Welcome to the electronic edition of 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!
Try to Be a Filter, Not a Sponge
A Message from Doug Beebe, Benchmark President/CEO
I had a thought a while ago that seems to apply to what all of us are facing in our lives right now. None of us planned on this kind of disruption and fear, which causes a great deal of anxiety and doubt for many of us.
When a photographer can’t change a scene, she changes her angle and lens to capture the best of that scene. Similarly, when you can’t change a situation in your life, change your perspective to get the best out of that situation. Try to be a filter, not a sponge.
I have been watching our residential teams respond to individuals we serve who are positive or presumed positive in amazing ways. The compassion of our staff and their leaders has truly been an awesome thing to see. Similarly, our case management and early childhood providers had to rapidly switch from in person visits to telehealth sessions and learn a new way to provide supports to individuals, kids, and their families. Our incredible employment services team in Indiana has placed 6 people into new jobs in the middle of all this. Other programs like Post Masters and the Georgia crisis teams continue their programs without skipping a beat on their quality.
None of us knew this was coming, which makes the responses from all these teams all the more impressive! I am so thankful to have a chance to work with so many incredible AWRC and Benchmark teams, and am personally grateful to all of you for embracing this the way you have.
From the Front Lines: COVID-19 Edition
Being a caregiver on the front lines is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs. At Benchmark, we pride ourselves on delivering quality services to those in our care. We have never been prouder of the work our direct support staff do than we have over the past month and a half. While the world is shutting down, sheltering in place, working from home, our staff have continued to show up each and every day to ensure the individuals we serve have the best support possible. And while COVID-19 has affected everyone’s lives to some degree, many Benchmark staff have felt the effects of this virus in a very real way.
Unfortunately, no one is immune from COVID-19, and Benchmark has had a few individuals served in New Jersey and one in Missouri diagnosed with the virus. In those instances, frontline staff have gone to extreme measures to ensure those individuals receive excellent care, while protecting their roommates and other staff members from contracting the virus. Employees have quarantined in homes with the diagnosed individuals – in some cases spending nearly two weeks away from their own homes and families. We want to honor and thank these heroes on the front lines for their extraordinary efforts in providing exceptional care.
Central New Jersey:
Deb Welby
Carly Beck
Rosemary Heugle
Southwest New Jersey:
Dijonnai Mateo
Aunaianay Anderson
LaKisha Bey
Ashel Bangura
Samuel Jebor
Holly Walker
Jamall Ewing
St. Louis, Missouri:
Anthony Curtis
Julius Karanja
Michael Nthiga
Darryl Harmod
Anne Kahindi
Ester Maina
Tabatha Crawford
Akin Tunde
Benchmark Programs Temporarily Transition to Virtual Care
While staff in residential programs continue to support individuals in their homes, other programs have been able to adapt their services to provide telehealth – including case management and early intervention.
When COVID-19 became a reality across the country, our early intervention staff moved quickly to adapt to new technology, enabling them to continue to support over 5,000 children in Benchmark’s care. Employees in these programs underwent training to learn the new program and have been continuing to meet virtually, as a team, to ensure everyone is comfortable providing telehealth services that meet the needs of those in our care.
Angie Heller, Director of Early Intervention programs said, “It takes a team effort to make all of this happen, and our team has been flexible and diligently focused on continuing to provide a level of care that has come to define our excellent programs. I’m so proud of their commitment.”
National Disabilities Awareness Month
This past month, Benchmark celebrated National Disabilities Awareness Month on social media, introducing many of the individuals we serve to our followers. We asked them to tell us something interesting about themselves or something they like to do. For those who could not speak for themselves, we asked staff to tell us what makes them happy. To see these responses, please visit Benchmark’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages, and give us a follow while you’re there for more inspirational content!
Kelly Goes to Work
By Tori Fuhrmann, Day Services Program Coordinator
Over the last year Kelly has transitioned from day services to working part-time at the AWRC work center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Kelly gained much responsibility while attending day services by volunteering at many places in and around Fort Wayne including the Volunteer Center, the Franciscan Center, and Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve. The volunteer opportunities Kelly engaged in really helped him develop skills and learn to focus on work. Our goal is to help the people we serve be as independent as they can be, so the transition from day programs to work is a huge accomplishment for Kelly. The staff at the day program are very proud of him and excited to see all of his future accomplishments!
HomePointe HealthCare Participates in Home Health and Hospice Advocacy Day
Last month, HomePointe HealthCare, Benchmark’s pediatric nursing program, had the opportunity to participate in Home Health and Hospice Advocacy Day at the Indiana Statehouse. Program Director, Kim Galaviz and Clinical Care Manager, Amanda Musser represented HomePointe HealthCare and Merillee and Mackenzie advocated on behalf of parents and clients. They had a successful day meeting with members of the Indiana State Senate and the Indiana House of Representatives, stressing the need for increased reimbursement rates and expressing how valuable home healthcare is to the families who they serve.
Movin’ On Up!
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!
Connecticut
Nicole Cocce, Clinical Specialist
Georgia
James Cummings, ABS BCBA Supervisor
Semika Roach, Clinical Supervisor
Christa Raines, Director, ICWP EDWP
Shonta Hazel, Behavior Specialist
Candace Fedrick, CNA
Lindsay Waller, Behavior Specialist
Indiana
Lorian Schneider, Team Leader
Jamee Fisher, Residential Manager
Kimberly Leal, Lead Program Coordinator
Christa Smith, Industrial Operations Team Lead
Abebe Mulat, ESN Behavior Technician
Shelisa Fikes, QDDP
Valencia Davidson, Team Leader
Jessica See, Whiteman Training Lead
April Clerkley, SL Manager
Quantry Harris, ESN Behavior Tech
Suzanne Seeley, Team Leader
Beth Ann Drew, SL Supervisor
Katherine Kirschner, Activities Coordinator
Cynthia Lockhard, Program Coordinator
Charity Dill, Team Leader
Matthew Rodriguez, Residential Manager
Aileen Webber, Activities Coordinator
Cheryl Fullerton, Team Leader
James Njomo, Team Leader
Kevin Burton Jr., Team Leader
Christine Stacker, Developmental Therapist
Hellen Chimbuka, Residential Manager Coordinator
Sharon Jackson, Team Leader
Missouri
Cassandra Clubb, I&T Team Coordinator
Paula Kelly, I&T Team Coordinator
Ramel Abercrombie, Team Leader
Heather Nelson, Registered Behavior Technician
New Jersey
Shanice Reado, Residential Manager
Kierra Snell, Residential Manager
Danielle Rofrano, Team Leader
Jamall Ewing, Residential Manager
Mariah Evans, Residential Manager
Moses Baryo, Team Leader
Jakeiva Martin, Team Leader
Carnell Logan, Residential Manager
New Mexico
Sandra Coons, Program Coordinator
Elisa Perez, Team Leader
Ohio
Melinda Butts, Program Manager
Latonya Elliot, Team Leader
Sarah Rose, Team Leader
Elizabeth Roberson, Team Leader
Jeannie Anderson-Rapp, Program Manager
Francis Essilfie, Team Leader
Gabrielle Poling, Team Leader
Candace Pernell, Team Leader
Michelle Baker, Team Leader
Paul Emmins, Team Leader
Dianna Stenton, SL Supervisor
Milestones
Thrive honors employee hire anniversaries for April, May, and June, celebrating those who have worked at Benchmark for five years and longer.
Adam Harves – 5
Adekunle Ademeso – 5
Brenda Frank – 5
Byron Thomas – 5
Camille Deborde – 5
Christine Carter – 5
Denis Ngugi – 5
Elizabeth Felton – 5
Isabel Villanueva – 5
Issiac Carter – 5
Jacqueline Mosley – 5
Jerri Delong – 5
Kaci Uphaus – 5
Katherine Gaskin – 5
Linda Phan – 5
LuAnna Heiber – 5
Mary Harrington – 5
Nakaba Henderson – 5
Nepomorrosa Gonzalez – 5
Princess Apollo – 5
Rebecca Bodey – 5
Rotimi Adeleye – 5
Sandra Dennis – 5
Sharayah Ruble – 5
Stephanie Berning – 5
Stephanie Simms – 5
Tammy Sipocz – 5
Teratha Jones – 5
Tracey White – 5
Tracy Carbajal – 5
Yvonne Allen – 5
Amrit Jot Khalsa – 6
Andrew Starr – 6
Andrew Young – 6
Anna Marie Ensley – 6
Barrington Scott – 6
Betty Asabea – 6
Brittney Andorfer – 6
Busayo Olufunmiwa – 6
Carly Smith – 6
Clovest Munson – 6
Colleen Esterline – 6
David Cogdell – 6
Dedra Pickett – 6
Derrick McKinney – 6
Donna Gregory – 6
Funke Adebiyi – 6
Gloria Winston – 6
Hannah Maxson – 6
Helen Turner – 6
James Hilgemann – 6
Jarred Sisler – 6
Jasmine Smith – 6
Jeanette Hawks – 6
Jennifer Sims – 6
Juwanda Boughton – 6
Keith Wheat – 6
Kelley Duvall – 6
Lora Robinson – 6
Lorenza Torrez – 6
Lori Pettit – 6
Lucretia Campbell-Rogers – 6
Mamie Addison – 6
Mara Schwab – 6
Marinena Shirah – 6
Marisela Ornelas Mariscal – 6
Martine Constant-Gilles – 6
Mary Arikawe – 6
Melanie McDowell – 6
Melinda Butts – 6
Mia Maxey – 6
Michele Bishop – 6
Priscilla Palmer – 6
Sean Farrelly – 6
Selina Popovich Evans – 6
Shydell Magana – 6
Simon May – 6
Veronicah Asuta Hernandez – 6
Wayne Hill – 6
Abebe Mulat – 7
Allen Pfotenhauer – 7
Amy Roush – 7
AJ Beyrer – 7
Andrew Bushong – 7
Aneisa Young – 7
Antoinette Thornton – 7
Ashley Putt – 7
Barbara Frier – 7
Beth Bowman – 7
Chris Meyer – 7
Davanda Talton – 7
Deborah Hatcher – 7
Donna Dunbar – 7
Edward Valentin – 7
Ella Hooks – 7
Gregory Cox – 7
Gwendolyn Oglesby – 7
Jaimee Melanson – 7
James Fricks – 7
Jane Bauer – 7
Jennifer McLaurin – 7
Joni Staton – 7
Jose Galaviz – 7
Joseph Kageche – 7
Karen Jamison – 7
Kelly Doseck – 7
Kenneth Herbert – 7
Kira Witte – 7
Kristina Phillips – 7
Krystal Williams – 7
Latesha Taylor – 7
Lydia Gray – 7
Mary Behrends – 7
Michael Dean – 7
Michael Rector – 7
Oluwagbenga Adekanmi – 7
Richard Rowe – 7
Sandra Ford – 7
Shirl Bragg – 7
Tangrill Varner – 7
Willean Frazer Gray – 7
Angela Jackson – 8
Bernadine Dominguez – 8
Carla Hanson – 8
Carol Minnerick – 8
Cassandra Smith – 8
Cindi Liechty – 8
Darrell Masterson – 8
Davina Logan – 8
Irene Allen – 8
James Cummings – 8
Jeffrey Rector – 8
Jerjuana Chambers – 8
Juanita Watson – 8
Julius Karanja – 8
Latisha Ellerton – 8
Maria Graham – 8
Nicko Benson – 8
Nikki Groll – 8
Olatoye Itaniyi – 8
Sedrick Totton – 8
Sharon Whitham – 8
Tai Rhodes – 8
Terri Beard – 8
Velma Conwell – 8
Veronica Lawrence – 8
Carey Baragiola – 9
Christopher Briggs – 9
Constance Beck – 9
Danielle Austin – 9
Danny Large – 9
Lorian Schneider – 9
Masresha Adugna – 9
Melinda Gray – 9
Melody Richardson – 9
Nicole Headlee – 9
Patrick Kagarama – 9
Paula Kelly – 9
Rachael Mitchell – 9
Shelley Campbell – 9
Tarena McClure – 9
Teresa Bartnik – 9
Tori Kitchell – 9
Wayne Cripps – 9
Deborah Tartaglia – 10
Elvira Loya – 10
Jason Borkholder – 10
Lisa Sawyer – 10
Rebecca Jones – 10
Rita Griesdorn – 10
Sherry Royse – 10
Stella Waithaka – 10
Amanda Beeks – 11
Anna Bustamante – 11
Cecilia Rubio-Miramontes – 11
Dawn Thompson – 11
Howard Smith – 11
Kevin Sholley – 11
Kimberly Chestnut – 11
Kimberly Gillihan-Potter – 11
Kyna Johnson – 11
Miriam Kimani – 11
Olivia Alvarado – 11
Patricia Ibarra – 11
Paula Spall – 11
Stephen Mndalila – 11
Stephen Walker – 11
Teresa Ronquillo – 11
Terry Gibson – 11
Barbara Handley – 12
Bernadette LaMaster – 12
Betty Hudgins – 12
Bree Cannon – 12
Carol Sparks – 12
Cynthia House – 12
Dawn McVay – 12
Garnett Goodwin – 12
Harold Kirby – 12
Julie Kenney – 12
Kay Davis – 12
Kimberly Muhlenkamp – 12
Kris Cooley – 12
Lorraine Hall – 12
Marebate Batoma – 12
Mary Agba – 12
Nancy Waweru – 12
Nola Lakamp – 12
Peggy Fowlkes – 12
Stephanie Ayers – 12
Susan Achten – 12
Terri Hendon – 12
Wanda Hart – 12
Barbara Nakiganda – 13
Holly Cotton – 13
Jose Gonzalez – 13
Lucy Murei – 13
Sandra Foster – 13
Shelly Detcher – 13
Tomeka Smith – 13
Travis Boggs – 13
Glenda Agostino – 14
Carrie Moden – 16
Kathleen Bradshaw – 16
Melissa Holycross – 16
Thiola Moyo – 16
Tiffany Smith – 16
Carrie Perry – 17
Mai Bond – 17
Maureen Dow – 17
Elizabeth Chege – 18
Jeffrey Birnell – 18
Jessica Quarles – 18
Julia Kill – 18
Lindsay Moore – 18
Ennette Gose – 19
Justin Weber – 19
Mark Flegge – 19
James Tengbeh – 20
Laura McFarland – 20
Linda Morrison – 20
Pamela Jenkins – 21
Lily Compton – 23
Lisa Rector – 23
Randy Hoium – 24
Bill Swiss – 35