January 2015
SCOOP
Skills of Central Pennsylvania
SAVE THE DATE:
One-Page Profile
This issue’s One-Page Profile spotlight is on Michael Conklin—
Residential Services Team Leader in Clearfield. Most people would describe Michael as fun and easy-going,
easy to work with, energetic, determined, reliable, kind, and nonjudgmental.
Some of the things Michael deems
most important include having fun in
whatever he does, which makes a fun
and positive workplace key. Michael
also likes to work with others who
have the same mindset. He likes to
know that at the end of the day, he did
his best and made a difference in
someone’s life, even it it is just a small
one. Michael’s family and friends
mean the world to him.
To ensure success at work, there are a
few key things Michael asks of his fellow employees. For starters, Michael asks that upon arriving at work, he is given some time to get settled
before being asked questions or favors. Michael’s job has several facets,
so he requests that when doing the more tedious tasks, interruptions are
limited and that his time and space are respected. Michael also values his
time away from work and asks that his staff be aware of what is urgent
and what can wait until he is back at work. Michael takes his commitments seriously and expects the same from others. He also does much
better when asked to do something, and insists that if a fellow employee
needs help, to simply ask. Above all, a positive and fun attitude will ensure success in the office for Michael.
04/10/15
Skills Trivia Night
05/16/15
Discovery Gardens
Plant Sale
07/13/15
10th Annual
E.F. Houser
Golf Tournament
09/13/15
Discovery Garden
15th Anniversary
FOLLOW US @Skills_of_PA
LIKE US @Skills of Central PA, Inc.
For Skills updates and pictures, follow us on social media.
SCOOP
Breaking Ground
Let the show begin! Skills broke ground for our Young Road,
Carlisle home this past fall on November 19th. To help the
builder, Skills members used the ceremonial shovels that were
first used to break ground 15 years ago for the
first house built, Aspen Drive in East Berlin.
Skills members on hand were: Lisa Elicker
(Director), Erin Border (RN/Manager), Sarah
Greene (LPN/Team Leader), Gordon Strawsburg (Maintenance Team Leader),
Dirk Madision (Contractor), and Pennie Spalding (VP).
Pajama Day
The Linden Avenue office for the York/Adams and Cumberland/Perry (YACP) region has made dress-up days a regular
event at the office. For each themed day, employees pay $1 to
dress up, with the money going to help a needy family on
Christmas Day. The office holds its annual Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day in December, and it usually occurs on the
day that the Management Meetings are held, as well as on
Payroll Mondays once per month. This past December, Pajama Day came with a holiday luncheon, and not only was
money gathered for the families, but items such as clothing
and toys were gathered as well.
Pajama Day in the office
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Volume 1, Issue 2
Paying It Forward from a Secret Santa
On an early Friday evening in December, the Windy Hill Gang and their cohorts (alias the staff) had gone
out shopping for holiday gifts. They worked up quite the appetite and stopped for sustenance (good food!)
at the local Denny’s Restaurant. After the Gang had finished eating, the staff went to the register to pay the
bill. Imagine their immense surprise to be told by the hostess that the bill had already been paid. Elizabeth
Kirk, team leader, described how touched everyone was to have received such a generous present. “There
is a wonderful anonymous gift giver out there!!!” This is one very special gift that will be remembered long
after the holiday season has passed.
Welcome to our new PCT trainer!
Skills would like to congratulate our newly certified Person Centered Thinking (PCT) trainer, Tricia
McBreen, to the Learning Community! We asked Tricia to share a bit about herself as she joins the community:
“My name is Tricia McBreen. I have been supporting people throughout my entire career. I have been employed with Skills of Central Pa. Inc. for over 21 years. During my time with Skills I have worked in many
roles. I have supported people as a Direct Support Professional, a Residential Team Leader, a Residential
Manager and Residential Director. My goal is always to help others be happy and healthy by supporting
them in the way that they want to be supported.”
Tricia undersells her dedication and commitment to learning and performing at her best. She will be a great
asset to Skills, our community, and to our state. We look forward to what the future will bring with Tricia as
our newest PCT trainer!
Some FUN Survey Results!
Photo here?
One of Skills’ strategic planning workgroups has been working toward
“developing a healthy culture that supports and fosters fun in the workplace
while emphasizing a high quality of service delivery.”
Thanks to all employees who completed our survey (for and about FUN!).
Results tell us that you want to have a workplace culture that promotes fun.
Our next step is to look a bit further into the results and develop some action steps.
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Skills Celebrates…
Happy Anniversaries for January
(York/Adams/Cumberland/Perry)
Jenny Baker (8 yrs. on Jan. 8), Lenora Carpenter (12 yrs. on Jan. 27), Daniel Comp (1 yr. on
Jan. 13), William VanDyke (9 yrs. on Jan. 9), Tiffany Englehardt (5 yrs. on Jan. 4), Chris Ensor
(20 yrr. on Jan. 24), Jody George (7 yrs. on Jan. 7), Tanya Harget (9 yrs. on Jan. 9), Britni
Harrell (2 yrs. on Jan. 14), Terry Henry (1 yr. on Jan. 13), Carl Jenkins (9 yrs. on Jan. 23),
Donna Kinard (13 yrs. on Jan. 14), Stephanie Leach (1 yr. on Jan. 13), Erin Lunger (2 yrs. on
Jan. 14), Courtney Martin (13 yrs. on Jan. 28), Kimberly Miller (12 yrs. on Jan. 24), Samantha
Miller (1 yr. on Jan. 13), Mary Myers (10 yrs. on Jan. 24), Heather Robinson (7 yrs. on Jan. 21),
Wendy Shaffer (8 yrs. on Jan. 8), Josine Smith (2 yrs. on Jan. 2), Aaron Stewart (2 yrs. on Jan.
14), Amy Whited (13 yrs. on Jan. 28)
Welcome Aboard
(York/Adams/Cumberland/Perry)
Debra Breighner, DSP/Sleepy Hollow, Jared Backus,
Congratulations to the RegionDSP/Spring Rd., Natasha Foose, DSP/Spring Rd.,
Kaitlyn Lunger, DSP/Spring Rd., Jessie Martin, DSP/
al TOPS Winners
Sleepy Hollow, Carlee Nadu, DSP/Spring Rd., Alexis Mary Rhodes, Lifesharing Specialist (Bedford/
Shaffer, DSP/Sleepy Hollow
Blair)
Theresa Fodor, Direct Support ProfessionalResidential (Cambria/Clearfield/Jefferson)
Brittany Boulton, Team Leader-Residential
(Centre/Lycoming/Clinton)
Jodi Royer, Team Leader-Residential (Huntingdon/
Mifflin/Juniata)
Congratulations to the Capital
Antonio Borrero, Team Leader-Residential
(York/Adams/Cumberland/Perry)
Blue Cross “Wellness Survey
Winners”
Antonio Borrero (YA/CP), Theresa Fodor
(Cambria), Joe Harding (Blair),
Adam Lassak (Cambria), Lamanda Perry
(C/J), Ruth Sprankle (Blair),
Promotions
Marlene VanLeer (Blair), Patti Wegener Christine Fetterman—Manager Residential Services
(Centre), Ralph Zoerner Jr (HMJ)
Samantha Hench—Team Leader Residential Services
Karen Sayers—Program Specialist (AT)
Heather Splain—Team Leader Residential Services
Jodi Wetzel—Training Specialist
Skills happily recognizes contributions of the staff. If your region has joyous occasions to
celebrate, pass the news to us and we include it in the next issue of SCOOP!
Thanks from Gwen [email protected] and Flora [email protected]!
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Skills Salutes…
“Men are what their mothers made them.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Patricia Simpson was greeted with quite the surprise on December 12 th as she
stepped out of her home to see a stretch limo parked in her driveway. Tyler Simpson, her son, had planned an evening out for her — which included a limo ride,
complete with a bottle of iced sparkling cider, and dinner at Bay City. He could
not have been more thrilled to see his planning come to fruition. Tyler and Pat are very
close, and often go out for lunch, but never
with quite as much panache as this particular Friday evening. Ever the gentlemen, Tyler was looking quite dapper in a tie and
new suede shoes, and even footed the bill at
the restaurant. Indeed, if men are what their
mothers have made them, then Pat has clearly done a wonderful job.
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Breakfast with Mickey & Minnie
Joann Lantz, a resident at the Indian Road house in Clearfield, is a huge Mickey and Minnie
Mouse fan. Upon hearing that there would be a breakfast with Minnie and Mickey held in
DuBois, her Team Leader decided it
would be a great opportunity to give
Joann a surprise. According to Kelly
Uncles, Administrative Support Assistant at Clearfield, “When Joann saw
Mickey and Minnie, she was so excited
to sit between them and have her picture taken. She even gave both of them
a kiss on the cheek and was grinning
from ear to ear as she walked away.”
Six Word Memoirs On the Road
The Philipsburg Psychiatric Rehabilitation program staff took their success story of the Six Word Memoirs on
the road to New Jersey. Sara Mays, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Associate Director, and Stephanie Dixon, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist, were invited to be special guest presenters at the PRA 34th Annual Conference in
Edison, New Jersey. Their special topic was the Six Word Memoirs used as a recovery conversation starter.
Back Row: Danielle V., Cody S., Stephanie
Dixon
Front Row: Heather V. Dixie L.
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Stephanie Dixon and Sara Mays
selling the Six-Word Memoirs
calendars.
Sara Mays (standing), Dixie L., Heather V.,
Cody S., Danielle V.
SCOOP
Hey There!! Did You Know ……...
Every December the Skills Board of Directors and Company
management gather to look back over the past year and share
Skills success stories.
Wendy Pardee, President/CEO and Ann Stacey, Board Chairman
The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act)
Over the years, individuals with disabilities have faced enormous financial struggles. Up until now
they could not utilize financial planning tools directed at planning for college and retirement.
The ABLE Act will
open the door to a
brighter future for
millions of Americans.
The ABLE Act (H.R. 647/S. 313) was introduced in the 113th Congress by Congressman Ander
Crenshaw and Senator Bob Casey. The ABLE Act is federal legislation that aims to ease financial
burdens faced by individuals with disabilities. The Act makes tax-free savings accounts available to
cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved Congressman Crenshaw’s legislation on December 3,
2014 by a vote of 404-17 and sent the measure to the United States Senate for consideration. The
bill’s provisions were included in the Tax Extenders legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote
of 76 - 16 on December 16, 2014. President Barack Obama signed the legislation into law on December 19, 2014.
With ABLE in place, individuals with disabilities no longer have to stand by and watch others use
Internal Revenue Service-sanctioned tools to lay the groundwork for a brighter future. The ABLE
Act will open the door to a brighter future for millions of Americans.
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Volume 1, Issue 2
Lifesharing
Congratulations go out to the Lifesharing Coalition Leadership team and
Pennsylvania Representative Thomas Murt for declaring October 2014 as
Lifesharing Awareness month. This is a way to show thanks to the
Lifesharing families for their support and for promoting Lifesharing in
their communities.
The second annual Lifesharing Conference was held this past fall at the
Ramada Conference Center in State College. Approximately 250 people
were in attendance. The speakers included Mr. Murt. The first evening
commenced with a social hour with food and dance enjoyed by all. There
was an activity room open which offered additional activities including fire safety
training, led by Kevin Godshall (KenCrest), flower pot decorating, a dance and
many crafts. The two days were topped off with the annual Excellence in Lifesharing awards. For eight years, the Lifesharing Coalition has recognized individuals
and families for their outstanding achievement in Lifesharing. Nominations are
collected from across the state. This year there were 45 nominations received, setting a record! Upon reviewing the nominations, the Leadership Committee was
tasked with designating four winners from across the state (one from each region).
We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to this year’s winners: Mary
Probst (Central Region), Cindy Hixon (South East Region), Tina Pahula (Western
Region), and Fatmata & Mohamed Sheriff (Northeast Region).
Skills promotes Lifesharing and is focused on its expansion. Please help spread the
word. All employees and Lifesharing families receive a bonus for recruiting new
single people and families to the program.
Local Pantry Gets Pumpkin Pie
SMILE, a group of individuals and staff with Blair County
Residential, held a community drive and collected enough
items to create 25 pumpkin kits that were donated to St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. The pumpkin pie ingredients and
other food stuff collected were not only from the office staff
and individuals in the group homes and day programs, but also
from their neighbors. St. Vincent DePaul was thrilled to receive the food. “We extend our heartfelt thanks for the donation,” Donald Belsey, Director of Administration, said. “It is
important to note you believe in what we do and support the
ongoing effort to provide groceries to those who can’t make
ends meet.”
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Tammy Amato, Brandi Emerick, Hope Neff and
Courtney Petrauskas deliver good to St. Vincent
DePaul Food Pantry.
SCOOP
We are always looking for fascinating,
fun, and fantastic stories about members
of the Skills Family. No story is too
Scoop Writers:
small. So let us know what is going on
Sarah Appelblatt & Flora Marynak
out there in the Skills World and send
your stories, pictures and ideas to Gwen
Scoop Story Contributors:
Terri Burbridge, Caanen Churukha, Michael at [email protected] or Flora at
[email protected].
Conklin, Stephanie Dixon, Peggy Evans,
Scoop Editors:
Gwen Auman & Flora Marynak
Elizabeth Kirk, Mary Rhodes, Pennie Spalding. Kelly Uncles & Robin Weirich
THANKS!
AmazonSmile
Thanks to Amazon, donating to Skills has just been made easier and more fun! A simple way to support
an organization every time you shop with AmazonSmile, shoppers enjoy the same shopping experience
as with Amazon, but with an incentive!
Each time a customer makes a purchase, 0.5 percent of that purchase is automatically donated to the
organization of that shopper’s choice! This way, shoppers are still purchasing the items they would normally buy on Amazon, while donating to their favorite organization at no extra cost, and right in the
comfort of their own home!
To start using AmazonSmile, simply log on to www.smile.amazon.com, search for SKILLS, and select
it as your charity of choice. You may then shop as you normally would, except that items will now have
the words, “Eligible for AmazonSmile Donation” in the product description. At the end of your purchase, AmazonSmile will have automatically donated 0.5 percent of your purchase to SKILLS at no
extra cost to you! Happy shopping!
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