FGI INK Winter 2013

Foothills Gateway Ink | page 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Ink Spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2

Changes in Day Program . . . . Page 2

Making her own Choices . . . . . Page 4

Federal Ability . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . Page 7

SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABIL ITES | W INTER 2013, ISSUE 32

FOOTHILLS GATEWAY INK

We believe in a life of opportunity, of choice, and of dignity for every individual, regardless of age or ability.

vision

missio

n

Advocating for and empowering individuals with disabilities to

lead lives of their choice

We are proud to unveil our new vision and mission statements! After careful reflection upon the direction of the organization toward implementation of a Person Centered philosophy, it was decided we needed a vision and mission to more carefully reflect those values . Once this was decided, management staff and the Board of Directors began the process of drafting a new vision and mission statement .

In September 2012, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a new mission and vision statement for Foothills Gateway, Inc . Staff have embraced these new statements as we have begun to learn more about the implementation of the Person Centered philosophy . We are excited to use these two statements as guidance as we move forward in providing excellent services to individuals with cognitive disabilitites .

To learn more about our progress on Person Centered Service, see “Ink Spots” on Page 2 . . .


In the last issue, regarding Person Centered Thinking (PCT), I touched on the basic ideas that are of primary consideration . Those key elements were: keeping the individual at the center of the planning, utilizing new tools that convey the belief that all people have gifts to share, add value to others, and that help with problem solving by focusing on the right questions and a way to discover, describe and assure the desired life of the person who is supported . This current installment will describe further the elements of Person Centered Training and Foothills Gateway’s plans for going forward in this new calendar year .

On January 10th and 11th, Foothills Gateway began the second phase of Person Centered Thinking training . This two day intensive training was provided to Foothills Gateway staff and Board Members, Program Approved Service Agency Directors (PASAs), Colorado Department of Human Service personnel, Larimer County ARC, Touchstone Behavioral Partners, and FGI Foundation Board Members . Nearly 80 people were trained by noted national/international experts Michael Smull and

The Foothills Gateway INK

Staff Reporters:

Pat Carney, Jim Cox, Erin Eulenfeld, Diana Foland,

Cynthia Hansford, Jan Irvin, Sondra Lee, Tim O’Neill, April

Rikhoff, Judy Tomcak

If you have any questions or comments regarding this

newsletter, please contact us at 970 .226 .2345 or

info@foothillsgateway .org

Bob Sattler of Support Development Associates . This training was the first in a series of four that will occur throughout calendar year 2013 . Our schedule is for additional training to occur in March, July and September . This will allow most FGI personnel, as well as other key organizations, to be trained in Person Centered Thinking by next Fall .

The training that was held in January focused on practical application of person centered skills and tools . These core concepts and skills were introduced to the attendees who then were asked to apply the concepts and tools in interactive sessions . Those in attendance were asked to “work within small groups” to problem solve real situations that confront people we support on a daily basis . In all, 12 new core concepts and tools were introduced, explained, discussed, and practiced . Those in attendance might allow me this editorial comment… . .”practice makes perfect” . We found that being challenged to consider a different way of doing things, particularly when that new approach leads to better lives for people, is energizing .

Throughout the year there will be intermittent follow up meetings between those who are directly using PCT tools/concepts and those who are further removed from the action . These

immediate feedback opportunities are attended by “leaders” and “coaches” who listen to those staff utilizing the tools . It is a built in facet of PCT that “those in positions of authority, decision making and leadership” confront real barriers, challenges, problems, etc . and find ways to get over, around, or under the barrier, or to remove it altogether . So, PCT is not just a two day training curriculum, but, rather it is a comprehensive emersion approach involving every aspect of the organization from the Board of Directors, to staff, volunteers and our partners in service .

Foothills Gateway believes that Person Centered Thinking training is a primary way to make its Vision Statement a reality: “We believe in a life of opportunity, of choice and of dignity for every individual regardless of age or ability” . Our plan going forward is to continue this training by offering three more training opportunities . As I mentioned, they will be held in March, July, and September of 2013 . Foothills Gateway will continue to open this training up to local and state partners, subject to availability . Our staff is our number one priority regarding this training and it is our goal to provide this opportunity to as many staff and partners as possible .

INK SPOTSBy: Tim O’Neill, Executive Director

Person Centered Thinking . . .making us think in a new way, thinking about what we do and how we do it .


COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONBy: Shauna Poquette

Last year, Tim O’Neill started a conversation with Dr . Bernard Birnbaum, a faculty physician with the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program, about how physicians are often uninformed about ID/DD and what they, as physicians, can do to help support the individuals we serve . Tim brought the idea for a physician specific ID/DD training back to the Management Team at FGI . A program was then created to meet this need by the presenting team, Shauna Poquette, RN, Foothills Gateway Agency Nurse, Jackie O’Riordan-Leal, Program Administrator for Personal, Social and Community Skill Building, Carolyn Dekkers, Intake Case Management Coordinator, and Tim O’Neill, FGI Executive Director .

This Fall, Foothills Gateway partnered with the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program to present information to new resident physicians about how we serve individuals at FGI . This experimental program is designed to help physicians learn about ID/DD, the system set up to support individuals with disabilities, and how the physician can best support these individuals in their practice . In September, we had our first group of 11 resident physicians and faculty attend the training which covered these topics:

• Basic physiology of neurodevelopmental disorders

• ID/DD system framework

• Accessing services

• Communication challenges

• Health care challenges and medical assessment considerations

We received feedback from this group indicating the information presented will be helpful to them in their practice when working with individuals with ID/DD . Information on how to communicate with individuals with ID/DD, common medical problems, how the ID/DD system functions and how to access the system were subjects they found particularly helpful . The presenting team felt this initial training was a great opportunity to learn more about what information is most helpful to physicians and the team will continue to develop and change this training to more fully provide that information . We hope to offer this training annually to each group of resident physicians in the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program and possibly to other physicians and providers throughout Larimer County .

Questions? Contact:

Erin Eulenfeld: 970.266.5347/ [email protected]

Jan Irvin: 970.266.5346/ [email protected]

Jackie O’Riordan Leal: 970.266.5342/[email protected]

Foothills Gateway’s Department of Community Services and Supports (DCSS) has made the decision to modify our Day Habilitation program schedule effective January 1, 2013 . The program days and hours for the affected program areas will be Monday through Friday from 9:00 a .m . to 2:00 p .m . (25 program hours/week) . The schedules for our Supported Employment Programs (Federal Building, Residential Cleaning, Nita) and Individualized Supported Employment Services remain the same and will not change as of January 1, 2013 .

The State of Colorado reduced the unit threshold limits for Day Program services from 7112 units (1778 hours)/year to 4800 units (1200 hours/year) beginning January 1, 2012 . This reduction in units/hours occurred with each person receiving Comprehensive Services at the time of their 2012 Service Plan . Foothills Gateway did not reduce service hours during 2012 in order to better evaluate the impact the threshold reductions would have on day program services . Unfortunately, we are unable to continue to provide day program

FOOTHILLS GATEWAY DAY PROGRAM CHANGESBy: Erin Eulenfeld

services (Comprehensive and Supported Living Services) at the level provided in 2012 due to the threshold reductions . The specific areas affected are: Production, Prairie View, Saratoga, VSTA, and Personal Social and Community Services - PSCS (Basesite, Intensive Supports, Retirement, Community Activity, Community Skill Development Programs), and Special Habilitation - Janitorial .

In addition to the schedule change for individuals receiving services, staff (Activity Coordinators, Group Leaders, Senior Group Leaders, Lead Activity Coordinators) who work in the program areas listed will have their work hours reduced from 40 hours per week to 35 hours per week beginning February 1, 2013 .

These aforementioned changes were made keeping the following outcomes in mind: Maximize hours of service for individuals receiving services; maximize staff hours, and bring the day program budget more in line with state funding . Other day program related services like

Supported Employment and Transportation services will not be changed or reduced as there were no state funding changes to those programs .


Would you like to learn more about Foothills Gateway?

Then, please join us for one of our monthly luncheons . These luncheons are purely informational and include a small meal, presentation and tour of our facility . Our next luncheons will be on:

Thursday, February 14, 2013 - 11:30 to 1:00 p .m .;

Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 11:30 to 1:00 p .m .;

Thursday, April 11, 2013 - 11:30 to 1:00 p .m .;

If you would like to attend a luncheon, please give Diana a call at 266-5316 and let us know which date you prefer . We will make sure to have your spot reserved .

Taylor and her family have been receiving services since the summer of 2000 when Taylor entered Early Intervention . During the years that Taylor and her family have accessed services, they have participated in almost every program that FGI offers, including Family Support Services Program (FSSP) and the Children’s Home and Community Based services waiver, which offers access to Medicaid .

Ed and Dana, Taylor’s parents, share that while they have appreciated the financial and therapeutic supports that Taylor has received, they have found that the emotional support received from case management has been the greatest support to their family . Each family member spoke highly of case

CHARTING HER OWN COURSEBy: Sondra Catherine Lee

management staff and Taylor was very vocal in her appreciation of her current case manager, Matt Cloven .

“I like when Matt comes over here . He asks us questions and we always have a great time,” Taylor shared . When I asked Taylor the types of things that she talks about with her case manager, she was quick to start listing the personal goals that she has for herself over the next year which include being able to hear without her hearing aids, and to become “super-nanny” when she

grows up .

Taylor was happy to share her interests and hobbies, including taking pictures, extreme jumping, swimming, parasailing, and singing .

Up until she was eight years old, Taylor had a tracheostomy and was somewhat limited in some of the activities that she could experience due to health and safety concerns . When her tracheostomy was removed, she was excited to be able to wear necklaces and go to a sandy beach for the first time .

During our discussion about Taylor’s experiences with Foothills Gateway Inc . many of her strengths were evident . One

of those is her amazing memory, as she was able to describe the room she received therapy in as a toddler, talk about music therapy in her preschool classroom, and share details about her case managers over the years . As we talked, I asked Taylor what was important to her to share with others and she said, “I am excited to be in the newspaper and to be famous! I have a lot of good things about me and things people should know . I am a good sleeper; I can sing . I like to do things for myself . I am excited to work, and to drive . I have goals and I know that I can make choices .” Taylor’s parents echoed her sentiments, sharing that Taylor has no lack of self-esteem, and explaining that she sets the course, and they support her to meet her goals . While her family expressed gratitude towards Foothills Gateway; the Foothills Gateway community is grateful to be able to offer support to such an upbeat, assertive, charming young teen and her family!

Taylor flashes a beautiful smile“ I have goals and I know that I

can make choices”

-Taylor


Foothills Gateway Board of Directors

MIranda ArensFaith BetzJim DisneyJohn HaleyTracy KatzKendra KettlerPaul Rodgers, Vice PresidentBJ RussellGregg Seebohm, PresidentRomie TobinCarol WardHallie Wasserman, TreasurerDoris “Punkie” Whitely, Secretary

Foothills Gateway Foundation Board of Directors

Nyla AndersonMitch BurroughsDavid FritzlerCarl MaxeyJay McCoy, SecretaryTed ShepardBrian Sullivan, PresidentBob Toomey, Vice President

YOU CAN REMEMBER FOOTHILLS GATEWAY IN YOUR WILL, TRUST, LIFE INSURANCE POLICY OR RETIREMENT PLAN. CALL 970.266.5316 TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR OPTIONS.

A DISCUSSION ON THE CULTURE OF COLLABORATIONBy: Sharon Courtney

Electronic Communication??In an ongoing effort to continue to find ways to decrease costs as well as be sensitive to environmental concerns, Foothills Gateway would like to offer the option for individuals to receive communication from us via email . Sending information electronically not only allows us the ability to send people information in a more timely fashion, it also allows us to cut down on costs .

If you would like to receive information from Foothills Gateway electronically, please go to our website, www .foothillsgateway .org, and look for the “Join Email List Button” to “opt in” to our mailing list . Please know that we will not share your email address with anyone outside of our organization and it will only be used to share information about Foothills Gateway news, events and newsletters . You may opt out of receiving information at anytime .

In July 2012, Governor Hickenlooper signed an Executive Order to establish the Office of Community Living to help meet the growing need for services and supports by people with physical and developmental disabilities along with aging adults . This new Office is created within the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) . The Division for Developmental Disabilities, which will potentially be directed through this new Office, has been previously administered through the Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS) .

In September 2012, Foothills Gateway’s Board of Directors welcomed Susan Birch, the Executive Director of HCPF and Reggie Bicha, Executive Director of DHS to share their update on the latest efforts around the Office of Community Living . Both Directors communicated that the new initiative had fostered a “culture of collaboration” between the Departments during this transition, including working in conjunction with the Department of Public Health and Environment (which oversees many of the licensing and reporting requirements that affect group homes, home health care and other areas) .

The intent of the initiative is to break down segmentation in services in order to reduce barriers for access to services, help control costs and create efficiencies in service delivery for all individuals needing long-term Medicaid supports . To bring the changes to fruition, the efforts of the Departments’ staff, providers, families, advocates and other stakeholders have been brought together in the Community Living Advisory Group . The Advisory Group will work closely with the Long-Term Care Advisory

Committee, the Colorado Commission on Aging and other planning groups to carry out this work and build on previous discussions and recommendations . This will include recommendations for waiver reconfiguration, though Ms . Birch did not feel it would be possible to collapse all current Medicaid waivers into a single waiver program . The work will be done to make changes in our current system, increasing its sustainability within the constraints of recent federally mandates changes .

The Board of Directors had prepared discussion questions for Ms . Birch and Mr . Bicha . State Representatives Randy Fischer and Brian DelGrosso also attended the Board meeting and actively participated in the discussion of the Developmental Disability system . The questions included concerns about the impact of changes on the quality of services to our clients and the possible effect on those waiting for services . Additionally, the Board was concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of services in the future as well as any prospects for statutory changes that might affect the status of Community Centered Boards . The Directors responded that no decisions have as yet been made and that they have not addressed system change issues in detail . They expressed concern that if Colorado did not work to address current system issues, the federal authorities would force changes . They were very welcoming on input into the change processes and very supportive of Colorado’s HCBS system as one of the strongest in the country .


If you’ve visited the Federal Building/Post Office in the Old Town area of Fort Collins, perhaps you’ve noticed how clean it looks . Floors, walls, and windows are spotless . Maintaining this facility is no small task . Since 1992, Foothills Gateway’s team of dedicated workers have met this challenge .

Under the “Ability One” program, the Federal Government contracts with Non Profit Agencies (NPAs) to provide products and services . Ability One’s website states, “The core criteria for NPA eligibility is that 75% of total direct labor hours

must be performed by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities .” This opportunity has provided ongoing employment for a crew of seven people receiving supported employment services from Foothills Gateway .

Gary and Mike are two crew members who have been on the job for over 10 years - Gary since 1999, and Mike since 1998 . They are well known around the building . Gary has a reputation as an incredibly hard worker . It’s tough to get him to take a break because he is constantly on the lookout for additional cleaning tasks . Mike is the guy who always shares a new joke of the day . Many building employees know this and help keep Mike supplied with new jokes .

Foothills Gateway’s Fed Building Crew members occupy a unique employment niche in Fort Collins . As “Ability One” participants, team members gain the advantages of steady, well paid employment in a supportive environment . Foothills Gateway supervisors offer guidance in accomplishing work tasks and a ready source of assistance, when needed, with everyday issues like transportation and work-related concerns . Foothills Gateway is proud to be a part of the Ability One program and to provide these fundamental services to our community .

PARTNERING WITH THE RAMSBy: April Rikhoff

FEDERAL ABILITYBy: Jim Cox

Both Mike and Gary have been

part of the Federal Building

Cleaning Crew for over 10 years

Supervisor Carol, with Mike and Gary

Foothills Gateway has been fortunate to have a long standing relationship with Colorado State University . This partnership not only extends to service provision through Center for Community Partnerships, but also through the many volunteer, practicum, and internship opportunities provided to students through Foothills Gateway . Each semester, students from CSU spend numerous hours with Foothills Gateway gaining valuable experience working with individuals with cognitive disabilities .

One such long standing partnership with CSU has been with a practicum social work class . This class is a two successive semester class for students who are beginning their social work studies and need to gain some practical experience . Students are paired with a person in services and are asked to spend two hours per week, per semester with this person . There are several goals: 1 . To allow the student to “practice” their social work skills; 2 . Be exposed to a new population; and 3 . Increase participation in the communtiy for individuals with disabilities with their peers . Students enter the program believing might make significant changes in the life of the person in which they are matched . However, they often leave the program realizing changes within themselves, learning so much from the individuals in services . Through this partnership we have partnered over 80 matches and some students have gone on to become employees of Foothills Gateway .

Another aspect of this partnership includes the music therapy program at CSU . This partnership has brought music therapy, a service not funded by some Medicaid programs but extremely beneficial to individuals in services both onsite in day program and at CSU . This program allows two students to develop their skills as future music therapists each semester in a group setting, crafting lesson plans each week based upon individuals musical interests and goals .

In addition to the two programs mentioned, we are fortunate to have interns that spend countless hours assisting a variety of departments each year . Interns typically hail from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, but we occasionally have a Social Work intern every now and again . This is just a highlight of a few of the amazing partners at CSU . We are very fortunate to have this resource in our community to assist us in achieving our vision of helping individuals lead lives of opportunity .


April 4th, 2013 – The Taste of Loveland6:00 – 9:00 p .m ., at the Embassy Suites Hotel

Foothills Wine and Food Experience, the 8th annual Taste of Loveland, is being held at the beautiful Embassy Suites on Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 6-9:00p .m . Please join us for an elegant and tasteful event benefitting Foothills Gateway, Inc . and Namaqua Center and showcasing samples from over 30 wineries, 4 breweries, and 30 area restaurants! Tickets will go on sale soon!

April 14th, 2013 – 5th Annual Flying Pig 5k Charity Run/Walk8:30 a .m . at Spring Canyon Park in Fort Collins, CO

This fun, family event to benefit the Family Support Services Program is a pre-qualifier for the Bolder Boulder . Your $25 .00 registration fee includes a t-shirt and “pigs in a blanket” pancake breakfast after the race . For children under 10 –there is a free “piglet walk” that begins at 9:30am . Register early! Forms are available at Foothills Gateway - contact Pam Miller at 970 .266 .5409

April 25th & 26th, 2013 – 34th Annual “Kitchen Kaper” House TourDetails on locations to be announced soon!

April 25th 3:00 – 8:00 p .m . (approx .) or

April 26th 10:00 – 4:00 p .m .

The Fort Collins Service League proudly presents its 34th annual Kitchen Kaper Home Tour, showcasing a number of beautiful homes in the Fort Collins area . The tour will also include items from the Bake and Gourmet Shops . You have the option to attend the Preview Dinner and Tour on Thursday, April 25th or simply tour the homes on Friday, April 26th . For ticket information, please call 970 .225 .2897 . You can also visit our website at www .FoothillsGateway .org in March to get a listing and the map of homes on the tour and ticket price information .

July 27th, 2013 – Foothills Night OutJoin us once again for a fun-filled evening of entertainment in Loveland . Details coming soon!

FUN UPCOMING EVENTSBy: Diana Foland

Winners pose with our “pig mascot” from the 2012 Flying Pig

Check back frequently to our Events page at www .FoothillsGateway .org for more information

Public Notice

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Division of Housing (DOH) in conjunction with Foothills Gateway, Inc ., will open its Housing Choice Voucher Program for waiting list applications between February 11, 2013 – February 28, 2013 to qualified residents of Larimer County . The waiting list will be open to applicants who meet DOH’s elderly or disabled preference and who can verify disability as defined by the U .S . Department of Housing and Urban Development . Applications can be obtained and submitted at Foothills Gateway, Inc ., 301 W . Skyway Dr . Fort Collins, CO 80525 between 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday . (Foothills Gateway will be closed February 18, 2013) Mailed and postmarked applications will only be accepted with a postmark dated on or before February 28, 2013 . If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the waiting list process, please contact Renee’ Walker, Housing Coordinator, at 970-266-5321 .


FOOTNOTESCALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS | FEBRUARY - APRIL 2013

Nonprofit OrganizationU .S . Postage

PaidFort Collins, COPermit No . 483

301 W . Skyway Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525

970 .226 .2345 Fax: 970 .226 .2613 info@foothillsgateway .org www .foothillsgateway .org

February_ Feb . 14 Educational Luncheon 11:30am - 1:00pm @ FGI-Feb . 18 Foothills Gateway Closed_Feb . 19 Foothills Gateway Board Mtg . 7:00pm @ Foothills Gateway_Feb . 20 Disability Awareness Day All day event @ CO State Legislature_Feb . 28 Foothills Gateway Foundation Mtg . 4:00pm @ Foothills Gateway

March_ Mar . 4 FGI Annual Mtg . 7:00pm @ FGI_Mar . 14 Educational Luncheon - 11:30am - 1:00pm @ FGI_ Mar . 18-Mar . 22 Spring Break Foothills Gateway Closed_ Mar . 28 Foothills Gateway Foundation Mtg . 4:00pm @ Foothills Gateway

visit www .foothillsgateway .org for updated information and forum dates

April_ Apr . 4 Taste of Loveland 6:00pm @ Embassy Suites_Apr . 11 Educational Luncheon - 11:30am - 1:00pm @ FGI_ Apr . 12 Spring Intermission Foothills Gateway Closed_ Apr . 14 Flying Pig 5K 8:30am @ Spring Canyon Park_Apr . 17 Foothills Gateway Board Mtg . 7:00pm @ FGI_Apr . 25 Kitchen Kaper Preview & Dinner_Apr . 26 Kitchen Kaper Home Tour

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FGI INK Winter 2013