New Mission Statement for Imagine!

We are excited to announce that Imagine! has updated its Mission Statement!  The new Mission Statement is short and sweet, while still clearly identifying what we are trying to accomplish here at Imagine!.  One notable change is that the word "disability" is no longer part of our Mission.  We determined that the word "disability" is limiting both to Imagine! as an organization, and in regards to the people we serve.  We choose to focus on the things people can and want to do, instead of what they struggle with.

Thank you all for everything you do to help Imagine! fulfill this important mission!

To learn more, click here to read CEO Mark Emery's blog post, and watch him talk about the new Mission in the video below.

Super Hero of the Month for February!

Every month, Innovations presents the “Super Hero of the Month” award to the employee or provider who has best demonstrated excellence in one or more of our Innovations Quality Standards:

• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Effective and Efficient
• Respect and Dignity
• Opportunities
• Integrity
• Care

This month, the award was presented to Alex Prokop, who is a Primary Residential Counselor for our the Charles Family Group Home (one of our two Smart Homes).

Alex was nominated by his supervisor, who wrote:

I would like to nominate Alex Prokop as the Super Hero of the Month.  He has done numerous things recently to help out at the Charles Family Group Home, which have made a big difference for the individuals he serves as well as his co-workers.  One night while I was working with Alex, another staff was not able to work their shift and Alex stepped up to the plate.  Alex and I worked the shift together and he was amazing.  He was organized and efficient with everything that he did.  He passed meds, cooked dinner, and did bedtime routines - and all with a smile.  He also agreed to fill in at the last minute for a co-worker who was having a family emergency.  Alex exemplified everything that makes an employee a Super Hero and it is very much appreciated.

If you see Alex around, please congratulate him on being our Super Hero of the Month!

Super Hero for the Month of December!

Every month, Innovations presents the “Super Hero of the Month” award to the employee or provider who has best demonstrated excellence in one or more of our Innovations Quality Standards:

• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Effective and Efficient
• Respect and Dignity
• Opportunities
• Integrity
• Care

This month, the award was presented to Ryan Brennan, who is a Residential Counselor for our Manhattan Group Home.

Ryan was nominated by his supervisor, who wrote:

On Thanksgiving, Ryan was scheduled to end his shift at 9:30am, but when a guardian didn’t come to the house as planned at 9, he contacted them. When they told him they would not be driving due to the weather, he offered to take the individual we support to the guardian’s home in Longmont so that they could enjoy Thanksgiving with their family. I’d like to nominate him for his trouble shooting skills and taking initiative to come up with a solution that worked in everyone’s best interest. I’d also like to nominate him for taking things in stride and keeping a positive attitude during all situations.  Ryan is a great counselor and we are happy to have him at the house.  

If you see Ryan around, please congratulate him on being our Super Hero of the Month!

Joint Budget Committee Hearing Next Week!

Government funding is critical to our ability as an agency to provide services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).  Most of our funding comes from Medicaid, a federal program that is administered by each State.  Since the bulk of our funding is impacted by fiscal concerns at the State level, it is critical for us to follow and participate in the State budget process.

Every year, the Colorado General Assembly's Joint Budget Committee (JBC) meets with each department to discuss their budget for the upcoming year.  The JBC process starts with a "briefing," where a JBC staff-person presents the department budget request to the Committee, and offers recommendations for follow-up questions and requests.  The Department prepares written responses to the questions, and responds at an in-person "hearing."

The two governmental agencies that have the most impact on our services are the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).  The hearing for both HCPF and CDHS will occur on Tuesday, 12/22, from 9-12, at the Legislative Service Building in Denver (200 East 14th Avenue).  The hearing is a public event, and all are welcome to attend.  If you would like to listen to the hearing but are unable to attend in-person, you can listen to the event by clicking on this link (click on "Year-Round Committees" on the left side of the page, and then "Joint Budget Committee").

Through our involvement with this process, we become more educated about our system, and ensure that the people we serve receive the best possible services here in Colorado!

Super Hero for the Month of November!

Every month, Innovations presents the “Super Hero of the Month” award to the employee or provider who has best demonstrated excellence in one or more of our Innovations Quality Standards:

• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Effective and Efficient
• Respect and Dignity
• Opportunities
• Integrity
• Care

This month, the award was presented to Martha Heimbaugh, who is an Administrative Assistant for our Innovations for Children program.

Martha was nominated by her supervisor, who wrote:

Martha has been such a trooper through all the changes in foster care, yet she continues to have the most upbeat attitude about things. She's done such a great job keeping everyone organized and is an amazing support system.  She is always on top of things and keeps foster care running smoothly.  Martha is always willing to assist with projects and to create new tracking systems that are effective and efficient.  She is a wealth of knowledge and is pleasant to be around.  Thank you, Martha for everything that you do.

If you see Martha around, please congratulate her on being our Super Hero of the Month!

Super Hero of the Month for October!

Every month, Innovations presents the “Super Hero of the Month” award to the employee or provider who has best demonstrated excellence in one or more of our Innovations Quality Standards:

• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Effective and Efficient
• Respect and Dignity
• Opportunities
• Integrity
• Care

This month, the award was presented to Jennifer Carr, who is a Site Supervisor II for our Family Model program.

Jennifer was nominated by her supervisor, who wrote:

Jennifer does an amazing job working with the individuals that are on her caseload.  Jennifer is dedicated to the people that she supports and has built robust, creative, and comprehensive training plans to assist with skill acquisition and increased independence.  Jennifer has done an amazing job tailoring supports to the individual’s preferences and is integral in endorsing Person-Centered Practices.  Jennifer is always willing to spend additional 1:1 time with individuals and is always responsive to their needs and family dynamics. 

Jennifer has been an active member of the Innovations’ Advocacy Council and has assisted in various projects such as the recent Innovations’ Fall Formal.  Jennifer was responsible for finding a photographer for the event as well as assisting with the photo booth and helping set-up the event.  Jennifer’s input has been invaluable to the council and she is always willing to lend a helping hand.

If you see Jennifer around, please congratulate her on being our Super Hero of the Month!

Super Hero of the Month for September!

Every month, Innovations presents the “Super Hero of the Month” award to the employee or provider who has best demonstrated excellence in one or more of our Innovations Quality Standards:

• Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Effective and Efficient
• Respect and Dignity
• Opportunities
• Integrity
• Care

This month, the award was presented to Marie Handlin, who is a Program Specialist for our Host Homes program.

Marie was nominated by her supervisor, who wrote:

Over the last 6-8 months, the Innovations Host Home program has been extraordinarily swamped with moves and transitions, both planned and unplanned.  In her role as Program Specialist, Marie Handlin is responsible for coordinating and supporting all transitions, external, internal, planned and emergent but it has been a rough stretch recently to say the least.  Marie has always been an exceptional employee, always available and willing to help in any way she can whether it's her direct responsibility or not.  However, during these last few months Marie has really stepped up her game and been outstanding in her role.  She’s reliable, competent and consistent, always has a smile on her face and a great "get it done" attitude.  She consistently is in the line of fire, taking on the unexpected and always takes it in stride.  It’s not easy for anyone to move and it’s especially difficult for the individuals we support and Marie is always thoughtful and caring in working through this process.  We all want to recognize Marie for her ongoing hard work and compassion during these challenging times.

You really make a difference and we appreciate everything you do Marie, thank you!

If you see Marie around, please congratulate her on being our Super Hero of the Month!