Holiday Treats!

It's the holidays, so what does that mean to all of us in BRIDGES????

TREATS!!!!

Today, the Bridges clients made all sorts of chocolate covered treats. Everyone seemed to have a fun time dipping pretzels, cookies and marshmallows into the chocolate. Can you guess who was the best at it????? MEGAN!!!

Megan was very careful and did the best job with the sprinkles!

And a BIG thank you to Kathy for doing such a great job washing all the dishes!

Expanded county dial-a-ride services to start in February

By KEVIN P. CRAVER - kcraver@nwherald.com

Expanded county dial-a-ride services to start in February

McHenry County’s expanded dial-a-ride transit service will start rolling in February.
The new service, which partners county providers with Pace, will give county residents as of Feb. 13 the option of traveling to and from Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock, as well as Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock and the Fox Lake Metra station. Seniors 65 years and older and people with disabilities also can travel to and from destinations in McHenry and Dorr townships. The system also is open to clients of Pioneer Center for Human Services, which helps people with mental disabilities.

The three cities currently have access to Pace Dial-a-Ride, but they cannot leave their respective city limits, McHenry Township Supervisor Donna Schaefer said.
The new system, among other things, will give seniors and other residents the ability to travel to federal, state and local government offices in the county seat of Woodstock.
“It’s badly needed; there is no way for people who depend on dial-a-ride services now to get from one town to another,” Schaefer said. “This will help people find employment, and it will certainly help seniors and the disabled who cannot use the traditional route system, which in itself is very limited within the county.”
Pace presently maintains three fixed routes in McHenry County. The agency has balked at additional routes because the county’s layout makes traditional city routes impractical and because of low ridership on the existing routes.
The new system will be subsidized in large part by a quarter-percent sales tax that county residents pay for transportation and public safety improvements. The McHenry County Board in September voted to allocate $275,000 of the new tax’s receipts to get the expanded dial-a-ride program going.
Local officials and their General Assembly representatives have long complained that McHenry County is a “donor county” that pays more into the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority, than it gets in return. Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley, who also is the county’s representative on the Pace Board, is hopeful that the new system is the start of a greater return on local taxpayers’ investment.
“The fact of the matter is that on-demand transit, which is what dial-a-ride is, is the only model of public transportation from a busing standpoint that is going to be efficient and effective in this county,” Shepley said.
The General Assembly in 2008 doubled the RTA sales tax on the collar counties to half a percent. It also added the quarter-percent tax for county governments to spend on local projects, in part to placate suburban lawmakers upset with paying more. All three of McHenry County’s state representatives and both its state senators opposed the tax increases.
The system, if successful, may be joined by other governments. Algonquin and Nunda townships will watch how the new system works, Algonquin Township Highway Commissioner Robert Miller said. His township received $20,940 from the sales tax to help track the rides offered by its senior transportation service.
“This is step one. We’re seriously considering it. The whole idea is to work together, but we want to see how it works,” Miller said.
County residents first must register to become eligible to ride the system, and must make ride appointments one day in advance. Rides will cost $3 cash per one-way trip.

• • •
What it means

McHenry County’s expanded dial-a-ride service will begin Feb. 13, 2010. It will allow the public to make trips within and to the cities of Woodstock, McHenry and Crystal Lake, as well as Valley Hi Nursing Home and the Fox Lake Metra station. People older than 65 and people with disabilities also can travel to destinations in McHenry and Dorr townships, outside of Bull Valley.
How to ride

A one-time registration is required to participate, and people are advised to register before Feb. 1.

People can register online at www.mchenrycountydot.org, or call Transportation Planner Sarah Lutz at 815-334-4985 with any questions. Rides must be scheduled one day in advance by calling 800-451-4599 or 888-454-4724 for TTY. The first appointments for registered riders will be taken Feb. 12.

Registered riders can travel from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. All one-way trips are $3, and there are no discounted or multiride fares. Fares must be paid in cash, and trips are curb-to-curb and wheelchair accessible.

Sources: McHenry County, Pace

Copyright © 2009 Northwest Herald. All rights reserved.

Steffan’s Offers “Helping Others” Charm to Benefit Pioneer

Steffan's Jewelers proudly announces that Pioneer Center of Human Services will be the recipient of multiple fund raising programs spearheaded by the store’s marketing department. Steffan’s owner, Suzanne Cannon, remarks, “I was dismayed to read about the dramatic cutbacks. The Center provides valuable services that extend beyond individuals. The first of these marketing efforts was an art contest to obtain a design for a charm that Steffan’s will manufacture and sell with the proceeds going directly to Pioneer Center. Lauen Pytel is the winner of the “Helping Others” design contest. Her design has been made into both a pendant and a charm that are on sale for a LIMITED TIME only at Steffan's. All proceeds from this special edition jewelry go directly to Pioneer . The Sterling Silver "Helping Others" charm is on sale for $25 during the holiday season.
Steffan's is located at 325 N. Front Street, McHenry, IL 60050

Pictured are Lauen Pytel and Suzanne Cannon and the winning design.

December 23rd Party

The Annual Holiday Party will be on

December 23rd at Pioneer Center.

In the morning, Bridges clients will play Holiday Bingo.

At 10:30, there will be a Holiday Sing along in the Pioneer Industries areas.

Clients may look though our CD's for a song, or can bring one of their own.

Bridges clients will be eating lunch around 12:00.
Lunch will be catered with the following menu: Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, Macaroni Salad

The DJ will start the dance party around 12:45!

What a fun way to celebrate a great year! See you there!

(Oh, and a couple of folks have been asking about treats. We're going to have so much food on the 23rd, we think that we have this covered. However, we don't like saying "no" to treats, so we'd be happy to take treats on the 18th, 21st, or 22nd.)

H1N1 Note

A note was sent home on Monday, did you get it???

A note was sent home asking for interest in getting a H1N1 vaccine. The Nurses are asking for a response by THIS FRIDAY?

Please get this in Right away to so that we can get enough for everyone.

(If you don't know what we're talking about, please call!!!)

Holiday Projects with Kris Continues!

The Bridges clients have been very excited to be working on our second holiday project with Kris, our Bridges volunteer extraordinaire! Kris helped Tom and the Bridges clients on the wrapping paper for the craft fair. Now she is helping in the art studio on the next project.

In the art studio, the client have been working on painting a variety of ceramic items for the holiday. Clients are painting ornaments, keepsakes, and little village houses. If your lucky, you might get one of these as a gift this year!

Cinnamon Rolls by Eric!

The Bridges Clients would like to thank Eric for the treat he baked for all of his friends!

Eric used our training kitchen to make this treat.

He would like to make brownies with frosting next!

Cinnamon Rolls were YUMMY!

Thanks Eric!

INCLEMENT WEATHER

INCLEMENT WEATHER
Pioneer Center rarely closes due to weather, but you have several options for finding out if the workshop is open or closed due to extreme weather conditions.

Please listen to the designated radio/TV stations for information should Pioneer decide to formally close:

Tune to WGN radio 720 AM or WBBM News radio 780 AM or channels 2, 5, 7, WGN morning news, Fox or CLTV.
The best way to check status of agency closure is to use our in-house information line 815-759-7188.
**Any decision to close will only affect the day programs!

A Safety Reminder
Walk like a penguin when it is slippery outside.

Next Task Force Meeting!

The next Task Force Meeting for Developmental Disabilities is scheduled for Wed January 13th, 2010. We will be holding the meeting at the Shah Center in McHenry.
6 PM to 8 PM
1/13/10

Please email Jason Clark with any specific agenda items you wish to see. Hope to see many of you there.

Please see the Task Force Blog for further information and updates and feel free to email me anything you find pertinent to posting.
http://mchenryddtaskforce.blogspot.com/

Snowman Cards

It was a good day at the Craft Fair. The Bridges clients made two projects this year. They made holiday cards and wrapping paper.

As a thank you, we are sending home a pack of cards with every client.

All the money they earned went towards their client council fund.

Thanks again to the folks who made donations to help cover the material costs!

We do have some cards left over if you would like to order more. We are selling a pack of 4 snowman cards for $2.00. Send an order in to Tom or myself if you would like more.
Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!

Days Off! November 26th & 27th

Gobble Gobble Gobble!!

Pioneer is Closed for Thanksgiving Break this November 26th and 27th.

Craft Fair - November 20th

FRIDAY, NOV. 20
“TREASURES & TRIMMINGS”
CLIENT CRAFT FAIR
PIONEER WEST
9:30 – 1:30

INCLUDES A VARIETY OF CRAFTS, FOOD, GAMES AND RAFFLES.
THIS ONLY HAPPENS ONCE A YEAR. DON’T MISS IT.

This is open to Family and Friends of Pioneer!
SUPPORTS POIONEER’S CLIENT COUNSEL GROUPS!

"Sensory Friendly Films" Program

AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms#theatres

Tickets are $4-6 depending on location and can be purchased on the day of the event.
Upcoming Shows
November 21, 2009: Planet 51
December 12: The Princess and the Frog

jjslist

Some websites review hotels. Some websites review restaurants. This is the first website that reviews the disability awareness of these and many other kinds of businesses in customer service and the workplace. http://www.jjslist.com/pages/home/66.php

Medicaid Converstion Meeting Notes from Last Night!

It was great to see so many faces last night at the DD Task Force/Pioneer Family meeting at the SHAW center. I know that not everyone was able to make the meeting, so I'm going to list the highlights of the evening. Keep in mind, that this is a process that we are all in together.

****Remember this is for the 7 Bridges Cleints who were dropped this summer, so it's not everyone! If you are not sure if this is you, then CALL RIGHT AWAY!

1. It was explained that Bridges (which falls under the Pioneer Industries Grant) of Pioneer center is one of several programs that is participating in this conversion project. Why? “Participating in the FY10 Conversion Project is voluntary with the understanding, based on the FY09 and FY10 budgeting experiences, that choosing not to convert non-Medicaid funds to Medicaid reimbursable programs could make their funding more vulnerable to budget reductions. Providers and individuals must make their own decisions, given the current environment, as to whether they want to convert programs. If a provider makes the choice to convert, the individuals served must determine how they wish to proceed in light of the new circumstances.” --Division of DD.

Can't get enough information? you can check out the website for more!

http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=45752

2. Medicaid! If you don't have it, step one is to get it. We are lucky to have Pioneer's own, RUTH ASHER (Client Benefits Specialist) that is willing to assist folks with the Medicaid application questions. Her email is rasher@pioneercenter.org. She stated in the meeting that sometimes having a letter submitted about circumstances along with the application is helpful. It was suggested that in your letter incorporate the words "NEEDS TO BE IN A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM". You can get an application on line at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/hfs2378h.pdf Or you can travel out to Woodstock to the DHS office (McHenry County Local Office 2215 Lake Shore Drive Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815/338-0234)

3. PUNS! You need to be on the PUNS list, which is basically a big data base of needs of everyone in Illinois. To get on this list, you will need to meet with Options & Advocacy. They are the agent for the county, so they are the ones to see. O&A gathers up the paperwork needs and gets your person on this list. The person heading this up for us is JoEllen Bianchi. Her email is joellen.bianchi@opad.org and her phone is 815-477-4700. It was learned that once you are on this list, you stay on this list. But pay attention when you get a letter in the mail about the PUNS list. If you get a letter asking for updated information, it is your responsibility to contact O&A. The will not be tracking you down since they have some 600 people to keep track of for this database. Paperwork they are looking for: Medicaid card, medicare card (optional), social securty card, birth certificate, psycholgical eval & guardianship papers (if applicable).
Even more information, see the below site
http://www.dd.illinois.gov/SignUp.cfm#link1

4. Eligibility: Each individual will need to meet with O&A for an evaluation. They are the individuals who will looking at all the criteria areas 1) Self-Care;(2) Understanding and Use of Language;(3) Learning;(4) Mobility;(5) Self-Direction; and (6) Capacity for Independent Living. Psychologicals need to be submitted as well. At this time, it is recommended that you have one on file less that 5 years old. But O&A is working hard to use even old psychs to prove eligibility. O&A will work with individuals on a case by case to get people updated psychs.

5. Harsh Reality: It's unfortunate that there is possibility that not everyone is going to be eligible for services (there might not be enough spots allotted). There is a strong commitment here at PC to serves as many as people as possible. What is going to happen is there will be a transparent process defined of who will, and will not get served as well. This is being developed with several criteria. This will be investigated even further.

Funding Conversion!

Excellent responses to the conversion posting!!!! It's awesome that you are contacting us and asking questions.

Q: If my son/daughter does not have medicaid, what should I do?
A: Apply. (*unless you have the means to private pay)

Q: If my son/daughter has medicaid, are we taken care of?
A: NO, having Medicaid is the first step to several steps of the waver process. Get a copy of an updated card on file just to make sure we're all up to date.

Q: If my son/daughter lives in a CILA group home, do they need to go though this waiver process?
A: No, the CILA funding covers Bridges programming.

Q: If my son/daughter has HOMEBASED funding, do they need to go through his waiver process?
A: No, the HOMEBASED funding covers Bridges programming.

Q: What is the next step after having Medicaid?
A: You son/daughter will need to be assessed by O&A (Options & Advocacy). They are the over site agency that will determine if you individual is in need of Active treatment. They will also assit with on getting on the PUNS list if you are not already.

Q: What other steps are there for this conversion?
A: Each individual will need an updated psychological evaluation on file(that means not over 5 years old). We will assist in connecting you with that service. If you happen to have one lying around, SEND IT IN!

Q: Yikes, I can't make the meeting on the 7th.
A: Trust us, we want to serve as many people as we can with this conversion. We will be working with everyone individually as well to get this process completed.

Q: I hate sitting around, what else can I do?
A: Continue to follow up on funding issues and continue to be active in advocating for services. This isn't just about the Bridges program, but all of those in Pioneer Central not already on the Medicaid Wavier Developmental Training Program.

Q: How can I learn more?
A: Call or Email Rachel. Attend the meeting on October 7th at the SHAW center.

Tom on Vacation for 2 Weeks!

Tom will be taking a vacation in October for 2 weeks. Our Super Sub Zelinda will be running the Bridges classroom while he is away. He’s leaving October 12th, not return till the 26th!
This means if you leave him a voice mail message, no one will hear it. Please call Rachel at 815-759-7180 while he is away, or send in a note.

Tom have a great and safe trip! - Bridges

Client Craft Fair

Bridges will be participating in the client craft fair this winter. Bridges will be doing art of course, but we’re adding something new. Bridges will be making bookmarks, wrapping paper and cards. We would be happy to take donations for this project. If you have winter type of ink stamps or stickers it would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

Flu Season

With flu season coming we all have responsibilities to maintain our health. The Department of Human Services from Illinois as well as the McHenry County Health Department is asking all of us to help keep the spread of the flu to a minimum.

We are asking everyone that comes to Pioneer to be aware of the 3 C’s

Clean as in clean hands/body/environment, good hand washing before eating, after using the bathroom, and after working. Staff will be assisting clients by reminding them to wash their hands and overseeing if necessary.

Corner as in “cornering your cough”. Sneezing and coughing into our sleeves or elbows keeps the spray of germs to a minimum. You can assist by modeling at home. Staff here will be modeling and reinforcing that maneuver as well.

Contain, that is if the client is sick, they must stay home to contain the infection. If fever, body aches, excessive coughing, sneezing, or lethargy are present, flu is suspected. DO NOT bring them to Pioneer Center. Please call your doctor for instructions. They may be tested for the flu or put on certain medications to lessen the duration of the illness. Anyone who exhibits these symptoms will be sent home.

Clients may return to workshop if released by their doctor to return to work.

Thank you
Pioneer Nurses