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HILLCROFT SERVICES, INC.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

September 2017

Mission – Vision - Values We provide innovative services and supports for People with disabilities and their families, resulting in extraordinary differences in People’s lives. Our Core Values and Expectations As “Gardeners” of Hillcroft Services, Inc., we will be:

Devoted: • Committed daily to the long term • Adapting to change in all environments/seasons Supportive: • Cultivate continued growth through providing tools and encouragement • Seeing the potential in all situations Positive: • Focus on plants (strengths) not weeds (weakness) • Sunshine – smile

CONTENT Topic Page

News from the Editor 2 Welcome to our New VP of Develop. & Mrktg. 2 Welcome to Hillcroft 3 Years of Service 4 Gardeners 4 MARvelous Gardeners 12 Classified Ads 15 Birthday Calendar Attached Christmas Club for Clients Attached Zumba Attached Newsletter Quiz (last month’s winner is listed) Attached Please submit all news, articles, information, etc. to Sandy Penrod via email, SComm or hard copy placed in my mailbox. Enjoy your newsletter……

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How

much you can love! What you can accomplish!

And what your potential is! …. Anne Frank

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NEWS FROM THE EDITOR

Direct Support Professionals week is September 10 – 16, 2017. Don’t think about being recognized only one week of the year - put it in perspective. It’s like Mother’s Day – only celebrated one day a year for all she does all year long. I take great pride in working where we have some of the best DSP’s around. Every position at Hillcroft is valuable and serves a purpose but we truly need our DSP’s to function effectively. I used to disagree when people would say “it takes a special kind of person to …… “ because I thought that anyone who loved

and wanted to help others could do this job. I now know it is so much more than that. Your jobs are hard and oftentimes appear thankless to you – but trust me Hillcroft is thankful to have you. We serve people from all backgrounds. Some who spent many years in an institution, some abandoned by family, some who have endured more cruelty that we can possibly imagine. We also serve people who have grown up with family support and have been given many opportunities. No matter where they come from they want to be loved and accepted. They want to know that someone is going to advocate for them and treat them with respect and dignity. That is when they begin to trust. That is when they know they are loved. That is when they know they are home. As DSP’s you have a lot of responsibilities working in the “trenches” and many challenges on a daily basis - you are doing a MARVELOUS job. You truly make the world a better place and we are all better people knowing that our DSP’s are building foundations based on love. Sandy Penrod (The three special gifts you chose for DSP week were chosen by our Leadership Team on behalf of Hillcroft Services, Inc.)

WELCOME TO OUR NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING

by Genet Soule Hello Everyone – my name is Genet Soule and I am delighted to join you as Hillcroft’s new VP of Development & Marketing. I thought writing an article for the newsletter would be a good way to introduce myself and to say Hello. I’m a Buckeye by birth (Cleveland, OH). I moved to Indianapolis in grade school and graduated from Ben Davis High School and DePauw University (BA Economics). I also hold a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary (St. Louis). You might wonder, “How do business and religion mix?” Well, I’m a believer that how we choose to spend our time, talent and resources is informed by and informs our spiritual life. My career has evolved to combine my business and theological background in work that I call “stewardship,” more commonly referred to as “fund-raising.” During seminary I served as a student intern at Emmaus Homes – the United Church of Christ’s ministry for the developmentally disabled. So when I heard about the Hillcroft position I was curious to learn more about it. One conversation led to another, and here I am, today, my third week at Hillcroft. I look forward to becoming acquainted with everyone as I tour Hillcroft sites and job-shadow in some of the programs over the next couple weeks. I love our Hillcroft nametags! Wearing it makes me feel like I belong. And they sure are helpful to new staff, like me, in getting to know you. So, thanks in advance for wearing your Hillcroft nametag! Finally, many people have asked, “How do you pronounce your first name?” Genet rhymes with Senate. And for jazz fans – Tony Bennett. Here is a fun fact: Genet is the name of an animal that lives in east Africa. I wasn’t named after the Genet but rather after my mother’s friend. I’m not offended if my name is mispronounced. So please don’t be shy in introducing yourself. You can find my office in the Administrative corridor between Brad Lynn and Kenny Rodeffer. Feel free to drop-by and say hello.

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WELCOME TO HILLCROFT

Please take the time to welcome the following new staff to Hillcroft:

Alexandra Ward Andrew Kirtz Genet Soule Joe DeRegnaucourt DSP / R DSP / R VP/Develop. & Mktg. Behavior Specialist

Julia East Lisa Sloniker Logan Hayes Madeline Penney DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R ABA Therapist

Nicole Senft Rebecca Peoples Roger Dotterwich Ryan Moss ABA Therapist DSP / R Rest Park Attendant ABA Sub

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YEARS OF SERVICE

Thank you for your continued service and a big congratulation to Hillcroft for retaining such hard-working, dedicated staff. Few businesses can boast about employee longevity, but few businesses feel as passionate about their mission and values as Hillcroft. That agency-wide passion would not be possible without you.

GARDENERS We are all “Gardeners”. In order to be AMAZING gardeners for Hillcroft, we must all be: Devoted: • Committed daily to the long term • Adapting to change in all environments/seasons Supportive: • Cultivate continued growth through providing tools and encouragement • Seeing the potential in all situations Positive: • Focus on plants (strengths) not weeds (weakness) • Sunshine – smile The purpose of the Gardeners column is to empower staff to recognize accomplishments of their own or their co-workers that benefit our clients, agency and our communities. Great things happen here on a daily basis so tell me how either you or your co-workers are going “above and beyond”. This newsletter goes out to approximately 300 people on a monthly basis as well as our website – let’s brag a little about the awesome staff we have.

211 COMBINED YEARS OF SERVICE FOR AUGUST

1 Years Frances Isom Gabriel Read

Jennifer Johnson Kay Ward

Michael Daugherty

2 Years Jamarice Blevins

Mykael Ross

3 Years Evelyn Wyatt

Julie Henderson Melissa Cross Michael Jarvis Natalie Strong

4 Years Darlene New

7 Years Ann Buchanan

5 Years Kyle Bell

Teresa Moore

8 Years Carrie Donovan

17 Years Jackie Adams-Crozier

14 Years Heather Day

11 Years Laura Couch

Sherry Theroux

25 Years Lisa Bowen

20 Years Kelly Greene

19 Years Andy Cross

41 Years Sandy Penrod

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Don’t forget - keep your eyes and ears open. Amazing things happen here all the time as our gardens flourish and blossom through job performance, great suggestion, community service, etc.). Sometimes a Case Manager, parent, visitor, etc. will observe or experience something they feel is outstanding and make a positive statement. When this happens, please let Sandy Penrod know - who they are and what they did. The following have been nominated as Gardeners this issue and their individual stories follow. GREAT JOB TO ALL AND CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING A HARDY GARDENER!!! Nominated by Mark Yaudas, Transportation Coordinator

TODD PUGH, Transporation Drive, participated in the Indiana State Roadeo (notice the spelling) Competition in Columbus, Indiana on August 19, 2017. This competition involes driving a course with orange barrells and cones; a written test; wheelchair securement; and pre-trip inspection. This was Todd’s rookie year and he placed 3rd in the State!! Todd received a certificate and a patch. Rookie’s rarely place in the top ten of this competition. As third place winner Todd will be the back-up if 1st or 2nd place winners are unable to participate next June 2018 at the Nationals in Pittsburgh as the Indiana Representative. Todd is a very personable man so when his name was announced the crowd was very pleased.

Nominated by Jesse Yoder, QIDP

Thank you so much for covering one of my trainings for me TROY EDRINGTON, QIDP! I appreciate you so much bud!!

Nominated by Becky Donovan, VP of Human Resources

ERIC HANEY BEN McCORMICK Maintenance Specialist Facilities Director

I would also like to thank SHARON WHITE, Payroll & Benefits Specialist, for stepping up and taking on extra tasks while Shelley Brown has been off in the HR Department.

I would like to recognize ERIC and BEN. They have been working hard to replace the deck at the Berkeley Group Home so the clients can enjoy the outside.

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Nominated by Brandy Webb, Program Manager

ANGIE SCROGHAM – I appreciate your creative approach with our clients. Keep up the hard work!

RICBECCA DEARDORF – thank you for being so flexible and helping with our clients medical appointments.

ASHLEY RUSSELL – thank you for everything you do. We appeciate you venturing out and helping cover hours insome of our 24 hour homes.

CRYSTAL THOMAS – thank you for helping with some of our open hours. Your help is much appreciated.

TAMMY ANDERSON – thank you for helpin g out with some of my open shifts.

DONNA HAZLET – thank you for helping out with some of my open shifts.

MARLINA YOUNG – thank you for helping out with some of my open shifts.

Nominated by Kathleen Johnson, Employment Services Coordinator A special THANK YOU to these wonderful ladies in the nursing department. They are always willing to help if I ask and it just means SO much to me!

JEN WAGNER KIM PAINTER NANCY MICHAEL LAURA COOPER BEVERLY STRONG Nursing Spvr. LPN LPN LPN ADMIN. SPECIALIST

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Nominated by Lisa Bowen, Residential Site Manager I just want to thank the Martin Street staff for all they do.

ANDY CROSS JEANETTE CROSS CHELSEY FIELDS SHERRY THEROUX DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R Nominated by Kim Johnson, Residential Site Manager

RUTH McINTOSH HATTIE HEMPHILL DARLENE HAWKINS DAPHNE LOWE J.K. BLAIR DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R I want to say thank you to these five ladies. We all work together to keep the empty shifts filled and I don’t know what I would do without them….

RUTH ….. fills in if I have an early morning appointment that I have to go to. HATTIE ….. works every Saturday (that’s her day off). DARLENE …..also helps with appointments and fills in shifts. DAPHNE ….. will come in early when ever I need help on her day working here. J.K. ….. splits my Sunday shift when I need help. Again ….. thanks ladies …..TEAM CARRIAGE LANE Nominated by Laura Couch, CU Instructor

MATT DeREGNAUCOURT JULIE STUTTLE Behavior Specialist Behavior Specialist

MATT and JULIE for helping cover our Tuesday event (Simon Says) so we could have a CU meeting. We appreciate you taking over for our event and going the extra mile.

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Nominated by Sandy Penrod, Administrative Manager

WHITNEY WILLARD Admin. Specialist Nominated by Genie Rollins, Behavior Specialist

LEANN RECTOR CU Manager I want to thank every single person who displayed God’s love by sewing into my trip to Israel…God is faithful!!! I was praying and talking to God about if it was His will for me to go. God sent confirmation in a great way today. I thank God that he placed me at Hillcroft to serve his people in this season. I am beyond thankful!

LE ANNE COLE MISSY STINSON TRICIA LINTON KELLY WHISLER LEANN RECTOR VP / THERAPY DSP / CU DSP / CU DSP / CU CU MANAGER

MINDY FLINN-STULL BMAN COORDINATOR

I want to thank LEANN for going above and beyond to help me in a tight situation. Not only did she help me but she did it with a smile and loving spirit as she always does. Thanks for all you do

There always seems to be shortage of chairs in the workshop due to wear and tear. WHITNEY and her husband donated 11 chairs to the workshop. Thanks Whitney – your thoughtfulness is always appreciated.

Special thanks to LeANNE, MELISSA, TRISHA, KELLY, LEANN and MINDY. (They surprised me beyond words). My heart is so full … God is faithful!!!

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Nominated by Sabrina Turner, Residential Site Manager

SHELBY NICCUM AL STOUT KENNETH DEETZ YAA ADARE DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R DSP / R

MELISSA TREMAINE TRICIA LINTON MASON STONE CLAIR WISMAN DSP / R DSP / CU DSP / R DSP / R

JESSE YODER BRAD LINVILLE QIDP Program Director I would like to thank all of Berkeley staff and everyone who has been filling in without batting an eye and doing an excellent job. These people are SHELBY, AL, KENNETH, YAA, MELISSA, TRICIA, MASON and CLAIRE. I know it’s been a rough few months and I just want to say I appreciate every one of you for sticking it out with me!!! Also to JESSE and BRAD for being excellent and always listening to my concerns and helping me out whenever I need them even if I do seem to always catch Brad on his day off. You all make this job a little easier!! Thanks for everything you do!!!

BEN MCCORMICK ERIC HANEY Facilities Director Maintenance Specialist

I also want to thank ERIC and BEN for doing such a great job repairing our Berkeley home and building an amazing deck!!

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Nominated by Leann Rector, CU Manager

APRIL DAMPIER NICOLE HORN TERESA MOORE LISA SIEFKEN

MATT DEREGNACOURT JULIE STUTTLE

J.K. BLAIR VYLINDA DRISKILL FLORENTINA PITTENGER JOE DEREGNAUCOURT

MARLA SUMMERS MYLES DICKERSON ALISSA CALHOUN MARSHA MOORE

BROOKLYN GUERRATTAZ MACKENZIE MUSIC ALLIE WARD CHIO staff – I don’t tell you often enough how much I appreciate all you do for our clients. The I ndividual attention and opportunity you give them while out in the community is priceless! It’s not just a job, it is giving to others that don’t aways get the chance to have individual time to do the things they want. Thank you!

Edgewater Woods CU staff – thank you for always seeing to it that clients are get ting out into the community and working on their goals and having fun!!

BC’s MATT and JULIE – thank you for covering Tuesday event so that I could meet with the CU staff. Your willingness to help is awesome and appreciated!!

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EVELYN WYATT, Receptionist - Thank you for always being kind and shahring your smile!

GENIE ROLLINS, Behavior Specialist - I just want to thank you for your dedication to our clients. It does not go unnoticed!

LAURA COUCH MAKAYLA COX BARBARA DAY TRISHA LINTON MISSY STINSON

KELLY WHISLER

KAREN EVERSON, CU Manager – thank you for being understanding of my forgetfulness. MUSIC THERAPY DEPARTMENT – thank you

for working with us and giving our clients wonderful musical experiences!

MINDY FLINN-STULL & the BC CREW – thank you for giving your clients such special care. They are so lucky to have you all in their lives! You all make such a difference. Thank you!

LeANNE COLE, VP of Therapy – thank you for always being supportive! Blessed to have a Boss like you!!

SANDY PENROD, Administrative Manager, is always very kind, and helps me in any way she can. Thank you for processing the BDDS reports! We had several broken chairs in CU, Sandy worked with us to find new chairs that will be safe and sturdy for our clients. She even came over to see what we needed and took care of us!!! You do so many things, and I appreciate all you do for Hillcroft! Thanks for putting up with me! Leann

Leann started her recognition the following way….”Marilyn Monroe (or whoever you are this month)”. For those who may not be aware I typically assume someone else’s identity in the newsletter. Always keep ‘em guessing!!

CU Department – I can’t thank you enough! I have watched you all step up to see that we are doing our best to give our clients a safe and exciting place to be. Your job can be very challenging and I am inspired to see how patient you are and how you have come together to work as a team. I am proud to work alongside you! Thank you for being AWESOME!!