URGENT! Call Today to Protect Medicaid for People with Disabilities!

Medicaid funding is the life-blood for providing community services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) here in Colorado.  Currently, the Federal government pays for a percentage of the total cost of Medicaid services.  However, this week the Senate released a draft of its version of the American Health Care Act, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, which aims to transform the way Medicaid works.  This Act would change Medicaid to a per capita cap program, which would set a limit on the amount of federal funding each state would receive.  Over time, this change would mean that Colorado would receive less Medicaid funding, and that could lead to fewer people receiving services, and less funding for those that do receive services.  In addition, Colorado would have a difficult time increasing the State portion of Medicaid funding to make up for Federal cuts, as tax increases must be approved by voters, and the state budget must remain balanced.

We at Imagine! Innovations urge the members of our community, regardless of your political leanings, to voice opposition to this Act.  Call your Senators and urge them to vote against this Act to help protect community services for people with I/DD here in Colorado!

Cory Gardner: (202) 224-5941
Michael Bennet: (202) 224-5852

Super Hero of the Month for May!

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 Towana Vance, who is a Primary Residential Counselor at the Bob & Judy Charles SmartHome.

Towana was nominated by her Site Supervisor, who wrote:

Towana is a very hard worker. From her first day, she has continually looked for opportunities to help the individuals at the house and her fellow staff. In her first week, she took it upon herself to reorganize the basement storage. Ever since, she has picked up extra hours and worked her schedule to better assist the house and the residents that live here. She doesn’t shy away from outings or extra tasks. Whenever I ask for her help, she is always there and does a great job! We’re lucky to have Towana!

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

Super Hero of the Month for April!

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 Victoria Laverty, who is the Site Supervisor for the Bob & Judy Charles SmartHome.

Victoria was nominated by the site Nurse Case Manager, who wrote:

I would like to nominate Victoria Laverty for the Super Hero of the Month Award.  The Bob & Judy Charles Smart Home has been short-staffed recently, and Victoria has done an amazing job in making sure the house runs as smooth as possible.  Victoria has been working the floor as well as being present at the house for long hours, and has maintained a smile throughout.  Besides being the Site Supervisor and keeping the house running, she also solves everyday problems of the house and the individuals that live there.  Problem solving and getting things done through logistics is an everyday task for Victoria and she does it with a chuckle and smile.  Victoria has done an amazing job!  

Victoria shows compassion to the individuals of Boulder Charles.  When you step into the house you know it is a home.  Please give Victoria the recognition she deserves for going the distance to keep shifts covered and Boulder Charles running.

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

Super Hero of the Month for March!

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 Linda Saenz, who is an Administrative Assistant for Innovations.

Linda was nominated by her Supervisor, who wrote:

I would like to nominate Linda Saenz.  Linda consistently amazes me with her time management skills, as well as her overall performance.  Linda is often in contact with community members and stakeholders about classes and she is very polite, helpful, and considerate toward every person she encounters.  Linda does well at prioritizing the needs of the Administrative Team and she is a strong support system for her fellow team members.  Linda is open to new tasks and assisting the department as needed to accomplish goals.  Linda is an amazing strategist when it comes to class scheduling and even through hectic situations, remains calm and efficient.  Linda provides a positive working environment for others and should be recognized for her hard work and dedication to excellence.

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

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 Karoll McMullen, who is a Residential Counselor II for our staffed sites.

Karoll was nominated by her Supervisor, who wrote:

I would like to nominate Karoll McMullen for Super Hero of the Month.  Karoll always seems to bring a great attitude to every situation she is in, and every time I’ve stopped in at a house to talk with her, she’s busy doing something to benefit our individuals.  Karoll has a great relationship with many of the individuals Innovations serves and her hard work, dedication, and selflessness is reflected in the respect she has from her co-workers.  Another supervisor recently wrote to tell me of Karoll going above and beyond:
“I just wanted to send you a BIG WORD OF PRAISE for Karoll. This afternoon Karoll helped one of our individuals do a deep cleaning of his entire bedroom. His closet was organized, his DVDs were re-organized, every inch of furniture was dusted and buffed… it looks amazing! I nearly fell down when I went in there. I have no idea when Karoll found the time for it, but big THANK YOU to her. It was a very helpful and important task and I’m sure it was no small task either.”
I’ve received many emails similar to this over the last 2 years and would like to acknowledge and thank Karoll for her support of Innovations and its individuals.

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

Super Hero of the Month for January!

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 Lucy Mwangi, who is a Residential Counselor for our Group Homes program.

Lucy was nominated by her Supervisor, who wrote:

Lucy works overnights during the week at Foothills Group Home.  She’s always a positive presence, and consistently does far more than expected.  For example, Lucy’s morning routine usually involves assisting two people with morning routines, but I’ve heard about and personally witnessed a couple of times where Lucy has assisted a third person in order to help other staff with morning routines.  Also, on three separate days, Lucy has stayed extra to assist the house when coworkers have been out sick or unable to come to work due to an emergency.  She continuously goes above and beyond on a daily basis and all of her hard work has helped keep the house functioning during a time of short staffing and increased care needs.  Overall, I can’t say enough good things about her.

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

Super Hero of the Month for 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 Priyanka Giri, who is a Coordinator for our Host Home program.

Priyanka was nominated by her Supervisor, who wrote:

Priyanka Giri has been a rock star regarding two recent moves involving clients on her caseload.  She provided uninterrupted support to two new host home placements with new providers over the holiday weekend.  She received calls, counseled and supported clients, guardians, and providers, provided on site visits and training support every day over the holiday break.  She even picked up a client at the airport after a family vacation.  This type of support has become the norm for Priyanka, she is committed to making sure new placements go smoothly, are thoughtful and receive all the support they require to get off on the right foot and give everyone involved the best chance for success from the start.  She consistently makes herself available to the people she supports and always does so with a positive attitude and the compassion we all strive to meet.  I can always rest assured that new placements will go well and receive all the attention they deserve, dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” when Priyanka is on the case.  She just gets the job done, plain and simple.  Innovations is lucky to have her and I’m proud she is a part of the Host Home team!

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