Volume IX, Issue 2, APRIL 2015 Message From Our Executive Director
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Dear Willowglen Family,
Message From Our Execu ve Director 1 Welcome New Hires 2 Promo ons 2 Great Works Cer ficates 3 Staff of the Month 4 Promo ons 4 Department News 5 As your new Execu ve Director,
I would like to start a new
chapter for us with first—
”Thank you!” Thank you for
the opportunity to work along‐
side you. Most importantly,
“Thank you,” for bringing WGA‐
NJ to where we are today.
Without you and your unwavering dedica on to the
individuals we are so fortunate to be able to care for, we
would not be the agency and provider of choice. With
my first column, I would like to dedicate this issue to our
predecessors and future leaders: You! With life in gen‐
eral, choices must be made with decisions to be had that
will alter our future; whether in our professional or per‐
sonal life. With that in mind, I ask my new Willowglen
family members to recall the pride you felt the first week
on the job. Think back to your first success with teaching
someone a new skill, learning through the eyes of anoth‐
er and feel the pride you had knowing that today was
the day you gave it your all. It is that moment I ask that
you carry forward. I challenge my new family to encour‐
age each other, be respec ul and give support to one
another and always remember that we are one agency.
Be the success I know we will be.
DOE programs are We must find time to stop and thank
comple ng
PARCC
the people who make a difference
tes ng.
The Pre‐
in our lives.
Voca onal Students
~ John F. Kennedy ~
raised money during
the Holiday Cra Fair and supplied the Sussex County
Food Bank. The Jean M. Manfra School par cipated in
the first field trip to ice skate at Skylands Ice World, held
a Candy Heart Dance, celebrated the Chinese New Year
and are celebra ng Mul cultural Awareness through a
simulated ‘Amazing Race.’ As you can see we have sev‐
eral projects occurring throughout New Jersey.
Given these accomplishments, we have scheduled
Town
Hall Mee ngs for you and the Willowglen Leader‐
SJ Training Recert Calendar 7 ship Team. We will hold them at varying shi changes to
Celebra ng Anniversaries 7 accommodate your schedules. Town Hall mee ngs are
for you and New Jersey’s Leadership Team. This ap‐
In the News Around WGA... 8 proach to transparent leadership gives you a forum to
Le ers of Commenda on 8 express your thoughts to Willowglen Leadership. I ask
that you join one of the events to listen, ask ques ons
Sparta Happening 8 and give/receive open and respec ul feedback. Please
News from WGA‐SJ 9 remember, you are always encouraged to speak with any
Special Announcements 9 member of the leadership team at any me. For those of
you who have met me, and for those who I haven’t yet
News from Newton Campus 10 met, I’m certain you will find my management style is
DDD/DCF/DOE Clinical Corner 11
employee‐centric and always consumer driven. Your
success and our future are coupled, lets get there togeth‐
Exci ng mes are happening in our state with the begin‐ er.
ning of a new chapter. First, our DDD program
statewide just completed a thirty day inspec on with the The Employee Town Hall Mee ngs will be held:
Willowglen Academy—NJ, Office of Licensing and received full licensing status. As
Inc. is a commi ed EEO 4/29/15 11am Sparta Office, 5/5/15 8pm Sparta Office,
we evolve from a “North‐South” state, our DDD pro‐
5/11/15 12pm Cherry Hill Office and
grams in both regions worked collec vely as a team for a
5/29/15 7pm Cherry Hill Office
very posi ve licensing review. Addi onally, our DCF pro‐
grams just completed their Joint Commission Accredita‐ Enjoy the View and from me to you, “Thank you!” on on March 20th, with much posi ve praise. In addi‐
Patricia Kane, Executive Director
on to celebra ng on the heels of their talent show, our
NJ Training Recert Calendar 6 Page 2 LET’S WELCOME OUR NEW WILLOWGLEN EMPLOYEES
Willowglen Academy-NJ, 8 Wilson Drive, Sparta, NJ 07871
Willowglen Academy-SJ, 501 King Avenue, Suite 1, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
MEET YOUR NEW EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR…..
Patricia Kane officially started with Willowglen Academy on
February 2, 2015. Patricia’s leadership marks our 3rd Executive
Director for New Jersey with Len and Jean totally over 27 years of
service. Patricia : PK to those who know her; comes with a wealth
of knowledge and over 15 years of experience in the field. She has
served and continues to serve on several State Boards and Committees. In her previous life she has supervised both for profit and not
for profit agencies.
throughout the state via Treatment Homes and Host Homes.
These programs were tiered through DCF based upon the actual
needs of the individuals served rather than assigned funding levels.
The program was the first to be replicated linking DCF and DDD
together. Patricia has also worked as a Correctional Emergency
Response Team Agent (CERT), Director of Operations serving
and expanding DDD group homes and day programs through the
deinstitutionalization of New Jersey’s Developmental Centers in
addition to supervising Clinical and Ancillary Services and as an
Assistant VP of Program Services serving DDD, DCF, CBVI
and DVR consumers.
If you ask Patricia a licensing standard, we are positive she will
give you the answer. PK is a proud leader in the field and more
importantly she holds herself, management and everyone around
her to the highest standards. Do not be shocked if you see PK
around the programs, in the hallways or visiting with our consumers and speaking with staff at all hours of the day. Patricia believes in starting from where you are and visiting where you need
to be. Her unwavering dedication to the consumers and our company; WGA, along with our Corporate Structure; Phoenix Care
Systems (PCS), motivates her to say it like she sees it. When
most people say, ‘Think outside the box;’ Patricia will say, “Don’t
In developing these type of programs, her experience to the youth see the box.”
served was recognized and additional populations were added to Please join us in welcoming Patricia to our Team! Although she
include New Jersey’s first program that served individuals within works statewide, her primary office is located in Sparta.
the DD/MI population; in Columbia, New Jersey, and eventually
Starting in the field as an overnight Direct Care Worker for Tier
II adolescents, she quickly gained the knowledge and expertise to
go out on her own and write proposals, budgets and assist agencies
with funding, training and staffing issues. Patricia has an eclectic background; which brought her the skills needed to serve as our
ED. She has worked/developed and opened many programs to
serve youth who exhibit severe aggression, fire setting and sexual
reactive behaviors also known as Specialty Bed (Spec) Program
for DCF. In addition to that, Patricia has opened many Residential Treatment Centers (RTC’s) throughout New Jersey.
Coming together is a beginning,
Keeping together is progress,
Working together is success.
~ Henry Ford ~
WELCOME TO OUR NEW DDD NURSING SUPERVISOR...
We would like to welcome our new DDD Nursing Supervisor,
Bernadette Albinson, to Willowglen Academy. This is Bernadette’s second tour with Willowglen Academy. She started her career with the company in 1993 as a Day Program Instructor. She
was then promoted to the position of Clinician in 1996 and supervised the original Frankford House, serving 14 consumers. She
returned to school in 2002 to pursue a degree in Nursing, first
obtaining her Licensed Practical Nurse diploma and then her
Registered Nurse Degree. She is currently working toward a Mas-
ter’s Degree in Nursing. She has four children ranging in ages
from 15-23. Before returning to Willowglen Academy, she held
the position of Director of Nursing for a Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She loves her career and is very passionate about the
care and well being of the population we serve.
Bernadette’s office is located in the new ATS building at 19 Wilson Drive, and she and her nursing staff are ready to help you
with any nursing questions and concerns you may have regarding
your consumers. Welcome Bernadette!
Page 3 LET’S WELCOME OUR NEW WILLOWGLEN EMPLOYEES
JANUARY
Tracy Brokenboro—Tallowood
Denise Rodriques—Tallowood
Rashif Pennington—Delwood
Kelly Halpin—DDD Nursing
Joshua Pollard—Demarest
Gabriel Moreno—Hampton
Artur Zaniewski—Sparta Gardens
Victoria Collman—Clove Road
Aaron Bartku—Hardwick
FEBRUARY
Patricia Kane—Corporate
Daniel Dickerson—Demarest
Olufemi Adebola—DCF
Kelvin Smith—Toms River
Anbar Solano—DCF
Emanuel Uster—Hardwick
Emilie Lynch—Plainsview
Courtney Gilmore—ECS Apts.
Anthony Scudilla—Brooklyn Mtn.
Matthew Pridham—ATS 2
Kassandra Potsel—ATS/Annex
Kristen DeLawter—Plainsview
Joshua Butler—ECS Apts.
Diana Schombs—Sparta DOE
Andrew Bonilla—ATS 1
Hunter Hoffman—Hopatcong
Silvia Banta—Roslyn
WELCOME BACK
Joseph Murtha—Fredon
Kurtisa Dunston—Somerset
Shanna Coursen—Lafayette
Daniel Guarino-Palmiero—
Big Spring
Melissa Waring—Morganfield
Miguel A. Castillo—ATS 1
Bernadette Albinson—
DDD Nursing
Dawn Genovese—DCF
Victor Ortiz—DCF
MARCH
Tiffany Carter—New Lisbon 2
Shay Guidry—Delwood
Jessica Pacheco—Clinton
Gloria Washington—Clinton
Odell Sutton—New Lisbon 2
Anthenee’ Gibson—Clinton
Tammi Bonano—NL 2
Briana Robinson—Clinton
Jessica Jacobs—DCF
Every day is a new beginning. Every
day gives opportunity to prove yourself
better and better, to do something good
and to prove your self worth.
~ Anil Kumar Sinha ~
GREAT WORKS CERTIFICATES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH, 2015
JANUARY
DCF
Ensle Guy
Joseph Pless
Scott Landy
Ryan Killeen
Michael Bassani
Chris Goytil
Jackie Rescigna
Tom Doran
Kerry Coghlan
Evan Bischoff
NEWTON DOE
Lourdes Sibblies
Mel Gromek
Caryn Backle
William Sheehan
Alexis Delgado
Sue Eck-Jones
Scott Meyers
Linda DiPasquale
Elizabeth Harrison
Nicole Napoli
DDD-NJ
Marsha Malecz
John Kelly
Sharon Hoffmann
Stephen Ngugi
Greg Jadlos
Tyler Menzies
Mark Moreno
Hope Malone
Debra Shenker
Lori Guterriez
Cristina Bouzyla
Terri Coursen
Danny Vozzo
Chrissie Coquet
Craig Rohloff
Victoria Camacho
Suzanne Goldsmith
Jessica Smith
Gabrielle Rivera
Danny DaSilva
Elijah Douglas
Maureen Metzgar
Melvic Gallego
Michelle Bork
Ryan Betrix
Victoria Knauer
Claudette Sapp
Jenna Genung
Sara Chrimes
Stacy Castillo
Norm Harnois
Colleen Murmer
Brianna Collinson
Monique Green
Linda Larick
Brittany Strick
Sameria O’Neil
Jim Butler
Randy Bensley
John Belowsky
Teri Dlugosz
Robert McCann
JP Vassau
Louise Root
Shannon Junio
Lee Van Orden
Michelle Achtau
Deneace Presher
Ed Drennan
Hilda Williams
Monet Schultz
Corey Bartell
Mary Murphy
Jim Downing
Henry Weiss
Allison Genao
Brandon Fitzgerald
Kristy Miranda
Daniel Prunes
DDD-SJ
Naquisha Perry
Charles Clark
CORPORATE
Jimmy Catalino
Angie Rich
Deb Fleischer
Joyce Florio
FEBRUARY
DCF
Allison Colville
Richard Nordland
Casey Gutman
Nate Welch
Mike Gately
Josh Pollard
Scott Landy
Janet Monroe
Sarah Florio
Nicole Florio
Natasha Keizer
Vanessa Butkus
Maggie Rusticus
Nicole Napoli
SPARTA DOE
Allison Andersen
Jennifer Esposito
DDD-NJ
Cliffson Onchomba
Steve Smith
Christy Cox
Katrina Menzies
Heather Perez
Brianna Kleiner
Donna Jean
Phil Joseph
Cortney Varela
Jessy Price
Michelle Bork
Danny Vozzo
Jim Downing
Jim Butler
Claudette Sapp
Mary Murphy
Jose Santiago
Nicole Bolognini
Craig Rohloff
Terri Coursen
Sidney Cron
Danielle Little
Brianna Collinson
Gabby Rivera
Suzanne Goldsmith
Danny DaSilva
Elijah Douglas
Maureen Metz
Jessica Smith
Melvic Gallego
Kim Drennan
Joseph Gachigo
Louise Root
Shannon Junio
Sheena Terpenning
Rebecca Kymer
Maggie Perkins
Steve Figueroa
Luis Hanson
Shannon Anderson
Aleshia Coursen
Danielle Little
Aaron Bartku
Dave Thompson
Heather Perez
Liza Kelly
Jessica Katsock
Adam Stabinski
Steve Hucko
Larry Vealey
Tami Stiles
Angela Skrypak
CORPORATE
Dayna Owens
MARCH
DDD-SJ
DCF
Kathleen Quinn
Nancy Ryno
Jessica Bond
Terry Hernandez
Talya Gunasekara
Mary Wegman
Vanessa Butkus
Mary Goytil
Chris Goytil
Sue Eck-Jones
Tom Doran
Kate Mattson
Missy Martin
Anthony George
Victor Ortiz
Eric Okeye
Beatrice Charles
Linda Colligan
Eileen Froehlich
Phil Nunziato
Erica Pena
Omar Pollard
Olufemi Adebola
David Dean
Daniel Dickerson
Kevin Dyches
Shamar Maddrey
Imani Hairston
Victor Ibarrondo
GREAT WORKS
WINNERS FOR
OCTOBER, NOVEMER
& DECEMBER 2014
DDD-NJ
Dan Fisher
Elton Clotter
DDD-SJ
Geneva Bell
Margarita Howell
SPARTA DOE
Allison Andersen
Kathleen McCall
DCF
Mary Goytil
James Charles
NEWTON DOE
Caryn Backle
Elizabeth Harrison
CORPORATE
Debbie Fleischer
NEWTON DOE
Anthony Galante
Niklas Lasso
Kim Joki
Laura Keller
Bill Sheehan
Nicole Napoli
Peter Lachenauer
Elizabeth Harrison
DDD-NJ
Bob McCann
Far away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. Page 4 WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY DDD & DOE STAFF OF THE MONTH
DECEMBER 2014—PAM BARBAGALLO, RN
Willowglen Academy—New Jersey would like to recognize Pam as Staff
of the Month for the sustained level of excellence she has exhibited over the
years, over the past summer and more especially over the last month. In a
meeting with residential supervisors, Pam was singled out as one person
whose work, both tangible and intangible, professionalism both in and
outside of the Nursing Department, and care for both staff members and
consumers make it possible for WGA to continue to remain a state of the
art residential facility and workplace.
coworkers and consumers. It is obvious that Brittany loves her job here
and is very committed. She can be counted on to work during bad weather
with no complaints. She is also very helpful with assisting that supervisor
with paperwork especially cross-referencing. Brittany is always on time
and volunteers to cover any available shift that is needed. It is a breath of
fresh air to have such a reliable staff such as Brittany here at Frankford.
We appreciate you and are glad to have you on our team!
FEBRUARY 2015—NANCY VAZQUEZ
Please join us in recognizing Nancy Vazquez as Sparta DOE Staff of the
On behalf of Roslyn, Plainsview, Morganfield, Mulberry, Hardyston, Month for February 2015.
Lafayette and the rest of us at all other sites thank you Pam for what you
Nancy has consistently gone above and beyond in regard to fulfilling her
do!
responsibilities here at the Jean M. Manfra School. In addition to her
duties as a teacher’s aide, she has been most helpful when called upon to
DECEMBER 2014—KAREN BOGDA
fill in as a one to one aide. Nancy does phenomenal work with every stuKaren has only been with Willowglen Academy for less than a year and
dent she is assigned to. She has raised the bar with a certain individual
has already established herself as a well-respected clinical leader. From
student to the point where he has excelled academically and behaviorally in
her first day Karen has been eager to learn the demands of her position
the last few months. Nancy can always be counted upon when needed to
and has done so with a positive attitude and cheerful outlook. Karen has help in any classroom. She has worked well with many challenging stubeen praised by the group home supervisors as a competent and cheerful
dents. Nancy is hard working, professional and energetic. She adapts
clinician who has superior initiative and follows through in all areas.
extremely well in our school environment. She is a pleasure to work with.
She is creative in her approach to problems. She is engaging and supportFEBRUARY 2015—NORMAND HARNOIS
ive to her consumers and families. Karen assists with clinical overview in
the new hire orientation and is responsible for the admissions and discharges at the ECS program. We are fortunate to have you as part of our Plainsview Group Home would like to nominate Normand Harnois as
Staff of the Month for the continued support he has offered to the group
WGA team. Thank you Karen!
home not just during the month of February but for almost an entire year
now. Normand has been a symbol of patience, excellence, and dedication.
JANUARY 2015—CRYSTAL BENOIST
He is loved by both staff and consumers at Plains and his original site
Crystal worked at the Jean M. Manfra School for several years before Sparta Gardens.
transferring to the Brooklyn Mountain Group Home over a year ago. At
the group home, Crystal regularly covers shifts when needed. She is al- Thank you for your part in ensuring the hope, safety, trust and opportuniways happy to attend consumer IDT and IHP meetings. She make an ty for the ladies at Plains.
effort to make certain all the shift paperwork and daily chores are complet- PROMOTIONS FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY &
ed. These daily tasks are the glue that holds a program together. Crystal,
MARCH, 2015
thank you for your dedication at Brooklyn Mountain Group Home!
JANUARY 2015—BRANDON FITZGERALD
Brandon has been with the company since April 29, 2013. From the start
he has been a great asset to Valleyview and the consumers who live there.
He is caring and compassionate. He is also a great staff and a good mentor to the new staff members. He goes above and beyond his job duties to
assist his supervisor and consumers. He is always happy and in good
spirits. Brandon is always willing to help out with staffing needs is just
an added dimension to what makes him great. Thank you Brandon!
JANUARY 2015—RAQUEL ELEFTHERIOU
Please join us in recognizing Raquel Eleftheriou as Sparta DOE Staff of
the Month for January 2015.
Raquel is always very attentive with her one to one student. She is an
outstanding staff member. Raquel is a team player, helping out wherever
she is needed. She has filled in as substitute teacher on numerous occasions and has been very flexible with various transportation assignments
when needed. When she has any free time she loves to organize the classroom and is very good at it. Raquel’s consistent level of excellent work
makes her a deserving recipient of Staff of the Month. Thank you Raquel
for all that you do.
FEBRUARY 2015—BRITTANY STRICK
Brittany has been a great asset to Frankford Apartment since her arrival
in November 2014. She maintains a positive working relationship with
Congratulations and good luck in your new position at
Willowglen Academy!
Sidney Mabeya—Director of Day & Vocational Services
Donna Brigham—Supervisor/Clove Road
Aleshia Coursen—Supervisor/Morganfield
Jenna Genung, Liza Kelly & Ray Van Horn—Mentors
Crystal Benoist—SRPI/Brooklyn Mtn.
Mallory Mussolini—Supervisor/ECS Apts.
Karolina Mazur—Supervisor/South Bound Brook
Heather Perez—SPRI/Holiday Lane
Jaclyn Rescigna—SCCW/DCF
Nathan Welch—Supervisor/DCF
Natasha Keizer—Administrative Assistant/DCF Nursing
Kerry Coghlan—Recreation Specialist/DCF
Kimberly Heath—Supervisor/DCF
John Derbyshire—SDPI/Woodshop
~ Unknown Author ~ Page 5 Page 5 WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY DEPARTMENT NEWS
FROM THE
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The world hates change yet it is
the only thing that has brought
progress. ~Charles Kettering ~
Dear Team,
Please help me in giving a Warm
Willowglen Welcome to Patricia Kane,
Executive Director.
We have conquered the month-long hurdle of our
DD Licensing inspections. I would like to
thank each of you for your dedication to the process, commitment to our consumers and diligence
with consumer care. I recognize that although
rewarding, our jobs are not always easy. I appreciate the work and effort put forth to ensure
another successful licensing.
As we experience the beginning of the Spring
season, I urge each of you to plant a seed. It can
be a seed of love, encouragement, kindness, politeness etc. Water that seed each day by demonstrating love to all, encouraging someone and/or
a random gesture of kindness. By simply letting
someone know they are valuable and valued, you
have the potential to impact a “field” of flowers.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.
~ Lady Bird Johnson ~
Wishing you all a Hoppy, Sunny Spring
Dione Keith, Associate Executive Director
FROM THE DIRECTORS OF DAY &
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
FROM THE ACCOUNTING
DEPARTMENT
and self-determination for all, and assure that
each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
If you haven’t already signed up, direct deposit
is available. Your pay will be in your account
for immediate use on payday even if you can’t
get to the bank. Direct deposit forms are available from the HR Department.
The Accounting Department wants to know
where Spring is?
Willowglen Academy’s nursing and clinical
departments would like you to join us in celebration for 2015 National Awareness Month. We
have several fun activities planned for the month
including a fundraiser of homemade chocolate
fudge that will be for sale all month with the
proceeds going back to our consumers for a special activity.
Richard Kochman, Director of Fiscal Activities,
Patty Bates, Controller, Patti Doolittle,
LuAnn Festa, Katherine Barrand & Karyl Doll
Nurses will be promoting
awareness and education
with in-services provided at
all house meetings. The
clinical department will hold
an Autism Awareness inservice at ATS on Friday,
April 3, 2015, 9:00 am at
the ATS 2 building.
FROM THE QUALITY ASSURANCE
DEPARTMENT
Happy Spring to
everyone from the
Quality Assurance
Department! We would
just like to thank
everyone for their
time, availability, and cooperation in working with us for
scheduling and participating in Field Consultations. It has been wonderful spending time with
you and learning about the therapeutic environment you create for our consumers. The QA
Department will continue to conduct Field Consultations into the spring and summer. Thank
you for your diligence and timeliness with submitting audits. It is very much appreciated. If
we can assist you in any way, please let us
know.
After an eventful year, we are certain many of Enjoy the warmer weather!
you were looking for a relatively slow-paced
Anu Singh, Director of QA,
2015. In contrast, many more of you might have
Stacy Jones, Elizabeth De Palma
asked, “What is slow-paced in the Willowglen
& Denise Stapert
Academy world?”
During the first quarter of 2015, we welcomed an
energetic and enthusiastic Nursing Supervisor
in Bernadette Albinson; a focused and resultoriented Director of Day Services in Sidney
Mabeya, and our Executive Director, Patricia
Kane, who has certainly shined through her
systematic halo, one created by the fusion of
commitment to employee development/excellence
and state of the art services to the population we
serve. Her commitment to you, our staff members, is being manifested in the organization of
our town hall meetings. Please be sure to attend
as we are all looking forward to sitting down
with you and hearing from you.
Lastly, congratulations to all the Supervisors
and Senior RPIs and Supervisor Mentors promoted over the last three months, congratulations
to the attendance incentive lottery winners for
February, March and April, and congratulations and thank you to all those who received
staff of the month honors for January, February
and March 2015.
Have a great Spring Season!
HOPE. SAFETY. TRUST.
OPPORTUNITY
Kimberly Wannemacher , Karl Venescar ,
Debbie Baldwin & Sidney Mabeya
HR WITH A HEART!
Please keep track of your benefit time. Perfect
attendance, floating holiday and vacation time
are all “use it or lose it”. Make sure you know
what you have and use it on time. Contact us if
you need to know what time you need to use
(vacation).
Tracey Sweatt, Director of HR,
Dawn Lloyd, Patricia Sutton,
Dayna Owens & Donna Tompkins
FROM THE DDD NURSING AND
CLINICAL DEPARTMENTS
April is National Autism
Awareness
Month. Nearly a quarter century ago, the
Autism
Society
launched a nationwide
effort to promote autism
awareness, inclusion
April 2, 2015 is National Autism Awareness
Day and we are promoting awareness by asking
everyone to join us in the National Light it up
Blue event. We are asking that everyone wear
blue on April 2nd to support Autism Awareness. Those that wear blue can enter to win an
Autism Speaks t-shirt and pick up an Autism
Speaks bracelet at the corporate office. If you get
your entire group home involved, be sure to ask a
clinician or director to snap a picture so we can
post them at the corporate office. Stop by ATS 2
on April 2nd to enjoy some blue treats and purchase a craft made by our consumers.
This year the Empire State
Building will be lit up blue
for Autism Awareness! Our
maintenance department will
light up some of our very own
buildings in blue too! Be sure
to drive by the Jean M.
Manfra School and ATS 1 to
enjoy our own blue lights!
Bernadette Albinson, DDD Nursing Supervisor,
Pam Barbagallo, Kim Drennan, Sara Chrimes,
Joseph Gachigo, Kathy Dickson, Kelly Halpin &
Terrie Maness
&
Nicole Bolognini, Clinical Supervisor,
Colleen Murmer, Sharon Richardt, Phil Joseph,
Brianna Collinson, Laura Leone, Chris Harris,
Karen Bogda, Victoria Camacho, Bob McCann
& Irene Joubert
Page 6 WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY DEPARTMENT NEWS (Con nued) APRIL, MAY & JUNE, 2015 ‐ NORTH JERSEY RECERTIFICATION TRAININGS NOTE: See this page and page 7 for
CE BLOCK 100/900 (6 Hour Class) FROM THE TRAINING
both North & South Jersey recertificaRecer fica on in: Universal Precau ons, American Red Cross DEPARTMENT
Adult/CPR with Standard First Aid, Fire Safety, Van Driving, tion classes.
Danielle’s Law The CE 700 Block training will be
ALL CLASSES START PROMPTLY AT 8:15AM‐4:30PM Mike McLean, Training Supervisor,
running April, May & June 2015.
AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE Debbie Fleischer, Angie Rich
Make sure you attend one of these sched& Shannon Williams
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 uled trainings to stay in compliance.
Thursday, April 9, 2015 Tuesday, April 14, 2015 Tuesday, April 28, 2015 Monday, May 4, 2015 Thursday, May 14, 2015 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Friday, May 29, 2015 Saturday, May 30, 2015—9AM‐5:15PM—By Appointment Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Monday, June 15, 2015 Friday, June 19, 2015 CE BLOCK 700 (3 Hour Class) Recer
ficaon In: Workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment, Wri en Documenta on, Interpersonal Communica on, Employee Handbook, Code of Ethics, and Building and Mobilizing Effec ve Teams ALL CLASSES START PROMPTLY AT 9:00AM‐12:00PM & 1PM‐4PM AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE Friday, April 10, 2015 Wednesday, April 15, 2015 Friday, April 17, 2015—Only Sparta DOE—1:30PM‐4:30PM Monday, April 27, 2015—Evening Training Only— 5PM‐8PM—By appointment only/Call Training Dept. Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Friday, May 8, 2015 Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Monday, May 18, 2015 CE BLOCK 500 (4 Hour Class) Recer fica on In: All Verbal and Physical De-Escala on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Techniques as Trained in Safe Crisis Management, Incident Reports and Documenta on Monday, June 1, 2015—Only Central Jersey Training Day ALL CLASSES PROMPTLY START AT 8:00AM‐12:00PM & 1:00PM‐4:30PM AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Friday, April 3, 2015 Friday, June 5, 2015—Only ATS Training Day Wednesday, April 8, 2015—Only AM Session Monday, June 8, 2015—Only PM Session Thursday, April 16, 2015—Only PM Session Wednesday, June 17, 2015—Only AM Session Friday, April 24, 2015—Only PM Session Thursday, April 30, 2015—Only AM Session Thursday, June 18, 2015—5PM‐8PM Class Only—By appointment only/Call Training Dept. Friday, May 1, 2015—ONLY ATS—8:15A—12:15PM Monday, June 29, 2015 Thursday, May 7, 2015—Only AM Session Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Tuesday, May 12, 2015—Only PM Session Training Quotes For The Quarter
Tuesday, May 19, 2015—Only AM Session Friday, May 22, 2015—Only PM Session Wednesday, May 27, 2015—Only AM Session Thursday, May 28, 2015—Only PM Session Thursday, June 4, 2015—Only PM Session Tuesday, June 9, 2015—Only AM Session Tuesday, June 16, 2015—Only PM Session CE 719 SUPERVISORS TRAINING Monday, April 20 -23, 2015—9AM—4:30PM “Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you
want them to do because they want to do it.”
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower ~
“You will never ‘find’ time. If you want time
you must make it.”
~ Charles Buxton ~
“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”
~ Aristotle ~
Page 7 Page 7 WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY DEPARTMENT NEWS (Con nued) APRIL, MAY & JUNE, 2015— SOUTH JERSEY RECERTIFICATION TRAININGS CE BLOCK 100/900 (6 Hour Class) CE BLOCK 700 (3 Hour Class) Recer fica on in: Universal Precau ons, American Red Cross Recer fica on In: Workplace Violence, Sexual Harassment, Wri en Adult/CPR with Standard First Aid, Fire Safety, Van Driving, Documenta on, Interpersonal Communica on, Employee Handbook, Danielle’s Law Code of Ethics, and Building and Mobilizing Effec ve Teams ALL CLASSES START PROMPTLY AT 8:15AM‐4:30PM AT THE ALL CLASSES START PROMPTLY AT 9:00AM‐12:00PM & 1PM‐4PM AT THE CHERRY HILL OFFICE Wednesday, April 22, 2015 Friday, April 3, 2015 Friday, May 8, 2015 Thursday, April 23, 2015—ATS TRAINING DAY (Combined with CE 500) Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Friday, April 24, 2015 Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Tuesday, May 5, 2015 Wednesday, June 10, 2015 Thursday, May 7, 2015 CE BLOCK 500 (4 Hour Class) Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Recer fica on in: All Verbal and Physical De-Escala on Techniques as Trained in Safe Crisis Management, Incident Reports, and Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Documenta on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 ALL CLASSES PROMTLY START AT 9:00 AM—1:00PM AT THE CHERRY HILL OFFICE CE BLOCK 200 MAKE‐UP CLASS Thursday, April 2, 2015—1:30PM-4:30PM Monday, April 20, 2015 Thursday, April 23, 2015—ATS TRAINING DAY (Combined with CE 700) Wednesday, May 6, 2015—8AM‐12PM, 12:30PM‐4:30PM and 5PM‐‐9PM Thursday, June 4, 2015 CE 219—I AM ONLY HUMAN Monday, May 4, 2015—9AM Supervisor Training Series—Make‐up Date Tuesday, April 21, 2015—TBA CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY & MARCH
JANUARY
Edwin Gately—17 yrs.
Lourdes Sibblies—14 yrs.
Jeanette Drennan—13 yrs.
Craig Rohloff—10 yrs.
Denise Dix—10 yrs.
Thereza Hernandez—9 yrs.
Anthony Cruz—6 yrs.
Christine McGlew—6 yrs.
Milady Rodriguez—6 yrs.
Robert Dunaway—6 yrs.
John Derbyshire—4 yrs.
Elizabeth Fabel—4 yrs.
Ellen Fleischmann—4 yrs.
Stacy Jones—4 yrs.
Sidney Mabeya—4 yrs.
Corey Frazier—4 yrs.
Dwayne Oglesby—4 yrs.
Jennifer Esposito—4 yrs.
Christy Cox—3 yrs.
Steven Figueroa—3 yrs.
Shamar Maddrey—3 yrs.
Kevin Dyches—3 yrs.
Allison Genao—3 yrs.
Kathleen McCall—3 yrs.
Erica Pena— 3yrs.
Dee Jae Gorcica—2 yrs.
Natasha Keizer—2 yrs.
Allison Andersen—2 yrs.
Miguel Castillo—1 yr.
Allison DeGroat—1 yr.
Clinton Nelsen— 1 yr.
Cory Bartell—1 yr.
FEBRUARY
Susan Hackett—27 yrs.
Linda Colligan—25 yrs.
John Burke—24 yrs.
Claudette Sapp—23 yrs.
Anna Wydner—21 yrs.
Ronald Gill—16 yrs.
Jennifer Mendenhall—16 yrs.
Edward Drennan—14 yrs.
Jason Ledder—13 yrs.
Kathleen Tarlowe—12 yrs.
Meghan Campbell—12 yrs.
Larry Vealey—11 yrs.
Jennifer Nodzak—10 yrs.
Dayna Owens—10 yrs.
Heather Dunn—7 yrs.
Kristin Genetelli—7 yrs,
Donna Jean—7 yrs.
Scott Meyers—7 yrs.
Aaron Thompson—5 yrs.
Pamela Barbagallo—4 yrs.
Jessica Vreeland-Estrella—4 yrs.
Alyson Hilscher—3 yrs.
Autum Malet—2 yrs.
Kimberly Heath—2 yrs.
Stephen Hucko—2 yrs.
Fred Mogusu—2 yrs.
Janet Monroe—2 yrs.
Heather Ross—2 yrs.
Janet Solberg—2 yrs.
Danielle Little—1 yr.
Philip Nunziato—1 yr.
Ben Akengo—1 yr.
Eric Roberts—1 yr.
Katrina Christopher— 1 yr.
Kimberly Joki—1 yr.
Liza Kelly—1 yr.
Michelle Quinn—1 yr.
Lynette Whetham-Denton—1 yr,
MARCH
James Ashe—25 yrs.
Geneva Bell—17 yrs.
Richard Kochman—15 yrs.
Patricia Bates—12 yrs.
Steven Karanja—11 yrs.
Michelle Hermann—9 yrs.
Stephanie Cook—9 yrs.
Heather Draughon—9 yrs.
Casey Bell—7 yrs,
Christine Hutchison—7 yrs,
Barbara Naser—7 yrs.
Peter Lachenauer—6 yrs.
Teri Dlugosz—6 yrs.
Regina Weigand—6 yrs.
Crystal Benoist—5 yrs.
Michael Fanning—4 yrs.
Maria Arce—3 yrs.
Kelly Chrimes—3 yrs.
Daniel Vozzo—3 yrs.
Michelle Janus—3 yrs.
Bryan Masters—3 yrs.
Ronika Alston—2 yrs.
Darren Wagner—2 yrs.
Heather Burke—1 yr.
Christopher DeBouse-Goodwin—1y
Lydia Escamilla—1 yr.
Brandon Grant—1 yr.
Raquelle Jadotte—1 yr.
Marguerite Perkins—1 yr.
Sarata Tarawally—1 yr.
Ray Van Horn—1 yr.
Raymond Campbell—1 yr.
Sarah Florio—1 yr.
Tina Stewart—1 yr.
John Belowsky—1 yr.
Candace Christopher—1 yr.
Susanna Gleason—1 yr.
Suzanne Goldsmith—1 yr.
Katarina Menzies—1 yr.
Deneace Presher—1 yr.
Tina Radcliffe—1 yr.
Anthony George—1 yr.
Eric Okyere—1 yr.
Ashley Riggs—1 yr.
Andrea Smith—1 yr.
Thank you for your years of
service and dedication to
Willowglen Academy and our
consumers.
Page 8 In the News Around Willowglen Academy… EMPLOYEES GET RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn
more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
~ John Quincy Adams ~
FEBRUARY 6, 2015—KARL J. VENESCAR
FEBRUARY, 2015—LIZA KELLY
LETTER OF COMMENDATION
LETTER OF COMMENDATION
On behalf of Willowglen Academy—New Jersey, this letter serves
as a commendation for demonstrating Clinical Administrative
Leadership and support for the Nursing Department over the past
five months. Karl, with out hesitation, agreed to take on the role of
Acting Nursing Supervisor during an absence of leadership in
that department. With his guidance and structure, the Nursing
Department has now been populated with competent and enthusiastic nurses. For five months, in addition to his role as Director
of Residential Services, Karl has shown an indefatigable work
ethic in managing sixteen group homes in addition to the Nursing
Department.
On behalf of Willowglen Academy—New Jersey, this letter is to
serve as commendation for the great show of leadership and initiatives you exhibited during the month of February, 2015 at
Plainsview Group Home in absence of its Residential Supervisor.
Without hesitation, you acted to ensure the quality of service delivery being offered to the consumers at that group home is consistent
with Phoenix Care Systems Vision of providing Hope, Safety,
Trust and Opportunity. Your commitment to providing excellent
care for our consumers is exemplary.
Thank you, Liza, for your dedication, professionalism and support.
Karl, thank you for your dedication, professionalism and support.
JEAN M. MANFRA SCHOOL NEWS...
The Jean M. Manfra School got off to a slow start. With Mother
Nature throwing a few snow
storms at us, we had a very quiet
January. There were a few class
trips, shopping for the school store
and movie of the month.
The month of February saw the
activities pick up. There were
trips to lunch, and Camp Iliff.
But the main event was the Candy Heart Dance of 2/13. Each student and staff decorated a t-shirt
for the event in group speech. The shirts were replicas of the colors
found in a sweetheart candy box.
And each shirt had a saying on
them; from ‘cool dude’ to ‘diva’.
The students and staff were all creative in dance, DJ’d by Allie. While
playing music picked by the students, everyone had a lot of fun.
At the end of February, we had our
annual pickleball tournament. After practicing for most of the
month, it was time to see who the best was. There were many different categories to compete in, Team, Doubles, and single; along
with a balloonball game for some of the other classes. The level of
competition was great, and everyone had a lot of fun.
March kicked off our Multicultural Month. Every class designated their room as a different country. They made flags of their
countries to hang on the door. They then studied the country and
during the last two weeks of March, presented their information to
the other classrooms. The students did a wonderful job presenting,
as they used iPads, Smart Boards, and tri-folds to assist with their
presentations. Art, speech and social skills all did activities based
on the countries selected by the classes. In Physical Education
class, the staff and students participated in the “JMMS Amazing
Race”. They raced from country to country, participating in detours, roadblocks, and speedbumps. In order to get to each country
and city, they had to walk the
treadmill, elliptical, or ride the
bikes. They started off each leg of
the race in this manner. They
learned such games as; Rings
(Ireland), Compano (Italy), Go
-Go-Im (Israel), Tiu-u
(China), Sumo (Japan),
Csurkozes (Hungary), Schokoladenessen (Germany), and dances such as; Hora (Israel), Mexican Hat Dance(Mexico), and Marenge (Dominican Republic).
They were very competitive teams, and they all had a lot of fun. At
the end of the month, the classes gathered in the gym for a multicultural feast. The classes shared information and snacks from their
countries.
Page 9 Page 8 In the News Around Willowglen Academy… (Continued)
NEWS FROM WILLOWGLEN ACADEMY—SJ...
STAFF OF THE MONTH—KYLE PRICE—JANUARY 2015
works to promote unity in the work place.
For the past couple weeks or so Kyle has been observed to step up to Kyle, we appreciate your hard work and diligence and we are sure
the plate as in-charge and keep the ATS Day Program running as the rest of the management team, consumers and other staff appresmoothly as possible. Kyle has been with WGA approximately 12 ciate you as well. Thank you!
years and is very knowledgeable regarding the consumers’ care and
needs and does his best to make sure staff are adhering to policies
and procedures and doing the right thing. In addition, he tries to
The difference between ordinary and
observe/acknowledge staff through remembering birthdays and
spending his own cash in the process to buy cakes, cards, etc.,
extraordinary is that little extra.
sometimes it’s just the small things that keep people motivated.
~ Jimmy Johnson ~
His peers and consumers seem to respect him. He appears very
team oriented and works with the management staff as it relates to
communications and paperwork. He is dependable and overall
SOUTH JERSEY EVENTS…..
Barnum and Bailey Circus
Consumer Bingo Night
The staff and consumers of South Jersey had a fabulous time at
the Barnum and Bailey Circus on Sunday, February 15, 2015.
There were 37 staff and consumers in a sky box enjoying the smell
of freshly popped popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs. What’s a
circus in Philadelphia without a Ball Park frank? The staff and
consumers were mesmerized by the wonder of motorcycle, high-wire
acts, double-decker trapeze shows starring skilled acrobats and
clowns. This was certainly one of the most exciting shows on
earth. No matter the age of the participants, there were memories which will
last a lifetime.
It sure is a treat to gather all 9 group homes from the Southern
Region of WGA to participate in a monthly social event. The
most recent of which took place on March 12th at WGA ATS located in Cherry Hill, NJ. This event started off with a delicious
home cooked dinner consisting of spaghetti, salad and garlic bread
made by House Supervisors Mary Fadairo,
Geneva Bell and Kia Joyce. Dinner was followed by an intermission of music and dancing
with participation by staff and consumers
alike. It’s certainly a tough call to determine
the highlight of evening between dinner, dancing and BINGO! RPI, Imani Hairston, was the honorary BINGO caller while RPI’s from each group home assisted consumers
in filling their boards with BINGO chips and awarding prizes!
Michael McLean (Training Supervisor)
and Cassie would like to announce the
birth of their daughter,
Kelly Hemner (SRPI/Hopatcong) and
her family would like to announce the
birth of her new daughter,
CHARLIE ROSE MCLEAN
SKYLAR RENE
Born January 9, 2015 at 2:00 am
On January 13, 2015
Weighing 7 lbs., 1 oz., 19 inches long
Weighing 6 lbs.1 oz., 19 1/2 inches long
CONGRATULATIONS AND MUCH HAPPINESS TO YOUR
FAMILY FROM YOUR WILLOWGLEN FAMILY!
WE WISH YOUR FAMILY MUCH HAPPINESS FOR THE FUTURE!
Page 10 Page 9 Page 9 Page 10 In the News Around Willowglen Academy… (Continued)
It is for all these aforementioned reasons that Kelly Renaldo is
STAFF OF THE MONTH‐KELLY RENALDO being honored as staff of the month for February 2015.
FEBRUARY 2015 Please join us in congratulating Kelly Renaldo as staff of the
month for February 2015. Kelly has always been a dedicated employee, who is up for new challenges. This is no more evident in
her embracement of the Afficere program. After attending a training in October, Kelly began preparing for Afficere’s implementation and rollout in February. Throughout the month of January,
Kelly worked diligently on inputting all the consumers into the
system and assisted the clinicians in getting treatment plans posted. She also helped to train staff on how to use the system. Without her help, I do not know if we ever could have got all the work
done.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence
then, is not an act, but a habit.
~ Aristotle ~
NEWS FROM NURSING DEPARTMENT—DCF…
We will be participating in the Zufall travel- have to walk 39 miles. The consumers will be decorating T-shirts
ling dental van on May 8th for the first time. for the training. Hopefully for the next newsletter we will have
We are excited about it. Also, we will be some kind of a picture of our training group.
participating in the Avon breast cancer walk
Submitted by Mary Wegman,
in New York on October 17-18. With the
DCF Nursing Supervisor
help of Linda Colligan and Lauren from the
Recreation Department, we will have a group of consumers from
Willowglen who will train with me to get ready for the walk. I
NEWS FROM THE WGA DAY PROGRAMS...
day. Stop by on Thursday and grab something to eat for lunch or
check out the menu and order one of their delicious lunch specials
Finally, winter is over! We are happy to have Sidney Mabeya as and they will deliver it to you by lunchtime on Thursdays.
our new Director of Day & Vocational Services! The Adult
Training Services (ATS) has lots going on and coming up in the Let’s not forget our Thrift Store. The staff and consumers who
next few months. This is our DDD Day Program serving our work at the Thrift Store are always looking for
DDD adult consumers. We have multiple locations—ATS 1 donations. The store is open Monday through
(located at 4 Gail Court in Sparta), ATS 2 (19 Wilson Drive in Friday and on Fridays it’s “Fill A Bag For
Sparta) and the Annex and Thrift Store (190 Munsonhurst Road $5.00”. Stop by and shop for yourself, a family
member or a friend. They are ready to help you
in Ogdensburg).
find just what you are looking for.
At ATS 1, we do Meals on Wheels, pick up the recycling from
group homes and the corporate office, do arts and crafts and eagerly look for shredding contracts. ATS 2 is a brand new building
Sidney Mabeya, Director of Day & Vocational Services,
which has our woodshop, which moved from the corporate building
Jen Mendenhall, Supervisor ATS 1,
to our building. Please feel free to come and shop our unique seDonna Gionnantonio, Supervisor ATS 2 &
lection of gifts and woodwork decorations. If you or someone you
Walter Drury, Supervisor Annex/Thrift Store
know needs a piece of furniture refurbished,
put in your order today either stopping in per son or calling the Woodshop at 973-862-4349
X15002. Also at ATS 2, our consumers do
arts and crafts, paint and make homemade
treats for pets. ATS 2 also has Café Thurs-
“Greetings Willowglen Family”,
Page 11 DDD CLINICAL
Submitted by Nicole Bolognini, DDD Clinical Supervisor
Over the coming months, we will spotlight members of our clinical team so Hopatcong, Green, Plainfield, Somerset, South Bound Brook, Stuart, and
our employees can get to know a little about the clinicians within the com- Blairstown.
pany.
Terry Hernandez has been with Willowglen Academy since January
Sharon Richardt began her career with Willowglen Academy in 2005. 2006. She began working as a part-time staff member at the Demarest
Prior to that, Sharon worked in direct care at Abilities of Northwest New Group Home while she completed her Master’s degree in Applied Clinical
Jersey and as a Program Analyst at Skylands Center Offering Autism and Counseling Psychology. After earning her degree, she transferred to
Programs. Sharon earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wil- the Newton Campus where she held the position of Admitting Clinician
liam Paterson University in 1989 and her Master’s degree in Counseling for about a year, reviewing referral packets, interviewing candidates, and
Psychology from Centenary College in 2004. She completed her BCBA admitting new consumers to the program while managing a full case load.
training at Rutgers University and was certified as a BCBA in 2010. She is now fully licensed to practice psychotherapy as a Licensed ProfesSharon is currently the clinician for Hardyston, Valleyview, and Big sional Counselor (LPC).
Spring. She has previously been the clinician for Morganfield,
DDD ACTIVITIES DEPARTMENT NEWS...
Hello, from Recreation and Activities! I am excited to announce that we
have had some fun activities in the last few months. We have had our
Valentine’s Dance, gone to a NJ Devil’s Hockey Game, Medieval Times,
the Circus, and of course, we have the bowling league activity which will
soon be wrapping up. Everyone is having great time. We also have been
continuing to go the movies and Laser One. We have also had ice cream
socials with crafts or assorted activities.
County Minors baseball games. At the end of May, we will be having our
Spring/Summer Fling Dance, bringing back DJ Hubie by popular demand. We have also started swimming at the YMCA one Sunday a
month.
I am very interested in everyone’s input about activities you would like to
see added to the calendar. Please call me anytime to offer any fun ideas or
even if you are interested in helping out at an activity. I look forward to
For April, May and June, we will continue to go to Laser One and have hearing from you.
ice cream socials. We will also continue to go the movies or have in-house
movies at ATS 2 and other exciting activities including a Mets baseball
Irene Joubert, Clinical Assistant
game, seeing a play—Beauty and the Beast, and going to some Sussex
973-579-3700 X1060
Is it Normal? Disrespectful Behavior...
DCF CLINICAL
Most teenagers behave disrespectfully towards their parents and other
authority figures. Some amounts of disrespect is developmentally appropriate and occurs because the child is working to create an identity that is
separate from the important adults in his/her life. From a teenager’s
point of view, the best way to demonstrate this separation is by loudly and
clearly showing distain for the beliefs, values, and behaviors of those
adults. However, some displays of disrespect go beyond what is considered normal and can be a symptom of a mental illness that requires professional attention.
How can a caregiver tell when his or her child’s level of disrespect is the
sign of a larger problem? As a general rule of thumb, any behavior is
cause for concern if it occurs so frequently or with such intensity that it
stands out when compared to happy, well-adjusted children of the same
developmental level. In other words, if your teenager’s disrespectful behaviors far surpass those of the majority of children in her classroom, then
it’s time to seek help.
Despite the knowledge that disrespectful behaviors are a normal part of a
teenager’s stage of life, adults on the receiving end of sarcastic remarks
and dismissive gestures are highly irritated by them. So, what’s a caregiver to do in these situations? Ignore them. Yes, ignore the minor to
moderate offenses and save your energy to address the more serious ones.
If you allow your child to make some mistakes without fighting about
them, the tension between you will be greatly reduced and you may see a
reduction in disrespect simply because you and your teenager are getting
along better. The more significant misbehaviors that cannot be ignored
should be addressed by issuing consequences whenever they occur. Then,
clearly outline your expectations so your child will know which behavior
you will be focusing on. Finally, be sure to remain consistent when issuing your consequences, or they will not be effective.
Reward improvement with verbal praise or special one-on-one time together. Acknowledging your child’s efforts and expressing your pride in his/
her good work will provide the nurturance that she craves but will not ask
for. Just hold your tongue when he or she dismisses your compliments.
You’ll get through it.
Submitted by Kathleen Quinn,
Director of Residential Services/DCF Clinical Supervisor
SOCIAL WORKER’S CORNER
March is multicultural month and the social workers, Ellen Fleischmann
and Brenda Velez, have incorporated the Multi-cultural theme that has
“kicked-off” throughout the school all the way through the academic programs and related services. Each classroom chose a country to learn about
incorporating that country into their academic curriculum. The social
workers continued to identify different categories of their country through
games such as tic-tac-toe and memory. Students created flag craft plates
which were displayed throughout the school. The theme of the multicultural country month emerged from a student’s request to want to know
Submitted by Brenda Velez & Ellen Fleischmann
how Israel celebrated their holiday. This academic concept was developed
further during the January monthly student input meeting. It has been a
great experience working with each classroom.
Ellen and Brenda would like to suggest for staff to view the movie
“Nightlights” in recognition of Autism Awareness in April.
“Nightlights” is an outstanding movie about the dramatic, realistic look
at the complex decisions families face with their loved ones with autism
and the role of caretakers and therapists.