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Support, Inc. Welcomes New Coordinator

Please join us in welcoming our newest Loveland Residential Program Coordinator, Abby!

My name is Abby Beam, and I am the new RPC for the Loveland team. I moved to Colorado from Alabama about 2 years ago. Before coming to Support Inc., I worked as a DSP/Job Coach for a couple different day programs. After that I became a house manager for a small family run PASA. During this time, I also assisted with running a disability awareness nonprofit here in Loveland. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my partner and our dogs, and we frequently spend time going hiking, camping, or biking. I am very passionate about promoting independence in our consumers and helping them to live their best lives. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be here at Support Inc with a group of people who share the same mindset.

I look forward to working with all of you!

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COVID-19 Communication

To Support, Inc. staff, providers, and families

In this COVID-19 communication we will cover the following:

Support, Inc. Offices, and Hybrid Work Environment

More and more we are hearing medical experts talk about COVID-19 moving from a pandemic to an endemic. While there’s not a specific cut-off to determine the end of a pandemic, there are some broader general markers and the current data on transmission shows we are likely on the road to endemic. This leaves us all with a lot of thoughts and questions about what life after the COVID-19 pandemic will look like. Will we need to continue to get an annual vaccine like the influenza vaccine? Could COVID-19 spike again next fall/winter? Is it safe for me to return to activities I enjoyed before the pandemic? While we don’t know the answer to many of these questions, it’s safe to say we are all looking forward to returning to some ‘life as normal’.

As we look forward to returning to activities and social behaviors we have before the pandemic we have learned a lot over the last 2 years that we can carry with us into the future. One big thing we as a company and IDD services in general learned was how to utilize virtual technologies. While there were many pain points in this process, and at times there still are, this is a tool to have in our tool belt as we move forward. For many individuals in services the use of virtual technology meant they could continue to socialize with friends and family, get access to medical care and call a team meeting quickly while remaining safe at home. We learned how to hold meetings through various virtual platforms and adapted to working from home and setting up a home office.

Support, Inc. is looking forward to utilizing what we learned over the last two years as we move forward. We will continue to offer virtual and/or in-person clinical behavioral services to ensure we can meet each individuals needs and preferences. Our administrative staff will continue to have the ability to work from home. Utilizing virtual technology has allowed to build and maintain connections across our ever-growing geographical catchment area.

While utilizing virtual technology has been highly beneficial, we also recognize the importance and benefit of gathering in-person. Over the next couple months, we will begin having in-person meeting across teams and departments.  We will be working to redesign our administrative offices in Aurora to offer a comfortable place for people to work, host meetings and provide in-person trainings. Finally, we look forward to planning a ‘welcome back’ event to bring all our staff, contractors, families, and individuals together sometime this summer.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or your supervisor. We will continue to provide updates through email, our website and our Facebook page.

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Host Home Provider of the Month

The Denver- Colorado Springs Team would like to nominate Atea Linga as Host Home Provider of the month. Since coming to Support Inc, Atea has been a highly thought of HHP. When COVID hit she was more than willing to step in and help where she could, to provide respite to other providers.

Atea has also been instrumental in stabilizing a high needs person by effectively anticipating her needs to ensure no escalation would ensue. She has also built this relationship of trust and understanding and now has been able to find out some of this person’s triggers to help her navigate her behaviors. Without Atea, this person would likely not be able to live in a Host Home setting. Her unwavering passion to care for people paired with her medical knowledge is a combination we at Support could only hope for in a Host Home Provider, and Atea exemplifies it.

Recently Atea jumped into actioned when I called her requesting some emergency Respite for a family in need. She picked the individual up and took her back home. She also helped the following week when the person had another respite need urgently. She worked with Hospital staff to ensure the person was ready and willing to be discharged. She drove her several towns away and back to her home again. This time her stay in respite was a bit longer and Atea was ready and willing to help this person through her crisis. She spent time over the weekend making her feel comfortable and helping her feel needed and like she could let her guard down and begin to decompress from all the events prior.

Overall Atea is a phenomenal HHP and person in general. She cares and really wants to find better solutions for the people we serve. In the past year she has ensured with her work ethic and passion for people that she is a valued HHP with Support Inc and we couldn’t be more thankful she chose us!

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Stephan and Melissa Land a New Apartment!

We are so excited to read these details from the Denver-Colorado Springs Team! Read ahead to learn more about Stephan and his girlfriend, Melissa. The two recently resettled into a new place, and the couple continue to do well in a new setting!

The following write-up was produced by Kayla-

I would like to take some time to recognize two wonderful people in services who have grown and learned so much over the past year. I met Stephan and Melissa at a home visit to their apartment here in Colorado Springs. They are the nicest and sweetest couple. Melissa and Stephan both expressed over the next few months that they would really like to strive for a better neighborhood and more of a community feel and would not like to continue to resign a lease.

As the end of their lease came closer, they started looking for their perfect apartment. I was impressed on how they really wanted to ensure their fur baby “Hank” had a park, and that there was a sense of community. They have solidified an amazing new apartment, with all the upgrades they dreamed of!

Since moving into their apartment they have really wanted to have things that are theirs. Like a lot of young couples, you get hand-me-downs, things that are less than perfect or even just something to get them by. With support from our residential services and their amazing understanding of budgets, expenses, and life in general, they finally have things they can call their own. Stephan and Melissa have done a stellar job of prioritizing needs vs wants and being able to effectively communicate certain wants that were important to them. They are also taking some time to find out what their passions are and would like to start classes at a local college.

The maturity and growth demonstrated in the past almost year since meeting them has been a true joy. I am so happy to see them both thriving and building a space of their own and can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for them!

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February is American Heart Month

Heart health is important every month of the year; however, this month is a time to  focus on cardiovascular health. The Division for Heart Disease and Stroke prevention is shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Nearly 1 in 2 adults has hypertension. Hypertension can lead to heart disease and stroke the leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, high blood pressure is treatable and preventable. To lower your risk, get your blood pressure checked regularly and take action to control you blood pressure if it is high.

5 Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure

  1. High blood pressure may be linked to dementia.

Recent studies show that high blood pressure is linked to a higher risk for dementia, a loss of cognitive function. Timing seems to matter. Evidence suggests that having uncontrolled high blood pressure during midlife (ages 44 to 66) creates a higher risk for dementia later in life.

  1. Young people can have high blood pressure, too.

High blood pressure doesn’t just happen to older adults. Nearly 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 44 have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, a condition that is on the rise among younger people. Experts think the increased risk for stroke in this age group is a direct result of the rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—conditions that are preventable and treatable.

Ask your health care team how often you should check your blood pressure. You can get your blood pressure checked at a doctor’s office or pharmacy, and you can check it at home if you have a home blood pressure monitor.

  1. High blood pressure usually doesn’t have any symptoms.

High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms. Because many people feel fine, they don’t think they need to get their blood pressure checked.

Even if you feel normal, your health may be at risk. Talk to your doctor about your risk for high blood pressure.

  1. Many people who have high blood pressure don’t know it.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it and are not being treated to control their blood pressure.

Even though most people with uncontrolled high blood pressure have health insurance and visit a health care team member at least twice a year, the condition is often not diagnosed. CDC is working with health care professionals to find patients with high blood pressure who are “hiding in plain sight.”

Ask your health care team what your blood pressure numbers mean and if they are too high. Stick to your treatment plan and follow your provider’s advice if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure.

  1. Women and African Americans face unique risks when it comes to high blood pressure.

Women with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to have complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy can harm a mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight babies.

Some types of birth control can also raise a woman’s risk for high blood pressure. Women with high blood pressure who want to become pregnant should work with their health care team to lower their blood pressure before becoming pregnant.

African American men and women have higher rates of high blood pressure than any other racial or ethnic group. These individuals are also more likely to be hospitalized for high blood pressure. Experts think these health disparities are tied to higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

Lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium in your diet, being more physically active, and reducing stress, can help lower blood pressure.

What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of Hypertension? What is a normal BP?

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Getting enough physical activity
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting alcohol use
Blood Pressure Categories
Blood Pressure Category Systolic Blood Pressure Diastolic Blood Pressure
  Normal <120 mmHg and <80 mmHg
  Elevated 120-129 mmHg and <80 mmHg
Hypertension
  Stage 1 130-139 mmHg or 80-89 mmHg
  Stage 2 ≥140 mmHg or ≥90 mmHg
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Support, Inc. Welcomes New Associate Director

Please join us in welcoming our newest Associate Director to the agency! Becca, we are so happy to have you!

Hi all! My name is Becca Peloquin and am excited to join the Support, Inc. team as an Associate Director of Operations. I have a B.A. Degree in Psychology and Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to this opportunity, I was working for a Residential Treatment Facility for kids and adolescents for close to 10 years. I started working as a Direct Care staff for 3 years with clients before managing Residential Programs and transitioning into Operations. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, being active outdoors, reading, and hanging out with my dog and friends. Excited to get to work with you all!
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Day Services Hosts a Valentine’s Day Party

Last week our Client Council planned a Valentine Day party on Monday- from the arts and crafts to the piñatas and heart hunt, everyone had a great time!

Miles Wilson, Day Program Supervisor, relayed that everyone came together a few days prior to begin making the piñatas. This was a fun and engaging indoor activity to participate in, to blow off some steam and exercise your arms! Staff members remained close by, to ensure the safety of those near the piñatas. Individuals had the choice of three piñatas, including one lower to the ground for those that use wheelchairs. Keeping accessibility in mind, Day Program staff ensured everyone had a fair shot with the piñatas.

For arts and crafts, Day Program participants decorated lunch bags. The Client Council agreed to this activity, so each person would have a bag to use when they collected paper hearts later in the afternoon. The lunch bags were easier to find than shoe boxes and quite fun to decorate! Glitter pens were a favorite as the bag-decorating kicked off! Participants were encouraged to use a wide variety of pens, markers and drawing utensils to decorate their bags however they saw fit. This opportunity to get creative led to many different, colorful results. This was a great activity to begin the morning with- by the afternoon, it was time for the heart hunt.

The heart hunt felt like an easter egg hunt but without the eggs. Day Service staff members cut up quite a few paper hearts and hid them throughout Day Program on the main level of the building. Miles reported that this was a highlight of the day- Staff members enjoyed helping individuals find the hearts as needed, while also respecting the autonomy participants to find the hearts on their own.

“We wanted this to be an equitable heart hunt, so there was help available when requested”- Miles

Once the heart hunt came to an end, everyone exchanged valentines they made that morning. The paper bags came in handy when each person collected their hearts and their valentines to take home. And last but not least, the Client Council planned on fruit smoothies as a nice and healthy treat for the afternoon. Day Program participants were welcome to add their own ingredients and staff members joined in the fun, as well.

The Client Council was proud to put on this event because it was fun and ran smoothly. From planning the morning activities to ensuring everyone had a fair chance with the piñatas and the heart hunt, the Valentine Party concluded as a great success! This isn’t the first event our Client Council has planned and certainly won’t be the last! Stay tuned for Olympic Day coming soon in March! Details and RSVP information to be shared on our Facebook page.

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Ebony McGee Joins Support, Inc.

Please join us in welcoming Ebony Mcgee to Support, Inc! Ebony is our newest RPC and will be joining the Denver Metro 3 team. A little about Ebony in her own words:

Hello, my name is Ebony McGee. I’m the newest Residential Program Coordinator. I am a Colorado native (not many of us left). I have a degree in Social Work and Human Services. I will be going back to school to obtain my Master’s in Social Work later this year. Prior to joining Support Inc., I worked as a case manager at a homeless shelter providing resources – everything from housing to where to get a coat. I am excited join the Support, Inc team. I‘ve had plenty of jobs where I felt like we weren’t helping the clients we served where they were at, and I feel like Support, Inc does just that. In my free time I enjoy reading and visiting abandoned towns in Colorado.

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Support, Inc. Welcomes New Associate Director of Day Services

The Day Services program is excited to welcome a new Associate Director.  Brandon Thibodeau joins our team at a critical time while we continue to make our way through safely offering as many essential services as possible, while continuing to be mindful of the ever-changing COVID-19 Pandemic.  

Brandon comes to us with a wealth of experience working in the behavioral health field for nearly the past 20 years.  Brandon’s previous experience was working directly with youth education and residential treatment in a variety of capacities.  Brandon has been a Direct Support staff, a training specialist, a para-educator, supervisor, and manager over his career so far.  

Originally from Norfolk, VA where his father served in the Navy, Brandon spent his growing up years in Arvada, CO and now lives with his wife in Westminster, CO.  Brandon also is a proud father of two adult sons.  

Brandon brings excitement and passion to his new role with Support, Inc. working with our Day Services team to continue building a strong, diverse, team-oriented culture where people can experience growth and success.  Welcome to the team, Brandon!