Welcome to TASC's NEW Newsletter! |
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This year has brought many visual changes for TASC, a new logo that was revealed in September and now a new newsletter host, Constant Contact!
To ensure you continue receiving the latest news and updates from TASC - please add info@taschq.com to your email address book.
We hope you enjoy TASC's new newsletter look!
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SNEAK PEEK: Creating Employment Training Through TASC's New Microenterprise, Better World Clothing |
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As we all have seen, many employment opportunities have been lost when businesses have closed or had to cut staffing due to the pandemic.
These issues have greatly impacted the employment opportunities for the clients TASC serves. In an effort to provide continued training opportunities, TASC has developed a new microenterprise, Better World Clothing.
Better World Clothing is a merchandise business creating, packaging and shipping items from an online store.
All of the designs on the merchandise have been created by clients or staff members. They also helped model the shirts on the website!
TASC clients and staff care deeply about the social issues of our time and are active in our community in order to promote a better world for everyone to fulfill their greatest potential. Kindness, diversity, love, compassion and equality are the polestars of all our actions.
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TASC is asking for support through fundraising to assist with the start-up fees that include the upfront cost of shirts and printing.
While you can browse the site, items are not yet available for purchase. Coming soon!
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Special Zoom Guest: Actress & Model, Stephanie Fish - Tales from Disneyland |
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There is always something fun and new happening at TASC's Zoom Classes!
Recently, the Legends, Myths, Folklore, and Fairytales from Around the World class welcomed special guest speaker, Stephanie Fish to visit and share stories from her time at Disneyland as an actress. Stephanie has played Princess Tiana, Iridessa (a positive-thinking fairy) and characters like Winnie-the-Pooh and one of the Seven Dwarfs.
The clients had many great questions for Stephanie. Stephanie shared that her favorite part about working at Disneyland was bringing the magic to the guests. In turn, she felt the same magic and enchantment.
Clients in the Zoom class were writing their own fairytales and stories to share. Stephanie's visit is sure to inspire many more stories from the clients. We are thankful to have Stephanie stop by and share her very special experiences with TASC.
More guest speakers are welcome to Zoom classes. If you have a speciality to share with our classes, please reach out to us at info@taschq.com
Go to this link for the Zoom calendar, here
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See's Candies Fundraiser Tradition Continues |
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During these times when things can feel so uncertain, it's nice to keep traditions alive. TASC will have our See's Candies Fundraiser this year. Help TASC raise funds while completing your holiday shopping list! Up to 50% of proceeds go back to TASC when purchasing select items.
You have TWO different options for purchasing candy this year:
Option 1: Similar to last year, you can purchase by order form and we will arrange for a drop-off or pick-up from TASC. The benefit to this option is there are no shipping fees, however you must order before the deadline (December 2nd) and candy won't be ready until on/after December 11.
For this option:
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Click here https://bit.ly/31YGesJ to view and fill out the order form (if you download the PDF version, it's fillable). Forms/orders can be submitted by email to Christie Hight at chight@taschq.com
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Payments can be submitted online at tinyurl.com/TASC-Sees2020 or by check payable and sent to: The Adult Skills Center (16600 Sherman Way, Suite 240, Lake Balboa, CA 91406)
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Key Dates: Submit orders by Wednesday, December 2nd. Order will be ready on/or after Friday, December 11th.
Option 2: Shop from TASC's online storefront by clicking here. The benefit is that you can have your items shipped to just about anywhere in the U.S. and you'll receive your items based on your shipping preference. However, shipping rates apply (free shipping for orders over $65).
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Go to our online storefront: CLICK HERE
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Key Dates: All orders must be submitted online by Friday, December 4th. Shipping dates will depend on the options you choose at check-out.
For any questions or for more info, please contact Christie Hight at chight@taschq.com
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Get ready for the launch of our 4th Annual Thank Y♥️U Campaign, providing critical funds for TASC's clients and services.
We all recognize how far a “thank you” can go. This year, we are creating a virtual “thank you” video for TASC staff. You can help by creating a short video to thank a person, team or department within TASC that works with your loved one. This will truly help brighten the day for someone within TASC to know their hard work is appreciated. Creating the video is very simple, just go to: tinyurl.com/virtual-thankyou2020
THANK YOU for your ongoing support of TASC!
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Save The Date for One Great Day
Join TASC for One Great Day! As a part of the annual Thank Y♥️U Campaign, we are hosting a day of giving on a very special day, Giving Tuesday. One Great Day will be filled with health and fitness related classes over Zoom and special words from some of our clients, coaches and administrators.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 1st, 2020, 10AM - 2:30PM
Meeting ID: 91159066732
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In Case You Missed It:
TASC Featured on Spectrum News SoCal
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Last month, TASC's Kelly Grimes was featured on Spectrum News 1 SoCal sharing the hard decisions she had to make to continue providing critical services to the clients she works with at TASC.
Kelly shares her story to shed light on what all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) must face to continue providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities during COVID-19.
Thank you to Kelly for sharing your very personal story and to all DSPs continuing to provide critical services individuals with developmental disabilities during this time.
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Upcoming Events & Community Resources |
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Saturday, November 7
8:30AM - 1:30PM
Event: NLACRC's FREE Festival Educacional
Location: Zoom, virtually
NLACRC is offering four educational seminars, presented entirely in Spanish with English interpretation.
Learn more and log-in info:
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Saturday, November 7
10AM - 11:30AM
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Tuesday, November 10
5:30PM - 7PM
Event: DDS Self-Advocate & Family Info Event
Location: Zoom, virtually
These two options for events will include, updates from DDS, info about participant-directed services, hearing from you.
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Tuesday, November 10
6:30PM
Event: Armenian/English-Speaking Support Group by MSS
Location: Virtual
Ongoing and free support group for Armenian/English-speaking families. The topic for this meeting is "Alternatives to Conservatorship," presented by State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Learn more and register:
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Thursday, November 12
6:30PM

Event: Spanish-Speaking Support Group by MSS
Location: Virtual
Ongoing and free support group for Spanish-speaking families. The topic for this meeting is "Alternatives to Conservatorship," presented by State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Learn more and register:
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Tuesday, November 17
5:30PM
Event: TASC Fundraising Committee
Location: Zoom, virtually
Support TASC by joining our Fundraising Committee! All meetings are being held virtually. Click HERE to join the meeting. Passcode: 291809
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Tuesday, December 1
10AM - 2:30PM
Event: One Great Day
Location: Zoom, virtually
One Great Day will be filled with health and fitness related classes over Zoom and special words from TASC clients, coaches and administrators.
Passcode:91159066732
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Program & Office Closure Dates |
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TASC's Day Services will be closed on
Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veteran's Day.
TASC's Office & Day Services will be closed on
Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 in observance of Thanksgiving.
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TASC's FY19-20 Annual Survey Results |
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The following surveys were conducted amongst TASC clients, families, staff, and North LA County Regional Center CSCs/Supervisors. Each group of survey respondents were given a timeframe of roughly two weeks to complete the survey. All responses were anonymous. New to the surveys this year was a special section for TASC’s COVID-19 response.
The TASC client survey had 47 respondents (28% of all clients). 78% of respondents said they were “very happy” with the services TASC provides and 80% of respondents said they were “very happy” with TASC’s staff/instructors. These results are an average of 20% higher than last year. The three most important services to clients that responded said socializing, community integration and budgeting skills. When asked if there was anything to be done to improve their experience with TASC, the most common response was nothing followed by more work/job training. When asked if TASC has met the client’s needs in relation to COVID-19, 91% responded “yes.”
The TASC family survey had 32 respondents (30% of all families/primary contacts for clients with emails). 68% of respondents said they were “very satisfied” with the services TASC provides and 68% of respondents said they were “very satisfied” with TASC’s staff/instructors. This is an average of 19.5% higher than last year. The top three most important services to families for their family members were socializing, community integration and job skills.
The two strength areas based on responses were providing a safe environment for clients and maintaining an open line of communication with family and care providers. The area for potential improvement from last year was how informed families feel on what their family member is doing at TASC. This year, 56% respondents said “highly informed”, improving by 12% from last year’s survey. When asked if TASC has met the family member’s needs in relation to COVID-19, 96.9% responded “yes.” For the open comments section, many respondents said they were very happy with services, followed by some comments requesting more active listening from staff, to increase job training services/volunteer sites once safe to do so, and to increase staff availability.
The TASC staff survey had 113 respondents (47% of all staff). 44% responded they were “very satisfied” with working for TASC and 35% said they were “satisfied.” When asked what motivates staff to go above and beyond at work, the three most common responses were providing services to clients/belief in TASC mission, positive teamwork/working alongside colleagues, and the ability to make a difference for the world. Similar to last year's responses, the top three areas for improvement were staff pay and benefits, staff training, and needing technological solutions to enhance internal communication. When asked if their needs as a TASC staff member are being met in relation to COVID-19, 93.8% responded “yes.”
The North LA County Regional Center CSCs/Supervisors survey had 18 respondents (19% of CSCs & Supervisors). The highest level of satisfaction for these respondents were TASC’s program integration, providing health and safety of clients on-site and within the community, and quality of instruction. Areas to improve upon were improving reports and turnaround time for reports/other documents, and diversity of programs. When asked what future programs they wanted to see TASC develop, 71.4% responded with Older Adult Services. When asked if TASC has met the needs of the clients they work with in relation to COVID-19, 100% of respondents said “yes.”
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