message summer 2016
a publication of Mosaic in Ellsworth | www.mosaicinellsworth.org
Caring Community A COMMUNITY OF HEALTHY SUPPORT Thank you to our health services support team. These members dedicate their time and compassion to providing the best possible health opportunities and outcomes to the people we serve. In the front lines is our Health Services Associate, Jeannell Dolezal. Jeannell is responsible for scheduling all medical appointments, coordinating medical training for direct support staff, maintaining medical documentation training on Therap for direct support staff, ordering and delivering all medications, maintaining all medical records and files of people in services, attending specialist appointments with people in service, and coordinating health information for human rights meetings. Jeannell also
serves as a direct liaison to all doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical personnel. Stephenie Slaight is the part-time Registered Nurse for Mosaic but contributes monuments of service to the Ellsworth agency. She trains all direct care staff on medication administration and delegates this under her license. She communicates with all health care providers to gain insight on medications for people in service, and approves all medical administration records on Therap. She also assists to obtain lab work for people who have a difficult time visiting the health clinic and administers injections for people in service. She works closely with Jeannell to provide optimal medical service for the people
we serve and is readily available for consultation when needed. Irene Werth, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), is the psychiatric health provider for many of the individuals in service. She has more than 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field and has been providing medication management services in the Ellsworth area for more than 12 years. She visits Mosaic in Ellsworth and meets with people in service to perform psychiatric assessments, and prescribe and adjust necessary medication. She is also one of the few health care providers in the state of Kansas that administers the GeneSight test, which checks medication compatibility with the patient’s genetic markers. Mosaic’s health care professionals are always available to give support in times of emergency and to continually provide necessary supervision. They are available to answer questions, clarify instructions and discuss any health concerns. We are grateful to have a strong health care team providing service to the people we support and helping us fulfill our mission in providing the people at Mosaic opportunities for a full life. To learn more about the services Mosaic provides, please call Mosaic in Ellsworth at 785.472.4081 or visit our website at www.mosaicinellsworth.org.
Irene Werth, Jeannell Doleza and Stephenie Slaight
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Meaningful Life
Emanuel Cares
BEAUTIFYING MOSAIC
On Saturday June 25, Mosaic’s residential homes had a group of volunteers from Emanuel Luther Church in Hutchinson. The group, Emanuel Cares, is a ministry with the church that does service projects with groups and organizations that the church supports. The volunteers spent several hours laboring on fences, undertaking major gardening projects and providing a meaningful life for the people who live in the homes. Thank you to Emanuel Cares for all your support. To learn more about how to partner with Mosaic in Ellsworth, contact Michael Martinez, Community Relations Manager, at 785.472.4081 or visit our website at www.mosaicinellsworth.org.
This spring, Mosaic’s Direct Support Associate (DSA) Advisory Council implemented a new program called Adopt a Pot, where staff and people
The DSA Advisory Council is a group of volunteer staff who discuss creative ideas for employee engagement and strategies for employee retention. The Adopt a Pot project along with Mosaic Helping Hands, another volunteer program to beautify Mosaic, are results of the council’s hard work and innovation. The council members include Darla Saltzman, Barb Parks, Billy Kryger and Kathryn Foran. Thank you for all you do!
Creative pots by Mosaic in Ellsworth
To learn more about the efforts Mosaic employees are making, follow Mosaic in Ellsworth on Facebook at @mosaicinellsworthks.
served by Mosaic choose a designated planter and use their creative skills to plant flowers and add garden decorations to beautify residential housing. Residential Direct Support Manager Jennifer Young said, “You can feel a sense of pride from the staff and the people who live here,” as she gave tours to guests visiting the homes.
Upcoming Staff Birthdays! July 9 – Marissa Geiler July 14 – Julie Kramp July 29 – Jonathan Clemens August 10 – Patti Quick-Dunlap August 19 – Taylor Thiessen
Volunteers till the soil at Mosaic in Ellsworth.
September 3 – Nancy Ives September 14 – Karalene Closser September 30 – Janet Pasley
Flowers planted by the Adopt a Pot volunteers
Some who adopted a pot involved their friends, family members and people in service in the planting and decorating process. Thank you to all who participated in beautifying the homes for the people we serve.
Members of Adopt a Pot volunteer their time.
Mosaic Message is published by Mosaic in Ellsworth | 124 W. 3rd St. Ellsworth, Kansas 67337-5916 | 620.251.8592 | www.mosaicinellsworth.org Executive Director Community Relations Manager
julie.kramp@mosaicinfo.org michael.martinez@mosaicinfo.org
Mission Embracing God’s call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life. Integrity at Mosaic If you have a concern, call our national Confidential Reporting Hotline at 800.443.4899, or email integrity@mosaicinfo.org
Relationships Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America. Non-discrimination Mosaic will not discriminate in matters of employment or service delivery on the basis of race, creed, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status. To be added or removed from the mailing list or to receive information via email, please contact Mosaic at the address given. ©2016 Mosaic. All rights reserved. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
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Giving a voice A SILENT VOICE By Robert Umble There are many different ways of communicating. Many people who are nonverbal struggle with finding methods to express themselves. Aaron Welsh, a person served by Mosaic, was born with hearing impairment and never learned to speak.
Aaron Welsh
To help Aaron find his voice, one of the direct support staff, Marissa Geiler, began working with him to improve his sign language skills. Marissa was taught sign language in high school by one of her classmates and has continued to utilize the skill. When she began her career at Mosaic, she saw a need to help Aaron. Marissa has dedicated many hours researching
sign language and taking many trips to the library. She helped compile a program for Aaron to learn simple but effective ways to communicate. Since working with Aaron, Marissa noticed improvements in his methods of signing. In the past, Aaron would often find himself frustrated when he was unable to communicate, but now the staff are able to serve him better. Someday Marissa would like to be able to carry a full conversation with Aaron with sign language. With dedicated staff like Marissa, innovation, and support from Mosaic, Aaron will learn to better advocate for himself. To learn more about how Mosaic helps people find their voice visit www.mosaicinellsworth.org.
Marissa Geiler
Featured Person in Service Tiffany McClanahan Hobbies: Decorating for the holidays, playing with my dog Stormy, Special Olympics Basketball, Cheerleading, bowling and swimming Favorite TV show: Dawson’s Creek Favorite Food: Steak Parmesan made by my mom How has Mosaic changed your life: The staff help me manage my finances and my health is better. I also get to participate in activities like KiwanisAktion Club and Special Olympics. Hear how Mosaic has impacted the lives of people like Tiffany at an upcoming Discover the Possibilities event. During the one-hour event, we share Mosaic’s mission, vision and passion for the people we serve. Those who attend will be given a tour of Mosaic’s services and work, through the stories told by those who know us well – the people we serve, their families and our staff members. A light lunch will be provided.
Upcoming Events Mosaic in Ellsworth 124 W 3rd St. | Ellsworth, KS July 21 | 12–1 p.m. August 18 | 12–1 p.m. September 15 | 12–1 p.m. October 20 | 12–1 p.m. To attend this event, please contact Michael Martinez at michael.martinez@mosaicinfo.org
Marissa works with Aaron. Ellsworth 3 Mosaic Message
124 W. 3rd St. Ellsworth, Kansas 67337-5916
Return Service Requested
A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Staff Spotlight LINDA VOELTZ How did you come to Mosaic? I noticed an ad in the paper and I always had a soft spot in my heart for people with disabilities. I’ve stayed 14 years with Mosaic because I’m very attached to the people I serve. What is your favorite part about your job? Working with the individuals and knowing that when you enter your work place you’re going to be greeted very happily with open arms. Can you share an interesting fact about yourself? I live on a farm and I wouldn’t trade
that for the world! I also do quality control for a company called Quartzite Quarry. Do you have any secret talents? The staff I work with tell me I’m super woman. What are some of your hobbies? Working with cattle, spending time with the kids and grandkids and trying to be involved in every aspect of their lives. Living and loving every moment of life. Thank you, Linda, for the outstanding services you provide to Mosaic! If you are interested in joining a great team that makes great things happen everyday for those we serve and support, please view our open positions online at: www.mosaicinfo.org/work-us.
Have you included Mosaic in your estate planning? There are ways to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes. With a planned gift, you can also ensure that Mosaic’s mission of providing a life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities continues long into the future. Contact Jaime Corsar at 877.366.7242 or jaime.corsar@mosaicinfo.org to discuss how planned giving can help you.
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