Second Quarter Thrive – April, 2022

Welcome to Thrive, the Benchmark employee newsletter. Enjoy, and please share any stories you would like to include in a future issue with Courtney Heiser or Simon May!

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COVID Isn’t Over Yet

By Doug Beebe, Benchmark President

As spring arrives and the weather warms, it feels like we are emerging from a long funk driven by COVID. There appears to be another wave of infections building, but this feels much different than two years ago when spring was full of fear of the unknown. I am sure many of you would like to chuck all the precautions and move on, but we owe it to the people we serve to provide them with the respect they deserve, which includes taking precautions.

Why am I bringing this up now? Because the last Omicron wave of COVID had a huge negative impact on us and I do not want to experience that again. I hope you agree. As a point of information, on December 20, 2021 we had 538 staff with positive COVID tests and 279 individuals served with positive tests. This is about 25 staff a month and 13 individuals served a month since the start of the pandemic. In the next two months, we had 400 positive tests for staff and 144 for the people we serve.

Those infection rates hurt many people and impacted all of our work and personal lives. Please be careful, as cases are rising rapidly in the East from Connecticut to Florida, and will surely be migrating west. The beauty of spring means many more days with windows open and opportunities to be outside. But, when it is time to move inside, use masks and use them as they are intended. I understand that many of you are reluctant to be vaccinated, but it is quite clear that vaccinations and boosters greatly reduce hospitalizations and death.

At this point, we all know what it takes. Please take care of yourselves and your families and let us hope that this wave will be less intense and cause fewer deaths than past waves. As a friend of mine has said many times, hope is not a plan, so please use appropriate precautions so we can all see each other this summer.

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From the Front Lines

 

James Ivie, Direct Support Professional, Montana Residential

What is the best part of your job?
Being able to interact with the individuals I serve.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Not having enough staff to do outings one-on-one.

What is currently your binge-worthy series and why?
Firefly, because it’s about adventure into the unknown.

 

Jenelle Vanderpool, Case Manager, Indiana Family Preservation

What is the best part of your job?
Working with the families. When people ask what I do, it is difficult to explain because it is different for every family I work with. I see people when they are at their lowest, but I get to work with them to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. When I see goals being accomplished and how it increases confidence and the everyday lives of the families, there is no better reminder of why I do what I do!

What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part is thinking outside the box when assistance is a struggle to find. The families we serve need assistance in many aspects of their lives, and it is not always easy to find the right agency or resources. There is also the difficulty of getting through the red tape or documentation needed at times. We almost always find the needed help, it just takes persistence.

What is currently your binge-worthy series and why?
I don’t have a lot of time for television, but I have watched Superstore over and over. It is set in a retail, Walmart-type store. It is light and funny and I love the characters. There’s a single mom working her way to the top, an assistant manager who is mean sometimes but really just wants someone to love her, and it feels like a story about real people without all of the drama of reality television.

 

Valarie Boyette, Team Lead, Arkansas Provider Capacity Building Project

What is the best part of your job?
Working with a wonderful team to create systemic change for individuals with IDD and all of their supporters has been life changing for me. Knowing I am on a close-knit team that works together and feels the same way about change makes every day easier. I wake up in the morning and look forward to what the day will bring and the individuals my team and I will be helping support.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
The waiting game for change. My team offers recommendations and training to agencies to help build capacity, but it sometimes takes patience and perseverance to help them implement these changes. We are advocates for the rights of the individuals, and we step in and support to our highest ability. We want to ensure the best quality of life is happening from the moment we begin working with individuals and their agencies.

What is currently your binge-worthy series and why?
I watch movies more than I watch television series. If I had to choose my favorite series to watch it would be a toss-up between “Mindhunter” on Netflix and “Lock Up” on MSNBC. With “Mindhunter”, I loved the psychology and the chase of the investigation. The docuseries “Lock Up” interviewed inmates from correctional facilities all over the country about their life while incarcerated. Prior to coming to Benchmark, I worked in a state correctional facility as an LMSW for several years.

 

Dana Soderberg, Speech Language Pathologist, Connecticut Infant & Toddler

What is the best part of your job?
The connections I’ve made with other providers and the families I serve. I’ve formed great friendships with my colleagues through joint visits and I’m always learning from them. It’s helped make me a better clinician. Additionally, developing relationships with families and supporting them through their ups and downs is so rewarding and not many in my field get to experience that.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
It is challenging informing parents that their child is likely on the autism spectrum. I’m often the first person to bring it up to them, whether that be during an evaluation or when consulting on a case. It can be a very difficult and intimidating conversation to have, as “autism” is a word that most parents fear when their child has a communication delay. I have the autism talk at least once a week and it can be draining. But at the end of the day, it’s something I’m passionate about and I’ll never stop advocating and spreading awareness. The pros far outweigh the cons.

What is currently your binge-worthy series and why?
My most binge-worthy series is New Girl. I feel like it gets funnier each time I watch it (yes, I’ve watched it more than once). A little comedy is a great way to end the day. Schmidt is my fave!

 

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Employment Consultant Celebrates Major Milestone

Randy Hoium has worked for Benchmark for 26 years, 25 of those as an Employment Consultant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, helping individuals with disabilities find good, sustainable jobs in their communities. He recently celebrated his 500th job start, meaning he has helped 500 people find employment. Thrive sat down with Randy to ask a few questions about his work and the impact it’s had both on his life and the lives of those he’s helped.

Tell us about your first job placement.
My first job start is easy to remember because Doug is still working at Meijer, Inc. I see him from time to time. He began working there on 09/24/1997. He started cleaning tables and doing some dishes. It was great to see him advance to taking customer orders and working the grill. I watched him gain confidence and eventually he obtained a driver’s license and then moved into an apartment and lived on his own. Doug is excited because his 25th anniversary on the job is just around the corner. He has had several customer service awards in his time there.

How has the work you do changed over the last 23 years and what has been challenging.
In the beginning I would buy the Sunday newspaper every week because it had the biggest job listings section. That would leave me with fresh ideas on Monday morning. Now the internet is at our fingertips so searching for job openings looks a lot different. I’ve worked through a couple of recessions and that was challenging, but we helped placed people even then.

Tell us about your most memorable job starts.
The most memorable job starts were the first and the 500th. As I mentioned, I still see Doug and that is very cool. There have been many memorable experiences. There was a gentlemen many years ago who had the capacity to work all night long trouble shooting computer problems. After a bad accident he was unable to do this. Eventually, I assisted him with getting a teaching position at IN Technical Institute. That was really rewarding.

Another recent case I remember well because it was so challenging. Chris lived with his Dad and his brother. He was very hard to reach. His Dad worked a lot and he did not get along very well with his brother. It was during the early days of Covid-19 and he seemed down and out about his life and his situation. He had significant memory issues. However, with much persistence and repetition we got him set up in a fast food restaurant close to home. He began cleaning and went on to do dishes and some cooking. What is special about this one is how much Chris changed during the process. In the beginning he was lost and hopeless. In the end he was brimming with pride and he became successful at work. I called him “the most improved player.” He looked forward to going to work every day. He expressed so much gratitude every time I saw him. I will not forget this one.

Tell us what you love about this job and why you’ve kept at it for so long.
I still love helping people. Obtaining a job is a “life changer.” A job provides so much. I mean, besides the income and benefits, it can be very fulfilling. You have socialization and networking potential. You develop skills and it can give you a sense of wellness. It gives you an opportunity to gain discipline and prove yourself! There is great pride in work, and I feel blessed to have a part in helping others find that.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Updates

As we approach the two year mark of the creation of Benchmark’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee this summer, we want to take a moment to reflect on the work that has been done thus far, and look ahead to upcoming initiatives.

The Committee was formed in late summer 2020 after the killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans and subsequent protests around the country spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement. Although those events were the catalyst for formalizing Benchmark’s DE&I efforts, the examination of DE&I culture and growth at Benchmark was not intended to be reactionary or temporary. Headline news around these topics may have quieted some, but the fight for equity and justice for all continues with significant work ahead, and Benchmark is committed to working hard to ensure equity and inclusion for our employees and those we serve at all levels of the organization.

The Committee has created an Inclusive Language Guide, which includes guidelines for using language that avoids bias and conveys respect. Our hope is that this will provide some consistency around the way we, as an organization, speak to and about issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. You can read the guide here: Inclusive-Language-Guide-2022. Benchmark policies have also been updated to incorporate inclusive language.

In February, the DE&I Committee introduced a new monthly event, Benchmark Breakthrough Series. This project includes monthly webinars hosted by experts on topics relevant to that month: i.e., Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Autism Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, etc. All employees are invited to attend these sessions, which are advertised with registration links through Benchmark email, on the Intranet log in, and on the app. Additionally, recorded sessions are available on the Intranet under the Diversity & Inclusion tab for anyone who is unable to attend.

The Committee is also looking at developing a long term strategic plan with specific initiatives to advance the culture and DE&I work of Benchmark moving forward including looking at hiring practices, pay equity, culture of belonging, equal opportunities for advancement, etc. We are in the process of vetting outside partners who specialize in this work with the goal of selecting a contracting partner to aid the committee in analyzing current practices and developing a plan for the future. Once we select a partner, we will make a company-wide announcement.

Thank you to all who have supported the work of the Committee and who have provided valuable feedback as we navigate positive change moving forward. We are excited to see where the future takes Benchmark and our goal, as a Committee, is to ensure all employees and those we serve, have a voice in helping guide us as we continue to grow and provide critical, life-changing services to those in our care.

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Spring is in the Air on Social Media

You know, you don’t have to wait until Thrive comes out to see some great photos of the individuals we serve from all over the country! Follow us on social media, just search Benchmark Human Services on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also, if you would like to share any photos you’ve taken of or with the individuals in your area on social media, please send them to Simon May!

 

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Capacity Building in Alabama Inspires Innovation

In January 2022, Benchmark was contracted by the State of Alabama to implement a 20-month provider capacity building and crisis response project called “AL Provider Focus.” Modeled after Benchmark’s Arkansas project, the AL Provider Focus project has two main phases: system analysis and capacity building/crisis support. First, the AL Provider Focus team will conduct a system analysis to identify the current challenges faced by providers in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with significant behavioral support needs. Next, the team will develop recommendations for the state to create a full continuum of supports to serve this population in community settings. Finally, based on findings from the system analysis, the newly formed Crisis Support Team will assist an identified pilot group of high-potential providers to implement concrete strategies to increase their capacity and competency to serve these individuals.

During the capacity building/crisis support phase, the team, under the leadership of Project Director, Brad Max, will deliver targeted on-site and virtual coaching and consultation for provider clinicians, behavior support staff, residential supervisors, and direct support staff designed to increase their capacity to effectively respond to crisis situations and prevent out-of-home placement and other high-cost interventions. Anticipated consultation topics include on-site coaching of direct support professionals to implement behavior plans, interactive scenario-based training on common crisis situations (e.g. elopement, verbal/physical threatening, property damage, etc.), response to law enforcement involvement, consultation on development of effective behavior support plan design/implementation, essential crisis de-escalation skills, person-centered “lifestyle” strategies to increase social validation, and implementing trauma-informed support.

Even in its infancy, the capacity building/crisis support activities are achieving notable results. Within days of the contract’s inception, a request was made for Benchmark to transition an individual from an inappropriate, restrictive placement to a long-term residential setting with behavioral supports. A team of Benchmark behavior specialists, led by Vice President, Anne Titus, quickly came to Alabama, assessed the individual, and identified strategies to implement with an existing AL provider to successfully support them in the community. The transition was seamless, and the individual is now stabilized with the appropriate setting, staffing, and supports! The AL Provider Focus team hopes to build upon this early success and assist the State of Alabama in transforming their IDD system of care and ensuring that all Alabamians have the supports they need to thrive.

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Leadership Changes at Camp Red Cedar

Long time Camp Red Cedar Director, Carrie Perry, stepped down from her role this month to work as a recreational therapist at the camp. Shelly Detcher has been promoted to the director role after spending many years as assistant director. Shelly has been with Benchmark and Camp Red Cedar since 2007 serving in various positions and is looking forward to the next chapter. “I’m thrilled to be able to expand in new professional opportunities and leadership within Camp Red Cedar to Explore, Play, and Grow!”

David Prokop, former camp counselor, has been hired to fill the assistant director position Shelly is vacating. David spent 5 summers as a camp counselor, activities coordinator, and facilitator. He also holds a bachelors degree in Sport Management from Manchester University, a Masters in Sports Media from Valparaiso University, and a Masters in Education from Purdue Northwest. Previously, David held a position as full time special education teacher at Valparaiso High School where he also coached boys basketball and helped create one of the top unified sports programs in the Nation in 2016. At home, David loves spending time with his wife, who he met and married at Camp Red Cedar, and their newest family addition, as well as our two dogs, Red and Cedar. “David has a deep rooted history with Camp Red Cedar,” Detcher said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back in a greater capacity. We are looking forward to his leadership and relational skills he will bring to the CRC team. Welcome home David!”

 

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Short Stories from Ohio and Georgia

Growth and Independence

By Becky Bodey, Northwest Ohio Residential Area Director

Amanda M. started attending the Lima, OH Day Service in June of 2019. When she first started she had limited independence and did not use words to communicate. She also used a wheelchair full time for all of her mobility, needing staff to push her where she wanted or needed to go. Following the COVID related closing of our Day Service programing in March of 2020, we reopened in a new format with small pod groups of 4 members and 1 staff. These smaller group sizes offered staff and Amanda time to start working on increasing her independence. In August of 2020 Amanda’s team gave the go ahead to start exercising, learning to propel her own chair, and then getting up out of her chair for short walks with staff assistance. Step by step, little by little Amanda grew stronger and began to relish her new found freedom. Today Amanda attends Day Services using just a walker to get around. She taps on her walker to let others know she would like to get up and go, staff stand by to assist if needed, and off Amanda goes to visit, explore, or partake in the activities of her choosing. We’re so very proud of Amanda. She is indeed a strong and capable woman!

Back Together Again

By Christina Murray, Saint Marys, OH Day Services Program Manager

In March of 2020 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services issued a lockdown order that banned everyone except essential employees from entering nursing homes, which excluded our Day Services team from providing community outings and programmatic enrichment to eight residents at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Saint Marys, OH. This order resulted in a great deal of isolation for the individuals combined with a lack of oversight monitoring from family members and other natural community connections. They also experienced physical and mental decline due to lack of activity and interaction.

Recently, our Day Services welcomed back all eight of the individuals we serve who reside at Heritage Manor. They not only survived a pandemic, they survived seclusion, the loss of friends in their facility due to COVID, and staff shortages that impacted care. They too felt the crisis that we all felt on the outside; while being confined to walls on the inside. We are beyond thankful to be in their presence once again. To have them back is not only a blessing, but it is an absolute joy to see each and every one of them getting back to the activities that they once loved to be a part of.

Autism Program in Atlanta Celebrates Spring Break

By Breanna Kelly, Atlanta, GA Behavior Analyst

The first week of April was Spring Break for the Atlanta Autism Team. We used the community as our learning lab. We started by going back in time with the dinosaurs, then we explored our International farmer’s market and community. Next, we headed over to bounce around at Get Air, then went under the sea at the Aquarium. We ended our week at the Delta Aviation museum. This week we focused on community safety, problem-solving, and social skills all week. Thank you to the caregivers who trusted and support us. We had an amazing week!

 

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About Your Benefits

Access Perks – Welcome to a New Way to Save Money!

Benchmark has partnered with Access Perks Employee Discount Program to offer company discounts at restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, and hundreds of other business across the country. All you need to do is set up a username and password at BenchmarkHS.AccessPerks.com using your employee number and you can start taking immediate advantage of discounts of up to 50% off at stores in your area through your computer or mobile device. Please review the Access Perks User Guide, for instructions on how to register. Once you have registered, use the links here to download the Access Perks App for Apple iOS and Android devices.

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Promotions

Below is a list of employees who were promoted in January, February, and March and the position to which they were promoted. Congratulations to all!

 

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Milestones

Thrive honors employee hire anniversaries for April, May, and June, celebrating those who have worked at Benchmark for five years and longer.