Quarterly newsletter
February 2008
Life Services Alternatives is pleased to present its first quarterly newsletter. We are very excited about using the newsletter as a format to share updates, ideas, messages and other information you might not otherwise know. Of course, this is a work in progress, so please give us your ideas, comments and suggestions. We look forward to your feedback. Dana Hooper Joins LSA as Executive Director
Dana Hooper joined LSA as its Executive Director in October 2007. He
has 30+ combined years of corporate and non-profit experience in
management, finance, and marketing. He currently serves on the Board
of Directors of the LightHouse for the blind and visually impaired and
the Santa Clara Chorale. He was formerly President of the San Andreas
Regional Center Board of Directors and a member of Jay Nolan
Community Services Board. Dana, whose son Brent is developmentally
disabled contributes his time and skills to help ensure that quality
services and support are provided to people with developmental
disabilities.
Dana is a technology industry veteran with extensive marketing
experience. Most recently he assisted a German software start-up with
expanding the market for its products in the US. Previously Dana was part of the executive team at
Speech Machines, Lernout and Hauspie, Centigram and Software Publishing in marketing, business
development and general management capacities. Mr. Hooper holds an MBA from the Simon School
at the University of Rochester. He currently resides with his wife Alicia and sons Elliot and Bennett in
San Jose, California.
In the know
California Code of Regulations: Title 17 and Quality
Management System requires that within the first twelve
month period of providing direct support to consumers,
staff must complete 70 hours of training called Direct
Support Professional 1 and Direct Support Professional 2.
In each following twelve month period, staff must
complete 12 hours of continuing education in areas, as
they relate to planning and implementation of residential
services for persons with developmental disabilities.
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California Code of Regulations:
Title 22 states that a comfortable
temperature for clients shall be
maintained at all times. The
temperature in rooms that clients
occupy must be between a minimum of
68 degrees and a maximum of 85
degrees.
Message From The Executive Director
February 2008
It’s already well into the New Year but never too late to be making resolutions. We have a lot at LSA
to feel good about and I am excited to be part of the energy and positive changes going on in this
place. We have just ended a year at Rivermark that included a lot of change but finished on a high
note with a lot of talented people making a big difference in clients’ lives and an organizational
structure in place that will help both employees and clients be successful in this New Year. I believe
we are well positioned to accomplish great things in 2008.
As of November 16th, our 1st SB962 home, Baywood opened. So far, four of the five residents have
moved in and are thriving in their new home. We have a vibrant staff and a lot of positive energy.
During the next 6 months, we will be opening four additional SB962 homes and welcoming 20 new
residents. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know what a critical service we provide this
community and how talented our staff is. With the help of our partners and the enthusiasm and
hard work of our staff, our 20 new residents will be flourishing in no time at all.
With all the good things happening around us, there are still some things to be concerned about.
The State of California has another significant deficit and we are looking at the threat of cuts to the
developmentally disabled. We have had these obstacles in the past but through the help of many
dedicated people, we have pulled through. I would encourage everyone to write or call their State
Senate and Assembly representatives and request that the funding for the developmentally disabled
continue.
My goals for the organization in 2008 are simple yet accomplishing them isn’t always that easy. I
want our organization to be known as a great provider of care - both emotionally and physically. So
that when people start looking for help for their developmentally disabled loved ones, our
reputation will guide them to us first. I also want LSA to be known as a great place to work, so that
we can continue to recruit highly talented people and have everyone who works here feel valued and
appreciated. Last, but certainly not least, we must ensure that the processes and the right people are
in place to successfully open our four new homes in 2008 so that we can continue to be a fiscally
strong and resilient organization.
I am inspired by a quote from Sir Winston Churchill that said, “We make a living by what we get, we
make a life by what we give.” I appreciate all that you give everyday to our clients and the positive
impact you make on the lives of others.
New Names For The Rivermark Homes
We’re searching ideas for what to call the three homes at Rivermark
besides Home 1, Home 2 and Home 3. Please help. Share your ideas.
Resident Stories
Future newsletters will contain pictures and stories about the
residents. Watch your mail for a consent form that we will need
with your signature in order to publish.
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A Huge Welcome_
Charlotte McLachlan joined the LSA
team as Director of Finance and
Administration in January.
Updates from the Program Directors
Details from Susan and Angie
Rivermark Homes by Susan LeRitz
How time flies, it has already been 2 years since I became part of the LSA team, and I ask myself how
can there still be so much to do? I remind myself that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. We
are bursting with ideas that will deliver the type of quality program our residents deserve and that can
set a model for other providers. Here are a few that are in the works.
™ A lot of time and attention has been spent with improving the types of community experiences
our residents have. We are focusing on going out in smaller groups, going to meaningful
places, providing more one-to-one experiences, and exploring other types of community
inclusion such as joining groups or clubs such as the YMCA. We’re in the process of
developing a monthly activity calendar using clip art pictures so that our non-verbal residents
can make choices on how they want to spend their leisure time.
™ In-Home Coaching is a new component to our program and is in full swing at Rivermark.
Direct Support Professionals and the Team Leaders receive mentoring, guidance and feedback
in areas directly related to residents such as assisting resident’s with medication
administration, implementing training and personal growth objectives, hygiene and
grooming, and safety, on a daily basis.
™ Offering incentives for those employees that demonstrate quality, positive energy, and
teamwork. We randomly present employees with gift cards to acknowledge strengths and
growth and development. We are also implementing an incentive program to improve staff
awareness and LSA operations. The first incentive awareness programs are (1) achieve zero
injuries and accidents for a minimum of three months, and (2) reduce the homes’ utility bills.
™ In an effort to develop and maintain friendships, we plan to utilize the community room and
host quarterly social events that will include not only residents from the LSA homes, but also
other members of the community. We don’t want our residents to loose contact with others
that have transitioned into the community and want to provide an opportunity to strengthen
friendships and make new friends as well. Our first social will be a women’s tea in April.
Watch for your invitation
The open houses in December and January were a great success. It was nice for our residents to have
the experience of entertaining in their own homes. Thanks for coming and making it a rewarding
experience for all.
All of the residents are loving their new beds. But then again, what’s not to love? They are bigger and
better. Our Physical Therapist is pleased that everyone will have better support for their spines as
well.
Until next time,
Susan
962 Homes by Angie Speulda
Hear from Angie Speulda, Program Director for the 962 homes in the next newsletter. Kudos to
Angie and her team for all of their planning and preparation that has made Baywood happen.
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Hear it from the experts
Allan Palmer is a certified First Aid/CPR instructor for LSA.
Allan provides training to LSA staff on recognizing and responding to an
emergency and certifies our staff in CPR and First Aid. Our staff say Allan is a
tough instructor but they learn a lot from him. Allan offers this tip.
If you are alone and you are can not breath because something has gotten lodged
in your throat and your airway is blocked, try the modified abdominal thrust by
following these steps.
9 If you are near a telephone dial 911
(not from a cell phone). Even if
you can’t speak, by dialing 911,
emergency response will be sent to
where you are calling from.
9 If possible, signal for help by
honking the horn if you are in the
car. Get someone’s attention by
making a loud noise by knocking
something over or throwing or
banging something.
9 Make a fist and place it on your
upper abdomen (below your rib
cage and above your navel).
9 Grab the fist with your opposite hand
and thrust upward until the object is
expelled.
9 See your health care provider
immediately after the incident.
OR
9 Lean over the back of a chair or any
stationary horizontal object and push
your upper abdomen against it as hard
as you can.
9 Repeat until the object dislodges.
(Source: The Heimlich Institute)
Amanda Good is the Resource Nurse for the Rivermark homes.
Her name should be Amazing Amanda. She efficiently and effectively juggles
everything medical and still finds time to provide a tender touch for our residents.
Amanda reminds us that heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the United
States. She makes these suggestions on how to be kind to your heart.
™ Know your numbers, including
your total cholesterol, blood
pressure and triglyceride numbers.
If your numbers are not on target,
see your health care provider and
choose a diet and exercise program
that will make your heart happy.
™ Limit alcohol.
™ If you smoke, QUIT.
™ Reduce stress by not taking on too
much and finding time for
yourself.
™ If you don’t make time for exercise now,
you must make time for doctors later.
Shoot for 30 minutes on most days.
™ Eat healthy foods. At least 5-7 servings
of fruits and vegetables, include whole
grains and limit fats.
™ See your health care provider at least
once a year.
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Get Acquainted With The Dedicated Team At
Life Services Alternatives
Orlando Ferrar, aka Orlan
Orlan is a Direct Support Professional from Rivermark and has been
with LSA since February 2004. He is one of LSA’s first staff. He is from
the province of Pangasinan in the Philippines. Orlando is married and
has two daughters, ages 8 and 10, that live with him while his wife
remains in the Philippines. Orlando looks forward to the day when his
family will all be together again.
Philosophy on life: Be aware and be prepared.
Favorite pastimes: Walking, spending time with his family, and
fishing.
Things Orlan enjoys most about his job: The growth and
awareness that he has experienced since working with people with
developmental disabilities. Orlando went from working with printing
presses to working with people.
We appreciate Orlando because: In addition to his commitment
of providing quality support to the residents at LSA, he is always
smiling, singing, and in a good mood. His good nature is contagious.
Francisco Chico, aka Frank
Frank has been working at LSA since August 2005. His main job is a
Direct Support Professional at Rivermark, but also wears many other
hats such as painter, driver, and medical appointment facilitator. Frank
is also from the province of Pangasinan, however he and Orlando
didn’t know each other in the Philippines. Frank is single and has two
children. His son is 31 years old and his daughter is 33 years old.
Philosophy on life: Always do good things in life and you will
receive good things in life.
Favorite pastimes: Playing chess, reading, biking, fishing, and
spending time with family.
Things Frank likes most about his job: The challenges of the job and his co-workers.
We value Frank because: He is so flexible and always willing help out. We can always count on
Frank to assist with meeting the operational needs of the home.
Contact us:
Wyatt office phone (408) 727-3493 fax (408) 727-3407
Rivermark office (408) 727-3411 fax (408) 727-3495
Dan Hooper, Executive Director
[email protected]
(650)533-6556
Angie Speulda, 962 Homes Program Director
[email protected]
(408) 674-9797
Charlotte McLachlan, Director of Finance and
Administration
[email protected]
(408) 727-3493
Susan LeRitz, Rivermark Program Director
[email protected]
(408) 438-0439
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