh. The ACHIEVA Annual Awards of Excellence honors a group of extraordinary and talented individuals, organizations and community groups who go above and beyond on behalf of people with disabilities. Click here for a nomination form.

Saturday, March 21, 2015 - ACHIEVA's Pittsburgh Promenade Auction at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, Pittsburgh. This annual event benefits the more than 14,500 children and adults and their families who turn to ACHIEVA each year for services and supports.

ACHIEVA Apparel and Vacation

Thanks to Steve Zeleznak, production manager at our Wilkinsburg Vocational plant for donning his ACHIEVA water repellent wind breaker while making a big catch on the Monongahela River in Clarion County. Steve caught a sucker fish. It looks like his ACHIEVA gear may have brought him some luck! Thank you, Steve, for submitting your picture.

ACHIEVA and the Giving Library

From the Communications Department

Billionaire John Arnold and his wife, Laura, have launched the Giving Library, a collection of videos to help philanthropists learn more about nonprofits, Forbes reports. The collection, which features 250 charities, allows organizations to tell their stories in a deeper way online and reach a broader audience.

In addition to the initial 250 charities, which included ACHIEVA, the Giving Library now has a waiting list of 100 nonprofits, Forbes reports.

Please click here and listen to Danielle Parson, ACHIEVA's Director of Communications, tell our story.

ACHIEVA and its family of organizations - an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

ACHIEVA, and its family of organizations, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ACHIEVA strives to maintain its diverse workforce and encourages all qualified persons to apply for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, disability, ancestry, age or national origin.

Admissions, the provision of services and referrals of people we support, are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age or sex.

Mission Statement

ACHIEVA supports and empowers individuals with disabilities and their families.

Vision Statment

ACHIEVA envisions a community where disability is a distinction that makes no difference.

www.achieva.info

ACHIEVA's Preschool Readiness Program