COMMUNITY HEALTH

C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-O-N-S

Testimonials

Dear Mary, We are winding down our fall I Can Do It, You Can Do It! Program at Slippery Rock University. This semester includes three of our in-house programs, Kids In Action, the Adapted Physical Education class, and the Allegheny Valley Schools Aquatics and Fitness program, as well as a community-based individualized program run with the help and cooperation of the Butler YMCA. We so appreciate your organization’s help with the nutrition training for adult consumers involved in the program. Thank you for your interest and support of the I Can Do It, You can Do It! Program.

Sincerely,

Robert Arnhold, Ph.D

Thank you for your help creating the self-modeling video for the person reluctant to evacuate during night fire drills. After he completed his video, the next overnight drill went perfectly.He got up when the alarm sounded and exited the building well under the allotted time. Not only does this help ensure his safety, but everyone will be safer because he no longer needs staff's total attention. Without your help we wouldn't have been able to create such an effective video and definitely never would have gotten it into the proper format for him to watch on his DVD player. Thanks again for all your support.
Caroline R. Duxbury
Program Director
Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited

I was taking Psyche classes at Jamestown Comm College 91 to 93 and Dr Temple presented then. I was so taken then that when an opening came to work with special need students as a Teacher Assistant I took it. I worked for the Intermediate Unit 9 in Bradford Pa for 6 years and when I moved to New Castle Pa in 96 I started with the interimedate Unit 4 here as a Teacher Assistant. I totally loved this job. Now I am working as an Employment Specialist Aide /Job coach with Lark Enterprise with special need clients. It has been my passion to work with these kids and adults as they are such a special group of people. I love how they look at the world no problems no white/black everyone gets along. I love seeing them achieve so much. When I started working I was one on one with a lower fuctioning girl with Autism we hit it off and we are still friends I knew how Helen Keller felt.

I strive to keep my clients treated as they should be a productive person who can accommplish whatever they dream to do - it may have to be modified a bit but it is do able.

Thanks again for taking the time to share and to teach us all.
Cheryl Thomson

Dear Ms. Nau, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your presentation, I Can Do It You Can Do It: Consumers Team up with Mentors to Design Their Own Physical Activity Programs.

Your presentation received absolutely stellar reviews. Session evaluations said there was great interaction during the program. Participants said that they particularly appreciated the interesting suggestions for setting up this program. One attendee even wrote, “This was the best session I have attended. Good handouts, nice audio/visual presentation, engaging, knowledgeable speakers.”

When asked how the session might be made even better, one person suggested that you might consider bringing the consumers/mentees to informational sessions to discuss their experiences in the program.

Thank you for your professional and personal contributions to quality services and supports for people with disabilities through your participation in PAR’s Solutions Conference 2008: Extreme Makeover.

Sincerely,

Shirley Walker, President and CEO, PA Association of Resources (PAR)

( Amy is one of six registered nurses working at Community Health Connections, Western PA HCQU)

As a personal care home administrator, I would just like to say that I think it would be wonderful if you could offer the ”What If You Were Me?” classes to any of the administrators that take your other HCQU classes for their facilities. I am sure that they would appreciate the valuable lesson that it would teach their staff also.

Again, I can’t thank you enough for providing this opportunity to my staff.

Sincerely,

Karen Houck, Administrator

Natalie, I just want to let you know that I appreciate all your help over the last couple of weeks in setting up the Victims of Crime with Disabilities training. You were so very helpful in securing a location and the technical equipment and you and your staff couldn’t do enough to make sure everything went off without a hitch. You are such a wonderful inspiration for your staff and I can see why your staff are so happy to work with you. If you ever need anything in Westmoreland County I would love to return the favor.

Thank you again!

Chris Parker, Westmoreland County MH/MR

“I just came out of a training called “What if You Were Me?” I called because I wish every caregiver could do this training. This was the best training I ever came to. There is role playing that really makes you feel you’re in the feet of someone who is in a wheelchair or other disability. I was discussing this with others outside after the training and we all agreed that every caregiver should do this. It really helps you come to understand what it feels like. This training was wonderful.”

(excerpted from a phone call )

Gerald Mbae, Community Living & Learning

Hi, I just wanted to share with you some positive feed back on the “Individualized feeding plan” document that we received at the Nursing Forum. It has been a blessing. I have used it several times on speech evaluations and appointments. This has been a great tool for us!! Thank you so much.

Please let the staff know that we greatly appreciate all the support that they give us. It makes our job so much easier.

You guys are wonderful!

Margie Fend, Coordinator, Community Homes Nurse

The genuine care and dedication Cheryl Parker has shown to [our client] and our team has been amazing! She has truly been an inspiration, and has helped us tremendously on looking at things from a different perspective & a new light! Thank you, Cheryl!

Heidi Sutton, Group Home Supervisor

I just wanted to let you know that Brian Speakman’s presentation of “Building Relationships” was very informative. It was well presented; questions were answered with thorough discussion. I truly feel like I am taking a lot of new approaches with me as a result of this wonderful training.

Thank you!

Susan Marconi

As training coordinator at The Arc of Crawford County, Inc., the HCQU has been a valuable resource and complement to our staff training schedule. You could not ask for a better, more cooperative staff to do training programs in our facility. The nurses and behavior specialists are very approachable and knowledgeable about the subject they are teaching and in the rare event they do not know the answer to questions they will get the answer for us promptly. Thank you.

Donna Johnson, Programs Manager, The Arc of Crawford County

I am writing in regards to supports that I have received from the HCQU. The staff at the HCQU have always been very helpful in providing information with helping to develop supports for the individuals I work for as well as providing trainings for the staff. I have spent a great deal of time working with the HCQU staff to put together information to ensure that psychiatrist have accurate history in order to treat that person in the best manner possible. The staff are always there for me to pick their brains when trying to problem solve or work through an issue. I use them as a source of information on many levels. Knowing that they are there to be part of the support team is truly a valuable asset.

Sincerely

Tami Cecconi, Supports Coordinator

Health Care Quality Unit

The name says it all.

In this ever changing world in which we live; we are constantly challenged to do something good. Healthcare is ever changing and quite diverse as well. Nursing care is certainly non-exempt to change. In order to maximize the capabilities of those we serve; we too must maximize our skills and desire to learn. HCQU provides us with that opportunity. We all "live and learn," however we must be humble enough to explore new horizons and new approaches with the capability to accept and apply what we have been taught.

In addition to knowledge, we must maintain a moral obligation to always respect those we serve.

Regardless of a person's "lot in life," healthcare providers do not equate care to that lot.

Healthcare providers serve each and every person with dignity and equality to serve their individual needs. Healthcare providers deliver a service that they know in their hearts to be right and respectful. Healthcare providers know no boundaries to deliver a standard of practice to include humanity and individualism.

I have been a licensed practical nurse since 1974, and have been involved in healthcare since 1970.

My current job is that of Residential Program Nurse for a non-profit organization. The position had never been filled prior to me being hired. I, in essence was a pioneer to build a foundation of consistent care for our consumers.

Soon after I began employment in that arena, I had the honor and privilege to meet Natalie Symons and Bernadette Obermeir. They were truly God sends who helped me apply my nursing skills to better understand MH/MR in the state's regulatory system of the OMR.

I have watched them teach direct care staff and consumers. It has been most apparent that the knowledge, wisdom and conviction they posses is more than a job. It is who they are. Recently, Kelly Fisher has become part of their team and she is equally as impressive. They project professionalism far beyond the obvious. They provide excellence in delivery of care to their clients and the people who serve them.

It goes without question, they are passionate and dedicated. Their special qualities certainly exemplify the statement of Health Care Quality.

Residential Program Nurse

I want to comment on how wonderful the HCQU for our area has been in enhancing the nursing services that I give. In addition to the wonderful trainings that are given for the staff and myself, I find it very helpful to have another nurse to use as a resource when I have questions--"to bounce things off of", so to speak. I appreciate the communication regarding incident reports and health risk profiles that occurs.

Helen Berger R.N., The Arc of Crawford County

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