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Host Home Provider of the Month

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Please join us in congratulating Nancy for Host Home Provider of the Month! The following details were provided by her Residential Program Coordinator-

I would like to nominate Nancy Rogers-Fleming for host home provider of the month! I have been working with Nancy for about three years now, and it’s truly been a privilege! I remember my first time meeting Nancy and PRS Amy, was while I was shadowing another RPC.  It had been maybe the 2nd or 3rd visit I had shadowed, and I was nervous jumping into my new role. Nancy, however, was very quick to make me feel comfortable and welcome.  She took the time to tell me little details about Amy, the things she liked, disliked, activities she was participating in, shared photos, etc. This was especially important to me, because it allowed me to get to know Amy who’s nonverbal a lot quicker than I could have ever imagined, but also gave me a glimpse into the type of provider Nancy is.

Nancy has been a provider to Amy for 12 years, and as you can imagine Amy is a very important and loved member of Nancy’s family. This is very evident through the family tradition they have started together. One of my favorite traditions they’ve shared with me has been raising caterpillars every year and releasing butterflies on Mother’s Day. Amy looks forward to this every year and it’s a very special moment her and Nancy share together.

Nancy does a phenomenal job making sure Amy is heard and her needs are met. Whether that be through encouraging her to communicate through her DynaVox, ASL, or simply her body language and facial expressions. Nancy always ensures she advocates for Amy and provides unconditional love, support, and quality care. She is a provider that genuinely cares for the PRS in her home. Nancy has also assisted DM2 with respite needs have been very difficult to fill. Allowing other HHPs to receive much needed breaks, all the while providing excellent care for the PRS. Nancy has provided an individual she frequently respites for with an additional home he feels comfortable in, which has not been an easy task.  We truly appreciate her dedication and hard work, thank you for being such an amazing provider and someone we know we can count on!

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SH is the Change!

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When SH decided to find a therapist for personal counseling last fall, she knew that finding a counselor with disabilities was important to a good fit. She looked for months, through various avenues like her medical providers, her insurance, friends and family, but could not find a single therapist with disabilities. Rather than giving up, SH decided that she would fill that role and become a therapist for others with disabilities, even if she has to be the first one.

She is enrolled at Arapahoe Community College to start her studies in the Spring 2025 semester. This step is just one example of the way she lives her life in determined advocacy for herself and others with disabilities. With the persistence she floods into pursuing her goals, we feel certain SH is going to better the field she studies and we wish her much success.  Thank you SH for inspiring us to be the change we want to see in the world!

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Host Home Provider of the Month

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Please join us in congratulating Annita for Host Home Provider of this month!! This submission was written by Abeer on behalf of the Denver Metro 1 Team:

I nominate Annita for HHP of the month because of her person centered approaches and her  dedication to providing the highest quality of services to the persons receiving services.

 

Annita supports the whole person and has an innate ability to personalize services and supports to meet the person where they are. Her calm and composed demeanor is contagious and does carry on to the PRS.

 

One of the PRS in my caseload moved to Annita’s home in Feb of 2024. For the purpose of this communication, we will call this PRS AB5. Prior to moving to Annita’s home, AB5 demonstrated little to no interest in communicating with people and seemed unaware of my presence in almost every home visit I made. I had to take the initiative and the effort to communicate with AB5. After moving in with Annita, AB5 started to come to me when I go there. AB5 looks at me when I attempt to communicate and sometimes, AB5 will come to me before I even try to reach out.

 

AB5 has gained many new skills since moving to Annita’s! AB5, for example, started to participate in putting clothes in the laundry basket.  AB5 started to engage in simple table top activities and has shown interest in the other PRS living in the home.

 

AB5 doesn’t demonstrate the interest in choosing clothes or the ability to participate in choosing what to wear. Annita, however, does care and will invest every effort in ensuring that AB5 has opportunities to choose the best of clothes.

Thanks again Annita for everything you do to support AB5!!

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Nurse Team Updates

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Hello and Happy September to everyone! We recently restructured the Nurse Team following Morgan’s departure. As Brian Farestad (VP of Operations) mentioned earlier this summer-

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that Morgan Struck will be stepping down from her role as Associate Director of Nursing, so she can focus on completing her degree. Over the past five years, Morgan has been instrumental in the development of the Nursing team, as well as the overall growth and success of Support, Inc. as a whole. Truly a “People Helping People” person, Morgan always demonstrated a true passion for serving our individuals. Her undeniable knowledge and skill as a nurse, her ability to think strategically and turn vision into reality, her strong work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond, and unique blend of humor, kindness, and ferocity, will be missed.

Morgan’s last full-time day at Support was July 1st. Danyelle Grajeda took over as the manager of the Nurse Team and we are happy to share some additional updates with the organization.

Erin Gordon, a strong addition to the team for the last 11 months, was recently promoted to Lead Nurse Case Manager. We congratulate Erin on her recent promotion and wish her nothing but the best in this new position!

We also have the following members of the team below- we are so grateful to each of them as they continue to support and rally behind the folks we serve with a variety of medial needs.

Lauren Reed – Nurse Case Manager
Moriah Welles – Medical Coordinator
Nicole Jordan – Medical Coordinator

And last but not least, we have a link with more details on the flu. It’s important for everyone to protect themselves as the cold and flu season is upon us, especially if you already have medical needs and concerns. Please click the link below to learn more.

Cold and flu season

BC

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is breast cancer awareness month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s campaign this year is Helping Women Now focusing on the importance of early detection. This includes doing monthly self-exams, scheduling regular physical exams and mammograms. Women should begin having a mammogram with their primary care physician at age 40.

Facts about Breast Cancer from The National Breast Cancer Foundation and American Cancer Society:

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women worldwide.
  • 1 in 8 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
  • 1 in 726 men will receive a breast cancer diagnosis. While breast cancer in men is rare, it carries a higher mortality rate than women.
  • Breast cancer occurrence and death rates generally increase with age.
  • Only 5-10% of people diagnosed have a family history of breast cancer.
  • Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age.
  • When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%

While there are breast cancer risk factors that you can not change such as being born female, getting older and inheriting certain gene changes, etc. there are things you can do to may help lower your risk of breast cancer.

  • Getting to and staying at a healthy weight. Both increased body weight and weight gain as an adult are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer after menopause.
  • Be physically active. Studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast caner risk. American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 – 300 minutes moderate intensity or 75-150 minutes vigorous intensity activity each week.
  • Avoid or limit alcohol. Frequent consumption of alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer.
QA-Corner

Quality Assurance Webinar

by Information & ResourcesWebinars

Learn more about our amazing Quality Assurance Department here at Support, Inc.! We discuss why having this department is reassuring for the people we serve, their families and providers. Not all agencies have a QA department and we know that good quality is good care. We strive to work with families within the rules and regulations to provide a person-centered approach to each unique situation we encounter. Today, we discuss the goals of the department and how our employees keep the people we serve safe out in the community.

 

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DSP Appreciation Week!

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Dear Direct Support Professionals,
During this DSP Appreciation Week, celebrated September 8th – September 14th, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible work you do every day. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment to improving the lives of those you serve make an immeasurable difference.
You are the backbone of care and support, offering kindness, patience, and understanding in ways that truly empower individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives. The impact you make extends far beyond the hours you work—it touches hearts, families, and entire communities.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to helping others thrive. You are appreciated today and every day for the extraordinary care you provide. Thank you so much to all the Direct Support Professionals out there!
With immense gratitude,
The Support Inc. Network
Day Serv.

Day Services News & Updates

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Wow, what a summer it’s been! Though it flew by in a flash, the Aurora Day Program has been buzzing with excitement and unforgettable moments. We had a blast exploring Tiny Town, splashing around at the Splash Park, conquering the Arsenal, and discovering new parks all across the front range. Our annual BBQ was a huge hit, and we’ve been having tons of fun with yard games, scenic walks, and even decorating the pavement with our individuals in services creativity.

But wait, there’s more! As we dive into the rest of the year, we’re gearing up for even more day program parties, engaging clinical activities, and finding new ways to enhance our services. We couldn’t do any of this without our amazing and dedicated staff. You’ve become not just familiar faces, but trusted friends who make all the difference.

Here’s to continuing the fun and making more fantastic memories together!

Support Inc is thrilled to announce the continued growth and expansion of our day services program! We are proud to officially welcome Brandi Rende to our team. Brandi will be instrumental in driving the development and enhancement of our day services, bringing her expertise and passion to our mission.

As we move forward, our commitment remains steadfast in providing exceptional and personalized support services to individuals across Colorado. With Brandi on board, we’re poised to elevate the quality of our services, introduce innovative programming, and further enrich the lives of those we serve.

Stay tuned for exciting updates and new opportunities as we work together to expand our reach and impact. Here’s to a bright future and to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve!

 

QA COrner

Quality Assurance News & Updates- Fire Preparedness

by Information & Resources

To all Support, Inc. Network, Staff, Providers and Families,

Wildfire season has started in Colorado. This year with the hot and dry weather most of the state is under moderate to high risk for fires. Just this month three fires have erupted along the front range. It’s important everyone be fire aware and be prepared. For more information on how you can prepare for wildfires follow this link.

Each county has an emergency notification system. However, you are not automatically signed up for alerts and must opt in. Some counties have switched notification platforms, and you may no longer be signed up to receive alerts. We encourage everyone to sign up for or check that you are signed up for emergency alerts in your area.

County Emergency Alert Sign Up
Adams Use this link to sign up
Arapahoe Use this link to sign up
Boulder Use this link to sign up
Broomfield Use this link to sign up
Denver Use this link to sign up
Douglas Use this link to sign up
El Paso Use this link to sign up
Elbert Use this link to sign up
Jefferson Use this link to sign up
Larimer Use this link to sign up
Logan Use this link to sign up
Morgan Use this link to sign up
Phillips Use this link to sign up
Pueblo Use this link to sign up
Sedgwick Use this link to sign up
Summit Use this link to sign up
Teller Use this link to sign up
Washington Use this link to sign up
Weld Use this link to sign up
Yuma Use this link to sign up

The air quality around the state has been poor from fires locally and around the United States. Smoke originating from fires or poor air quality can negatively impact all individuals but is especially hazardous for those with compromised respiratory conditions such as: asthma, COPD, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, and any other chronic or acute respiratory conditions. Everyone, especially people with respiratory issues, should take precautions. Keep all windows in the home closed, reduce or limit outdoor activities, run air purifiers if you have them. It is recommended that sensitive groups wear a mask if they must be outdoors.

If your respiratory symptoms are exacerbated, please reach out to your primary care physician.  Always make sure you have access to respiratory rescue medications such as rescue inhalers (example- Albuterol) if ordered by your physician. Always follow current evacuation orders. If you are experiencing respiratory distress, call 911. IQAir can be a helpful tool in monitoring air quality in your area :https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/colorado

Finally, if you have any questions or need support please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@supportinc.com. If you need assistance after-hours please call on-call at 720-841-3122.

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Jeremy Finds his Own Apartment

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This July, one of our individuals receiving services, Jeremy, moved to a new apartment! He found the apartment on his own and is located closer to his work. We helped hire movers for Jeremy, and the move went as well as possible. Jeremy and his dog Zeus are very happy to be living in a bigger apartment with a fireplace! They’ll be sure to stay warm through the winter! Congratulations, Jeremy!!