Progress Staff Celebrated for 'Employment First' Efforts

We have a great team here at Progress, and we were thrilled when Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Debbie Payne took note of that in her recent OpenLine newsletter.

Susan Hutchison and Paula Daniels were two of the Progress team members commended for attending a recent training on employing people with disabilities.

Debbie gave special kudos to Progress Associate Director of Day Services Susan Hutchison, Supported Employment Coordinator Paula Daniels and Client Funds Administrator Lisa Zekany, who all attended the weeklong Incentives Counseling Initial Training Program at the end of February.

The training will help the three Progress team members guide us into broader approaches to employing people with disabilities.

"We would like to commend Progress Inc. for successfully registering three of their staff members and attending the training session," Payne wrote in OpenLine. "This demonstrates Progress’ dedication to the Employment First initiative and people they support."

We are so proud of Susan, Paula and Lisa for their commitment to improving our already valiant efforts to employ people with disabilities.

Progress is working towards providing more job training, vocational services and other employment support to people with disabilities through the "Ticket to Work" program. 

 Watch the short video below to learn more about this program.)


Please share this good news with your friends by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or Google+ icons on this page.

 

Online Registration is now OPEN for Camp Progress 2014!

Progress' Camp Progress for youths with intellectual disabilities opens June 9. Registration is open now!

Though the cold persists, parents - and especially their sons and daughters - are already thinking about warmer days. So, Progress  is inviting families to register their child online now for Camp Progress.

The secure website portal is held by the experts at Eventbrite, and allows parents to fill out information about medication and dietary needs, review camp deadlines and policies and securely and conveniently pay for registration and camp fees.

We are excited to bring Camp Progress back to even more young people with intellectual disabilities this summer. Art therapy, water play and tennis camp will return this summer. We have also learned that the wonderful folks at the Nashville Ballet will offer lessons and learning opportunities for campers this summer! Thanks to Nashville Ballet, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Metro Parks, Kroger and numerous other partners in helping us create a summer full of  “cans” instead of the “cannots.”

The 6-week camp will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 9, 2014-July 18, 2014. To register visit, https://campprogressnashville.eventbrite.com . 

For more information on Camp Progress, call 615-399-3000.

Stories of Progress: Portia Streator's a Ball of Energy & Ambassador for Progress Inc.

Portia Streator has received care giving assistance for several years, and she sees Progress gives her new freedom.

I recently had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with Portia Streator, a gregarious 28-year-old who loves kittens and all things glitter. Her life living with Cerebral Palsy has been a challenge, but it has also taught her to keep a positive attitude. Having help from caregivers at Progress, who understand her condition and treat her with respect has made the difference.

"I would recommend Progress to anybody," Portia said."They really do care about you as an individual."

 Portia, a Nashville native who now lives in LaVergne, spent her early years enduring dozens of surgeries, physical therapy and, at one point, believed there was very little she could accomplish considering her disability.

"I just kept saying, 'I can't do this. I can't do that,' and finally one day my physical therapist told me 'You need to take can't out of your vocabulary,'" Portia said. "Every since then, I've stopped using that word." 
Portia is now studying to become a paralegal.

Portia also doesn't accept excuses from those around her, but she says employing friends and others as her caregiver over the years has shown her not everyone abides by her motto.

"My mom needed some help caring for me a few years ago, so we employed some people we knew," Portia said. "They would be late. They felt like they could do whatever they wanted." 

Her mom ran into similar problems with home health agencies. Earlier this year, Portia's social worker referred the family to Progress. Though Portia was reluctant, she said the services, level of commitment and genuine concern for her needs and wants have been a refreshing change.

"The first day with my caregiver April we were out at the mall. Progress wants you to get out," she said. "A lot of these companies say the client comes first, but Progress really means it." 

Portia says her caregivers April and Rachel have become her friends, and she tells everyone she meets how happy she is with Progress.

Jenny Hatch: Why Progress Strives to Keep Our Folks Living Their "Best Possible Life"

Jenny Hatch had to forge a legal battle to live independently. The Washington Post tells her story. - Washington Post

Jenny Hatch is a shining example of why the work we do at Progress really matters. The 29-year-old woman was not allowed the right to live on her own, but thanks to a recent court order, Jenny will experience the freedom of choice and independence that many of our folks have the opportunity to experience each day. Jenny Hatch's story helps us all to see the impossible is indeed possible.

"It’s not just a reminder of the ample abilities of people with disabilities, but to me, it was challenge to remember who each individual can become," Progress Executive Director Donna Goodaker said of the article about Hatch.

Click the link below to read more of her inspiring story:
Woman with Down syndrome prevails over parents on control

 

Progress Staff Honored at 2013 TNCO Awards of Excellence

Yaeden "Spud" Taylor won the title of Oustanding DSP of the year.

Progress Staff Honored at 2013 TNCO Awards of Excellence

Spud Taylor and Carolyn Huey win big at TNCO Awards on Aug. 14.

Spud Taylor and Carolyn Huey will be honored for their outstanding efforts to keep seniors and people with disabilities healthy, happy and safe. We here at Progress are honored that these two individuals can represent the dozens of other exceptional Progress employees.These two folks go above and beyond their roles as direct support professional and program manager, respectively. 

Spud's nomiantor said: 

Spud always arranges his ‘off time’ to accommodate appointments, picking his guys up early for whatever reason. He has also changed his schedule and adjusted his time off if there was another staff that needed the same time off. He arranged his studies to work around his guys to ensure their well-being and happiness instead of putting himself and his studies before the guys.

Carolyn's nominator said:

Carolyn never hesitates to pull in and work a home when needed, not just because she is without staff, but because she is very familiar with everyone on her caseload. She would rather work in the home herself than place someone in the home that’s not familiar with the service recipient’s needs.. The last couple of years Carolyn began managing homes through our senior program in Cheatham Co. She often also worked the homes, not just to get the home covered but at times the senior client would request Carolyn to work their home.

On Wednesday, the two will accept their awards at the TNCO Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Luncheon at Hotel Preston.
Please share your congratulations here in the comment section for Carolyn and Spud!

New Arts & Crafts Program @ Progress Volunteer Now!

Want to give back in a personal & rewarding way this holiday season?

Volunteer your time to make beautiful pieces of art alongside our Progress clients at Progress . The newly launched arts & crafts program at our Day Center gives our adults with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to express themselves freely and enhance their days. 

The weekly one-hour Arts & Crafts session is a blast for our folks. The crafts class take place every Friday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

If you'd like to get involved by helping assist our folks with painting, pasting & crafting, please contact Stephanie Toone at s.toone@progress-inc.org.

DIDD Commissioner Jim Henry visits Progress Inc.

2012 Employment Idol Winner and Progress client Robert Page and DIDD Commissioner Jim Henry.



Henry and Progress Inc. Executive Director Donna Goodaker after his visit at Progress.

DIDD Commissioner Jim Henry made a visit to Progress Inc. this week.
Each of our directors in accounting, quality assurance, day programs and residential programs were able to share some insight with the commissioner about what is working and what has become challenges for our agency.

Commissioner Henry had glowing remarks about Progress' quality programming over the last several years. Since more than 20 percent of our clients are employed, we stand out as one of the top agencies in the state, he said. The commissioner introduced an initiative this year encouraging provider agencies in Tennessee to employ at least 20 percent of their clients.

We appreciate the commissioner taking the time to speak to us, tour the campus and share some updates about the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

No State Budget Cuts for Progress Inc.; New recipients Can Enroll in 2012-2013

DIDD's Commissioner Jim Henry announced great news for Progress Inc. and all statewide provider agencies that serve adults with intellectual disabilities earlier this month. Gov. Bill Haslam's recommended budget for the 2012-2013 will have NO budget cuts for the waiver program that makes it possible for Progress Inc. to serve more than 100 adults with intellectual disabilities everyday.

The budget also makes room for a growth of more than 100 new recipients in the state Home and Community Based waiver services program.

That announcement means that 105 out of the more than 6,000 people with intellectual disabilities that have been on the waiting list will have the chance to receive support at home, participate in daily activities and perhaps get a job through a provider agency like Progress Inc.

Commissioner Henry also announced a new employment initiative that would push agencies like Progress Inc. to have at least 20 percent employment rate for its clients by this fall. Progress is considered the standard agency to follow since we are already above 20 percent employment due to our employer partnerships that were the focus of a recent NewsChannel 5 story. (Click the link to view that video)

Progress Inc. client Bea working diligently at the Marriott Hotel- Courtesy of NewsChannel5.

Though this is a great announcement, Progress and other agencies still need much support from donors and advocates across the state.

Remember to continue to follow Pressing Forward With Progress for news and updates on the senior citizen and disability community.

Here's a roundup of Commissioner Henry's announcements:

§  DIDD Budget: Governor’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget for DIDD is $206.5 million and includes the following:

*$4.5 million in recurring funds to continue the Family Support Program

*$6.7 million for projected growth of 105 people in Home and Community Based waiver services

Reductions to the Department’s base budget are $2.6 million. No reductions to waiver services or to provider reimbursements are included.

§ Employment Initiative:  Obtaining employment rates of at least 20% by Fall 2012.