Imagine That...August 2021 |
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In Loving Memory of Dana Hackett |
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We have started an endowment to support Imagine's future. Beginning next year, Imagine will receive regular payments of the returns from these funds. Initially, we expect the impact to be small but as the endowment grows, it holds the promise of helping Imagine help others through hard times to come.
If you are considering a gift to the endowment, either right now or as part of a giving plan or bequest, we have information available here. And thank you.
To make direct contributions please make checks payable to; The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Designate the "Imagine Supported Living Services Fund". Mail to; Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, 7807 Soquel Dr., Aptos, Ca. 95003.
-Submitted by Doug
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Greetings all,
Big thanks to everyone for the support and guidance during my first month as Director of Services. There is plenty more for me to learn and work on as we navigate through 2021 and I look forward to continuing to immerse myself in more areas of our services.
I’m pleased to share that we have made progress with appointing a new FHA facilitator. We hope to announce the new member of our management team in the next few weeks. Our newest SLS facilitator, Daniela, is now well into her training. We are looking forward to seeing her develop and grow as she steps into her new role.
This month in our facilitator meetings we have focused on some system improvements, this has included areas in our emergency response preparation and instructions for different scenarios. We also focused on expense tracking procedures for each house with the goal of increasing the function of the tools we use without decreasing transparency.
With continuing changes in the pandemic and the unpredictability of restrictions we may face, we remain focused on supporting consumers with their transition plans using person-centered tools. This will be an ongoing focus that we hope will aid our consumers and teams in being as prepared as possible in this uncertain time.
August will continue to be a month of transitions which can bring challenges but hopefully also bring opportunities to have fresh eyes and ideas for how we can continue to improve and grow as an agency.
Thanks everyone!
Charlie
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Hello Everyone,
I want to start by congratulating Charlie on his new role as the Director of Services. We know that a lot of you had formed a relationship with Julie and felt comfortable speaking with her whenever any issue came up. For this we are very grateful to Julie.
As you start getting to know Charlie in that same way, we would like to remind you of our open-door policy. This means that if you have discomfort around speaking to your supervisor, you can feel free to speak to someone at Imagine you feel safe with including Doug, Charlie or myself.
I am certain that Charlie will be welcoming and supportive of any issue that you feel needs to be addressed. However, please never hesitate to contact anyone else you might feel comfortable speaking with on the leadership team.
We sincerely hope that everyone working here enjoys a safe and positive environment. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
In good health,
Patty Lopez
HR Manager
Imagine Supported Living Services
In Good Health,
Patty Lopez
HR Manager
Imagine Supported Living Services
831-464-8355 ext. 112
Cell: (831) 325-7760
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Person-Centered Evolution
This column is to return next month. Have a person-centered August by staying cool.
-Submitted by Doug
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Spanish Virtual Self Determination Conference |
Parents Helping Parents will be hosting a Spanish Virtual Self Determination Conference on:
Saturday, 8/7
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
&
Saturday, 8/14
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
If you or someone you know would like to attend, you can reserve seats here:
If you have questions or want more information about the conference, please email info@php.com or call 408-727-5775.
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Self-Determination is now available for any regional center client who chooses it. That's a wonderful change to what has been, until now, a very challenging but rewarding way of helping a select few. Everyone who wants it was always the right constituency for this program. Although Imagine does not provide Independent Facilitation services, several of our employees have started side businesses facilitating person-centered plans and support for people in self-determination. If you would like to know more about self-determination, or want help finding an Independent Facilitator, please don't hesitate to contact me. Also, if you are a service provider interested in or worried about serving people through self-determination, I urge you to speak with me.
Also, see above. Parents Helping Parents is hosting a conference in Spanish around self-determination.
This month, the Independent Facilitator Roundtable will be this coming Wednesday, August 4 at 11AM. The Zoom link is right here. I'm pretty sure. If it doesn't work, email me in a hurry.
-Submitted by Doug
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MEET AND GREET WITH CHARLIE MILLER
AUGUST 15TH SUNDAY 2-4PM
Come welcome Imagine’s new director of services! We will get to know Charlie a bit better, get some questions answered and have a chance to connect with other Imagine families. Please RSVP to Susan below, as the group size will be limited.
THE JULY FAMILY GATHERING was lovely. There was a group of 15 (3 clients, 2 staff, a sibling, and parents) and we enjoyed good company, a shared meal, and Piedmont Court’s newly renovated Spanish courtyard. Thanks to all who participated!
OCTOBER FAMILY GATHERING TBA
Look for an announcement in the September newsletter.
Susan Douglass
Imagine parent and BOD member
831-818-2501
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Our next board meeting will be held August 18th, at 11:00. Write to Lili if you'd like to attend. Imagine's finances did not immediately rebound following the end of the riskiest part of the pandemic and we'll discussing why and how to repair the trouble.
We are still recruiting board members. We are working to diversify the board and to add a GAAP-trained treasurer. An attorney wouldn't be bad either.
Our auditing process remains a mess but here is our new Form 990. The Form 990 is an annual filing required of non-profits like Imagine. It includes details of our operations and finances, including how funds are allocated. All of our mysteries wait within for an able detective.
-Submitted by Doug
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Since our July newsletter, the state budget has been passed, signed and enacted. But we still don't know a bunch about how it will be implemented. We do know that the increase in the state minimum wage is to be supported, that there should be a rate increase in April although not how much, and that California is looking to replicate the Family Home Agency beyond the Developmental Services system.
We believe there will be one-time bonuses for direct-care staff and at some point additional raises to staff who can be certified as bilingual or who complete certain coursework. As to when anything in this paragraph will take place, how it will take place, how people are certified as bilingual, etc, we have not yet been told. Keep an eye on this space or, if you know somebody at DDS and there's a punch bowl, do what you can to get them talking.
As ever, Imagine's advocacy gets split between management's work with the California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN) and whatever you all choose to do. Consider a conversation with a legislator. If you would like to receive CDCAN updates, write to Marty Omoto, which you can do by clicking here.
-Submitted by Doug
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Appreciating Team Stephanie... |
Cherice will want to add to this next month, but I wanted to say something about the team of people who have been supporting Stephanie. Throughout the years, but especially lately- Dafne, Kellie, Sabrina, Vanessa (and sincere apologies if I left someone out) have always looked out for Stephanie. When they brought arrived at Imagine parties and Steph's friends lit up at the sight of her, the staff always lit up to be reminded how loved Stephanie is. During a quarantine, whenever I dropped off supplies, I was met by a cheerful Dafne in a beekeeper suit, whose sleep had been limited to one hour at a time. Kellie has always been a great advocate for her client.
I want you all, and Steph's other staff from the last 7 years to know that I am very proud of your sincere care for and tireless service to Stephanie. I hope you will stay with us and continue to love, respect and support other clients. You've been a great team and made Imagine proud.
-Submitted by Doug
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Briana has visited Raging Waters with friends twice so far this summer. Her most recent trip this month was to celebrate her birthday, and before that was with her new Imagine neighbor. They enjoyed the lazy river, wave pool, and long, winding slides while being able to stay safe and maintain their social distancing from fellow patrons. Briana has had tons of fun and is excited to continue to make use of her season pass through the summer. Wishing her more fun and safe trips to come!
-Submitted by Cherice
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Birthdays & Anniversaries |
Staff Birthdays
Analiese
Jen
Steve
Andrea E.
Sidney
Aliah
Autumn
Saray
James T.
Staff Anniversaries
Jen - 3 Years!
Gregory - 15 Years!
Noelia - 1 Year!
David C. - 5 Years!
Alejandro - 2 Years!
Sarah - 5 Years!
Shannon - 1 Year!
Sam M. - 5 Years!
Suchitra - 5 Years!
Dora - 3 Years!
David R. - 1 Year!
Gabriela - 1 Year!
Dina - 2 Years!
Malak - 2 Years!
Julissa - 3 Years!
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Imagine Supported Living Services
9065 Soquel Drive
Aptos, Ca 95003
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Please remember to shop at
and choose Imagine as the charitable organization to receive a donation of 0.5% of each purchase!
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