Congrats to March’s Employee Spotlight recipient, Gail Ogden. Gail worked with staff to develop and implement communication supports that enable one gentleman to converse with people that he sees regularly. The system includes a book with phrases specific to his regular collection route for recycling, and allows him to independently make small talk and ask questions related to his recycling services.

Adaptability Mickee Adams DSP, Minot Day Hab When plans to attend an event didn’t work out as expected, Mickee immediately created an alternate activity. Her quick thinking and positive attitude meant that the group was able to take advantage of their advance planning and enjoy the day out together. Teamwork and Collaboration Krista Opstedal Coordinator of Assistive Technology In collaboration with other Kalix employees, Krista created several videos for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October) and the annual Kalix fund drive in December. Three videos showcase job success for three people, and others describe the purpose of a sensory garden... Read More

Congrats to Alyson Rupe for receiving January’s Employee Spotlight! Alyson excels at creating a positive environment and building relationships with people in order to provide better supports.

Congrats to December’s Employee Spotlight, Christina Poitra. When a new person enrolled in the Rolla Day Hab program several months ago, Christina worked hard to get to know him through research, creativity, and encouragement. Christina used the principles of Active Support to encourage him to participate in his daily routine. He now responds to verbal prompts, reaches for objects, and pushes buttons! Plus, she ensures that he exercises every day with his adaptive bike.

Congrats to November’s Employee Spotlight recipients, Josh Nelson and Bev Halton. New experiences can be challenging, but Josh and Bev have been creative in finding ways to take advantage of natural incentives. They are also careful to pick up on cues that indicate when the person they work with is fulfilled with the new activity. The result: several successful new experiences and a broadening of horizons!

Congrats to the October Employee Spotlight recipient, Sarah Boucher! Active Supports training has taught us the importance of making sure that everybody has opportunities to participate in life as much as possible, completing tasks or parts of tasks themselves instead of having staff do things for them. Sarah integrates Active Supports principles into finances! ABLE accounts are designed so that people can save money for the future without jeopardizing benefits. Sarah provides individualized support to each person and/or guardian when opening an account. When she works with the program enrollee in person, she has him or her participate as much... Read More

This summer, PreVocational staff maximized the training opportunities provided by tending a garden to incorporate many general work skills, even selling some of the produce, making signs to decorate the garden area, and building relationships with nearby gardeners. When staff organized an event to celebrate successful community employment for a year by two program participants, they used the event to teach organizational skills, problem solving, and budgeting. Since most celebrations include food, the program worked together to create side dishes using produce from the program’s garden. The team’s creativity is developing work skills and the drive to become successful employees... Read More