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In the Know with the CEO
By Cindy Wildermuth
Driving our Strategic Plan
At the end of every fiscal year, Abilities distributes stakeholder surveys to determine, first and foremost, if we are meeting your needs, and secondly, to see what you would like in service delivery options for the future. These surveys are returned, tallied and summarized for our leadership team, analyzed by the management team and presented to our Board of Directors. The results are incorporated not only into our overall strategic plan, but within our day to day operations. The program results are also used to determine the performance of each of our departmental teams. Congratulations to our entire team as this past fiscal year satisfaction results and statistics remain extremely positive, even amid significant system changes and requirements by DDD. We are proud of these outcomes and wish to share some highlights:
- Our competitive community employment placements have increased by 61% from the previous year!
- Our "unusual incidents" have decreased by 12% with the employment of two Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
- While very pleased overall with current program activities, there were requests to expand our health and wellness programs, along with social skills activities, music and art therapies and home based services.
- There were many comments requesting more volunteer opportunities.
- With an increase in service recipients with autism, our ACES initiative (Autism Employment and Services) has been well received.
- Occupational Therapy, which we currently provide, remains high on the priority list for requested therapies, followed by Speech and Physical Therapy.
- While an increased number of individuals are requesting employment services integrated within the community, caregivers remain cautious about this option.
- Communication amid change remains a challenge, both externally and internally.
- There were requests for "more time with the program" and "more time in the community."
- We received a 100% satisfaction rate from funding partners and support coordinators!
- Our business partners are extremely satisfied, with one comment..."We absolutely LOVE the job they do for us! You couldn't find a better crew anywhere!"
Your feedback is driving what we do. We are listening. So here is how we are responding to your most recent feedback:
- We are expanding our health and wellness program, which originated at the Mary Apgar center, throughout our agency programs.
- We are providing increased social activities and volunteer opportunities within the community.
- We have welcomed our Home Based Service Coordinator, Sarah Moreno, to our team and are gearing up to launch services in the home for youth ages 5 through 20. Home based services will be offered to adults with the rollout of the Supports Program, as we are an approved "Community Based Supports" provider.
- We are actively recruiting for a Speech Pathologist and a Physical Therapist.
- We are starting a family support group, to help share information regarding available services or changes to services. We will also be looking for volunteers to help define and support our services.
- In order to expand service hours, our Abilities drivers will be departing ½ hour later at the end of the day. Start date to be determined.
Here's how YOU CAN HELP:
- If you know of anyone with art, musical talents or any other skill to share, who would like to volunteer their time within our programs, please contact Michelle at 908-689-1118 or [email protected]
- If you know of a Speech or Physical therapist who may be looking for a per diem opportunity (with a great team) please contact Christian at 908-689-7460 or [email protected]
- Keep an eye out from our development team on details regarding our family support group as well as volunteer opportunities.
- Feel free to share suggestions for improvement any time of the year.
Thank you for your feedback and continued support! It is critical that you remain actively involved in defining Abilities services and supports. Let's work together as a team to see continued success!
Together Everyone Achieves More
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proudly presents our new online store
Now offering an easy tool for groups, teams, businesses and clubs to sell custom screen printed and embroidered items without all the hassle.
- No paperwork
- No collecting money
- No more stress!
Ready to get started? Contact us today: 908-689-0612
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Abilities celebrates Autism Awareness Month
with #AutismSPLASH!
We will be celebrating the entire month of April with a variety of activities!
Here's how YOU can get involved:
- March 31st- Listen in to WRNJ at 10:00AM to hear more about ACES (Autism Customized Employment & Services)
- Follow the journey of Splash on our website and Facebook page
- Check out our Facebook page to see the different ways our programs are celebrating throughout the month. Share with us how you are celebrating at home by using #AutismSPLASH when posting photos and videos.
- Join us for an Autism/ACES informational open house session:
- Tuesday, April 26th from 9AM- 12PM or
- Thursday, April 28th from 4PM-6PM
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Meet Christine
Christine is employed at QuickChek in Washington and had been there for almost 4 years. She started working in the deli making sandwiches, but then moved to the coffee area. Her job title is Coffee Hostess. Christine's customer service skills are amazing. She has the "regulars" that come in and the relationship that they have formed with her is apparent to all who visit. The Special Flavor, which is always the best seller, is brewed depending on what flavor goes with what time of the year it is. She does an excellent job maintaining the coffee levels to ensure that each customer can have the coffee they want and when a coffee container becomes empty, she has a back-up waiting or is working quickly to brew another one. She keeps the coffee condiment island well stocked and clean.
She ALWAYS has a smile on her face and is genuinely happy to see and greet her customers.
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Happenings at Abilities:
Festival of Trees- Our gratitude to the Rossi Family, from Rossi Chevrolet Buick GMC, for hosting another successful Festival of Trees benefitting Abilities & the Arc of Warren.
Total amount raised $25,686.00 And... congratulations to Abilities Phillipsburg for taking second place in the voting contest!
Blue Jean Ball- Thanks to all who donated, sponsored, supported, attended and volunteered to make the Abilities Blue Jean Ball a night to never be forgotten. We're proud to announce that
we've raised over $20,000.00! Photos of the evening can be found on the Abilities
Facebook page, feel free to comment, like, share and tag!
Save the Dates:
May 11, 2016-
Residents of Warren County and surrounding communities are invited to attend the second annual Warren County Disability Resource Fair, "Building Connections, Enhancing Access," on Wednesday, May 11, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Abilities of Northwest Jersey, located at 264 Route 31 North, Washington, New Jersey.
June 27, 2016- Abili-Tee's Invitational Golf Outing
. Annual sell-out event hosted at Panther Valley Country Club! More information to follow. Visit us online at
www.abilitiesnw.com
and join our mailing list to get exclusive access to registration information.
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All contributions are considered tax deductible under IRS regulations
as Abilities is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization. Thank you for your generosity!
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