2008 - lifebridge health · chervel reavis production assistant alton royal administration...
TRANSCRIPT
2008
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To maximize the employability of persons with disabling conditions and/or barriers to employment, while being mutually enhancing to LifeBridge Health
MANAGEMENT
DirectorDavid Shegan
Operations ManagerLisa Mules
Program Development ManagerMira Appleby
Financial Operations ManagerNorma Rodriguez
Payroll & Human Resources CoordinatorJennifer Lucas
VOCATIONAL SERVICES
Career Coach/MX CounselorCharles Milburn
CAS Evaluator/YO CoordinatorTamiko Hitch
COTT InstructorTracy Piazza
COTT AssistantPhillip Howell
Job Placement SpecialistJacqueline Reavis
WAT SupervisorMarla Friedman
WAT CounselorDennis Umberger
United Way Grant CounselorCarrie Elwood
BUSINESS SERVICES
Case ManagerVeronica White
Copy Center SupervisorMarc Greene
Copy Center SupervisorKaren Kennedy
Janitorial Project ManagersMichelle EdmondsJordan RobinsonJihada Shabazz
Production SupervisorChervel Reavis
Production AssistantAlton Royal
ADMINISTRATION
Administrative AssistantSylvia Reese
Network & Software SpecialistAndy Snyder
SecretaryBecka Szymborski
VSP STAFF LIST
THE VSP MISSION:
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Message from the Director
In Fiscal Year 2008, VSP held its 40th anniversary celebration of
service to individuals with disabilities. With over 120 guests in
attendance, VSP hosted this evening event in the production
area of our facility. We honored many of our customers,
recognized our corporate leadership, and welcomed many
special guests. All in attendance enjoyed cocktails and
hors d’oeuvres along with music provided by a jazz trio. A
short film was produced especially for the event. This film
traced VSP’s history of vocational and business services, and
interviews with customers, funding sources and LifeBridge
Health executives served as testimony to the great work done
by our staff.
The past year also presented many challenges to VSP’s
Vocational Rehabilitation Services. With both local and
state economies feeling the pinch that we have all felt, it
was essential that VSP display its diligence and creativity
in funding programs that experienced a downturn in
referrals. To that end, we submitted various grant proposals
to both public and private funders. The results brought
renewed funding from the Mayor’s Office of Employment
Development and Baltimore City Public Schools, while new
funding from the Abell Foundation was awarded to address
the growing needs of students in northwest Baltimore.
This will undoubtedly lay the groundwork for many future
achievements.
VSP’s Business Services Division celebrated similar
successes. A new 10-year contract with the Social Security
Administration’s National Computer Center was awarded
in September. This contract brings with it a potential total
value of $34,700,000. In addition, a new 5-year contract with
the Motor Vehicle Administration will extend our janitorial
service through 2013. The total value of this contract is
over $3,200,000. VSP’s poster printing business has grown
remarkably over this past year. The addition of a new Canon
IPF8100 42” wide format printer allows VSP to provide a
greater range of services to all our print customers. We can
now offer our customers the highest quality posters, signs,
banners and photo enlargement.
With much to commemorate from the past, it is most
important that we also continue to celebrate our present
and future. The dedicated staff at VSP continues to rise to
the challenges laid before them, as we aggressively move
forward with renewed energy and commitment to all those
we serve. We look forward to the coming year and to all the
new opportunities that we will encounter.
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VSP: 40 Years and Growing Strong
“When you talk about impact, the number of
placed youth, VSP has done a fabulous job with
our special needs population. VSP understands
and cares about the out-of-school population
and understands true partnership, so it’s a
win-win for everyone.”
Ernest Dorsey Youth Opportunity Division Director
“VSP is an organization which is run effectively,
and it’s able to produce economic benefit. VSP
stands for all that LifeBridge Health cares about
– compassion, competence, quality, energy, and
enthusiasm.”
Warren GreeenPresident and CEO, LifeBridge Health
“Having come from a little division within the
department of Sinai Rehabilitation to its own
department with national respect is admirable.
The future for VSP is onward and upward. VSP is a
department that is on the move, on the rise and
on the go.”
Neil MeltzerPresident and COO, Sinai Hospital
“VSP has been an invaluable partner. Any
provider who serves individuals with disabilities
knows that you don’t do this kind of work in
isolation - you must do it in partnership.“
Robert BurnsAssistant Superintendent, Division of Rehabilitation Services
“VSP services are key to LifeBridge Health’s
mission in the Park Heights area and in the
Northwest Baltimore area. VSP finds and
meets the needs of both the community
and Sinai, Levindale, and Northwest.”
Barbara EpkeVice President, Sinai Hospital
“VSP helped me set goals and objectives so that
together we could obtain what I needed...so that
I could re-establish my life and get a sufficient
job in the workplace. VSP gave me more than I
could hope for. “
Phyllis Nelson VSP Participant (now Sinai employee)
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Natrice LewisA PCA / Workforce Development Success Story
Natrice Lewis began employment at Sinai Hospital as a
Patient Care Associate (PCA) in October 2007 with ten
years of nursing assistant work experience. She was
drawn to Sinai because of the career growth opportunities.
Natrice always knew that she wanted to expand her career
options by moving beyond nursing assistant work but was
not sure of what those options were or how to reach them.
In January 2008, Natrice sought out VSP’s career coach
after hearing from other PCAs regarding the workforce
development services that she could access. The career
coach met with Natrice and an Individual Development
Plan was completed addressing some of Natrice’s barriers to
success. These included accessing appropriate daycare and
identifying learning options for her daughter with special
needs. A career interest survey was administered to help
Natrice narrow her choices. Additionally, Natrice met with
LifeBridge Health’s work force development coordinator
to explore LifeBridge Health education and training
opportunities. Once tested, it was determined that Natrice
had the interest and ability to enter a pilot surgical technician
training program, just developing through the Baltimore
Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH).
The 13 month Surgical Technician program, a partnership
with BACH, the Community College of Baltimore County
(CCBC) and Baltimore area health institutions, will provide
Natrice with classroom and clinical instruction, all leading
to certification as a Surgical Technician and a new and
exciting position at Sinai Hospital. During training, Natrice will
continue working as a PCA and will attend class twice weekly.
Her pay will increase by $4 per hour when she moves from
PCA to the Surgical Technician position.
Natrice spoke about VSP services as follows:
“If I had not received Career Coaching services, my ambition
to do something different would not have been as high as it
was. With VSP, I have my own personal cheering section. VSP
made me want to succeed and helped me do something
different. As a surgical technician, I will pave the way for
others.”
“VSP made me want to succeed and helped me do something different.”
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Vocational HighlightsLifeBridge Health Hires from Vocational ServicesDuring this fiscal year, 40 VSP clients were hired into positions at LifeBridge Health. Departments that hired VSP program graduates include Sinai’s GIGU, Food and Nutrition Services, Laundry, Environmental Services, Patient Transportation, Health Information Management, Central Sterile and Levindale’s Adult Daycare.
Contemporary Office Technology TrainingDuring this year, marketing efforts were enhanced with the goal to increase enrollment in computer training classes. A computer training web banner was created to advertise on the main page of BridgeNet, LifeBridge Health’s intranet site. On this site, classes are advertised daily. Additionally, expert level classes in various MS Office programs were added to the course offerings. At other times, informational booths were set up at Sinai and Northwest Hospitals to advertise computer training courses, and broadcast emails were sent throughout the organization announcing the same. In coordination with the IS Department, VSP supported the upgrade of the organization’s email system, GroupWise, by offering classroom instruction and by distributing GroupWise QuickStart cards via VSP’s online ordering system, ReqDirect.
Two years ago, VSP and Sinai Human Resources created a clerical internship program, and this endeavor has continued with extreme success. During the year, there were three successful completers of the internship. The HR recruiters continue to be very attentive to each of our clients, and they are always willingly involved in assisting them with accessing job opportunities at Sinai. Each of these COTT graduate interns successfully obtained employment as a result of the training and experience they received at VSP and Sinai Hospital. The clerical internship was a highlighted experience on each of their resumes.
LifeBridge Health Computer Training GrowthIn FY’08, VSP continued to provide a variety of computer training courses to LifeBridge Health employees through the system’s Organizational Effectiveness and Development unit. This year, we had 266 registrants for the classes offered at VSP, which more than doubled the number of registrants compared to last year.
See page six for additional vocational highlights.
Alliance American Resource America’s Best Applebee’s Restaurant ARAMARK Baltimore Arena Baltimore Behavioral Health, Inc. Baltimore City Public Schools Bay Area Research Beacon Staffing Broadway Services Catonsville Community College Chimes Coppin State University Cross Janitorial Cleaning Dennis Marketing Group Douglas Memorial Church FedEx Forman Mills Franklin Realty Game Stop Genesis Nursing Home @ Franklin Woods Giant Food Stores GMP Assisted Living iScan Jantech Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home Jones Network Kohl’s Department Store Legal Aid of Maryland Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and HospitalLinwood Center Lord Baltimore Radisson Marriott Hotel Meals on Wheels Med Assurant Metro One Loss Prevention Metropolitan Life Metropolitan Maintenance Office Team PDP Group Peabody Parking Quest Diagnostics Rainbow Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina Shaw’s Cleaning Service Shoe City Shoppers Food Market Sinai Hospital Sisters Together and Reaching, Inc. Slomin’s Shield Standard Parking Subway Sudsville Laundry Sunoco Tavesure Realty The Villa Top Notch Clothing Store University of Baltimore Dental Museum VSP Wal-Mart
Employers
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Rebecca AbbottA COTT Success Story
Prior to coming to VSP, Rebecca Abbott knew that a
change in her life was necessary. “At the time, I was a 37
year old woman who wanted to get my life together.
I only had a high school diploma and hardly any job skills. I
hadn’t worked in over five years, and I was in desperate need
of some kind of training to be able to re-enter the job market.
I needed something more than a job; I needed something
that would help me start that career I never had. I signed up
with DORS, and, in turn, they sent me to VSP.”
Rebecca received both Career Assessment Services and 24
weeks of Contemporary Office Technology Training (COTT).
“The people at VSP were a godsend. They were interested
in me and in what I wanted. VSP took the time to do an
evaluation of my skills and interests to see what would be
best suited for me. They paved the way for that career I
needed. The door was always open to me. Whenever there
was a problem, VSP staff were diligent and patient and
worked with me until the problem was solved. VSP staff made
me feel there was nothing I couldn’t do.”
Upon completion of training, Rebecca entered job search,
and, through VSP’s Job Development, Placement and
Retention service, she was hired into a secretarial position
at Legal Aid of Maryland. “Not only did the services at VSP
impact my ability to obtain a job, but they actually got me
a job I otherwise would never have a chance at. When I
did work, it was always a dead-end job such as cashiering,
working in a warehouse or cleaning hotel rooms. But today,
I am employed as a secretary with an excellent company. I
do believe that without VSP, I would still be doing the same
old thing. VSP has also helped in my life by giving me the
confidence and structure to live a life I’ve only dreamed
about. Thank you is not nearly enough.”
“All the skills I have learned in the COTT program I have
used at my job. These include using Microsoft Word, Excel,
and Access. I feel confident in my ability to work anywhere.
That says a lot about VSP, considering I didn’t have anything
to start with. What is truly amazing is that co-workers who
have been on the job for many years here actually ask me
questions about how to navigate through different programs,
and I can answer them.”
“All the skills I have learned in the COTT program I have used at my job.”
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Baltimore City High School students will receive the following services: career exploration/assessment, self-advocacy training, work preparation, paid and unpaid work experiences, job/education placement and retention services. Additional students will be served from selected BCPSS high schools during subsequent funding years.
United Way Funding ContinuationOnce again this year, all grant goals were attained. Through paid work experiences, students learned occupational skills such as attendance, punctuality, interpersonal skills, initiative, work quality and productivity as well as skills needed to perform job-specific tasks. VSP staff conducted both group and individual job search and job attainment sessions, such as searching and applying for positions, networking with employers as well as developing a resume and acquiring interviewing skills.
Students interested in pursuing post-secondary education or training were taught how to complete entrance applications, prepare for entrance exams and apply for financial aid.
Vocational Highlights (Continued)Abell Foundation Grant AwardOn March 3, 2008, Sinai and VSP were informed of approved funding from the Abell Foundation in the amount of just over $91,000 to expand its Youth Achieving Potential initiative. During the 2008-2009 academic year, VSP will be providing transitioning services to 40 exiting seniors with special needs from Baltimore City Public High Schools. These services will include necessary up-front services – Career Assessment, paid Work Experiences and Placement services– all leading to post-secondary placements in employment or education/training settings. The program model provides all of the necessary services to assure successful transition from youth to adult life. From the onset of service delivery, the focus will remain on the individual’s choice of further education or entrance to the world of work.
Maryland State Department of Education AwardVSP has entered into a partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools and DORS for $150,000 of funding over a two-year period from the Maryland State Department of Education to implement a transition model of services. Roll-out of services will commence during the 2009-2010 academic school year.
Pictured left - right: Warren Green, President & CEO of LifeBridge Health, Darcel Oglesby, United Way Participant, and Mark Furst, Executive Vice President & COO of the United Way of Central Maryland
at the LifeBridge Health United Way Kickoff Reception
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Darcel came to VSP’s United Way-funded Youth Achieving Potential program by way of Forest Park High School, upon the recommendation of her transition
coordinator. Darcel was a graduating senior this school year.
Darcel always knew that she enjoyed working with people but was not sure in what setting she would be doing so. She knew that she wanted to “get experience in a work setting such as healthcare” since she had personal experience as a prior patient and liked how people helped her by using good “bedside manners.”
For her work experience at LifeBridge Health, Darcel was placed in the Levindale Adult Daycare area helping consumers complete activities, serving meals and assisting consumers in any personal capacity. Darcel was able to learn about different geriatric conditions such as diabetes and dementia and how to meet the specific needs of such individuals.
Darcel functioned as a mentor to other program participants, assisting three other students in learning bus routes from school to Sinai and back home. She also coached these same students in learning their way around Sinai Hospital. Darcel’s goal is to eventually become a nursing assistant, but she knows that she needs to gain further work experience. Thus, she is both applying for nursing assistant training and attempting to gain a more immediate job.
Darcel OglesbyA Youth Achieving Potential Success Story
Here is an excerpt from Darcel’s speech at LifeBridge Health’s United Way Kick-Off Reception in June 2008:
“I have lived in Baltimore all my life, and things haven’t always been easy for my family and me. I moved around a lot and have almost been homeless because of our water and heat being shut off. At one point, we lived in an office to stay warm. I got lead paint poisoning when I was very young. Because of that, I was always sick, and I have a learning disability. Because of my disabilities and my situation at home, I felt like I wanted to drop out of school. However, my teacher, Ms. Frazier, saw potential in me and recommended me for the United Way program.”
“In the United Way program, I received support from the counselors and successfully completed an internship at Levindale Adult Day Care. During my internship, I helped patients and learned valuable skills. VSP helped me complete financial aid forms so I can go to college. Even though I have some fears about doing well in college, my counselor is there to support me and tell me I can do it! Because of the support I received from my teachers and counselors at VSP in the United Way program, I graduated from high school, I am going to college in the fall, and I have a part-time job. Thank you to my counselors and everyone who’s helped me, and thank you United Way!”
“Because of the support I received from my teachers and counselors at VSP in the United Way program, I graduated from high school, I am going to college in the fall, and I have a part-time job. “
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Special RelationshipVSP, Sinai Hospital’s vocational services program, assists individuals with disabilities in preparing to enter the workforce and in finding meaningful employment in healthcare. Out of that tradition, LifeBridge Health joined the Healthcare Alliance Youth Program (HC Alliance) in partnership with Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland Medical System in 2005.
Both VSP and HC Alliance turned to Crothall for internships at Sinai Hospital. Crothall has benefited from hiring the most qualified trainees into vacant positions. ’’The Envi-ronmental Services staff has provided extensive support to VSP clients,” states Mira Appleby, Manager of Program Development. HC Alliance Career Coach Charles Milburn has also had great success working with Patient Trans-portation. In 2005, HC Alliance was just getting started and Patient Transportation had just come under contract. “Diane McCullough [Crothall’s National Director of Patient Transportation] was receptive to training our interns,” he explains. ”Our agreement was that if, after an initial period of training, these young people met all employment requirements, CrothalI would hire them and make them part of the team.’’
Opportunities and SolutionsRegional Manager Charlie Lamb and acting Director Greg Osganian set up a comprehensive training program for the Healthcare Alliance youths. By the end of 2007, the program had an 84% rate of hire for its graduates. Accord-ing to McCullough, ”The Healthcare Alliance provided both opportunities and solutions. We are providing op-portunities for those who were challenged in obtaining
During FY ‘08, the career coaching program served 40 Sinai Hospital Patient Care Associates. Twenty-nine clients in the program were retained during the year, which constitutes a 72% retention rate. Fifteen of the 40 participants enrolled have completed their one year participation in the program, and 14 are still active. Six individuals have enrolled in community college to further their education in the healthcare industry.
A unique partnership began more than 2 years ago, when Crothall Services was contracted to provide a variety of patient support services at Sinai Hospital. With VSP’s desire to place its clients in employment at the hospital and Crothall’s need to hire qualified applicants, a new and exciting partnership was created.
The following article was featured in the May, 2008 edition of Crothall Celebrations:
meaningful employment and acquiring untapped talent after a built-in, no-cost evaluation period.’’ Appleby says that VSP clients enjoyed working as transporters ‘’because of the opportunity to interact with hospital patients and their families.’’
Current Director of Patient Transportation, Shane O’Keefe, has continued the tradition of hiring from both VSP and HC AIIiance. He sees the pre-vocational and technical skills training as a big advantage. “Healthcare Alliance clients go through our ’Foundations’ training program during their internship. While they are learning the program, we get to know them and their work ethic. Being able to hire someone you have trained and already know means the process of hiring from recruiting through orientation will be much quicker.”
Success StoriesKim Miles started as a part-time transporter and was hired full time within 4 months. Her transport times were great, but it was Kim’s compassion for the patients that earned her a promotion to Radiology Specialist at Sinai Hospital. Brandon Riley and Bridget Staton also started as trans-porters and are both now dispatchers for Crothall. Jabril Alexander was hired 3 weeks into his internship, and just received a job offer to become an EVS supervisor.
The partnership has been a win for the participating trainees, CrothalI, and Sinai Hospital. In VSP’s 40th An-niversary documentary, program graduate Phyllis Nelson, now working in Sinai’s Medical Records, called VSP and its partners, “The great face and system of help.”
The Great Face and System of HelpCrothall and VSP Benefit Each Other at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Workforce Development
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Jabril Alexander is a young man on the move. He has lots
of confidence and plans for himself. He feels that through
positive thinking and actions he will be able to achieve
his short term goal of becoming an operations manager and
a long term goal of operating his own business.
Jabril graduated from Lake Clifton High School in 2004. In the
fall of 2004, Jabril was accepted and entered the Baltimore
International College in the culinary program and successfully
completed one semester. Due to financial difficulties, Jabril
withdrew from this program but decided to expand his
horizons and to enter employment for a delivery company.
He quickly rose through the ranks to a supervisor level.
Unfortunately, Jabril was layed off from this position. However,
he learned about the MX Youth Center and realized that the
services offered there could be of benefit to him.
In October 2006, Jabril began services at the MX Center
and took advantage of leadership training offered there.
“I took initiative and learned about the importance of
Jabril AlexanderA Malcom X Youth Services Success Story
leadership training and team building with my fellow
program participants.” Jabril entered his paid internship
at Sinai Hospital in March of 2007 in the Patient Transport
department. Within 10 days Jabril was offered permanent
employment in this same department.
In April 2008, after 12 months of successful employment,
Jabril applied for and was hired by Crothall Services Group as
a supervisor in the Sinai Environmental Services department.
He supervises a large crew of environmental services
employees, and, as a result, his salary has nearly doubled.
Jabril stated, “As a supervisor, my strategy is to listen to my
staff, always try and be fair, and try to accommodate people
as best I can.”
Jabril feels that VSP has provided him with lots of
“encouragement and motivation and a foot in the door with
Sinai Hospital.” Jabril had always wanted to work at Sinai, since
his mother works here.
“As a supervisor, my strategy is to listen to my staff, always try and be fair, and try to accommodate people as best I can.”
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Forms ManagementIn comparison to FY’07, we have seen increases in virtually every category of forms management except for the total cost. We faced a reduction of costs for print-on-demand and stock forms. This is due, in part, to cost reductions passed along because of increased efficiencies and reduced production costs.
Poster PrintingVSP’s poster printing business has grown remarkably over this past fiscal year. With the addition of a new Canon IPF8100 42” wide format printer, we have been able to provide a greater range of services to LifeBridge entities as well as to many outside clients. In FY’08, this new service tripled in revenue.
In conjunction with poster printing, there is a high demand for dry mounting services. We have added cost effective equipment to perform these services and to enhance our overall capabilities.
SSA 10-year contract renewalThe new contract with the Social Security Administration’s National Computer Center was awarded to VSP in September 2007. This is a ten-year contract that started on October 1, 2007, with a current total value of $34,701,306. The value will increase as contract year renewals are implemented with increased wages, taxes, benefits, etc.
MVA 5-year contract renewalVSP signed a five-year contract with MVA extending our service through 2013. The total value of the contract increased by $75,849 for total annual value of $639,100 and a five-year value of $3,227,455. The scope of work increased to include areas that had not previously been included in the contract.
Lunch and Learn SessionsFour Lunch & Learn Sessions were held during the fiscal year for employees and their families. The topics included Sexual Harassment, MTA and the Services They Provide, Medication Resources, and FCE Health Insurance and Health Advocate.
Business Services Highlights
New Product Line In 2007, VSP began to provide CD and DVD Duplication services, along with custom packaging of CD and DVD content. We have developed expertise in the field and pride ourselves on offering the best production quality, highly competitive pricing, and unsurpassed personalized service.
CD duplication is ideal for smaller runs, where quick turn time and low prices are important. Discs are burned with data at VSP and then printed using state-of-the-art inkjet color print technology, offering quality color printed discs, full photographic quality, and quick turn times.
NISH/GSA AwardOn December 3, 2008, VSP was presented with the NISH Nonprofit Agency (NPA) Custodial Certification Award for successfully achieving the Level IV plateau which carries certification for a period of three years effective August 2007. “Certification represents an NPA’s ongoing commitment to continual process improvement and customer satisfaction in the provision of custodial services. VSP achieved the highest score to date of any organization undergoing the certification process”.
In 2005, NISH worked with an industry cleaning consultant, Daniels Associates, Inc., to develop an NPA Custodial Certification program at the request of one of the largest Federal customers, the General Services Administration’s Public Building Service. The overall goal is to raise the quality and consistency of all NPA’s that provide custodial services to this customer as we continue to position ourselves as their “vendor of choice”.
VSP was presented with the 2007 NPA Custodial Certification Trophy recognizing our achievement of this award. In addition, this recognition will be forwarded to GSA/Public Building Service representatives regarding our commitment to excellence and availability for future opportunities.
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Financial UpdateFiscal year 2008 was not without its financial challenges, yet VSP was able to maintain total revenue nearly equal
to previous years. Total operating revenue, once again, topped $8,000,000. While we experienced a steep drop in
mailing and vocational rehabilitation revenue, janitorial growth helped to offset these declines. Seton Production
(mailing and digital printing) and Vocational Rehabilitation experienced a combined 15% decrease over the previous
year, however, Janitorial Services grew by 5%.
On the bright side, VSP was able to attract new vocational funding for next year from multiple public and private
sources. An $80,000 grant from the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and $91,000 from the Abell
Foundation will promote additional vocational services in Fiscal Year 2009. Along with the continuation of United
Way funding ($97,000 annually), we are optimistic that our mission to serve individuals with disabilities will be
enhanced as we move forward.
The vocational revenue chart shows a shift in funding. COTT, JDPR and Grants percentages have increased
moderately since last year, while WAT has dropped by nearly 20%. As demonstrated below, VSP continues to average
more than $475,000 annual revenue growth since FY 2000.
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Darnell Belle likes to work. He describes himself as
someone who “likes a challenge” and is “always
looking for a way to do my job better.” His supervisor,
project manager Jihada Shabbaz, describes Darnell as
someone who always has “done well with his assignments
and has received lots of compliments from tenants, visitors
and building management at our VSP janitorial contract site.”
Darnell was originally hired as a janitor at the Motor Vehicle
Administration headquarters in March 1999. As a result of his
success in that position and some newly acquired skills, he
was promoted to the position of Lead Janitor in May 2008.
His new responsibilities include supervision of four staff,
troubleshooting problem areas and responding to service
calls.
Darnell sees his employment over the past nine years as “just
what he wants.” While this seems somewhat of a routine
response to a question, given what he has overcome and
accomplished in his personal life, this answer is admirable.
Darnell BelleA Business Services Success Story
Darnell is a veteran who served in Vietnam, returning
to the mid-Atlantic area and obtaining employment as
a housekeeper and HVAC technician for 15 years. After
he sustained a serious accident outside of work, Darnell
experienced symptoms that resulted in a long recovery
process. The Veterans Administration and other community
providers supplied Darnell with needed psycho-social and
vocational services, and, over an extended period of time,
Darnell was able to re-enter the workforce in the community.
Darnell was referred to VSP employment from the Veterans
Administration on Greene Street and has been an employee
since 1999. He has been able to live independently, own a
car again and reconnect with both of his children. Darnell
has demonstrated that through perseverance and support,
success can be achieved both on the job and in life.
Darnell has demonstrated the fact that through perseverance and support, success can be achieved both on the job and in life.