See what's going on at Advance

August 2022

Virtual Services have officially launched!

We are excited to offer virtual services! We look forward to joining you in a new way of learning and a new way of socializing with your peers.

Virtual service sessions, whether individual or group, are held through the Microsoft Teams platform. Those signed up can expect a weekly schedule of topics/activities (based on suggestions given by attendees) emailed to them, so they can join sessions that are of interest. If individuals need help learning how to use Teams, setting up an email account or accessing a computer please let us know so we can assist. Advance has a number of computers we are able to check out for virtual services use.

For more information and to view the current schedule click here:

http://www.advanceopp.org/virtual-services/

Learning through Enrichment Activities

Advance staff have been working hard to incorporate learning into daily activities, both essential life skills and personal interests. Here are a few topics that individuals have been learning about through videos, outings, hands-on activities, games and worksheets in our August Day Services program:

Writing: started journaling
Laundry: finished up laundry learning with how to sort out by color
Money: learned about budgeting
Positive thoughts: put inspiration quotes and sayings on flowers
Games: played Hangman and Charades
Active listening: games to practice listening skills/following directions
Art Projects: tie-dyed t-shirts, canvas paintings, friendship bracelets

Pinecone Art Sneak Peek

One group has been collecting pinecones to make art for Christmas presents. The process has just started so we'll share the final piece when completed!

INDIVIDUALS SERVED ENJOYED

AUGUST 30 PIZZA PARTY

Individuals and staff enjoyed an end-of-summer pizza party at Advance. How did we decide on pizza? Individuals voted on how they wanted to celebrate and a pizza party was the favorite!

Happy National Designated Coordinator Day!

Advance celebrated our own National Designated Coordinator Day on August 1st to recognize and thank our designated coordinators and all of the care and support they give individuals served and their support teams. They play a vital role in the day-to-day functions for our agency.

What is a designated coordinator? A designated coordinator provides supervision, support, and evaluation of activities that include: development and oversight of individuals' service/support plan, instruct and assist direct support staffing in implementing the plan and service outcomes, and use data systems to evaluate effectiveness and progress.

What does a typical day look like? Day-to-day check ins with individuals served on things such as attendance, work/personal goals, health and concerns. Attend support team meetings to report on current service/support plan and service outcomes. Keep the support team updated with individuals' served changes/concerns - from case manager to guardian to residential staff to job coaches.

Individual Passionate about Disassembling Electronics Visited Lyon County Facility

David has a passion for taking apart any small electronics - from keyboards to alarm clocks and desktop printers. At Advance, David is learning proper safety skills, using tools and finding the right screwdriver size/bit, and making community connections. Recently he met the staff at Lyon County Household Hazardous Waste while dropping off items that he disassembled - he got the biggest smile on his face when he received a couple electronics he could take back to Advance to work on! Also, when Lyon County Recycling has car seats to disassemble, David is able to put his skills to use working with the crew at the recycling center.

Community Connections

Individuals served also visited all these fun places recently:

Lyon County Fair
Shopping for crafts at local stores
Independence Park to see new Marshall mural installed

Let's Celebrate: Individuals start back up at Taher

Advance is excited to support individuals working at Taher Food Service at the Middle School location again this year! There will be a new smile as Monica joins the team that works to clean tables, work in the dish room and keep the lunchroom running smoothly. Her restaurant experience made her a good fit for this position and she is so excited for her first day!

HEARD ON THE JOB THIS MONTH (from persons served):

"I am so happy. This makes me happy. My mom will be so proud."

New Schedule Starts in October -- Recycling Facility

Starting October 3, mattress and styrofoam recycling will be changing work hours to 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for the Fall/Winter season. Start times will be later this fall/winter to accommodate for snow removal services before the crew arrives to work. Please continue to listen for further weather delays/cancellations announced via our weather text alerts. If you have any questions regarding this change or want to be added to our weather text alerts, please call 507-537-7018.

Have a success story or idea you'd like to share in our newsletter?

Please email it to: elizabeth.schear@advanceopp.org

Advance

1401 Peterson Street, Marshall MN 56258

phone: 507-537-7018 | fax: 507-537-7025

Visit us online at: advanceopp.org

Advance is an equal opportunity provider and employer.