Check out pictures below from the trip of a lifetime for Support Inc., Host Home Provider, David Sakul, and our individuals in services, Jeremy and Eric. They recently went on a vacation in Europe!! A true example of innovative, in-home and community-based supportive services.
Please join us in welcoming new Residential Coordinator, Jennifer Schutz to the Support Inc. Family!! Jennifer will be joining our Northern Region team and supporting our individuals and families on the Eastern Plains. We’re excited to have a team member with local knowledge to help serve our many individuals and families in Eastern Colorado. Learn more about Jennifer below.
“Hello Support Inc., My name is Jennifer Schutz. I have joined Support Inc. as a Residential Program Coordinator. I have a B.A. in Psychology and have been a Case Manager for 8 years with Eastern Colorado Services serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During my time there, I worked with ages 3-17 and adults. I have also worked with 6 different long term Medicaid waivers. When I am not working, I am at home with my husband and 3 kids (6-year-olds *yes twins* and an 11-year-old). Also, can’t forget the pets as well- 2 kittens, 1 dog and a hedgehog. We enjoy playing video games and I enjoy reading. I am excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to meet and work with everyone!
Café Show by Local Artist and Support, Inc. client- Maria
Maria has many talents. She is an athlete, baker, dancer, skilled with animals and very charismatic. She is also a prolific painter, using art therapy as one way to calm her busy mind. While flamingos in funny situations are a common theme, she also paints other marine life, horses, flowers, holiday settings and landscapes.
During the month of October, Maria was the featured artist at the French Press Café in her neighborhood on Iliff near Buckley. If you have not been there, they have the regular coffee and tea-related faire, as well as an incredible kitchen. (Their chilaquiles are THE BOMB!) Maria’s paintings covered an entire wall, which is really saying something in the small space the café holds. She wrote her own bio, which had a lovely photo of her with a horse attached and even sold two paintings!
Maria’s accomplishments are a source of pride for herself, her family and our community. Here’s to the next show where we have our eye on a certain flamingo wearing a pool floaty and carrying a cocktail. Congratulations to Maria on this amazing accomplishment!
Please join us in congratulating our November Host Home Provider of the Month, Lisa Mugalu!! Lisa was nominated for Host Home Provider of the month by the Support Inc. Denver Metro 2 Team. According to Residential Coordinator, Malika, “I have been working with Lisa since February 2022, and although there have been ups and downs with the health of the person in services in the home, she has remained resilient, patient, and most importantly kind. Coming from living in a home with her sister was a huge transition for not only the person in services, but the entire family, and Lisa has always had an open-door policy and treats them like family too! When the individual in the home experienced some health issues last year, she made sure to be proactive, ask questions, and be an advocate for the person in services to finally receive physical therapy, which helped tremendously. With thanks to physical therapy and Lisa, the person in services got so much healthier, stronger, and her lively personality was back. Every time I see the person in services, she is smiling, giving everyone hugs, laughing, and talking about pizza (inside joke). Lisa is extremely hard-working, and always does her best to make sure the individual in her home is getting the absolute best care. It has truly been a pleasure working with Lisa and I appreciate her positive attitude and kindness always. Thank you for all that you do, Lisa and congratulations on being the November Host Home Provider of the Month!!!
Please join our Operations Team on November 30th, 11am for our Family Caregiver Town Hall. This meeting will occur virtually on Zoom. The agenda is filled with updates regarding Support, Inc., and Pueblo Community Resources news, as well as reminder for upcoming events, staff appreciation and recognition, and an opportunity to connect and ask questions. For more information and the zoom link please contact info@supportinc.com
As summer ends and cold weather settles in so comes cold and flu season. Colorado has also seen an increase in COVID-19 cases. Protect yourself, the person you serve and your family. As a reminder, please do not send people to work or day program if they are sick. If people arrive to day program/work showing signs of illness, you will be asked to pick the person up.
Healthy habits to help protect against illness:
Forget Moves Like Jagger, You Want Moves Like CJ!
Support Inc. Residential Coordinator, Jennifer, went to see individual in services, CJ, in October just like any regular, monthly Home Visit, but he was not just any regular old CJ. He was so excited for the next day that he could not stop grinning. Jennifer has seen CJ many times when he is looking forward to something like a trip to see his family, a dinner at Olive Garden with his girlfriend or even a day at Elitch Gardens, but this was the happiest, most excited she had ever seen him. The next night he was going to see Guns N’ Roses in concert at Ball Arena with his buddy from church. He told his Host Home Provider that he might not come home until after 1:30 in the morning because he would be too busy rockin’. They talked about his favorite song, “Welcome to the Jungle” and there was no convincing him that “Sweet Child of Mine” was better. The next afternoon, Jennifer called CJ to see how the concert went. It was obvious even over the phone that he was still smiling from ear to ear. While he didn’t stay out until the wee hours, he still had an amazing time and said he definitely “rocked out”. When she asked him if he did the famous side to side sway move of lead singer Axel Rose, CJ scoffed and said, “No, I’ve got way better moves than that.” With as happy as he was, that must be true.
Greetings from the Intake Team! It’s been a wonderful year, and we hope you’re staying warm and cozy with the upcoming holiday season right around the corner. 2024 will be here soon!
Each year we strive to help as many people as we can by scheduling meet and greets in a swift manner with case management entities across the state. We understand how the DD waiver can offer life-changing opportunities for individuals seeking services. As such, we aim to reach everyone we can by closely and quickly reviewing referrals, getting creative and trying to serve each person in a way that’s unique to their specific needs.
We explored a few new methods this year (including a time-efficient process for onboarding Host Home Providers) and we’re proud to announce that 2023 might turn out to be our best year yet! For 2023 to be a year of change and uncertainty, in regard to the ongoing case management redesign, we couldn’t be prouder to share our recent successes. The team was approached to handle several unique situations this year. Although Cindy and Kristin have both been with the company for over 20 years, we still accept unique and interesting referrals that keep our jobs feeling fresh and fun on a daily basis. Problem solving is at the root of what we do. We love to get creative and help however we can!
As we continue to examine creative ideas for the remainder of this year and 2024, we want to thank everyone that has helped us bring our new folks into services. Employees, Host Home Providers, Direct Support Professionals we couldn’t do it without you; and we especially appreciate our new families that have trusted us to provide them with high quality services. Thank you all again, and we hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Support Inc. is excited to announce our recent partnership with Tarrytown Pharmacy, which provides specialized care for intellectual and developmental disability communities nationwide. This is not only a huge benefit to our nursing department, but our individuals and families receiving services through us. Follow the link below to learn more about this innovative service offered through Support Inc. now!
SUPPORT, INC. HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH INNOVATIVE SERVICES THROUGH THE FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM
Aurora, COLO. – October 2023 – Family Caregiver, Dena Lucero cares for her daughter, Tatum, with assistance from Support, Inc., a leading provider of support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. As a part of Support, Inc.’s Family Caregiver Program, the Lucero family receives comprehensive support and financial compensation. The program is designed to recognize and empower family members as caregivers for their loved ones.
The Family Caregiver Program under the Family Caregiver Act acknowledges the dedication and sacrifice made by family caregivers who have been providing care without financial compensation or formal supports. In recognition of their essential contribution, Support, Inc. offers caregivers the opportunity to receive financial compensation and access to formal supports through the program.
“From my first contact with Support, Inc. it has been an amazing experience. The team is so friendly, easy going and open,” says Lucero. “I can’t stress enough what a gift Support Inc. has been to Tatum and our family. It has given us the ability to pay an additional caregiver of our choosing. It is such a relief to be able to provide the care that we find suitable for our daughter, while we continue to work.”
Tatum has mild intellectual disabilities. Lucero serves as Tatum’s primary family caregiver. Support, Inc. gives them access to an additional team of caregivers to provide Tatum with the help and support she needs, when she needs it – from integrated health care services and life skills development to access to community-based social activities and more.
“Support, Inc. understands the challenges and pressures that family caregivers face each day,” said Bentley Smith, CEO at Support, Inc. “We believe that caregivers should be recognized for their invaluable work and have access to the necessary support and compensation they deserve. Our Family Caregiver Program aims to alleviate the stress and burden on caregivers, ensuring they can continue to provide the highest quality care while maintaining their own well-being.”
The Family Caregiver Program offers numerous benefits to support caregivers and their loved ones, including:
Flexibility and Customized Care:
Caregivers have the maximum flexibility to create their own care plans, including the option to be compensated themselves or have a family member compensated for providing care. They can also choose to hire non-family members to provide care. Support, Inc. ensures that each plan is tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of the family.
Comprehensive Support:
The program provides residential supports, respite care options, and additional resources to meet the individual needs of each family caregiver. These comprehensive supports help to alleviate the burden on caregivers and enhance the well-being of both the caregiver and their loved one.
Training and Professional Development:
Support, Inc. provides caregivers with simple and clear training options at no cost in order to improve their skills. This emphasis on training contributes to the overall quality of care provided and is also a professional development opportunity for caregivers, empowering them to learn and grow.
Competitive Compensation and Benefits:
Support, Inc. values the commitment and dedication of family caregivers and offers a competitive pay rate, and access to a comprehensive employment benefits plan. This ensures that caregivers receive fair compensation for their important work, providing financial stability and security.
24-Hour Support Line:
The program includes a 24-hour after-hours support line, ensuring that caregivers have access to assistance and guidance whenever they need it most. This round-the-clock support gives caregivers peace of mind, knowing that help is always available.
“Here at Support, Inc., we encourage family caregivers throughout Colorado, to explore our creative Family Caregiver Program and take advantage of the comprehensive support and compensation available to them” says Smith.
For more information on the Family Caregiver Program, become a paid family caregiver or inquire about eligibility, please contact Brian Slusarz at info@supportinc.com or click here to complete our contact form.
With more than 33 years of experience, the Support, Inc. team offers a wide range of residential, day and clinical services to clients across the front range of Colorado. Support, Inc. has a unique, whole-person approach that allows caregivers to develop a deep understanding of each individual’s needs. As a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA), Support, Inc. is Medicaid certified and its programs are approved by the State of Colorado. Support, Inc. is redefining the life experience for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
PHONE: (303) 340-0322
FAX: (303) 340-0385
HOURS: Mon – Thurs: 8:00am – 6:00pm
EMAIL: info@supportinc.com
15591 E. Centretech Pkwy
Aurora, CO 80011
Phone: 303-340-0322