SCOOP - Skills of Central PA

June 2015
SCOOP
Skills of Central Pennsylvania
SAVE THE DATE:
Skills Is A Person Centered Organization
07/13/15
10th Annual
E.F. Houser
Golf Tournament
State College
09/13/15
Discovery Garden’s
15th Anniversary
Hollidaysburg
Skills is committed to becoming a Person Centered Organization,
which means that we employ Person Centered Thinking in all
aspects of the organization. Skills does not use a cookie cutter, “one
size fits most,” approach to encouraging people who receive support
or are employees. We believe in personalizing supports to set
people up for success.
Person Centered approaches at Skills means:
▪ treating all people equally (including people who
receive support and their families, employees and their partners);
▪ respecting the unique attributes of people;
▪ celebrating failures to support learning;
▪ people have a positive control over their lives and work;
▪ people are the primary decision makers over their lives and work;
and
▪ being a source to help support and maintain the balance of what is
Important To and what is Important For people.
FOLLOW US @SkillsPA
LIKE US @Skills of Central PA, Inc.
For Skills updates and pictures,
follow us on social media.
SCOOP
10th Annual E. F. “Pat” Houser Golf Tournament
The 10th Annual E.F. “Pat” Houser Memorial Golf Tournament to
benefit the Skills Foundation will be held on Monday, July 13, 2015 at
Toftrees Golf Resort in State College. Golfers of all levels can compete
for the hole-in-one prize of a 2015 Toyota Camry donated by Joel Confer
Toyota/Scion of State College.
Skills will be treating golfers to a great day on the Toftrees links that
includes a golf ball drop, lunch at the Eagle’s Nest, various competitive
games such as beat the pro, longest drive, closest to the pin, and longest
putt. The day is capped off with a buffet dinner, door prizes and awards
for the top three teams.
We recognize our key sponsors: ACE: Reliance Bank
Gold, Silver and more: McQuaide Blasko, Houser Rentals, Selective Insurance, Wessel & Company, Good Day
Pharmacy, Joel Confer Toyota, Brown and Brown of Lehigh Valley, Northwest Savings Bank, Bob Perks Fund,
Restek, RTD Embedded Technologies, Thompson Pharmacy.
For more information or to register, visit www.skillofcentralpa.org or call Gwen at 814-594-4251.
Fun Time! Play Time!
Who knew that we learn empathy, trust, irony, and problem-solving
through play? Play is something the dictionary defines as "pleasurable an
apparently purposeless activity." In the words of Dr. Stuart Brown, play can
grow human talents and character across a lifetime. Play, as he studies it, is
an indispensable part of being human.
Anything that’s spontaneous and disrupts the routine can begin to create a
culture of playfulness. There’s no shortage of ideas once you begin to let
your playful, creative side show.
Skills Strategic Plan’s Fun Committee wants to foster fun and play in the
workplace. Yes, we said workplace, but it doesn’t mean we can’t laugh a little, or maybe a lot in our day to
day activities.
Here are some ways anyone can have fun in the next few months by
observing some very unique holidays:
June 23rd - Pink Day: wear pink, use food coloring to make meals to
reflect the day such as frosting, mashed potatoes. Be creative.
June 27th - Sunglasses Day: Who's behind those Foster Grants?
June 29th - Camera Day: Have everyone bring a baby picture and make
a poster to guess who is who!
July 2 - World UFO Day: Star gaze and try to identify the celestial
bodies. Watch Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
July 7th - Chocolate Day: Taste test different types or brands of
chocolate, white dark, milk chocolate. Watch WillyWonka and make
chocolate popcorn. Check out www.allrecipes.com.
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MARCH 2015
Rose Cologne Volunteer
In 2015, the Centre County Council for Human Services (CCCHS) sponsored its 43rd annual Rose Cologne
Volunteer Dinner. This dinner pays tribute to those volunteers who work to further the worthwhile mission
statements of CCHS member agencies. This year, Skills recognized Pastor Calvin Miller for his contribution to the
Opportunity Centre Clubhouse.
Pastor Calvin came to State College area over two years
ago to minister at Buffalo Run United Methodist Church.
He was interested in mental health and came to Skills as a
volunteer to learn more about services in the area. Six
weeks later, he joined the Centre Region Advisory Board
and fit well into advocating for member needs at the
Opportunity Centre Clubhouse. “Though his schedule is
full with community outreach and promoting services in
mental health, Pastor Calvin continues to visit the
Clubhouse every Monday, having coffee and offering
spiritual guidance, accepting people for who they are and
what they believe,” George Raymond, Manager, Psych
Rehab says. “In short, Pastor Calvin has dedicated a lot of
his time for the people in need in our community and fights
for those who don’t have a voice.”
During his acceptance of the Rose Cologne Volunteer Award, Pastor Calvin Miller was
asked why he volunteers. “As a young boy, I saw the immense joy my mother received from volunteering. I am
privileged to receive the same joy,” Pastor Calvin replied. “I am blessed and humbled to have the members and
staff of the Opportunity Clubhouse in my life. I get exponentially more than I give.”
Prom Night!
Saturday, May 2nd, was an extraordinary night for Allen Schrey, a high school
senior at Penn Cambria High School. Allen was dressed in his tuxedo, enjoying his
Senior Prom with two of his biggest supporters,
Skylar Brown, his DSP, and Jess Bendis, his
teacher at Penn Cambria. The Prom was held at St.
Michael’s School in Loretta, PA. Allen was
having a great time with his peers who had
nominated him to the Prom Court.
Skylar Brown and Allen Schrey
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When it became time to announce the high
school’s prom king and queen, no one had a bigger
grin than Allen. When it was announced that he
was the Prom King, Allen’s smile became even
bigger. Allen’s classmates danced around him and
included him in every aspect of his Senior Prom.
Judging by his never ending and beaming smile, it
was a night that Allen and his friends will
remember for a long time.
Allen Schrey and Jess Bendis
Skills Celebrates…
Years of Service
Five Years: Vicki Cunningham (Blair), Amanda Delegram (Blair), Chad Heichel (HMJ), Lisa
Klingler (Blair), Ashley Plunkett (Blair), Joslyn Tirpak (Bedford)
Ten Years: Amy Baughman (Blair), Randall Burnell (Blair), Cynthia Cottrill (HMJ), Melanie
Keller (Blair), George Shearer (C/J)
Fifteen Years: Robert Pruznak (Blair), Adriane Reeves (C/P)
Twenty-five Years: John Bernard (Cambria), Kimberly Smith (York/Adams), Michelle
Thompson (Blair), Diane Zupon (Corp)
Thirty Years: Debra Palm (HMJ), Debbie Woolford (Centre)
Thirty-five Years: Deedra Sheedy (Blair)
“A Cinquain”
Kaylee Estudante, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Worker for the Centre Region, was selected as the third prize winner
with her poem, “A Cinquain,” as part of the 2015 Poetry Contest, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PAPRS). Her poem was included in a booklet and on display in the exhibition
gallery at the Recovery Workforce Summit: 2015 Annual Conference,
held in Philadelphia, PA, June 1-4, 2015.
A CINQUAIN
Recovery.
Fruitful, challenging.
Purpose, courage, balance.
To set yourself free.
Resiliency.
-Kayee Estudante, 25
Even though Kaylee hadn’t written poetry since she was in college, she
felt she had the words to offer support. “Being that I am in the age range
of transition age youth (ages 18-26), I wanted to add my view of
recovery to the poetry contest.”
The Recovery Workforce Summit: 2015 Annual Conference offered a comprehensive line up of in-depth
psychiatric rehabilitation training and enhanced networking opportunities and special events that provided attendees
with the tools they need to help others more effectively. For more information about the Summit, visit
http://www.psychrehabassociation.org/events/recovery-workforce-summit-2015-annual-conference.
Skills happily recognizes contributions of the staff. If your region has joyous occasions to celebrate, pass the news to us and we
will include it in the next issue of SCOOP! Thanks from Gwen gauman@skillsgroup.org and Flora fmarynak@skillsgroup.org!
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Skills Salutes…T.O.P.S
Skills congratulates Eileen Pierson (Cambria, Clearfield/Jefferson, Somerset) for being chosen the recipient of the
2014-2015 Corporate T.O.P.S. Award. Congratulations also goes out to the other nominees for this award: Mary
Rhodes (Bedford/Blair), Brittany Boulton (Centre), Jodi Royer (Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata), and Melissa Capps
(York/Adams, Cumberland/Perry).
Eileen is the Adult Training Activities Coordinator for the Cambria Region. She began her employment with Skills
as a Direct Support Professional for Cresson Adult Training in 1989 - 26 years ago! She has progressed over the
years with her dynamic creativity, giving people the opportunities to discover their talents, while having fun doing
so. A few recent activities that Eileen has gotten her people participating in include: making “R” word t-shirts,
holding a superheroes day, cruising on the Raystown Lake, and her tradition of providing goods and cards for our
U.S. soldiers. “There is nothing not possible in the eyes of Eileen,” says Robin Weirich, Regional Vice President.
“Everybody gets their exercise. Everybody plays the games. Everybody has a voice. Everybody has fun!”
In September 2004, Skills established the Employee Recognition Awards Program to recognize exemplary
Performance of staff members who provide a level of service beyond the call of duty. One such award is T.O.P.S.
[Teamwork, Opportunity, Performance, Support]. Nominations and selections for this award are made twice a year
within each region. Those award recipients are then considered for the annual Corporate T.O.P.S. award.
Boo Boo Bears
The Skills Vocational Training Services (Centre VT) has been making and donating Boo Boo Bears to Mount Nittany
Medical Center in State College. Boo Boo Bears are small, hand-made,
stuffed animals that are given to children who visit the Emergency Room for
treatment, are admitted to the hospital, or are having surgery. A child can
also receive a bear if a parent is being treated in the ER.
Deb Gadsby, Program Specialist at Centre VT, is the lead for the Boo Boo
Bears project. The fabric and stuffing is
donated by families supported by Skills. Deb
guides a team in cutting out the bear shape,
sewing the bear together and stuffing it to
give the Boo Boo Bear its soft, cuddly feel.
A big heart is sewn on the front and a smaller
heart with the “Handcrafted by Skills” logo
is sewn on the back.
Jerilyn stuffing a Boo Boo Bear
Deb and her team are looking to expand the reach of
their Boo Boo Bears to other hospitals, clinics, and facilities serving children to help
those children through ‘scary’ times. The Centre VT is also interested in working with
their counterparts in the other Skills regions to start up their own line of Boo Boo Bears.
Jerilyn with a Boo Boo Bear
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The Centre VT and other Skills Vocational Training Facilities help people with
disabilities develop positive job skills. Through hard work and commitment,
people are able to achieve higher self-esteem, build long-lasting relationships, and
develop knowledge and independence toward their career goals.
MARCH 2015
Guessing Your Way to the Top
More than 100 people gathered at the Lakemont Casino in
Altoona to try and outthink each other and raise money. Skills
hosted the 4th Annual Trivia Challenge in April with Trivia
Master Garrett Beck of Team Trivia in control. A special thank
you goes out to the following sponsors: Andrew & Beard Law
Offices, F.N.B. Wealth Management, Good Day Pharmacy,
Reliance Bank, UPMC Altoona, and Wessel & Company.
Discovery Garden Plant Sale Continues to Grow
In partnership with community businesses, organizations, and the Skills Foundation,
the Discovery Garden Plant, held in Legion Memorial Park, Hollidaysburg, on May
16, 2015, was a blooming success. Beautiful weather enhanced the incredible number
of plants, most of which were donated by Lowe’s and Home Depot. Anchored by
Karen Claton and a dedicated cadre of longstanding volunteers, the sale raised
$2,600. For the green thumb gardeners who shopped, there were annuals, perennials,
herbs, vegetables, bird baths, candles, garden balms and stepping stones.
Highmark Walk Healthy
Vines of Hope recently participated in the Highmark Walk for a healthy community. The Walk was held in
Johnstown’s Central Park, on May 30, 2015. The 5k Walk was underwritten by Highmark, meaning that there
was no cost to participating organizations. All of the money raised goes to the organizations. There was a live
band, face painting, a balloon artist, and healthy snacks and drinks, all of which were FREE!
Eighteen (18) non-profit organizations had tents set up,
most of them with free give aways and basket raffles.
Skills raffled off a $50.00 money tree, a summer fun
basket, and a patriotic 4th of July basket.
Skills raised $2,028 this year! While we are proud of this
year’s success, we are hoping to increase participation
next year, and make it even more successful! Please keep
your eyes and ears open for updates regarding next year!!
A very special thank-you goes to Lisa Eberhart, Jodi
Eberhart, John Motel, Eileen Pearson, Tom Rito, Robin
Weirich, and Cathy Sumner for representing Skills at the
walk!
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-Back row, left to right- Phil Sumner, Julius Kovach, John Motel, Cameron Sumner, Lisa Eberhart
-Front row, left to right-Jodi Eberhart, Ashlyn Sumner, Cathy Sumner, Mary Ann Lantzy, Michael Butala,
Robin Weirich, Brad Weirich
SCOOP
Safety, Health and Security in the Workplace
Before cleanup.
We spend many hours a week in our workspace, whether an office
or home setting. How often do we stop and consider whether it is a
safe workplace? One of the many concerns of the Skills Quality
Improvement and Compliance Department is making sure every
individual being supported and the staff providing support is
working in a safe workplace. Which picture is your workspace?
Remember:
A clean work place helps avoid slips, trips, and falls.
A clean work place makes it easier to find supplies and equipment.
A clean work place is a more enjoyable place to work.
A clean work place is more productive.
After cleanup.
ABLE Act Top 10
Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act:
1. ABLE accounts can be created by individuals to support themselves or by families to support their dependents.
2. There is no federal taxation on funds held in an ABLE account.
3. Money in an ABLE account can be withdrawn tax-free if the money is used for disability-related expenses.
4. Distributions used for non-qualified expenses are subject to income tax.
5. Each disabled person is limited to one ABLE account.
6. ABLE accounts can generally be rolled over only into another ABLE account.
7. Eligible individuals must be blind or severely disabled and must have become so before turning 26 to qualify for ABLE.
8. ABLE accounts have no impact on Medicaid.
9. Upon the death of an eligible individual, any amount remaining in ABLE account will go into the deceased’s estate.
10. Contributions to an ABLE account by a parent, grandparent are protected in bankruptcy.
Provided by Stambaugh Ness http://www.bizactions.com/n.cfm/page/e120/key/296771374G1508J5391709N0P2563P2563T2/
DAVIS VISION, Skills eyecare provider, is introducing DVTV.
DVTV is Davis Vision’s newest digital space for plan members and anyone hoping to learn more about eye
care, eyewear, and Davis Vision’s products and services. For more information, visit
http://dvtv.davisvision.com/dvtv.
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MARCH 2015
One Page Profile
This issue’s One-Page Profile spotlight is on Thomas Bennett, a Licensed Practical
Nurse in Blair County’s Residential Program. Tom is celebrating his one-year
anniversary with Skills this month!
What people like and admire about Tom is that he is a go-getter. “I take leadership
well and work towards completing goals set for me.” He is described as very funny
and is able to draw others to share the joy of laughter. When not at work, Tom
continues to help his community by serving as a Firefighter and EMT for more than
17 years.
What is important to Tom is Family First … they are the reason for what he does
everyday. In his job, Tom cares about the individuals that he works with, and
really enjoys working with the staff to accomplish whatever needs done. Serving
the community is very special to Tom. “I have seen people at their worst, and I am extremely proud to be able to help
them, when and how I can. To see somebody be able to pull through so much tragedy, and still come out ahead, is
unexplainably fulfilling.”
Tom emphasizes leadership and communication as areas of support. He appreciates it when people talk with him to
make sure multiple tasks are being handled correctly. When working in groups, his leadership tendencies come out
and he encourages people to share their opinions and ideas. Tom believes that is the true way to the best solution.
Meet the Board
Skills would like readers to get a closer look at the members of our Board of Directors, so you can get to know them
like we do! This month, we’re getting to know Glenn Fisher.
Glenn is a life-long resident of Centre County and has been involved in the
Centre Region banking industry for more than 30 years. Currently Glenn is the
Senior Commercial Lender for Clearfield Bank & Trust Company.
Serving in his first year on the Skills Board, Glenn brings his financial
background and expertise to the Audit Committee. In addition, Glenn has a
deeply personal understanding and appreciation for what providers like Skills
offer to the community. “I have a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I want to
make a difference in the quality of life for all disabled individuals.”
The Board of Directors meet six times a year so they can conduct both routine
business including operations, finance, HR, development, and quality
assurance as well as overseeing a plan for the future of Skills through strategic
planning and new program evaluation.
When asked what he sees in the future for Skills, Glenn said, “Skills is an
excellent organization which enhances the lives of many individuals. I see the
future of the organization maintaining our current programs we offer and to
develop additional programs as new needs evolve.”
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SCOOP
Missing Manager!
The Lewistown staff was shocked to find the office of Chris Snyder, ASA Manager, empty during the lunch hour in April. She is
known for her dedication to her numerous responsibilities and duties. Chris is often
seen sitting at her desk well past 5:00 PM, finishing up one task or another.
April 22, 2015 was nationally recognized as Administrative Professional Day.
Across the country celebrations of the accomplishments of ASAs were prevalent,
and revelries and merriment abounded. In HMJ however, this never was the case.
Chris takes her job entirely too seriously to be bothered with such superficial things.
An undisclosed source described Chris boldly leaving the administrative office
building that day accompanied by someone in authority. “I was just standing here
minding my own business when they walked by me. I thought I was seeing things
until Chris turned around and said ‘Bye!’ I still can’t believe it!!”
Mobile Psych Rehab
RCPA Conference
Josh Zernick, Training Specialist, has
been accepted to present “Using Person
Centered Thinking to Affect
Organizational Change” at the Leading
the Way: Rehabilitation and
Community Providers Association
(RCPA) Conference, in Seven Springs,
PA, Oct. 6-9, 2015.
Centre County Community Service Providers (CSP) organized a Fashion Show/Resource Fair
Event in early May. Representing Skills was Kim Utters, Team Leader, and Jillian Park, CPRP,
Mobile Psych Rehab Director for Lycoming/Clinton and Centre Counties.
“Always do Right ” – A Compliance Conversation
In general, compliance means operating within the rules. For us at Skills, the rules are regulation, policy and the law. It has
always been our goal to be aware of and take steps to comply with all relevant laws, regulation and policy.
Due to the increasing number of regulations and need for operational transparency, Skills, like many other organizations, has
adopted the use of a more consolidated set of compliance controls, including creating a compliance department and developing
a compliance plan for the organization. The purpose of this is to ensure that all necessary governance requirements can be met
without the unnecessary duplication of effort and activity from multiple people, programs and department.
At the compliance department, we know how hard you all work to ensure that Skills continues to operate within the rules. It is
our job to work with you to make this part of your job easier.
Anytime you have a question about a regulation or policy or about a legal questions arises, please, feel free to contact us. We
are here to help you. compliancedept@skillsgroup.org 814.238.3245 ext. 339
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SCOOP
Scoop Editors:
Gwen Auman & Flora Marynak
Scoop Writers:
Flora Marynak
Scoop Story Contributors:
Thomas Bennett, Andrew Bollinger,
Judy Caldana, Kaylee Estudante, Glenn
Fisher, Mary Kay Fultz, Julie McBreen,
Tina Moore, Jillian Park, George Raymond, Cathy Sunmer, Pennie Spalding,
Ann Stacey, Robin Weirich, and Joshua
Zernich.
We are always looking for fascinating,
fun, and fantastic stories about members
of the Skills Family. No story is too
small. So let us know what is going on
out there in the Skills’ world and send
your stories, pictures and ideas to Gwen
at gauman@skillsgroup.org or Flora at
fmarynak@skillsgroup.org.
THANKS!
AmazonSmile
Donating to Skills has just been made easier and more fun, and it is all thanks to Amazon. A simple way to support an
organization every time you shop with AmazonSmile, shoppers enjoy the same shopping experience as with Amazon, but
with an incentive!
Each time a customer makes a purchase, 0.5 percent of that purchase is automatically donated to the organization of that
shopper’s choice! This way, shoppers are still purchasing the items they would normally buy on Amazon, while donating
to their favorite organization at no extra cost, and right in the comfort of their own home!
To start using AmazonSmile, simply log on to www.smile.amazon.com, search for SKILLS, and select it as your charity
of choice. You may then shop as you normally would, except that items will now have the words, “Eligible for AmazonSmile Donation” in the product description. At the end of your purchase, AmazonSmile will have automatically donated 0.5 percent of your purchase to SKILLS at no extra cost to you! Happy shopping!
Skills of Central PA, Inc. is a partner agency:
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Skills is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Service Provider and Employer. Our services and employment are
made without regard to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, income, and/or language.