Worden & Foster Receive Life Improved Award Nominations

For many of our employees, caring for people with developmental disabilities is their job and a job they love to do, but for some caring for the developmentally disabled doesn't end at the end of their work day.

Heather Worden plays the keyboard with Joey.

Sandi-Jo Foster and Heather Worden are both DSPs at the Spruce Street IRA. They are both Life Improved Award nominees and they both have a family member who is developmentally disabled.

Both women were nominated by Carolynn Swanson, who noted that the experience they bring with them to work each day is invaluable.

Sandi-Jo Foster with Assitant Program Manager Karen Howie

'Sandy has a unique genuineness in her care for the residents. I feel she deserves this award because she truly cares about each resident's well-being," Ms. Swanson wrote. "She understands what it is like for a family to have a family member in this type of situation, as her son is autistic. When she does care for a resident, she treats them the way they deserve to be treated and the way she would want her own son to be cared for."

"Heather Worden also cares for the residents in a unique was as she also has a family member with developmental disabilities," Ms. Swanson wrote. "She always goes above and beyond her duties in order to assist in caring for the residents, regardless of whether or not it is her immediate responsibility. She is constantly helping other shifts with their responsibilities when no other staff member is willing to step up and she provides each resident with the respect and care that they deserve."

Howard Receives Life Improved Award Nomination

RiverLedge Administrator Tim Parsons with Stephanie Howard

In less than six months Stephanie Howard has been able to make an impression on her co-workers and the people we serve.

Madison Brossoit, who like Ms. Howard, is an RN at RiverLedge nominated her for the honor.

"Stephanie has only been with the company since October, but she has already made a positive impact," Ms. Brossoit wrote. "Stephanie has expert level critical thinking and communication skills that she uses daily. She has a personality that is contagious and is kind and caring daily to residents, residents' family members and to all staff."

In addition to working at RiverLedge, Ms. Howard is also continuing her education and working towards her bachelor's degree in nursing, but she never lets her busy schedule get in the way of caring for the residents and assisting her co-workers.

"She is always willing to help out  and goes out of her way to ensure that the residents are being taken care of and that staff is getting the assistance they need," Ms. Brossoit wrote. "She is always willing to stay over and pick up extra shifts. United Helpers is lucky to have an employee like her."

Welcome New Hires

 

RiverLedge

Destini Allen - Task Aide
Brittney Dixon - Task Aide
Jordan Durham - Task Aide
Cindy Fletcher - Task Aide
Heather Kiah - Task Aide
Kaitlin McCarthy - Task Aide
Aubrey O'Marah - Task Aide
Michelle Parker - Task Aide
Chelsie Rocker - Task Aide
Hunter Shaver - Task Aide
Lisa Winter - Task Aide
Paul Valois - Food Service Attendant

Maplewood

Patricia Kerr - Task Aide
Brittany Simmons - Task Aide
Ryan Dimock - Food Service Attendant

United Helpers Home Health Services

Lindsay Deshaw - Task Aide/Housekeeper

Chelsea McBain - Task Aide/Housekeeper

Spruce St. IRA

Danielle Noyes - DSP

Otis Receives Life Improved Award Nomination

From left, Amanda Otis with RiverLedge Administrator Tim Parsons

Working in health care and being tasked with caring for people's loved ones is not an easy job, but when it's done right and done with a smile, the families of the people we care for know their loved ones are in good hands.

And the ability to maintain that smile is just one reason, Amanda Otis was nominated for a Life Improved Award.

Sharlene Love, who nominated Ms. Otis wrote, "She is on duty every day per her schedule with a smile on her face and pleasant attitude."

Ms. Love also noted that Ms. Otis is able to communicate with family members and find out their wants and expectations.

"This gives her the ability to succeed in providing good quality care for the residents, while also pleasing their family members," she wrote.

Know Someone Looking for Work?

United Helpers’ Mosaic to Host Career Information Session

OGDENSBURG – If you ever thought about exploring a career in health care, United Helpers is about to offer the perfect opportunity! Get acquainted with entry-level and skilled positions that are currently available and learn more about opportunities for professional growth.

United Helpers’ Mosaic  will offer a Career Informational Sessions on Wednesday, April 6^th from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm  at the Gouverneur Recreation Center located at 3 Trinity Ave in Gouverneur, NY. This session is free and open to any job seeker. There are no appointments necessary.

United Helpers owns and/or manages more than 35 facilities located throughout St. Lawrence County and employs more than 1000 people. They offer services for people of all ages including specialized care and housing for older adults and people with developmental disabilities, mental health services, and comprehensive children’s services.

To learn more, visit online at www.UnitedHelpers.org or call the United Helpers Management Company at 393-3074. 

UH Employees! Spring into Action!

RULES:

 The 2013/2014/2015 monthly average kwh will be used as a guide and each month we will review the kwh used.

 For each month you go below your 3 year average your site 

 For each month your site goes 1-2% below your average you will earn 1 additional point.

 For each month your site goes greater than 2% below your average you will earn 2 bonus points.

At the end of every month the site with the highest point will be placed into a drawing to be drawn quarterly for a prize!

In December we will calculate the points and award a grand prize to the winning site.

** In the event of a tie, the sites with the highest points will be put into a drawing and drawn at random**

PRIZES TO BE ANNOUNCED!!

Please see your sustainability representative for additional information.

Simpson Receives Life Improved Award Nomination

Sara Simpson, a CNA at RiverLedge  was among the field of nominees for the latest round of Life Improved Awards.


Ms. Simpson was nominated by Staff Development Assistant Jennifer LaFlair, who wrote, "Sara Simpson is a CNA I used to work with a lot and she's very thorough with anything she does for the residents."

Ms. LaFlair also added that she feels Ms. Simpson is a CNA working for the right reasons.

"She is definitely here to make a difference in the residents' lives. She will always do the right thing even when no one is looking. She is a great person to work along."