MARCH 2010
Holiday Celebrations in our 962 HOMES
Meet Amy
Our homes were very busy during the holidays.
Our first annual holiday party was a big success.
The party was held at the Baywood home, and residents from all 962 homes were able to attend. Residents and staff had a great time, with good food,
presents and visits with old friends.
Gerald and Elizabeth
Nelda
Holiday Celebration at Baywood
Amy is a native Californian; she was born in Livermore almost 40 years ago. When Amy was 12 years
old, she moved to the skilled nursing units in Agnews
Developmental Center. On November 30, 2007, Amy
was the second person to move into Baywood. At
first Amy was best described as “grumpy”. She rarely
smiled, and would push staff away during grooming
or any interaction. She preferred to stay in her room
alone, and was often asleep. Since that time, we have
seen many changes in Amy. She recognizes staff and
is more interactive. She no longer automatically pushes staff away - though she will push you away if she
is tired of the activity! She joins activities and parties, and has actually been observed smiling at peers
and staff, and laughing during activities. During the
day, Amy attends the Great Endeavors Day Program,
where she participates in a variety of programs. When
she returns home, Amy needs some time alone in her
room, and has recently become a fan of the “IPod”,
and will listen to her music while resting.
LSA Board Members
Jeanette McNeely
President
Ron Ketelsen
Vice President
Doriann Shreve
Secretary
Fred Francisco
Treasurer
Dennis Brown
Member
Kathy Frankland
Member
Gerald Fisher
Member
Michael Riordan
Member
LSA Staff Members
Dana Hooper
Executive Director
[email protected]
Phone - (650) 533-6556
Duane Wong
Controller
[email protected]
Phone - (408) 727-3493
Angie Speulda
Program Director - 962 Homes
[email protected]
Phone - (408) 674-9797
Susan LeRitz
Program Director - Rivermark
[email protected]
Phone - (408) 438-0439
Patty Ruiz
Human Resources Manager
[email protected]
Phone - (408) 727-3493
Juan Sandoval
IT/Purchasing/Operations
[email protected]
Phone - (408) 727-3493
Contact Us
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your comments to:
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Message from the
Board President:
By Jeanette McNeely, LSA Board President
The LSA Board and management team have started work on
a strategic plan. This effort began in December with the selection of an outside consultant to
assist us in the process. During
January and February we have
been collecting input from various stakeholders in preparation
for a retreat which is planned for
March 26. We look forward to sharing the resulting strategic plan with you.
LSA would like to further expand its Board and we need your help- please let us
know if you are interested or know someone who we should contact. We are particularly interested in persons with a clinical/nursing or special education background. Help us continue to grow and serve.
Message from the
Executive Director:
By Dana Hooper, LSA Executive Director
Please join us for our
quarterly family meeting on March 13th and
mark your calendar for
the next meeting on
June 12th. Both meetings will be held at
10:00am at Rivermark
Community Center. In
response to suggestions
from family members
Empey Holiday pot luck
concerning end of life
planning and support, we have invited a guest speakers from the Center for Living
with Dying and from SARC to speak at the March meeting. We hope to follow up
with more information about conservatorships and other concerns families may have.
Be sure to attend on Saturday, March 13th or call if you are unable to attend with your
ideas for future meetings.
LSA Homes receive highly coveted Quality Management
Systems (QMS) Certification:
We are proud to announce that Rivermark Home 1 and 2 and Baywood have
each received QMS certification during January.
To earn certification requires a detailed, continuous quality improvement review by a team
Get Acquainted With the Dedicated Team at Life Services Alternatives
Edna Adona
Rogelio Vicente
Edna started with LSA in
March 2009 at Empey as
an RN on the night shift.
Edna had worked with the
medically fragile residents
at Agnews for thirty years
and was able to continue her
service to these residents at
Edna on the right with
Empey. At Agnews, Edna
Gloria and Jerome
worked with the residents
from the time they were babies in the nursery to their
adult life and she considers them to be part of her family. In her own words “My commitment to this clientele made me grow both professionally and personally”.
Edna has been married for thirty years and has two children. Her son is a computer analyst and her daughter is
following in her footsteps and is now in her junior year
as a nursing student.
Roger has been providing support to men
and women with different abilities for 15
years. He has shared
his talent and expertise with LSA since
April of 2007. Roger
Roger with Shiro
lives in San Jose with
and Steve
his wife and 2 children. Roger started out working as a Direct Support Professional, but has recently also taken on
the position of Assistant Operations Coordinator.
Philosophy on life: If there’s a will, there’s a way. If
you are willing to put in 100% of yourself, time and effort in everything you do, be it at home, work, school or
play you will accomplish your dreams, goals and purpose in life. Favorite pastimes: Quality time with my
family, outings, parties, traveling, fine dining, shopping
and working out with my husband. Things I enjoy about
my job: Seeing my clients comfortable, free from pain,
having a good night sleep and waking up fresh for the
day. I also enjoy working with the dedicated staff at the
Empey home.
We value Edna because: Edna is able to assist when
needed in all of the 962 homes. She is there for us when
we need her and always willing to help other staff.
Philosophy on life: Learn from yesterday, live
for today and hope for tomorrow.
Favorite Pastimes: Roger chuckles and says,
“Before, I liked going out to the movies, going
to parks and playing basketball. But, since children have come along, life has changed. Now
I spend time with my 6 year old daughter and
newborn son.”
Things Roger likes about his job: I get paid to
do something I enjoy. Working at LSA has been
fun and enjoyable place to work. Roger says he
feels comfortable at LSA and that he likes being
around his co-workers.
We value Roger because: He is dependable,
trustworthy and a quick learner. Roger is a
great role-model to the men and women living
in the homes.
from San Andres Regional Center. The review includes 37
provider expectations, observations and input from family and friends as well as database tools for regional center
professional staff. The QMS reviewers worked closely and
directly with us in each home to observe, analyze and support the improvement of service quality. The Information
collected is used to certify the home.
Each of the three (3) certification letters acknowledged
that home’s remarkable achievement in meeting or exceeding the thirty-seven expectations. Here are some
noteworthy excerpts from each certification letter:
Rivermark Home 1: “The panel particularly wants to
highlight your focus on creating a community home that
offers wonderful opportunities and experiences to those
you serve. With your support these individuals have
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experienced development and empowerment in their
lives. Finally, we’d like to acknowledge the value of
finding Marley, the pet dog, who adds another beneficial
relationship to the individuals at Home 1.”
Baywood Staff Celebrate Certification
Rivermark Home 2: “The panel recognizes all your efforts, but particularly wants to highlight your focus on
forging paths of communication with the individuals and
for honoring their preferences in activities (e.g. swimming, going to concerts and movies, dancing, camping,
etc.). Your commitment to connecting residents to the
community with events like the Meet and Greet and annual Women’s Tea is noteworthy.”
Baywood: “In Addition to the necessary focus on the
health of residents the panel wants to recognize your focus in creating a real feeling of home within the SB962
service model.” Baywood is also the first SB962 home to
be certified. Your work in understanding the subtle communication styles of the individuals at Baywood is also
noteworthy and commendable.”