Spotlight Newsletter: February 2011

Important News About CSS On-Call System

Beginning 1/20/11, there will be only one call-in phone number for Residential Advocates and one call-in phone number for Community Advocates when they need to call in to miss a scheduled shift. There will no longer be one number during the week and another for the weekend!

Residential Call-In # (417) 850-4210—7 days/week/24 hrs./day

Community Call-In # (417) 437-4096—7 days/week/24/hrs./day

All advocates are reminded that the numbers above should ONLY be used for calling in to give notice that you will not be able to work a scheduled shift. CALL, don’t text or leave a voicemail.

On-Call System Reminders:

• For Residential Consumer issues, advocates should call the consumer’s Residential Coordinator— check the home’s Emergency Information Book for the number if you do not know it.

• If it is after 5pm and before 8am or on the weekend, call the On-Call Coordinator at: (417) 850-5860.

• For Community Consumer issues, advocates should call the Community Lead Advocate, Alisha Newby at: (417) 850-6659.

If your call is not answered, do NOT leave a voicemail. Wait a full 10 minutes and then call again. After wait-ing a full 10 minutes after your second call, go up the chain of command and call the supervisor of the person who has not answered your call—see the home’s Emergency Information Book for the name and number if you do not know it.

For a true emergency, activate the EMS system by calling 911, and then contact the consumer’s Residential Coordinator.

Compassion, Integrity, Respect

Kudos Corner

Vera Ellison is the December kudos winner! Vera did an excellent job helping with a consumer’s items after the death of the consumer. Vera was able to get everything donated and picked up all in one day. Vera has also done a fantastic job of bringing organization to an ISL. Vera’s supervisor is Scott Schlichting. Vera has been with the agency for 1 ½ years, and her favorite

memory of working at CSS is chasing John Emery around the backyard and him laughing all day long with her. Vera was born in New York, has two children: Jade 13 years old and Blake 18 years old, and has a wonder-

ful boyfriend who supports her in anything she does. Her hobby is hanging out with her family and friends and going to the lake. Her favorite color is red and her favorite movie(s) are all the SAW movies. Three words that describe Vera are outgoing, dependable, and caring. When asked if there was anything else she would like to

add she stated “To know me, is to love me!” Congratulations Vera!

Other Kudos nominees for December were:Jim Dick for getting dress clothes donated to a consumer and for helping a consumer in their house hunt.

Brian Dick for quitting what he was doing and helping Mary Heger with an urgent computer issue so that she could turn in important documentation on short notice.

Myla Yeager for extra cleaning at an ISL.Coleene Leavell for following thru with getting a consumer’s meds that had not been delivered by Apria.

Jessica Carter for a quick response to HR.Coleene Leavell for extra cleaning at the ISL.

Connie BrittonValerie Taylor

New Hires

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! CSS Quiz Night:

Friday, February 4th 2011Joplin Elks Lodge

Doors Open @ 6:00pGame Begins @ 7:00p

$15 per player; 8 players/Team

CSS staff get 2 tickets for the price of 1!

Reserve your table with the Alcott front desk or by contacting Melissa at 624-4515.

Janet Nokes 2/3Melissa Meinhardt 2/3Dorothy Grigsby 2/3Jamie Cook 2/6Shana Niccum 2/7Emalea Dick 2/9Dustin Eastin 2/10Eric Altman 2/12Beverly Still 2/15Lisa Rainey 2/15Norman Murphy 2/16Kevin Helm 2/20Rabecca Wallace 2/20Andrew Wright 2/23Amanda Smith 2/23Kimberly Reeves 2/26Kassie Conrad 2/28Deanna Finley 2/28

Mary Ward 2/2/2001Brian Dick 2/4/2001Deborah Vaughn 2/9/2001Mark Lindquist 2/9/2006Tonya Bryant 2/23/2006Sabrina Steers 2/7/2007Beth Weston 2/15/2007Lewis Leake 2/7/2008Tom Steele 2/5/2009Marie Sachsel 2/19/2009Arielle Speer 2/26/2009Nancy Bell 2/1/2010Carissa Gerard 2/11/2010Matthew Lenhart 2/11/2010Morgan Webber 2/11/2010Cathy Backs 2/16/2010Chad Camp 2/16/2010Kolin Hacker 2/16/2010Randy Adams 2/25/2010

Residential Newsfrom Laura Westley, Residential Coordinator

“Start Right…Stay Right”Recently at a lead staff meeting a little booklet was passed out entitled “Start Right…Stay Right”. Have you had a chance to read through it? Ask your lead staff if he/she has the copy and read through it. It is a GREAT book about the basics of being a good employee and giving yourself the best chance at suc-cess.

The following is an excerpt from the book, ‘Start Right…Stay Right Every Employee’s Straight-Talk Guide to Job Success” by Steve Ventura:

“ Whether you’re a seasoned coworker or someone just starting employment, no matter if this is your ideal job or merely one stop on a larger career jour-ney, you ‘oughtta wanna’ be successful. You owe it to your organization – the one that not only gives you money, but also entrusts you with its resources, its customers, and its future. You owe it to your coworkers – those whose welfare, performance and success are inextricably linked to yours. Most im-portantly, you owe it to yourself – the one who ultimately benefits from or is hampered by, the track record you add to each day.”

From Sarah Parker, V.P. Early Childhood Services

Child Count Numbers are Rising! What does that really mean? It means that we will be in compli-ance with our contract standards, and more importantly it means we are finding those families with children who can benefit from early intervention services.

Studies have proven that providing services at an early age can decrease or even eliminate a delay by the time the child reaches school age, thus allowing the child to enter school as equal as possible to their peers, and making the school journey a positive experience!

Service coordinators are out in the community putting out flyers and brochures and attending area fairs and expo events in order to spread the word about the First Steps program. Be sure to stop and visit if you see us out and about!

Birthdays

Anniversaries

6-Month Kudos WinnerThe winner of the 6-month Kudos drawing and a free day off

with pay is Deb Kniesly!

Deb submitted a suggestion to help make the 201/901 travel to consumers homes more efficient. Deb has worked at CSS for 6 months and her supervisor is Janet Thompson. Deb likes to make candles in her spare time, her favorite color is green, and her favorite food is asparagus. Three words that describe Deb are funny, reliable, and hardworking. Way to go Deb!! A Kudos winner is drawn monthly from all submissions re-ceived. The monthly winner receives a highlight in the news-letter and an appreciation gift. Then, twice a year anyone who has received a Kudos during the past 6 months is placed in a drawing and that winner receives a highlight in the newsletter, an appreciation gift, and a FREE PAID DAY OFF!

Employee Luncheon

February 8th, 201111:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This will be our 2nd annual CSS Chili Cook-Off!

Donations are accepted at each luncheon.

See Marie at the front desk for details!

See you onFebruary 8th!

Community Spotlight from Janet Thompson

We would like to introduce...Danica Morgan, Community Staff Scheduler

Danica started with CSS as a volunteer at age 15, and was hired as an empolyee in

May 2008. Danica’s favorite part of working here is the annual GOALS Summer Camp

program. Danica is a Junior at MSSU study-ing Business Administration. Danica enjoys

dancing, reading, fishing, camping, and spending time with her family. Her favorite color is purple. Danica lives with her little sister Alexis, and her baby, Chico (her pet

chihuahua).

GOALS Departmentfrom Katie Hayes

Special Olympics Basketball

This should be an exciting season for SOMO Basketball!CSS has 12 participants this year. We are practicing every Monday night in the CMAC gym at CSS from 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to participate in these practices.

The Area Tournament was held in Bolivar, MO at SBU Janu-ary 29, 2011. Districts will be on Saturday, February 5th in Blue Springs, MO.

If you know of anyone who would like to volunteer to be apart of coaching contact Katie Hayes

at 624-4515, ext. 107

This month’s Financial winner is Alex Bird, Lead Staff of 705. This month Alex’s

financials were clean with no errors on them. He is always on time with turning in his financials and willing to help with any problem, should one arise. If you see Alex around, please let him know how much of

an asset he is to our agency!

Congratulations Alex, for having “Fabulous Financials”!

Marie’s Fabulous Financialsby Marie Sachsel

Recipe CornerCathy’s Butterscotch Cream Pie

Set 3 eggs out of refrigerator let set about 1 hour before making the pie.Separate egg whites and yolks¾ cup brown sugar¼ granulated sugar’3 level tbl spoons of corn starch1 level Tbl spoon flourStir together then add:2sp. Vanilla 2 ½ cup milkBlend milk gradually to dry mixture, slowly adding all of the milk.Cook on medium heat.After mixture starts to thicken, incorporate the beaten yolks with 4 table spoons pie mixture, add to pie mixture.Cook until thick. Pour into baked 9 inch pie crust. For Meringue, beat on high slowly adding ½ cur sugar and 1/8 tsp of cream of tater. Spread on pie filling, bake for 15 min. at 350 degrees.

Targeted Case ManagementRebecca Rivette, V.P. Targeted Case Management

“Success Story”

Michael Burnette has been residing at Medical Lodge in Nevada, Mo for the past few years. His dream has always been to move out and live on his own. With much support and determination from Janice Blystone, CSS Service Co-ordinator, this was made possible. CSS would like to give a special thanks to On My Own, Inc. which also contributed to the success of this move. Micheal is a very tall man and requires a special bed. On My Own purchased a bed for him, as well as other household furni-ture. Together, Michael, Janice, and On My Own developed a plan to make his dream come true. After several calls from Michael with great anticipation, the move was set! On January 17, 2011 Michael moved into his new ISL with Skills Unlimited.

Thanks for all you do!

Did you know...• Morethan35millionheart-shaped

boxesofchocolatewillbesoldforValentine’sDay.

• 73%ofpeoplewhobuyflowersforValentine’sDayaremen,whileonly27%arewomen.

• Approximately110millionroses,mostlyred,willbesoldanddeliveredwithinthethree-dayValentine’sDaytimeperiod.

Did you know you can access your Benefits ONLINE?

The following websites can direct you to additional informa-tion for your 2011 Benefits:

Vsp.com (Vision Insurance Information)

Principal.com (Dental Insurance Information)

Anthem.com (Health Insurance Information)

Brad Burger and Empire District Electric

for helping to makeour monthly newsletter

possible!

2/1 Med Class 9:00 -5:00

2/1 Med Recert Class 9:00 -1:00

2/2 CPR & First Aid 8:30 - 5:00

2/2 Med Class 12:00 - 4:00

2/3 New Hire Orientation 8:30 - 5:00

2/4 Quiz Night6:30 2/4 - 2/5 CSS GOALS Basket-ball Team to Blue Springs, MO for District games

2/7 Mileage due to supervisor by 5 p.m.

2/8 Employee Luncheon 11:30 - 1:00 “2nd Annual Chili Cook Off”

2/9 CPR & First Aid8:30 -5:00

2/10 PAYDAY

2/10 New Hire Orientation 8:30 - 5:00

2/14 Valentine’s Day

2/15 Mileage Checks after 2 p.m.

2/15 MANDT 3:30 - 9:30

2/16 CPR & First Aid 8:30 - 5:00

2/16 MANDT 3:30 - 9:30

2/17 New Hire Orientation 8:30 - 5:00

SAVE THE DATE!

The annual GOALS Valentine’s Day Dance will be held on

Friday, February 18th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Cost is $3.00 per person.

2/18 GOALS Dance 7:00 - 9:00

2/19 Polar Plunge

2/21 MANDT Recert 3:30 - 9:30

2/23 CPR & First Aid 8:30 - 5:00

2/24 New Hire Orientation 8:30 - 5:00

2/25 PAYDAY

2/28 Med Class 9:00 - 5:00

Human Resourcesfrom Melanie Ousley, HR Representative

CHECK YOUR S-COMMS

You will be receiving an S-Comm to remind you when HR needs

an updated copy of your driver’s license, auto insurance, and

motor vehicle report.

Please provide those required documents to the HR Department

prior to their expiration date.

Thanks for helping us keep your files up to date!