Check out your Cable!

A couple of weeks ago, Comcast representatives came to Pioneer and filmed our Accessible Computer Technology Lab.

If you have Comcast, please see the interviews and demonstrations.

Airing – Saturday, March 1 on Comcast Network (CN 100) on their television show “Inside Comcast”.

It will also air March 3rd at 6:30pm and Thursday at 7PM.

Hope you have a chance to tune in.

The Listening Ear

The Listening Ear
759-7225

What is a listening ear?
The listening ear is used by the agency as a confidential voice mail service available to all Pioneer Center clients and operates 24 hours a day. This service provides individuals with an opportunity to comment on the services they receive. The voice mail is not used for any other purpose.

Why does it exist?
The Listening Ear is designed to aid in the identification of issues in the lives of the people served to help ensure that these issues are addressed in a timely fashion. Individuals are encouraged to call the number whenever they wish to make a comment. All information received is assured that the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality will be held. This system is kept strictly confidential. This system was designed to provide clients with an alternate way to one more avenue in which the people supported give the agency feedback.

How does it work?
Messages are retrieved by the Human Rights Committee Chairperson (Jason Clark), who is responsible for making the initial follow-up to the concern on issues identified. He addresses the issue, while maintaining as much confidentiality as possible while still addressing the issue. The relevant committee member (listed below) is notified of issues within his/her program area for additional follow-up. If necessary, the Vice-President of Operations, Dan Haligas, will be notified and is informed of serious issues.

What is a staff member’s role?
A staff member may be asked by an individual for assistance in placing a call to the listening ear. The staff should provide the minimal amount of only what assistance is necessary allowing for the individual to make the call and allow the caller to have complete privacy to voice their concerns when completing his/her call.

How does the client access the system?
The hotline number should be posted at all Pioneer agency phones. Clients should also be offered information on the function and a demonstration by the manager, QMHP/QHSP, or supervisor. The number is 815-759-7225.

Pioneer Center HR Committee Members (as of 2/1/08)
Jason Clark, HR Chairperson
Kris Murray, Co-chair
Mary Lou Philbin, member
Sarah Walker, member
Joyce Fisher, Options & Advocacy
Tom Tews, pastor
Two client / consumer representatives

Sick

2/29/08

Several people at Pioneer were home sick today and several more were sent home because of fever, chills, headaches, sore throats, congestion and dry coughs.

If you have any of these symptoms, please say home and rest. For relief of symptoms drink plenty of fluids, use a humidifier, gargle warm salt water several times a day, cover your cough, keeps ands away from mouth, nose eyes and take pain Tylenol or Advil as directed for pain and fever. See your doctor if no improvement after three days.

And remember frequent hand washing is most important in preventing the spread of germs. Good hand washing means warm water and soap, and scrubbing for at least 30 seconds....long enough to sing Happy Birthday twice.

Stay Well!!! The Pioneer Nurses, Sarah, Barb and Lynn

Another Party Ball and Pizza Party

Another EDS Success story!





We will be hanging another party ball up on March 12th, to celebrate Ed's new job. Ed has been participating in the Janitorial Training Program for some time, and now all of his hard work has paid off. In March, Ed will begin his new part-time janitorial position.





Everyone is so proud of Ed and want to have a pizza party in his honor.





The Pizza party will be held on March 12th at 12:00 pm.





If you would like to participated in the lunch, please bring $5.00 and bring your own drink.


WAY TO GO EDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!

Pick-Up Artists

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The EDS clients were trained on how to be a pick-up artist before their career planning outing this past Friday. Armed with confidence and a script, clients approached 18 local buisness to picked up entry level job applications. These applications will be shared with all of the EDS clients in hopes of finding "the one" job!

IPADD: Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disablilities

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Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Do you live in Illinois and have a teen or adult child with a developmental disability -- autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, Down Syndrome or other?

Many of us have worked and continue to work toward better funding for established services and supports in Illinois. But IN THE MEANTIME, our children get older and age out of the public school systems. We feel the need to become more empowered, as families, to forge collaborative ventures with interested professionals and other families in our local areas…to make positive changes in our local communities so that our young people are not forced to sit at home with nothing to do.

The purpose of this group is to give Illinois parents, self-advocates, adult sibs and others who care about adults with developmental disabilities a dedicated online venue for networking so that we know what's happening around the state. Our primary focus is sharing innovative ideas and practice in the areas of: Employment, Volunteering or other Day Programming; Housing Options; Transportation; Transition; & funding strategies that support these efforts.

Membership Features:

*Daily information exchange between families and professionals from around the state.

*Question of the Month poses one focused question for all to talk about each month.

*Ask the Experts! Is a new monthly feature where we invite a guest for a one-week Q&A session with IPADD members.

*Files and Links sections where members can upload information they’ve found useful.

*Online statewide Parent Directory (optional) for additional networking or friendship/recreation for your adult with a DD.



Join us today and get connected!

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/IPADDUnite/

Medicaid Seminar

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Presents

John Spears

IL Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services

March 25, 2008
1:00 – 2:00
3:00 – 4:00

Pioneer Center for Human Services
4031 Dayton Street
McHenry, IL 60050


Attendees will hear about new and expanding Medicaid programs Illinois has recently started. They will also hear about healthcare programs that have expanded for families and individuals.

You will also be informed on:
The new pay-in spend down program
The new higher income and asset limits for Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
The expanded Family Care program

This seminar is FREE, but seats are limited. If you are interested in attending please contact Lisa Mitchell,
(815) 759-7129.

I-SAIL Event at MCC on Feb 19th

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Illinois Self Advocates in the Lead
invites you to a Consensus Forum

Do you want a voice in living the life you want and having the supports you need?

We are creating a Statewide Self-Advocacy Network in Illinois to give you that voice..
We want YOU to be a part of the planning process.

Come join us and let your voice be heard!!!

On Tuesday, February 19, 2008
6:00 p.m.
McHenry County College
Building B- Room B177C
8900 U.S, Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL. 60014

PIZZA & CHANCES TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES!!!!

Call Pam Labellarte at 847-949-4440, ext. 15
to let us know if you are coming to the meeting,
require accommodations or if you have questions.

CARF Announcement

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Coming Soon

A survey team from CARF* will be visiting out premises on March 12, 13 and 14, 2008.

We invited the CARF surveyors to evaluate how well our services meet international standards for quality. The survey team will be looking at many things about us and our services. The survey will tell us what we are doing well and ways we might improve. As a result of this survey, our services may earn or continue CARF accreditation.

As part of the survey, the surveyors will interview people who use our services, their families, our staff, and others. Some questions the survey team members might ask people are:

Are our services provided in a clean and safe setting?
Do you receive the services you need and want?
Are you treated with respect?
Do you take part in planning your services
Are you told what you need to know about your services?
Are your questions answered in a way you understand?
Do you know where to go with questions or concerns?

If you would like to talk with one of the CARF survey team members or want to learn more about CARF, please let one of our staff members know. You many also contact CARF directly.

Internet: http://www.carf.org/
Email: feedback@carf.org
Mail: CAFT, 4891 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712
Toll-Free telephone: (866) 510-2273
Fax: (520) 318-1122

*CARF is an international, not-for-profit organization that accredits human services providers. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities, the accrediting body is now know as CARF.

Important Outing: February 15th

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Attention all EDS clients who are looking for a JOB!!

On February 15th, we will be going out into the community

to pick up applications and talk to employers.

We will be leaving Pioneer Center at 11:00 am

and plan on returning around 1:30 pm.

Since we will be out and about, we will be eating at the closest fast food restaurant.

We expect for everyone to be Dressed to Impress!

Please dress how you would for a job interview.

(This means...No Jeans, No Sweatpants or Sweatshirt)

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!

Entry Level Job Searching???

Attention: Job Seekers

In class we talk about the Ladder of Success!

When someone is unemployed, you must start at the bottom and work your way up. Two good places on the Internet for an entry level job is at:

snagajob.com and chicagojobs.com

When you can, check out the sites and see if there are any positions available in your area that interest you! Good Luck...

Guest Speakers Wanted!

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Attention Ladies and Gentlemen!

EDS is looking for Guest Speakers.

We are looking for individuals who could spare some time and share an area of expertise. The range of area of expertise is wide open. We are looking for individuals who would be willing to talk about any of the following:

Employment

Share your job experience.

Tell us what skills are needed for your job.

Tell us about your hiring practices at your job.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Take us on a tour at you're job site.

Volunteering

Share your volunteer experices.

Tell us about what skills are needed.

What are the rewards for volunteering.

Hobbies

Share your hobby.

Tell us about what skills are needed.

Show off an example of your hobby.

We know that there are parents, friends, guardians and service providers that we could learn from.

If this interests you, please don't hesitate to contact us!