Reminder: Manager’s Meeting in Monroe City on Tuesday, July 21^st from 9:00-3:00

GAMM Program Brings New Faces

We would like to welcome some new staff to our offices. These individuals are volunteering in the Monroe City and Hannibal offices completing various tasks. Lindsay Spalding and Brooke Moore are working in the Monroe City office completing various tasks in the file room, answering the phone, reviewing client and staff files, helping out with NISH reporting requirements, updating various manuals and obtaining staff transcripts per funding agency requirements. Glen Thome is also working through the GAMM program in the Monroe City office. He is in charge of obtaining employment for all summer youth in the Monroe City area as well as completion of paperwork, follow along of all youth on the job and submission of time sheets. Bridgett Barton is supervising the summer employees in the Hannibal area. She is completing similar duties as Glen and is also a great asset to our team. Katie Bryant and Shandi Beahan are working in the Hannibal LOQW office completing administrative duties such as various typing tasks, filing, answering the phones, etc. Katie is also filling in on some job coaching sites as needed. We appreciate the work of all our GAMM volunteers and are glad they have joined our team!

Selena pratt Develops 10 Second Commercial for Agency

Selena Pratt developed a 10 second commercial for the Job Development program that can be utilized agency wide. She developed this during the month of May and we recommend staff in the job development program printing this out and working on memorizing it. This is a good tool that you can use to make a first impression on an employer either out in the community or making cold calls. The short introduction to our agency gives just enough information to get the listener’s attention. Hopefully by using this 10 second commercial or by developing your own, you will be able to more effectively communicate with employers and other community members.

Hi, my name is _________, and I work for Learning Opportunities as an employment consultant. We are an employment agency with a strong reputation for successful job placements and if you have a moment, I’d like to inquire about the needs of your business.

Our Deepest Sympathies

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Shandi Beahan whose mother passed away in June.

Ralls County Service Coordination

An open forum was held regarding service coordination for the Ralls County consumers on Tuesday June 23^rd at the Lions Club Building in New London. Eighteen individuals were in attendance to the forum, which was lead by Lois Warren, Director of Hannibal Regional Office. Lois explained the reason and the process for transitioning of case management. She also expressed the full support from the Regional Office for the Senate Bill 40 counties providing service coordination. Starting July 6, 2009 Macon County SB40 will provide service coordination to all consumers in Ralls County. Currently there are 61 consumers who are receiving case management services. The service coordination will be provided by Brad Dillman and Kara Berlin.

Possible Job Openings

There are two possible job openings at LOQW. One is dependent on the availability of grant funding through the Northeast Missouri Workforce Investment Board. This position would potentially be a full time person who would be in charge of benefits planning for the Northeast Missouri region. This person would also be working in coordination with other staff members to develop a Ticket-to-Work program in the Missouri Career Centers. This would include working one-on-one with individual ticket holders to secure employment, attending professional meetings and sitting on area committees. If interested, please email Jennifer Turpin at jturpin@loqw.com

The other potential opening is for a Transitions Coordinator. This would be a full-time person that would report directly to Dolores Wilson. The position would include facilitating job clubs in Macon, Moberly, Monroe City and Hannibal schools, participating on youth services committees, reviewing transitions assessments from all offices, completing intakes, scheduling assessments, attending IEP meetings as possible and other duties as assigned. The minimum qualifications of this position include a bachelors degree, strong oral and written communication skills, strong leadership and problem solving skills. Experience in the supported employment program is preferred. To express interest in this position, please email Jennifer Turpin at jturpin@loqw.com

Wendy & her family would like to express their extreme gratitude to all staff for their hard work, thoughts and prayers during the recovery of their son Will. Will has recently been discharged from the hospital and is continuing his recovery from home. Continue to pray for him throughout the healing process.

A special thanks to Missy, Todd, Cathy and Jen who worked to keep things together in Wendy’s absence and will continue helping out until her full return to work.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health completed at recent audit of some consumers receiving services. Some recommendations were made. Below are a few short reminders for all staff.

1. All EDL Background checks should be completed prior to or at the time of hire. An individual should not work with consumers until this is completed.

2. All new staff must supply a copy of their high school transcript or this must be obtained upon hire.

3. Make sure to put the name of the service or the code on each piece of documentation. For example, if someone is in off-site day habilitation individual, this title should be documented on the logs, TA’s, etc. Also, make sure when documenting times to put AM or PM. Example: I picked someone up at 6:00AM and dropped them off at 1:00PM.

4. All consumers need to be working toward their goals. If they have a goal “To become a member of the community” they need to be interacting with others in the community on each outing! Staff also needs to be sure and document this. If you don’t document it, it never happened.

5. Make sure to document odometer reading for consumers who get mileage reimbursement.

6. Make sure staff initials and signature are legible on each piece of documentation. If staff signature is not legible, printing your name is suggested. You must be able to be identified by your signature. Also, makes sure all logs are legible.

	Going above & beyond Monica Shoemaker & Heather Hathaway have organized a car wash on July 18^th for the Monroe City People First group. The funds will raise money for People First to complete activities. Connie Buck started a game club and dance lessons for consumer in the Kirksville office. Karlene Deveny, Darcia Vansickle and Melissa Behrens supported consumer to go to the Circle of Friends Dance in Kirksville. Linda Bowers from the Kirksville Regional Office stated that Ralph Ratty and Vernon Dillman are both terrific coaches. Linda said the guys model the job, provide feedback to consumers, and just plain get it! They are both excellent coaches! Monica Huff and Lori Dietle have been assisting a consumer with doctor’s appointments. Some of these appointments have been early in the morning and late in the afternoon. They offer him comfort, support and also help the consumer to understand what the doctor is saying. Thanks gals!