Fall 2014 Newsletter

CTF ILLINOIS
NEWSLETTER
2014
VOL. 4, ISSUE 2
Empowering the lives of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
OUR MISSION
STATEMENT:
CTF ILLINOIS is a
not-for-profit
organization
dedicated to
empowering
individuals with
developmental
and intellectual
disabilities through
services and
programs that help
them reach their
potential in an
environment that
fosters respect,
dignity, and success
for each individual.
Fun and Exciting Times on Memphis Trip!
Memphis, Tennessee! Home to
Beale Street, Graceland, Peabody
Hotel and the Blues City Café. Four
individuals from CTF ILLINOIS had
an experience of a lifetime on a
recent
visit
to
Memphis.
Individuals’ Cindy, Debbie, Melissa
and Tim started out their trip at
“The Pig on Beale”. This historic
Beale Street restaurant is a local
favorite known for “The Best BBQ
Ribs in Memphis”. Beale Street, or
the Memphis Walk of Fame, is
modeled after the Hollywood Walk
of Fame, but is designated
exclusively for Memphis musicians, singers,
writers and composers. Melissa Stevens, Site
Graceland, the former home of music legend
Elvis Presley, is one of the most visited houses in
Supervisor for Crown Point, said that “They just
loved all of the music playing outside,
the United States (second only to the White
House). The 4 took a tour of the grounds and
everywhere!”
CORPORATE OFFICE
1902 Fox Drive, Suite B
Champaign, IL 61820
PHONE: (217) 352-1557
FAX: (217) 352-7166
DOWNSTATE OFFICE
6081 Development Drive
Charleston, IL 61920
PHONE: (217) 348-3869
FAX: (217) 348-8804
SOUTH SUBURBAN OFFICE
17341 Palmer Boulevard
Homewood, IL 60430
PHONE: (708) 922-1532
FAX: (708) 922-1526
Individuals Debbie, Tim, Melissa and Cindy on Beale St. in Memphis
The next stop was Graceland.
(continued on page 3)
CTF ILLINOIS’ “Without Walls” Program
CTF ILLINOIS believes that people who have
developmental and intellectual disabilities also
have many Abilities. This is where the “Without
Walls” initiative starts, with an individuals’
ABILITY. Individuals learn new skills, build
relationships and develop self esteem through
the concept of volunteerism within their
community.
The “Without Walls” community program has a
THE AUTISM PROGRAM
person centered approach that focuses on the
interests, likes and strengths of each individual.
6081 Development Drive
Charleston, IL 61920
PHONE: (217) 348-3869
FAX: (217) 348-3873
Mike Brown, VP for CTF ILLINOIS’ Charleston
Region, states that, “A comprehensive plan and
schedule is developed for each participant.
Henry and the Without Walls Program
When the plan and schedule are ready, rather
than teaching the individuals in a classroom type
setting, the individual goes out with a staff
(continued on page 5)
CTFILLINOIS.ORG
PAGE 1
A message from the President
The awards luncheon recognized the
following staff (below) for their
Consumer Services for their work in
putting the conference together.
extraordinary work and commitment.
Anyone looking in from the outside
would not have been able to tell it was a
Direct Service Personnel of the Year
A time of
Kassie Beavers, 9 Muses Art Gallery Charleston
Shannon Pickett - Charleston
This summer included another important
day. On August 1st, we celebrated our
14th anniversary. It has been my good
Supervisor of the Year
fortune to be involved with CTF ILLINOIS
for 13 of the 14 years. Although I would
celebration!
Case Manager of the Year
O
n July 11th over 100 employees
attended our 1st Annual
Employee Conference and
Awards Luncheon in Champaign. This
was the largest gathering of CTF ILLINOIS
staff in our history. The conference had 3
guest speakers present throughout the
first time event.
Tatiana Ross - Olympia Fields
Administrator of the Year
Taja Wheeler – Olney & Charleston
Administrator of the Year
day which included Ed McManus from
McManus Consulting, Gary Tucker from
the
Illinois
Bureau
of
Quality
Tee Grant - Lincoln, Champaign, & Mattoon
Management and motivational speaker
Tony Clements.
Communications and Event Planning,
and Melissa McDaniel, Executive VP of
like to be able to do this in person, with
all of our staff in the same room, I
propose a toast to all CTF ILLINOIS staff
for your dedication, amazing work, and
continual focus on improving the lives of
those we serve!
I want to thank Jim Paden, VP of
Dennis D. Carpenter
President/CEO
Award winners from the 1st Annual Employee Conference
VP’s Eric Edquist, Tracy Wavering, Mike Brown, Kassie Beavers,
EVP Melissa McDaniel and President Dennis Carpenter.
VP’s Eric Edquist, Tracy Wavering, Mike Brown, Taja Wheeler,
EVP Melissa McDaniel and President Dennis Carpenter.
PAGE 2
VP’s Eric Edquist, Tracy Wavering, Mike Brown, Shannon Pickett, VP’s Eric Edquist, Tracy Wavering, Mike Brown, Tatiana Ross,
President Dennis Carpenter and EVP Melissa McDaniel.
President Dennis Carpenter and EVP Melissa McDaniel.
VP’s Eric Edquist, Tracy Wavering, Mike Brown, Tee Grant,
President Dennis Carpenter and EVP Melissa McDaniel.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the
CTF ILLINOIS staff for your dedication,
amazing work and continual focus!
LIVE. WORK. ADVOCATE.
Individuals attend Sexual Self-Advocacy Community
Research Forum at UIC
Four of the CTF Tigers Self Advocacy
Group attended a community
disabilities (I/DD) to learn about
sexual self-advocacy including
research forum held by the Sexuality
and Disability Consortium at the
healthy relationships and also to
participate in research about sexual
University of Illinois at Chicago for
People
with
Intellectual/
self-advocacy. This event included
presentations, role plays, and group
Developmental Disabilities Advancing
Sexual
Self-Advocacy.
discussions. Attendees also helped
develop resources that other people
with I/DD can use to learn about
sexual self-advocacy.
The study was for people with
intellectual and developmental
TAP at CTF ILLINOIS holds
2nd Annual ‘Ausome’ Carnival
Individuals and families came out the
YMCA in Mattoon June 21st to enjoy fun
swimming! We want
to thank all our volunteers that helped
and games at our ‘Ausome’ Carnival.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the bouncy
make this event so successful!
houses and the obstacle course, as well
as other games and activities, including
For more info: www.ctfillinois.org/tap
Memphis trip story continued
thoroughly enjoyed it.
That
afternoon they went downtown
downtown Memphis. Melissa
says that “Debbie and Melissa
and took in the “March of
Ducks”. The "Peabody Ducks"
really enjoyed this part of the
trip.”
actually live on the hotel rooftop
of the Peabody Hotel and
making their journey to the hotel
lobby is in the ducks daily
routine.
The trip to Memphis was quite
and adventure and opportunity
for these individuals.
CTF
ILLINOIS would like to thank
the
Community Services Foundation
(CSF) for making this experience
individuals had an amazing
dinner at Blues City Café. Tim
possible! CTF ILLINOIS and CSF
do believe and encourage these
had the steak he was looking
forward to, Cindy had catfish,
Debbie had shrimp and Melissa
fun trips.
They are
experiences of a lifetime!
Later
that
evening,
At the Peabody Hotel truly
had some ribs. The evening
ended with a carriage ride in
Viewing the Memphis Walk of Fame CTFILLINOIS.ORG
PAGE 3
Seven individuals make trip to Camp Big Sky
S
even individuals and two
chaperones experienced the
great outdoors on a recent
overnight camping trip to Camp Big
Sky. Everyone had a wonderful time
as they went fishing, boating, took a
Eric Edquist, Vice President CTF
ILLINOIS South Suburban Operations
ride on a hayrack ride and played
games!
stated that “Camp Big Sky provides a
camp that those with a disability can
fully enjoy.”
This mission of Camp Big Sky is to
provide accessible fishing, camping,
For many, this will be the first
boating and other related outdoor
opportunities to children and adults
opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
For others, it represents a return to
with disabilities.
For people in
general, sometimes, if not always, we
something they previously enjoyed
prior to a disability, illness, injury or
take our ability to be active in the
outdoors for granted. However, one
accident.
in five Americans is not able to
experience the outdoors due to a
Camp Big Sky is located in northern
Fulton County approximately five
disability that restricts their access to
these activities.
miles west of Farmington, Illinois.
Their website: www.campbigsky.org
PAGE 4
LIVE. WORK. ADVOCATE.
“Without Walls” Program continued
member into their community. Basically,
the community is their classroom. We
independence in activities of daily living
and also vocational training and
continually
opportunities
employment readiness.”
look
for
to
identify
choice,
self-
management and situated learning
while they work and play in their
community.”
Currently, two individuals, Ryan and
Ryan and Henry, who also live in two of
the twenty-eight state wide CTF
ILLINOIS’ Community Integrated Living
Arrangements (CILA), will hopefully be
the first of many to participate in the
Henry, are involved with the “Without
Walls” program. On a daily basis, the
Without Walls community program.
CTF ILLINOIS staff assists both
individuals in various activities such as
LIVE. WORK. ADVOCATE.
cleaning, organizing and socialization at
Eastern Illinois University’s Newman
Catholic Center, Charleston’s Habitat for
Humanity and the local animal
shelter. Brown says, “Ryan and Henry
learn skills such as self-awareness,
communication, transportation training,
socialization and sensory integration.
Our goal is to supply an individual with
the support they need to succeed, the
means
to
develop
maximum
Athletes competed in Special Olympics Spring Games
M
ore than 400 athletes from 12
counties competed at the
Special Olympics Illinois Area 9 Spring
Games at Eastern Illinois University's
O'Brien Stadium this past May. The
competition is the largest area event
for the Special Olympics.
In order for the athletes to be part of
the Special Olympics Games, they are
required to go through eight weeks of
training. The athletes can participate in
one or many of the 19 track and field
events that are offered.
Way to go CTF ILLINOIS Athletes!
Visit our website at:
www.ctfillinois.org
You made us proud!
CTFILLINOIS.ORG
PAGE 5
Great day for the 11th Annual CTF ILLINOIS Golf Outing
T
he day was a perfect for the 11th
Annual CTF ILLINOIS Golf Outing &
bucket truck. The golf ball closest to the
hole was the winner of half of the cash
Silent Auction Fundraising Event on
Friday, June 6th at Bent Tree Golf Course in
amount from balls purchased. Overall, the
event raised over $28,000.
Dennis
Charleston, IL. In addition to a round of
golf, participants enjoyed lunch, dinner,
Carpenter, President/CEO stated, “We
appreciate and want to thank our sponsors
gifts and prizes throughout the day. There
were also numerous silent auction items up
and everyone participating today in
support of our organization. It was a great
for bid for this special fundraising event.
A new addition to the event was a golf ball
drop. Golf balls were sold and then
day!” Funds from the outing will be used to
help our individuals LIVE. WORK.
ADVOCATE. with equipment and activities
dropped from over 25 feet in the air from a
that allow them to reach their full potential.
CTF ILLINOIS’ New Director of Nursing
CTF ILLINOIS is proud to announce the hire of Kristina “Kristi”
Hale, R.N. as its Director of Nursing (DON). Ms. Hale has a an
provide nursing services for individuals
with developmental disabilities in
Associates Degree from Parkland College and over 10 years of
practical experience in hospital, nursing home, acute
community integrated living
arrangements (CILAs) and intermittent
rehabilitation and emergency services.
She is currently
attending Eastern Illinois University for her Bachelor of Science
programs. The DON will also provide
medication administration training to
in Nursing.
employees per DHS guidelines and
maintain a caseload in accordance with
Kristi has worked for Heritage Nursing Center, Helia Healthcare
of Urbana, five years as an ER Charge RN for Provena Covenant
Medical Center and three years a Transfer Nurse Specialist, STAT
Kristi Hale Rule 116 and best nursing practices, as
well as supervise, mentor and train all CTF ILLINOIS nursing
staff. Hale stated that “It is wonderful to have my dream job at
RN and ER RN for Carle Foundation Hospital.
an organization that really helps people. I’m glad to be here!”
PAGE 6
Ms. Hale will
LIVE. WORK. ADVOCATE.
TAP and 9 Muses to Exhibit and Participate in 2014
Disability and Resource Expo
Save the Date! The Autism Program (TAP) of Illinois will exhibit and the 9 Muses
Artists will sell the art at the disABILITY Pride Room at the disABILITY Resource Expo at
the Fluid Event Center at 601 North County Fair Drive, Champaign, IL. on Saturday,
October 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00.
The disABILITY Resource Expo is a full-service information and resource fair with
vendors who provide services to, or sell products that enhance the lives of, individuals
with disabilities and their families and friends. Everyone who attends; individuals with
disabilities, their families, friends, and neighbors, professionals, and many more will
find the vendors to be a great resource for products and services.
www.disabilityresourceexpo.org Over 1,000 people attend the event each year. Stop by the Expo and check it out! See you there!
Please help with our “Wish List”
Below is an abbreviated list of the items on CTF ILLINOIS’ current
"Wish List”. The Wish List consists of some items that are needed to
support our programs and other items that are desired to help
improve our programs and services.
If you would like to donate one of the items below or have an in-kind
9 Muses’ Artists exhibit
at Mattoon Art Works
9 Muses Artists exhibited at the Mattoon Arts Council's
third annual Artworks event on June 22nd. It was a hot
day but well worth the time and effort spent. The event
was held in downtown Mattoon and featured about 30
donation that is not on this list, please contact please contact our Vice
President of Communication and Event Planning, Jim Paden, at 217352-1557 or jimpaden@ctfillinois.org.
artists offering
works for sale.
Art Supplies
Crayons, paint, pens/pencils, colored pencils, glitter, glue gun with
glue sticks, construction paper, colored tissue paper, jewelry making
kits, balloons
art activities, musical
acts, dance acts and
wine tasting.
Technology
iPads, Disposable cameras, Flip video cameras, Flat screen TV
their
The
daylong arts festival also
included make-and-take
9 Muses Artists exhibiting Office Supplies
Batteries AA/AAA, electric pencil sharpeners, staplers, shredders,
VCR/DVD player, plastic storage bins
Certificates and passes to vendors for community outings
(Restaurants, bowling, movies, etc.)
Furnishings for Group Homes
Curtains, living room furniture set, dishware set, vacuums (new),
DVD player
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please use the
envelope enclosed or go to our website at www.ctfillinois.org.
CTFILLINOIS.ORG
PAGE 7
1902 Fox Drive, Suite B
Champaign, IL 61820
PHONE: (217) 352-1557
FAX: (217) 352-7166
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
CTFILLINOIS.ORG
CTF ILLINOIS IS PROUD TO BE
“Like” CTF ILLINOIS at Facebook.com/ctfillinois
ASSOCIATED WITH THE
FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:
CTF ILLINOIS’ Facebook page is good source for the latest news, event
information, and other happenings throughout the organization.
Member of the ILLINOIS Association of Rehabilitation Facilities We need your financial support.
CTF ILLINOIS would not be able to provide
such excellent care without your donations.
Gifts of any amount are appreciated.
Please go to the ctfillinois.org website for
more information or if you have questions,
please call 217-352-1557
and ask to speak to Jim Paden.
CTF ILLINOIS NEWSLETTER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Jim Paden, VP Communications and Event Planning—(217) 419-8627 or jimpaden@ctfillinois.org
Funded in part by the United Way of Coles County Certified and Funded by the ILLINOIS Department of Human Services CTF ILLINOIS… Empowering the lives of individuals with developmental and Intellectual disabilities.