Our 2020 Everyday Heroes: from left, bottom row, David Steed, Kolleen Nary and Jennifer DeWolf; and, top row, Michelle Lutgen and Savanna Raymond.

The Resource Center recently observed Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week by honoring employees who have done an exemplary job of helping people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives.

TRC held its annual Everyday Heroes Celebration on September 16 at its administrative offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.  The event honored five direct support professionals who had excelled in their jobs during the previous year: Jennifer DeWolf, Michelle Lutgen, Kolleen Nary, Savanna Raymond, and David Steed.

Denise Jones, TRC’s Executive Director, thanked all employees for their efforts during the pandemic, noting that to date no person living in a TRC home has been diagnosed with COVID.  “That speaks volumes to the dedication, diligence and perseverance of our staff, particularly our clinical and direct support professionals who are on the front line,” she said.

Denise noted that the “direct support professional” job title of does not contain the words “caregiver” or “aide” and that the position’s primary role is to provide support.  “A true DSP,” she said, “recognizes and sees the potential in an individual and supports and coaches them in reaching that potential.  You empower people to plan, learn and recognize their potential one day, and one step, at a time.”

Mary Jo Hamilton, Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services, extended her appreciation to direct support staff for the ways in which they have performed during the past six months.

“Once again, our DSPs and community coaches have stepped up during this time of uncertainty and continue to go above and beyond, and venture forward,” she said.  “Thank you for keeping the calmness with individuals we support and their family members.”

Mary Jo lauded workers for ensuring that people with disabilities have been able to enjoy the best possible lives during the pandemic, and she praised DSPs for being flexible in their work assignments and being willing to make changes in their personal lives in order to meet the needs of the people they support.

Terri Johnson, Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, also cited direct support professionals for their efforts since the pandemic forced The Resource Center to alter its operations.

“You have had to step up in ways we have never asked before.  You have had to wear multiple hats, adjust your schedules, do things differently, and provide the best quality services as possible,” Terri said.  “You rose to the occasion.  You have become leaders in your teams and showed what TRC is all about: committed, determined, inspired, honest, and strong.”

She continued, “We are so grateful for your time and dedication to the people you support.  And I know they are so lucky to have you in their lives making their days and lives the best it can be.  Thank you so much for all you do, and please keep up the great work.”

Also attending the event were Assemblyman Andy Goodell and Jacqueline Chiarot Phelps, Deputy District Director for Congressman Tom Reed.

Assemblyman Goodell rhetorically asked those in the room who they would want to spend time with, if they had the chance.  Joking that the answer probably was not their Assembly representative, he told the small audience that the people he would want to spend time with are “those who are making a difference in other people’s lives,” and that TRC employees do that in their jobs every day.

“That’s what makes your work so extraordinary,” he added.

Jacqueline noted the importance of direct support work, saying that DSPs impact the lives of the people with disabilities who rely on them.

“The coolest thing about DSPs is that every single day, you guys face challenges in your work that others never come across,” she said.

Here are profiles of our five Everyday Heroes:

Jennifer DeWolf is a DSP at The Resource Center’s Day Habilitation Program on Lake Shore Drive in Dunkirk, and she also helps out in some of TRC’s homes.  The co-worker who nominated Jenn described her as “a wonderful, loyal, dedicated person” who respects the people she supports and is committed to helping them meet their milestones.  When DeWolf notices issues that should be addressed, she shares her concerns with other members of her teams.

Michelle Lutgen is a Community Coach in the Community-Based Services Program.  “She cares about every single person she supports,” said the person who nominated her.  “She fights for everyone she supports, whether it be an injustice in the community or in their home life.”  When her program went on hiatus during the pandemic, Michelle was assigned to a TRC home and advocated strongly for the residents, her nominator said.  “She loves her job and if she were to ever leave TRC, I don’t know if someone could ever fill her shoes.”

Kolleen Nary is a DSP Aide at one of TRC’s homes at its Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown.  “Her work is person-centered, and she pays close attention to the individuals and their needs.  This has allowed her to develop very positive relationships with the individuals, and one in particular who others may struggle to support,” said the person who nominated Kolleen.  She also is described as interacting well with co-workers.  “She helps other members of the team lift their spirits with her positivity, and she has a great sense of humor.  She does not let some of the tougher tasks of the job get her down.  She can be counted on to do the right thing, even when no one is looking.”

Savanna Raymond is a DSP at one of TRC’s homes in Jamestown.  She is described as a creative problem-solver who knows how to best support each person living in the home.  “Savanna is always able to maintain a calm demeanor,” said the person who nominated Savanna.  “She is someone I can depend on to follow through with behavior support plans, and also make quick decisions when something unexpected occurs.”  She also is a strong team member who will provide suggestions on how to better support the home’s residents.

David Steed is a DSP at the Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program, but he was selected as an Everyday Hero for his performance while reassigned to one of TRC’s homes when the day program was closed because of the pandemic.  David quickly learned the residents’ routines and favorite pastimes in order to plan activities for them.  “David truly loves what he does and takes pride in the care he gives our residents,” said one of the home’s supervisors.  “The residents respond well to him.  The relationships he has with them is a very nurturing, mutually respected one.”

For being named an Everyday Hero, each honoree received a check and a hooded sweatshirt, as well as certificates from Congressman Reed and Assemblyman Goodell.

Thirteen other people who were nominated for an Everyday Hero award received honorable mention: Dawn Beardsley, Lisa Covey, Rachel Echevarria, Lindsey Greene, Jessica Harley, Andrew Heggarty, Robin Kestler, Holly Lange, Darlene Lascola, Jill Marsh, Sarah Nyhart, Amanda Pokoj, and Beth Ray.

Click here to watch a video of the Every Heroes Celebration on Facebook.

Other activities that took place at various TRC locations during Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week included car washes, a picnic and prize drawings.

Click here if you’d like to make a donation to next year’s Everyday Heroes Celebration, either in honor of one of this year’s awardees or your favorite DSP.

From left: President Patricia Perlee; Treasurer Craig Colburn; Vice President Richard Erickson; Secretary Marie Carrubba

Patricia Perlee was re-elected President of The Resource Center’s Board of Directors during the agency’s annual General Membership Meeting.

Also re-elected as officers for the Board’s 2020-21 term were Richard Erickson, Vice President; Marie Carrubba, Esq., Secretary; and Craig Colburn, Treasurer.

Elected to two-year Board terms were Timothy Adam, Douglas Anderson, Donna Haenggi, Dr. Todd Jacobson, Rebecca Hamlet Kapple, Richard Kimball, and Wayne Ormsby.  Todd, Rebecca, Rich, and Wayne were re-elected to the Board, while Tim, Doug and Donna replaced outgoing members Alan Richards, Timothy Roche and Jennifer Yost.  Donna returns to the Board after a one-year absence; Tim and Doug became Board members for the first time.

Elected to the Nominating Committee for The Resource Center’s 2021 Election were Wayne Hotelling, June Jacobson, Jennifer Liuzzo, and Julie McCarthy.

In her President’s report, Patty recapped the previous year.  She noted that the summer and fall of 2019 went well, with TRC realizing operating efficiencies in its medical, dental and mental health service areas.  But as 2020 began, things changed.

“January arrived with the threat of an epidemic in China.  February brought a slightly louder whisper, with the word `pandemic’ being used as the coronavirus spread into Italy.  In March, the whisper became a roar and landed on our shores.  We were asked to stop, change or curtail our way of life overnight,” said Patty.

She added that TRC executives had begun to prepare for the virus before the United States locked down, and as a result the agency was able to respond rapidly.  Protocols were put in place at TRC’s homes and clinical service areas to allow them to continue operating safely.  Allied Industries, TRC’s manufacturing division, adapted its sewing operations in order to produce reusable masks and gowns.  TRC administrative staff pursued grants available to help organizations get through the pandemic.

“TRC was quickly designated as an essential service,” Perlee said.  “We remained flexible, we remained open, and we remained supportive of our clients, patients and employees.”

She said that during the crisis, TRC’s leaders have been thinking how the organization should be evolving for the future.

“While others are in the reopening phase of business, TRC is re-emerging stronger and more flexible as a leader in the industry,” Patty said, “a leader dedicated to their mission of supporting individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.”

In his Treasure’s report, Craig noted that 2019 was a breakeven year for the agency, which had an operating budget of $76.9 million.  He said TRC performed better financially than most of the 40-plus chapters of The Arc New York.  This was the third straight year in which TRC’s external audit resulted in zero adjustments, which Craig termed an incredible achievement given The Resource Center’s vast size and complexity.

In her report, Chief Executive Officer Denise Jones highlighted some accomplishments from the previous year.  She said TRC supported 182 people with disabilities to have competitive jobs in the community, including 55 people who started a job in 2019.  In a related statistic, Denise said 162 community-based businesses provided employment or work training opportunities to people with disabilities last year, up from 148 in 2018.  Also in the area of employment, Denise noted that workers in Allied Industries worked an average of 22.9 hours per week in 2019 (up from 21.6 hours per week the previous year) and earned an average of $11.64 per hour (up from $11.01 in 2018).

Denise shared that when it came to the health of the people TRC supports, there were fewer reportable incidents, emergency-room visits and hospitalization in 2019 than in the previous year.  She added that The Resource Center picked up 700 new patients at its dental clinics in 2019.

Financially, Denise said The Resource Center realized positive operating results in 2019, the fifth straight year it had done so.

She praised the efforts of staff throughout the organization for TRC’s accomplishments in 2019.  She added that the past few months have been challenging because of the changes in operations caused by COVID.  Agency policies and training procedures have been successful in preventing any of the people supported by TRC from contracting the virus.

“We have an excellent team,” Denise said.

The meeting was held by phone and videoconference because of the pandemic.  There was a slideshow presentation portraying the various ways people with disabilities and their support staff stayed active during the four months that TRC’s day programs were closed because of the virus.

The Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization that has been supporting people with disabilities in Chautauqua County since 1958.  The Resource Center also provides a variety of health services that can be utilized by anyone, regardless of whether they have a disability.  In addition, TRC performs subcontracting work for local businesses and the federal government at manufacturing centers in Dunkirk and Jamestown.  For more information, phone 483-2344 or visit www.resourcecenter.org.

 

Marcia Restivo, left, The Resource Center’s guardianship coordinator, and Joan Yost, right, a longtime member of TRC’s Guardianship Committee, share a moment with Elizabeth W., one of the people for whom TRC provides guardianship supports.

The Resource Center has been awarded $26,000 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support TRC’s guardianship and recreation programs.

NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts and pooled trusts that improve the lives of people with disabilities by enabling them to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs.  For 2020, NYSARC Trust Services fulfilled its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding $2,636,000 to chapters of The Arc New York statewide.

The Resource Center received $14,000 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate.

Supported by TRC staff and community volunteers, The Resource Center’s guardianship program provides guardianship supports and services to three people and is ready to assist one more person as an alternate standby guardian.  TRC’s guardianship program supports these people by giving them a sense of family and belonging, conducting person-centered planning and advocating on their behalf.  TRC’s guardianship committee oversees their care and assists with making critical medical decisions and ensuring that the people receive needed care.

“The guardianship committee, which is comprised of deeply engaged volunteers and a portion of one paid staff member, is exceedingly grateful to NYSARC Trust Services for their continued financial support of the guardianship program,” said Marcia Restivo, TRC’s Guardianship Coordinator.  “We truly are a surrogate family to the people we support.”

Besides the grant money, there is no funding for TRC’s guardianship program.  As a result, TRC relies on financial support from families, particularly the families of those for whom TRC serves as standby guardian.  For more information about the guardianship program, phone (716) 661-1069.

In addition to the guardianship money, NYSARC Trust Services awarded The Resource Center $12,000 to support recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.  Uses of the money include paying for an outdoor basketball hoop and an accompanying concrete slab; buying a film projector and screen; and enabling people to attend summer camp.

“It is truly amazing to see the joy on each person’s face when participating in any one of these activities,” said Mary Jo Hamilton, Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services.  “We are so very thankful for this grant opportunity.”

The Resource Center has supported people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County since 1958.  To learn more about the services TRC provides, phone (716) 483-2344 or visit www.resourcecenter.org.

NYSARC Trust Services has administered supplemental needs trusts since 1972, helping thousands of people with disabilities protect their eligibility for government benefits and improve their quality of life.  NYSARC Trust Services’ programs give people with disabilities the opportunity to remain in their communities with greater comfort and independence while providing peace of mind to their family and loved ones.

NYSARC Trust Services administers pooled supplemental needs trusts to help families plan for the future of a loved one with a disability, preserve income and assets for Medicaid planning purposes and long-term care, and protect unexpected monetary windfalls.  NYSARC also administers Medicare Set-Aside accounts for people who use a pooled trust to protect settlement proceeds.  To learn more, phone (518) 439-8323 or visit www.nysarctrustservices.org.

Annmarie Bonfiglio-Davis, left, a Direct Support Professional at the Edgewater Day Program, and Jill Suter, Program Supervisor, discuss the E-Badge Academy certification process.

The Resource Center has implemented the latest initiative supporting its status as a national leader in the development of direct support professional career ladders with the launch of the NADSP E-Badge Academy.

For more than a decade, TRC has worked with NADSP (the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals) to provide opportunities for eligible employees to earn multiple levels of national certification.  TRC’s commitment to workforce development was recognized nationally in 2014 when the agency received a Moving Mountains Award, which recognizes organizations that use best practices in direct support workforce development that result in improved outcomes for people with disabilities.

The traditional NADSP certification process has long been the gold standard as a demonstration of a direct support professioinal’s knowledge, values and skills in a selected set of competency expectations.  Over the past decade, the NADSP has realized a need to respond to the many time demands that can impede upon the ability of DSP certification candidates to develop a robust portfolio for submission at the end of their credentialing journey.  Also influential when considering change was a commitment to the reality that today’s DSP is guided by a code of ethics and a need to possess a greater range of skills and knowledge than ever before to help people reach positive outcomes and live quality lives in the communities of their choice.

Toward that end, NADSP retired the traditional certification process in January to make way for the launch of the NADSP E-Badge Academy.  The E-Badge Academy is housed online using the Web Courseworks platform.  This makes E-Badge Academy attractive to DSPs who often have few minutes to spare in the course of a day, given with their work schedules and home-life responsibilities.

E-Badge Academy participants work at a self-developed pace to create and submit examples of competency demonstrations from an array of skill sets based on core competencies established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Each learner will earn a total of 50 E-Badges from a catalog featuring skills such as “Building on Strengths,” “Community Safety” and “Cultural Reflections.”  Required E-Badges will also be achieved for the milestones of 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 cumulative hours completed using the accredited learning management system Relias.

Learners receive credit for competency throughout the process, including stipends from TRC as they achieve each of the three levels of national certification.  Certifications at the DSP-I and II levels are obtained as learners reach specific criteria of E-Badge accomplishment, leading to the highest level of national certification, DSP-III.

The 25 open slots for TRC’s E-Badge Academy filled quickly.  Early reviews suggest the academy is a success.

“I absolutely love the online platform.  It is user friendly, and I’ve already completed some E-Badges using my phone,” said Katie Cleland, a medical aide at TRC’s home on Chandler Street in Jamestown.  “I truly believe this course will further my current knowledge and understanding of being a DSP.  Having a better understanding of the code of ethics will tremendously help with promoting more growth for individuals we support.”

TRC officials are pleased with employees’ response to the E-Badge Academy and the prospect that staff who undergo the certification training will provide even better supports to people with disabilities.

“The Resource Center is excited to support direct support professionals in achieving this national recognition,” said Michele Albaugh, director of recruitment, learning and development.  “This certification signifies a commitment to the profession and to the competency standards held in highest regards by the NADSP.  As an employer, we are proud to have employees striving for this recognition.  We know that as members of our workforce earn this recognition, the supports provided will be elevated as well.  It is a win-win for all involved.  The Resource Center is proud of its workforce and the work DSPs do to support people in having a great life, one rich in experiences and opportunities.”

NADSP certification offers several benefits.  DSPs benefit by learning and applying evidence-based skills and knowledge in the workplace.  Organizations employing certified DSPs can provide stronger assurances of quality and can market their employment of nationally certified staff.  People receiving supports from certified DSPs have the advantage of partnering with highly trained professionals committed to supporting them using ethical and effective interventions.  Additionally, anecdotal evidence suggests that employees who complete rigorous credential programs stay on the job longer and provide a higher quality of support.

Here are profiles of our first employees to have achieved DSP-I certification through E-Badge Academy:

Aimee Salvo-Boron
Aimee, a Direct Support Professional at our Edgewater Day Program in Jamestown, was the first TRC employee to earn DSP-I Level Certification through the E-Badge Academy.  Aimee had to meet several requirements to become eligible to be considered for the DSP-I Certification.  Firstly, she committed to perform her duties in a professional and ethical manner by submitting her commitment to the NADSP Code of Ethics.  As a result, she was awarded an E-Badge for Code of Ethics Commitment.

She also had to provide a transcript verifying the completion of at least 50 hours of NADSP-accredited.  Aimee then submitted testimonials supporting her skills and competency in 11 additional areas of performance.  Each submission required her to provide testimony responding to several prompts discussing the E-Badge area of focus, with specifics such as how she applies the skills; how it has a positive impact on the people she supports; and reflection on how her application of her skills aligns with the Code of Ethics.

Once she had received approval from NADSP E-Badge submission reviewers for her first 15 E-Badge submissions, she was eligible to submit for the DSP-I Level Certification, which was awarded to her the same day.

Aimee has appreciated the technology-based process and the pace at which a learner can progress toward national certifications.  “I am loving my E-Badge Academy experience so far.  The technology is easy to use, and things move along quickly,” she said.  “I believe it is making me a better DSP, because it helps me grow in my profession and have a bigger impact on the people I support.”

It is now full steam ahead as Aimee continues to work toward her DSP-II Level Certification using the NADSP E-Badge Academy provided by TRC.

Jenn Rolfe
Jenn, Direct Support Professional Lead for our A-2 home on Foote Avenue in Jamestown has been motivated, validated and reflective during her journey thus far.  She was motivated to get off to a strong start at E-Badge Academy because she is beginning her second year at Jamestown Community College, creating a busy schedule with work and home life.  She feels participating in E-Badge Academy has already helped her become a better DSP.  She finds the online platform to be user friendly, and she acknowledges she has learned a lot.

Jenn feels validated because E-Badge Academy has helped her recognize and connect the many skills she already demonstrates daily to the national competency expectations of a DSP.  The program offers a depth of detail that helps Jenn refine her skills, especially in the areas of de-escalation and developing skills to better handle stressful days.  She noted that her E-Badge Academy experience is providing her with helpful information to better understand and respond to the needs of a new person she is supporting.

Jenn says that reflecting on the E-Badge prompts for each submission has helped her think outside the box, recognize all the great things she’s done for the people she supports, and remind her of why she does what she does.

Not slowing down, Jenn is already well on her way to achieving the DSP-II level certification.

Angel Weaver
Angel, a Direct Support Professional at our home in Summit Avenue in Lakewood, has enjoyed E-Badge Academy for making her a better employees, and for the flexibility the online training program provides.

“This is so exciting and has been an amazing opportunity for me, and I am very thankful,” Angel said. “The E-Badge Academy is absolutely fantastic. It’s so accessible and practical.  Earning the E-Badges is not only really fun, but as I am posting more and more testimonies I am just loving my job that much more.  I know I am becoming a better DSP for the individuals I support.  I am getting more in depth in my work as a DSP. I am getting more in depth in my work as a DSP and sharing in my testimonies some of my experiences and the ways I have helped and supported the individuals that I have had the pleasure to work with.

“This program is amazing and as a mother of two young children juggling so much the accessibility of the Academy and being able to do the program on my time makes it so much easier to accomplish and achieve my goals.  I don’t have a favorite E-Badge submission because I have really enjoyed them all.  Every submission I have completed has really made me open my eyes that much more to what I am accomplishing as a DSP and what I am doing in the lives of the individuals I support.”

 

Pictured from left are Dan Hocking, co-owner of ACME The Appliance Store; Steven Rodgers, who was able to attend a Buffalo Bills game thanks to the WOW Fund; and Marcos Figueroa, who was the driving force in creating the WOW Fund.

The pandemic has forced the cancellation of this year’s Mark Pacheco WOW Fund Lip Sync Battle fund-raiser, but area residents still have an opportunity to support the fund.

The sixth annual Lip Sync Battle had been scheduled to take place in August at the Celoron Legion.  Because the popular event draws a standing-room-only audience of several hundred people, organizers decided to cancel this year’s contest to avoid the possibility of spreading the virus.

As a way to generate money to partially replace the revenues that will be lost by not having a Lip Sync Battle, there will be a drawing for a Samsung television.  The TV was donated by ACME The Appliance Center of Jamestown.

“We are very thankful for The Resource Center and the positive impact they have on our community,” said Dan Hocking, who with his wife, Beth, owns ACME.  “We are pleased to help in a small way with this 55-inch, high-definition TV donation to help raise money for the WOW Fund.  The Resource Center makes a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis, and we are happy to support their efforts.”

The Mark Pacheco WOW (Working on Wonders) Fund awards money to people with special needs so they can do things they may not otherwise be able to afford, such as attend a sporting event or a concert, or take a vacation.  The fund is administered by Filling the Gap, Inc., which works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities in Chautauqua County.

The fund was created in memory of Pacheco, an employee of The Resource Center who died in 2010 of injuries sustained in an altercation on a Jamestown street.  Pacheco’s family and friends suggested the establishment of the WOW Fund as a tribute to him and to create something positive from his death.

The drawing for the TV will take place September 15.  For information on how to enter the drawing, phone 661-1477.  Proceeds will be directed to The Resource Center’s Mark Pacheco WOW Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Denise Jones has again been listed among the area’s most respected businesswomen.

Denise, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer, is ranked No. 22 on Buffalo Business First magazine’s 2020 list of the 150 most powerful women in Western New York.  This marks the sixth straight year Denise has been ranked in the top 50 on the annual list of the most powerful businesswomen in the eight-county region.  It also marks the second time this year she has been recognized by Business First: in February, the magazine ranked Denise No. 74 on its list of the 250 most influential people in Western New York.

The Power 150 Women list was compiled by Business First’s reporters and editors.  Denise is the highest-ranked Chautauqua County businesswoman on the list.

TRC officials were pleased she again has been recognized by Business First.

“The Board of Directors congratulates Denise on her recognition by Business First as one of the 150 Most Powerful Women in Western New York,” said Patricia Perlee, Board President.  “Denise has led TRC through the tumultuous time of COVID-19 in a calm and thoughtful manner while understanding the needs of staff, clients, residents, and families.  This distinction by Business First is well earned.  TRC is very fortunate to have Denise serve as our Executive Director.”

Denise has been with The Resource Center since 1990.  She served as TRC’s Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for eight years before being named Executive Director and CEO in 2015.

The Resource Center operates three business lines.  TRC’s core mission is to support people with disabilities and their families.  The Resource Center also provides a variety of health-related services that can be utilized by anyone, regardless of whether they have a disability.  TRC also performs subcontracting work for local businesses and the federal government at manufacturing facilities in Jamestown and Dunkirk.

The Resource Center’s summer intern program gave area students valuable experience in several clinical disciplines, and it may help convince the future health care professionals to start their careers in Chautauqua County.

Collectively Dubbed “The Best Interns Ever” by their mentors at The Resource Center, 12 students had the opportunity to rotate among The Resource Center’s various clinical services – primary care, dental, behavioral health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and nursing.  The ability to experience different branches of the health care field provided the interns with firsthand observations they would not have gotten had they focused on a single specialty.  The passion they witnessed from TRC’s clinical staff caused some of the interns to consider changing their intended medical career path.

In addition, most of the interns were surprised to realize the importance of the billing side of the health care industry – if therapy notes and billing aren’t done correctly, insurance companies will not reimburse providers for services delivered to patients.

Other aspects of the internship provided unexpected learning opportunities.  The interns had not realized the scope of health care services offered by The Resource Center.  And by working with nurses at TRC’s Intermediate Care Facilities, interns were able to interact with people who have significant intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The pandemic made the internships challenging in that some of TRC’s clinical services were not operating at full capacity.  But there were enough opportunities available to make the internships worthwhile for the students as well as the professionals who they shadowed and worked with.

“It was a difficult decision to bring on interns during the current pandemic, but it’s important to provide the students with the internship experience, so we were happy to have been able to accommodate them,” said Dr. Adnan Munir, TRC’s Medical Director, who added that having the interns around reminded him of when he was a student.  “I found them all very helpful and a pleasure to work with.  I wish them well in their future.”

Nine of the interns came to TRC through a program coordinated by Chautauqua Works.  Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, the Chautauqua Works Workforce Investment Board is able to support the creation of a healthcare talent pipeline for the local region.  Part of that effort is a college internship program.

“This is our ninth year being able to offer internships specifically for direct patient care in the healthcare field to increase awareness of and interest in our local job opportunities,” said Katie Geise, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Workforce Investment Board, Inc.  “Internship programs are a great opportunity for college students to gain experience, but this specific program is also a great opportunity for healthcare-related businesses to start building connections with our future workforce.  We have a need to fill healthcare jobs locally, and we need to start building relationships between students and employers now.”

The program increases awareness of local physician opportunities and matches young adults pursuing a career in direct patient care with local health care providers.  This allows interns to gain experience, develop relationships and learn about future employment opportunities.

“The end result being that the Interns will consider returning to our area to live, work and raise their families here in Chautauqua County,” Katie said.

During a recent video get-together in which the students gave presentations on summer research projects and shared thoughts on their internship experiences, Linda Swanson, the Sheldon Foundation‘s Executive Director, thanked The Resource Center for giving the students the chance to work at TRC.

“These are just invaluable experiences,” said Swanson, because internships enable students to work in the health care field and learn about career options in Chautauqua County.  She said the internship program is succeeding in persuading young health care professionals to return to the area.

“We are bringing kids back.  We are keeping them looped in” to the opportunities available locally, she said.

In addition to the nine students from Chautauqua Works, The Resource Center hired three college students to work in TRC Community Health Center.  These students spent the summer shadowing clinical and medical providers, assisting with population health and organizing medical records.

“They were a valuable addition to the team, and we wish them well as they continue their studies, which may include additional time at the TRC Community Health Center as part of their final intern programs,” said Heather C. Brown, Assistant Executive Director.

TRC officials were grateful for the opportunity to host the interns, and they shared Katie’s hope that some of these future health care providers will grow their careers locally.

“The Resource Center has been so fortunate to have the students join us for the summer,” Heather said.  “This is a critical time in history to be studying to enter the health care field during a global pandemic, and TRC is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for these bright, young adults in the community.”

Dan Tota, Practice Manager for Health-Related Services and Revenue, was involved with the internship program at his previous job as well.  He said having students learn about things such as medical billing helps them understand “every person’s importance in the health care delivery system.”

“Everybody’s been great.  They’ve been so helpful,” said Steve Riczker, Primary Care Practice Manager, noting the interns tackled several filing projects that had piled up.  As for their future careers, he advised the students to give 100 percent; be passionate as well as compassionate; be responsible; be accountable; and make themselves invaluable.

“Keep your work joyful,” Lisa Smrekar, Dental Practice Manager, told the interns during the wrap-up session.  “Stay resilient, and come back and visit us anytime.”

“It has been great having the interns work with us at The Resource Center,” said Michele Albaugh, TRC’s Director of Recruitment, Learning and Development.  “Not only have they had the opportunity to learn in a variety of settings from medical records to actual service delivery, but they also were able to talk with wonderful providers that could have an impact on their career choice.  We are hopeful that they will choose Chautauqua County as a place to practice their craft upon graduation.  More than that, we hope they will choose to look at The Resource Center for employment.”

Here are profiles of some of the interns.

RHYANNON DAVIS
Rhyannon Davis is a sophomore biochemistry major at SUNY Fredonia.  The Perrysburg native plans to become a physician, and she wants to practice in the area.

“I have a natural interest in science and I also enjoy working in patient care.  I want to apply critical thinking skills in a clinical setting to help individuals have a better quality of life, especially in this area,” Rhyannon said.  “I grew up in Western New York and have received healthcare here.  Becoming a physician in Western New York would allow me to care for and give back to my community, resulting in a strong local healthcare system.”

She was attracted to the internship at TRC Community Health Center because of the opportunity to rotate among the different service areas.

“I was given several opportunities to intern at different locations this summer.  I noticed that The Resource Center provided rotations for interns to experience different healthcare professions.  Although, currently, I know medical school is the path for me, I believe that to be a well-informed physician it is important to understand how other areas of healthcare operate.  Having exposure to different healthcare professions is truly eye-opening.  As a physician, I would want to be able to refer my patients to a place where they can receive the best treatment possible.”

Rhyannon encourages other students to consider an internship at The Resource Center.

“I am happy I chose this internship because it has provided me with the opportunities to see growth in individuals, and being able to be a part of this is incredibly uplifting,” she said.  “Please take this opportunity! Even if you are not sure of which path you want to choose in healthcare, this internship will provide you with many different encounters that could help you make your decision.  Also, if you already know which path you want to take, please don’t be closed-minded and think that because this internship has rotations it will not pertain to you, because it will pertain to you.  It will help you understand how your career path connects to other paths in healthcare.  These types of hands-on experiences are what I would strongly recommend for anyone pursuing a career in healthcare.

HANNAH FINSON
Hannah Finson is a Lakewood resident who will be entering her junior year at Liberty University.  She is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, with plans to become an ophthalmologist.

Even before her internship at The Resource Center, Hannah had a lot of knowledge and experience in the local health care field, having spent more than 300 hours doing volunteer work and job shadowing at UPMC Chautauqua.  Her experiences observing local eye doctors and volunteering at the Chautauqua Blind Association drew her toward a career as an ophthalmologist.

“I learned that there is great joy in giving someone the gift of sight and assisting patients in achieving visual acuity,” Hannah said.

This summer she has been interning in the Diagnostic and Treatment Center at TRC’s facility on Jones & Gifford Avenue, helping out in the occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech pathology departments. “I really enjoyed shadowing in PT, OT and Speech Pathology,” she said.  “The staff was very kind, and I was able to shadow during their appointments.  Also, all of the supervisors have been very kind and helpful.”

Hannah found the internship program to be educational and reinforced the fact that there are opportunities for young people to work in the local health care field.

“This internship allows you to experience different healthcare careers in the local area,” she said.  “The Resource Center provides many different services and therefore was a great place to experience what working in healthcare in our local area would look like.  It was also nice to be able to see different fields of medicine and to explore different career paths.”

DEIDRA OSULA
Deidra Osula is a Dunkirk native who is enrolled at SUNY Geneseo.  She plans to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

With both of her parents working in the medical field, Deidra said she always has been interested in a career in healthcare.  At her mother’s suggestion, she shadowed a certified registered nurse anesthetist last summer and decided that was the profession she wanted to join.

“I love the precision and care it takes for the nurses to make sure they are giving their best work every day.  The excitement of seeing something new every day was also what made me want to pursue this career.”

Deidra said that before her internship with The Resource Center, she had not been familiar with TRC.  A friend told her about the internship program, so Deidra applied.  She has enjoyed the internship as well as learning about The Resource Center.

“I have learned a lot from this internship: the importance of screening, connecting with your patients, making sure to document all notes from each appointment, and so much more.  I love how this internship allows us to shadow professionals in many different areas of the medical field.  It allows us to figure what we will like or may not like for our future careers,” she said.  “One of my favorite parts of the internship so far is getting to know the staff and what they do.  Everyone is so friendly and are always happy to educate you on their field of knowledge.”

JOSHUEL VELASCO
Joshuel Velasco is preparing to enter his third year of studies at Fredonia.  A native of Lake Peekskill, NY, he is majoring in biochemistry with hopes of becoming a radiation oncologist.  He has been interning with TRC’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services, where he worked under the direction of the program manager and had the opportunity to sit in on a team meeting as well as group and one-on-one counseling sessions.

Joshuel said that while attending the team meeting, “I got to experience firsthand what effective leadership is, how to deliver a message in a clear manner that always ensured a flowing, constructive conversation between all departments involved.  This has taught me that with complete transparency, effective leadership and effective communication with my clinical team, I will provide the best possible service for my future patients.”

Sitting in on counseling sessions was even more enlightening.  “I got to listen in on personal stories and see emotional vulnerability with my own eyes.  Perhaps the most memorable experience in my TRC internship thus far was from one of these sessions.  Witnessing this very personal conversation felt as if I was watching two old friends walking through the cosmos, immersed in a conversation that holds an infinite amount of potential turns as the story unfolds.”

Summing up his time at The Resource Center, Joshuel said, “An internship experience at TRC will only be as rich and fulfilling as you make it out to be.  The TRC staff is more than happy to share their experiences, stories and connections with you, if you are proactive and show that you are willing to put yourself out there.  There is more to the TRC internship experience than just shadowing healthcare professionals.  The TRC internship provides a good look into the administrative side of healthcare.  By familiarizing yourself with the administrative processes happening behind the scenes, you are more well-equipped to provide the best possible service to your patients as a future physician.”

The other students were:

• Brad Brown, a biochemistry major at Fredonia, who plans to attend SUNY Upstate Medical University and become a physician.
• Sierra Darts, a pre-nursing student at Jamestown Community College.
• Corey Gibson, who earned a psychology degree at the University of Pittsburgh and is attending the school counseling program at Edinboro University.  He wants to become an elementary school counselor and a licensed professional counselor.
• Alexa Huntington, a social work major at Fredonia, who plans to become a school social worker.
• Michel Padilla, a University at Buffalo student majoring in biomedical sciences and psychology.  His goal is to become a plastic surgeon.
• Kara Triscari, a sophomore at John Carroll University, who plans to major in biology and become a nurse practitioner who treats children.
• Paige Turcotte, a psychology and biology student at SUNY Geneseo, who plans to become a nurse anesthetist.
• Carrson Widen, a biology major at the University of Albany, who is interested in becoming a clinician or a medical researcher.

Matt Petrucha waters the plants on the deck outside of his apartment.

Moving out on his own during a pandemic has been a learning experience for Matt Petrucha.

After living with his parents his whole life, several months ago Matt was ready to take a big step toward independence by getting his own apartment. Working with staff from The Resource Center through his self-directed plan, Matt began searching for an apartment. He looked at places in Mayville, Westfield, Jamestown, and Lakewood, but decided that moving to the southern end of the county would take him too far from his parents, who live on Plank Road in Mayville.

He finally settled on an upstairs apartment in the rear of the Lakeview Hotel in Mayville, and he moved into his new place May 16. Before moving, Matt enjoyed picking out his own furnishings, and he discovered he enjoyed shopping via the internet.

Matt’s mom, Tawney, and his TRC Life Coach, Tabatha Stenstrom, said there was an immediate, positive change in Matt’s personality once he moved.

“You smile a million times more now,” said Tabatha. “When I first started working with you, the only time I saw you smile was when we talked about finding your own place.”

“Once you moved out, you smiled more. Your demeanor was different. You get over things quicker,” Tawney said.

Tawney is proud of her son for taking steps toward independence, and she’s doing her best to be supportive without overstepping her bounds. “The hard part for mom right now is coming in here and not trying to clean up,” she said while gazing around a cluttered apartment, a living condition typical of many 20-somethings.

Having lived his first 24 years in his parents’ rural home (“I grew up in a house in an area where there weren’t many people at all.”), Matt was looking forward to life in a more-populous community, meeting new people and having friends over to his apartment. The pandemic and its emphasis on social distancing altered those plans, so Matt has been spending a lot of time by himself reading, watching videos and movies, and playing video games. Living close to the lake, he also enjoys going for walks on the paved pathway near the shoreline.

After accomplishing his primary goal of getting his own place, Matt is now looking to secure a job. Through The Resource Center’s Employment Services Program, he was able to try out a variety of occupations. The work experience he enjoyed most was stocking shelves, so he’s hoping to land a job now that more area businesses have reopened. He likely will make a good worker – TRC employment staff didn’t have Matt go through all of the typical pre-vocational training steps because they felt he was ready for the working world.

But Matt made it clear he hopes stocking shelves turns out to be temporary. His career goal? “I want to be in the movie business in Hollywood,” said Matt, who aspires to be a screenwriter. Tabatha and other TRC staff are trying to assist with both his short- and long-term employment goals by looking for local businesses who need someone to help with stock, and trying to connect with Western New York filmmakers. This is important because, as Matt explained it, “Staff at The Resource Center kept telling me almost every day to get my foot in the door” of the movie industry.

Another of Matt’s short-term goals is to obtain his driver’s license. In addition to greatly enhancing his independence, the ability to drive will help Matt achieve another of his life plans – taking the famous Route 66 from its origin in Chicago to its end point in Los Angeles. It’s a trip Matt’s been mulling over for years. He plans to make a lot of pit stops along the way to visit local attractions, and he proudly pulls out a notebook with about a dozen pages describing some of the spots he wants to visit. They’re all in Illinois, which helps explain why Matt expects the trip to take five months – he obviously expects to make a lot of stops along the way.

His dream car for this journey? A Ford Mustang. And Matt wants this to be a one-way trip – he intends to make the drive when he’s ready to move to California and start his career in the film industry.

While Matt is happy to be living on his own, things haven’t always gone as expected. For starters, while he initially thought living in a more suburban setting was what he wanted, he’s discovered summers near the lake can be noisy and that he misses the country life. As a result, he’s looking into moving once his one-year lease ends, and an option he’s considering is living in a trailer on his parents’ property – that way he can be close to his folks but still have his own space.

The realization that city life may not be for him right now, and the constraints on socialization because of the pandemic, have made Matt’s first foray at independence less wonderful than he had expected. Tabatha told him this was just a part of life, and Matt acknowledged that some aspects of living on his own – such as learning to cook and being responsible for paying his bills – are good skills to learn.

“It might not be all butterflies and rainbows,” Tabatha said. “It’s a learning experience.”

And Matt seems to be taking everything in stride.

“I really do try my best to see the good side of things.”

Nominations are being accepted for The Resource Center’s 2020 Ability Awareness and Recognition Awards.

Every year, people with disabilities in Chautauqua County make tremendous strides in their quest to lead productive, meaningful lives. And every day, they are supported in their efforts by a wide segment of the community that appreciates and values the contributions those with disabilities can make, if given a chance.

To recognize the efforts of people with disabilities and those who support them, each year The Resource Center holds a celebration to pay tribute to this deserving group by presenting the Disability Awareness and Recognition Awards. The public is encouraged to nominate people with disabilities whom they know, or people and organizations from the community that have had a positive impact on the lives of those with disabling conditions.

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:

• Advocate of the Year, recognizing extraordinary efforts in advocating for one’s own rights or the rights of other people with disabilities.
• Bruce Walford Community Service Award, honoring a person who demonstrates the following characteristics: a commitment to the community; selflessness; the initiative and the ingenuity to forge forward and make things happen; and enthusiasm and exuberance that inspire others. This award was established in memory of the late Bruce “Wally” Walford, who was the manager of TRC’s Dunkirk Work Center Program.
• Community Partnership Award, given to a person, service group or business that has provided unique opportunities and experiences to people with disabilities.
• Edwin Roth Mental Health Award, recognizing a person with a behavioral health challenge, an advocate, an agency, a professional, or a community member, that has supported efforts to improve the lives of people with mental illness or substance abuse challenges. This award is named in honor of the late Ed Roth, a New York State Office of Mental Health official who was a strong advocate for people with mental illness.
• Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year, honoring a person who has donated time, talents and/or expertise toward improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Volunteer service could include interacting directly with people with disabilities, assisting with special events or serving on a board or committee. This award is named in honor of the late Elmer Muench of Fredonia, a longtime volunteer and advocate for people with disabilities.
• Health Provider of the Year, honoring an entity or professional that has enhanced the lives of people with disabilities by providing outstanding health services.
• Outstanding Achievement, saluting a person with a disability who has made significant advancements in developing personal skills.
• Success of the Year, praising a person with a disability who has achieved his or her goals in the areas of community integration and/or employment.

Nominees do not have to be affiliated with The Resource Center. A selection committee composed of community volunteers will decide which nominees are most deserving of the awards.

Nominations will be accepted until August 24. Each nomination must include a narrative explaining why the nominee is deserving of an award, including examples of how the nominee has positively impacted people with disabilities. Click here to submit a nomination. If you want a nomination form sent to you, phone Victoria Trass Bardo at (716) 661-1477. Nominations can be mailed to the Awards Planning Committee, c/o The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701. Nominations also can be faxed to (716) 485-4612.

Award recipients will be honored in October at The Resource Center’s 32^nd annual Ability Awareness Awards Celebration.

Continuing its commitment to local organizations that support Chautauqua County residents, Lake Shore Savings Bank is proud to announce it has donated its sponsorship money for the 2020 TRC Golf Classic in order to help tournament organizers meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Lake Shore Savings has been the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic since 2012 and was looking forward to serving in that role again for this year’s event, which had been scheduled to take place May 18 at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown. However, the tournament had to be canceled because of COVID-19.

The TRC Golf Classic is the major annual fund-raiser for Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based non-profit organization that works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges in Chautauqua County. The TRC Golf Classic has netted more than $1.6 million since it began in 1997.

Knowing the canceled tournament would cause a financial strain for Filling the Gap and The Resource Center during a difficult time caused by COVID-19, Lake Shore Savings decided to donate its $15,000 sponsorship fee.

“Lake Shore Savings Bank is proud of its position as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic,” said Daniel P. Reininga, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Once the tournament’s organizers decided they had to cancel this year’s event, it was an easy decision for Lake Shore Savings to demonstrate our support of Filling the Gap and The Resource Center by donating the sponsorship fee. Through this gesture, we can help Filling the Gap and The Resource Center continue to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors with disabilities.”

“We are extremely grateful to Lake Shore Savings for sponsoring the TRC Golf Classic every year,” said Cindy Hitchcock, Vice President for Business and Finance at Filling the Gap. “Their generosity in donating this year’s sponsorship fee, even though we had to cancel the tournament, is overwhelming,”

“Dan Reininga and his entire team at Lake Shore Savings Bank are simply an awesome corporate partner,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their commitment to our mission allows us to continue to meet the needs of people with disabilities who need support during normal times, and who are especially vulnerable during the pandemic.”

Pictured (l to r) – Daniel Reininga – President and Chief Executive Officer – Lake Shore Savings Bank, Kelly Dimitri – Chief Financial Officer – The Resource Center, Chris Anderson – Marketing Manager/TRC Golf Classic Chairman – The Resource Center, and Cindy Hitchcock – Vice President – Filling the Gap Inc.