Fall 2014 Accolades Area Residential Care’s Quarterly Newsletter 36 years of dedication to Area Residential Care In this issue of Accolades... Board Member Spotlight page 4 Dubuque Area Baconfest II page 5 Kandice Kerr Virginia Meyer has enjoyed the journey that she has traveled through her 36 years of dedication to Area Residential Care. From direct care to supervisor, she has seen this organization change throughout the years. After working for the agency for a few years and then taking some time off to raise her family, Virginia returned to work at Area Residential Care in 1978 and worked in the rooms known as the Children’s Dorm, Young Boys Dorm, and the Teen Dorm. A few years later she became the Lead Instructor in the Women’s Living Unit at the Kaufman building. She enjoyed working with individuals and her co-workers and wanted to continue growing with Area Residential Care. “I got to work with and get to know some of the most wonderful people on the planet,” said Virginia Meyer. “I especially enjoyed watching direct care staff get to know their jobs and the people they serve and then listening to them come up with amazing insight into what would help that person enjoy their life more fully.” Virginia attended University of Dubuque and received degrees in Elementary Education K-12, Special Education K-12; and a teaching major in Psychology. With her education and experience she advanced into a new position as the Behavior Intervention Specialist and continued in this position until she retired in the summer of 2014. Virginia has many fond memories from working at Area Residential Care. “In ‘the olden days’ staff could take people who lived at Area Residential Care to their homes to visit,” said Virginia. “Almost every Sunday my children and I would pick one of the boys that I worked with and go do something. It was great fun for all of us.” Virginia’s plans for retirement include the three G’s: grandchildren, gardening and genealogy. Virginia would like to thank everyone for the many memories and for her wonderful retirement party. Virginia Meyer (pictured center) with her past co-workers Carole Nelson and Rachel Wall. C.A.R.F. Accreditation page 6 Virginia with two of her grandchildren.
Virginia Meyer has enjoyed the journey that she has traveled through her 36 years of dedication to Area Residential Care. From direct care to supervisor, she has seen this organization change throughout the years.
After working for the agency for a few years and then taking some time off to raise her family, Virginia returned to work at Area Residential Care in 1978 and worked in the rooms known as the Children’s Dorm, Young Boys Dorm, and the Teen Dorm. A few years later she became the Lead Instructor in the Women’s Living Unit at the Kaufman building. She enjoyed working with individuals and her co-workers and wanted to continue growing with Area Residential Care.
“I got to work with and get to know some of the most wonderful people on the planet,” said Virginia Meyer. “I especially enjoyed watching direct care staff get to know their jobs and the people they serve and then listening to them come up with amazing insight into what would help that person enjoy their life more fully.”
Virginia attended University of Dubuque and received degrees in Elementary Education K-12, Special Education K-12; and a teaching major in Psychology. With her education and experience she advanced into a new position as the Behavior Intervention Specialist and continued in this position until she retired in the summer of 2014.
Virginia has many fond memories from working at Area Residential Care. “In ‘the olden days’ staff could take people who lived at Area Residential Care to their homes to visit,” said Virginia. “Almost every Sunday my children and I would pick one of the boys that I worked with and go do something. It was great fun for all of us.”
Virginia’s plans for retirement include the three G’s: grandchildren, gardening and genealogy. Virginia would like to thank everyone for the many memories and for her wonderful retirement party.Virginia Meyer (pictured center) with her past co-workers Carole Nelson and
Rachel Wall.
C.A.R.F. Accreditationpage 6
Virginia with two of her grandchildren.
Page 2
Benedict, new QIDP at Hacienda
Josiah BenedictQIDP at Hacienda
Please welcome Josiah Benedict as the new QIDP (Qualified Individual (with) Disability Professional) at Hacienda. He was previously the QIDP Assistant at W32nd and is excited for the challenges his new position brings.
Josiah moved to Dubuque last year from the Twin Cities, so that his wife, a Davenport native, could attend Wartburg Seminary. In the Twin Cities Josiah worked for Kaposia, a company providing competitive employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. During this time Josiah also finished up his Bachelors at the University of Minnesota.
After moving to Dubuque, Josiah was excited to find Area Residential Care and continue to provide services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. When not at work, Josiah spends time with his wife and his 2 year old daughter.
Congratulations on your new position Josiah!
A Federal Rule That Makes Sense?Jon Romaine, Executive Director
Currently the State of Iowa is sharing with the public some plans it has to comply with a mandate from the Centers for Medicaid Services that, in essence, says residential services paid for with HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) dollars cannot be located in settings that isolate people with disabilities from their community.
Iowa, in implementing its plan of compliance with this federal mandate has said the following:
“The final federal rule identifies settings that are presumed to have institutional qualities and do not meet the rule’s requirements for home and community-based settings. These settings include:1. Settings located in a building that is also a publicly or privately operated facility that provides inpatient institutional treatment2. Settings in a building on the grounds of, or immediately adjacent to, a public institution;3. Or any other setting that has the effect of isolating individuals receiving Medicaid HCBS from the broader community of individuals not receiving Medicaid HCBS”
Further on the Iowa compliance plan goes on to say,
The following are examples of residential settings that may have the effect of isolating people receiving HCBS from the broader community….• Disability-specific community: These settings are often in rural areas on large parcels of land, with little ability to access the broader community…Individuals who live here typically interact primarily with other people with disabilities and the staff who work with those individuals. Individuals typically live in homes or larger congregate settings, only with other people with disabilities and/or staff. Daily activities are typically designed to take place on-site so that an individual generally does not leave to access HCBS services or participate in community activities. When people do leave the setting to participate in community activities it is often only with a group of other people with disabilities and staff.
In reading this plan of compliance from the State of Iowa, I could not help but consider its possible implications for one of our local Dubuque area situations that has drawn a lot of local media attention lately. Should Dubuque County ever try to completely privatize the currently county operated facility, HCBS funds would be one of the few likely sources of money to operate that facility. How different would the approach to services have to be in order for that facility to meet the regulations for acceptable settings as stated in the current Iowa plan?
Page 3
Please welcome Carrie Haas to our team! Carrie started with the agency on October 13th as the new Director of Marketing and Public Relations.
Carrie has her degree in Marketing from Upper Iowa University and past experience in marketing, sales, and event planning. Most recently, she has worked as the Outreach Coordinator for the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation planning and marketing their educational events.
Carrie and her husband Brad have three boys. The entire family loves sports of all kinds, from playing to watching. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking, as well as a good book.
Carrie was drawn to Area Residential Care because of the mission and values that the organization portrays on a daily basis. She is looking forward to working with the staff, consumers and the public to spread that mission to more people every day.
Please welcome Carrie!
Haas, new Marketing Director
Carrie HaasMarketing & Public Relations Director
Katie Lux is a new Supervisor/IPC (Individual Program Coordinator) in the Vocational Department at Area Residential Care.
Katie graduated from the University of Dubuque in December of 2013. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education and endorsements in Special Education K-8 and Reading K-8. While studying at the University she worked as personal assistant at Hills and Dales with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral disorders. In addition, while in school she traveled to the Bahamas for a service learning class. Along with six other students, she spent two weeks volunteering at a special needs and at risk school to assist with developing and incorporating behavior and classroom management into their curriculum.
Katie joined Area Residential Care in February of 2013. She started as the QIDP (Qualified Individual (with) Disability Professional) Assistant at Carriage Hill Community Living Home which gave her experiences and knowledge of Area Residential Care. Then she transferred in July of 2014 as the Education Specialist for a few months. Then in September of 2014 she transferred to the Vocational Department as a Supervisor/IPC. Her journey at Area Residential Care has given her an insight and
knowledge of Area Residential Care’s core values and embraces the mission statement to empower individualswith intellectual disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life.
Please congratulation Katie on her position with Area Residential Care!
Lux, new IPC in Vocational Services
Katie LuxSupervisor/IPC
Page 5Page 4
We appreciate everything that our Board of Directors do for Area Residential Care. In each of the next issues of the Accolades we will be “Spotlighting” a board member and get to know who they are, learn about their passion for our organization, and much more!
Board Member Spotlight
About me:I am originally from Clinton, IA and I came to Dubuque to continue my education at Loras College. Once I got here I fell in love with the community and wanted to stick around. I recently just started working for Medical Associates Health Plans as a Financial Analyst and I’m loving it so far. My Fiance, Mike Engler and I love to travel, we have family all across the states and try to see them as much as we can. It’s always so fun and exciting to see new places and find new things.
Why I chose to become a Board Member for Area Residential Care:Ever since I was in college I’ve always got involved in some sort of volunteer activity that was committed to helping those that had challenges supporting themselves. At a former job I coordinated teams for the Area Residential Care’s Corporate & Community Games and the Marketing Director at the time asked if I was interested in joining the board and I was more than happy to be invited to join the organization. I have been part of the Board of Directors for 2 years and am currently serving as Vice President.
Things I enjoy most about Area Residential Care and being a Board Member:I love the mission we serve, helping people and doing what I can, with what I can. I
know that every single little bit helps and with many hands there is light work. It is so important to help those around us and pay it forward! I’m on the planning committee for Baconfest and it is one of the greatest events to be a part of and definitely one of the most fun ones!
Why others should get involved with Area Residential Care:The individuals that Area Residential Care supports given the opportunity for a better life as well as their families. There is always a welcoming hand for anyone that would like to help and it is guaranteed to be rewarding and fulfilling.
Kandice Kerr
Kandice Kerr, Vice President of the Board of Directors
On July 25, consumers in our Day Hab area got to spend a morning at a carnival at Area Residential Care.
This event was made possible by Sarah Latimer, a staff member in the Life Choices area. As part of her college class, she wrote a letter to acquaintances expressing how important our individuals are and raised money to be used in the Life Choices area. She raised money to make lap blankets for the individuals and had additional money to plan a carnival day at Area Residential Care for individuals in our Day Hab area.
Sarah planned and organized the carnival day with the help of volunteers and consumers. The consumers assisted planning the games and run the games during the event. The carnival allowed the consumers to enjoy expressing themselves creatively when they created a booth, gave them experience in “customer relations” when they staffed the
booth, and provided an opportunity to work with volunteers in a “team-like” environment.
Booth activities included things like a photo booth, bean bag toss, and PLINKO. In addition, to playing games, individuals ate treats like cotten candy and cake balls.
“I would really like to thank Sarah Latimer on behalf of all my friends in Day Hab for all her work and effort she put into the carnival,” said Joe Quinlen.
Carnival Day at Area Residential Care
Stacy Birch plays a game during the Carnival Day.
Page 5 Page 5
Fall is in the air, no it’s BACON!Dubuque Area Baconfest drew in over 500 people for this year’s event and help raise more than $15,000 to support Area Residential Care. Food and beverage vendors brought their A game to win over the stomachs of many bacon lovers. Chocolate covered bacon, a Mediterranean-style bacon and kale salad, bacon hot cocoa, and smoked bacon balls were among many options for bacon lovers to taste and enjoy.
New to the event this year included an “Oink Off” contest and the crowing of the first ever King or Queen of Dubuque Area Baconfest. Jake Wagner of Dyersville was the crowd’s favorite for his pig squeal. Three finalists were selected to selected to win the title of 2014 King or Queen of Dubuque Area Baconfest. The candidates included Amanda Lawson, Bob Felderman and Bryce Parks. Bryce Parks was crowned King of Dubuque Area Baconfest.
Additional entertainment included the Hormel Bacon Eating Contest, music by the Nutsy Turtle Band and DJ Steve Hemmer. Keith Brown of Dubuque was the champion of the Hormel Bacon Eating Contest and ate one pound of cooked bacon in 22 minutes.
2014 Dubuque Area Baconfest Royalty Court. (left to right) Bob Felderman, Bryce Park and Amanda Lawson. Bryce Parks was crowned King of Dubuque Area Baconfest. Photo by General Bob Photography.
“I had a lot of fun looking like an idiot and knighting bacon eaters around the room and declaring this dish and that to be the finest bacon in the land,” said Bryce Parks, King of Dubuque Area Baconfest.
2014 Dubuque Area Baconfest Food/Beverage Winners:Best Appertizer: West Dubuque Tap for deep fried cheese wrapped in baconBest Beverage: Blaum Bros Distilling for Bloody MaryBest Main Dish: Silker’s for Surf & Turf Bacon BombBest Dessert: J&D Mart for Apple Bacon CrumbleOverall Winner: J&D Mart for Apple Bacon Crumble
Dubuque Area Baconfest is now a qualifying event for the World Food Championships. The overall winner, J&D Mart won a Golden Ticket to attend the World Food Championships in Las Vegas in November.
Whole Hog Sponsor: Hormel Foods, Inc.
Hog Wild Sponsors: A.Y. McDonald. Hartig Drug, Hy-vee, Silker’s Store and The Friedman Group
Boss Hog Sponsors: Dubuque Bank & Trust, Mystique Casino, 97.7 Country WGLR, Super Hits 106 and Xtreme 107.1
Photo by Candid Contrat Photography
Check out more photos from the event on our Facebook page, Dubuque Area Baconfest!
Vendors at this year’s event included: •7G Distributing •Adobus Mexican Grill •AJs Café •Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. •Big Apple Bagel•Candle Ready Cakes •Courtside Sports
Bar & Grill •Freddie’s Popcorn•Happy Joe’s •Hartig Drug•Hy-Vee •J&D Catering •Kalmes Breaktime Grill & Spirits •Mississippi River Distilling Company
•Mystique Casino •Offshore Bar & Grill•Silker’s Store •Sundown Mountain Resort •Tastefully Simple•Trackside Bar & Grill •West Dubuque Tap •Velata •Yo So Sweet.
Page 7Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7Page 6
Molly began working at Area Residential Care in July of 2001. She held several positions within the company including, Instructor I, Instructor II, and Crew Foreman. Before execpting her new position as Supervisor/ IPC (Individual Program ccoordinator) in the Day Service Department.
Molly graduated from University of Dubuque and obtained a BA in Business Administration. In addition, she graduated from Northeast Iowa Community College and obtained a diploma in Human Services.
Molly resides in Dubuque and enjoys spending time with her husband Tim and children Madeline and Evan.
Congratulations on your new position Molly!
Beecher, new Supervisor
Molly BeecherSupervisor/IPC
Can you help?Area Residential Care is in need of the following items in several different departments. Do you have something available or would you like to make a donation to purchase this equipment? Contact Marketing & Public Relations at 563-557-4743 to help today!
Recreational Equipment• Recumbent Exercise Bike
Therapy Equipment• Nu Step Adaptive Bike
Medical Items• Pulse Oximeter• Hoyer Lift• Blood Pressure Cuff
Electronics• (2) 42 in. Flat Screen TV• (3) Digital Cameras• Projector
Furniture• Large Art Pieces• (5) Folding Banquet Tables• Couch• Storage Cabinet with doors
Office Equipment• (3) Small Shredders• File Cabinets
Production Equipment• Heavy Duty 4 Wheel Cart• (2) Utility Carts on Wheels
Announcing....Area Residential Care is pleased to announce that the agency has been accredited by C.A.R.F, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for three years. The latest accreditation is the sixth consecutive three year award for the agency.
By pursing and achieving this accreditation, Area Residential care has demonstrated that it meets international standards for quality and is committed to pursing excellence.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation awarded to an organization. The agency has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-
site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
Congratulations to the entire Area Residential Care staff on a job well done!
Page 7 Page 7Page 7
The following people and organizations have contributed to Area Residential Care this summer quarter. Their contributions allow us to continue fulfilling our mission of empowering people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life. All gifts, no matter the size, are always welcome and are greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in learning how you can contribute to our cause, please contact our Marketing & Public Relations Department at 563.556.7560 or go to www.arearesidentialcare.org. Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes to the full extent provided by the law.
