Fall 2005 Newsletter
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REACH Adopts New Mission Statement, Core Values
Honesty, integrity, quality, compassion and excellence...
These words now officially guide how REACH provides services to its clients.
The Board of Directors approved these core values along with a new mission statement at the January board meeting.
REACH staff, family members, and a board member worked together during a strategic planning retreat held in October to identify core values and re-write the mission statement
The retreat kicked off a three-year strategic planning process for REACH.
A second retreat was held in January. Analyzing and enhancing communication was the focus of the second gathering.
REACH has hired out consultant Charlie Johanson Adams of Leading EDGE Consulting to facilitate this process.
During the second retreat, participants celebrated progress made to date, and discussed next steps. A committee was formed to address an agency communication plan- communicating information within REACH as well as to the greater community.
"I'm very excited about the second retreat," said Richard Fagundes, executive director.
"It was a chance to re-energize the entire staff about the goals and objectives established during the initial retreat.
"It provides a springboard for the work to be done over the next three years."
Meet the Staff
Henry TudTud
Position:Support Services Direct Services Provider
How long have you worked at REACH:10 years this July.
Prvious Work Experience:I was previously a cook at the Pioneer Home
Family:My wife Anita. I also have one brother and two sisters who live in Juneau.
Interesting Fact:I am a very sensitive person and honest. (Henry is also an excellent singer and is known as the "Karoake King" at REACH.)
What do you like about your job?:I like to be able to help REACH clients to be a part of the community and live indepoendently. I love to work with these special people. I find it very rewarding. I have developed wonderful friendships. They feel like members of my family. This is what it's all about; a paycheck is secondary. They have a special place in my heart.
New Faces at REACH
Sally Lakeman is a new Staff Supervisor for the SUpport Services program. She supervises approximately 15 direct service providers who work with clients in their homes and the community. Sally previously worked at the Pioneer Home. Sally lives with her husband Skip and has three children.
Anna Logan is the office manager at REACH. SHe previously worked for the Permanent Fund Corporation and has most recently been taking time off to be at home with her two children and her husband, dentist Dr. Logan.
Judy Nyman, BSN, is a developmental disability nurse. She previously worked at Bartlett Hospital for 24 years. She will provide nursing oversight for services to children funded by CCMC waivers as well as staff training in all areas. Judy also provides nursing support to REACH assisted living homes and works closely with the Infant Learning Program, the Resource Team, and Support Services.
Kirsten Simon is a receptionist at REACH. She previously worked as a personal care attendant for Frontier Community Services in Soldatna. Kirsten moved to Juneau in September to live near her grandmother so she could help her out.
Doug Weller is the new Human Resources Manager. Doug previously worked in government administration fpr various agaencies including TSA, GSA, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Coast Guard. He and his wife Laurie have three children-ages 18, 14, and 12. Three-fifths of his family currently live in Virginia.
Time to Get KEYed up!
Consumers, family members, and advocates gather in the capital city every year to talk to legislators about issues affecting services to people with disabilities.
This year's key campaign will be held March 2-3.
The Key Campaign is a two-day event. On the first day, participants attend an orientation session where speakers explain the primary issues being targeted. Participants are organized into groups according to legislative districts and presentations are planned.
On the evening of the first day, REACH hosts a dinner followed by an inspirational presentation. The second day involves groups of advocates meeting with legislators to discuss the Key issues. At noon, a march and rally is held at the Capital Building.
Respite arrangements during these events can be made by calling Erin Briscoe, REACH respite coordinator, at 586-8228.
Key Coalition members Bev Ingram at 586-8228 and Bob Locke at 789-9026 can also provide further information.
Key Priorities
Priority 1: No Further Cuts/Reductions in Community DD Base Grants, Medicaid Waivers, Infant Learning Programs and Independent Living Centers.
Cuts were made in FY '04 which have directly impacted many individuals with disabilities and their families. Core Services to families were reduced by 16 percent. Many base grant programs were eliminated or significantly reduced. As a result individuals and families have reduced or no access to minimal services they were receiving.
Cuts proposed by DHSS Finance Subcommittee in the FY '05 budget include $36 million in GF ($100 million in total state and federal dollars). This cut would include the proposed $16.7 million Medicaid budget increase to allow more Medicare waivers.
Priority 2: Reduction of the Statewide Waitlist for Community Supports By and Through Revenue Enhancement.
Over 1,530 individuals and their families are currently wating for services. Many of these individuals have been waiting over five years. The state has not used the waitlist selection process to remove individuals from the waitlist since FY 2002. In FY '03 and '04 individuals were removed for refinancing or crisis only.
We support the use of broad based taxes, the intelligent use of the Permanent Fund, or a combination of both to raise revenue needed to serve individuals on the waitlist.
Information provided by the Key Coalition
News From the North
By Patrick Shallcross
Haines Program Coordinator
Haines REACH continues to work with new clients that in turn enables REACH to seek out the best of the best to provide respite services.
Our newest employees are Rhonda Stuart and Ryan Salamon. Rhonda has worked in the school library system for many years and already knows many of our clients. The children wait in anticipation for story hour to arrive as Rhonda brings the literature to life, the look on children's faces is indescribable.
Ryan, who comes to us from the lower 48, has worked with children in the Special Olympics ski program and is an avid outdoorsman.
It is not uncommon to see Ryan and a client sledding across the Parade Grounds, both wearing big grins. We look forward to Ryan sharing his outdoor knowledge of kyaking and hiking as summer approaches.
It is a privilege and an honor to have them both be a part of the REACH family.
Progam Updates
New Structure for Support Services
No more changes please!!
The Support Services Program, which provides services to people in their homes and in the community, has gone through lots of change over the past year. This tumultous perios has been difficult for clients, families, and staff.
While I can't guarantee there aren't more changes to come, I can say we have implemented a new structure which we believe will improve the services we provide to individuals and families and make staff's jobs more manageable.
A new structure was necessary because the Juneau Works program was eliminated this fall. Supported Employment Services are now provided by the Support Services program, along with all other services funded by Medicaid waivers
The Support Services program now revolves around four teams. Each team is comprised of a case manager, a staff supervisor, a group of direct service providers and a group of clients. In addition, the care coordinators are now part of the Support Services program (formerly they were a separate entity). This allows staff who are providing support to clients in various ways to work together more closely.
We hope the transition to the new system has been relatively smooth.
Please don't hesitate to call me with questions or concerns.
-Kim Champney
Support Services Director
Therapist Hired to Provide OT
Meet Jackie Forster. She's a new Occupational Therapist for REACH therapy Services and the Infant Learning Program.
Jackie came to Juneau as a Jesuit volunteer after attending school at St. Louis University. She has decided to make Juneau her home.
She worked for ORCA last summer and is volunteering with the ski program this winter. She works for SERRC traveling around Alaska providing school-based therapy.
In her limited time at REACH she can provide individual OT for clients of all ages.
Occupational Therapy can help to enhance functional performance in daily living skills.
Call Bev Ingram at 586-8228 if you are interested in accessing OT services for your child.
Carroll Fund to Pay For Respite Activities
Thanks to the generosity of long-time members of the REACH community, more adults and children with disabilities will be able to access community activities.
The Larry and Joan Carroll Memorial Fund has been established as a living memorial. Each year, the memorial fund will be used to support families by addressing unmet needs.
This year, the REACH respite program was granted $1,000 to help pay for respite activities in the community for adults and families who can't pay for these activities themselves. Examples of possible uses of funds will be to purchase passes for swimming, bowling, and Our Backyard.
"Even in their absence, Joan and Larry continue to contribute to the disability community," said Kate Wolf, Resource Team director and friend of the Carroll family.
In the process of advocating for their daughter, the Carrolls were instrumental in the development of REACH.
The Carrolls were passionate in their belief that people with disabilities have value and deserve respect, that they have unique gifts to share, that they have the right to live and work in their community, and that they deserve the right to make choices.
"This is the legacy of Larry and Joan," said Kate. "It is that trust comes from not making judgements, families define support, families know what they need, families are the catalyst for change, family support is whatever it takes and every family has something to share."
Application forms and more information about the respite activity funds are available from Erin Briscoe, REACH respite coordinator.
People interested in making a donation to the fund should mail their donation to REACH, 213 Third Street,, attn: Kate Wolf or contact Kate at 586-8228.
REACH hires Social Worker
We are proud to announce we have hired Kimberly Adkinson, LMSW, as the social worker on the Resource Team.
Kimberly replaces Kim Champney who was hired to be the director of REACH's Support Services program.
Kimberly brings 12 years of social work experience to REACH. She has worked as an adoption home study writer, a medical social worker, a child custody investigator, a program supervisor with healthy families, and a home-based family therapist.
In addition, Kimberly worked as a Family Support Provider for the Arc of Anchorage prior to going to graduate school.
Mini-Grant Message
Dear families and Advocates,
Once again we are pleased to announce the availability of Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Mini-Grants. This will be the final round of mini-grants for the current fiscal year. Approximately $9,000 is available and and individual grants are limited to a maximum of $2,500.
Mini-Grants can provide assistance for basic living needs not covered by other funds or services that will help beneficiaries attain and maintain healthy productive lifestyles. Supplies and services deemed appropriate include, but aren';t limited to, therapeutic devices or medical/dental care.
To apply, contact your DD or ILP provider or Marlyn Olson, STAR Coordinator.
Grants must be submitted by 5p.m. April 15 to Marlyn Olson at REACH.
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REACH 213 Third Street, Juneau, AK 99801
Phone (907)586-8228 Fax(907)586-8226
