Staff at TRC home recognized for efforts

Employees at one of The Resource Center’s homes have been recognized for their efforts in supporting a resident while he was hospitalized in Buffalo.

The staff at the A-1 home on Foote Avenue in Jamestown received the agency-wide staff appreciation award for the second quarter of 2018. The employees were honored for the ways in which they pulled together to ensure that a resident received the supports he needed while he was in the hospital without compromising the quality of care required by the home’s other residents. A luncheon to honor the A-1 staff recently was held in TRC’s administrative offices.

Patti Clark, the home’s Supervisor, explained that the person who was hospitalized usually is quite active, so he became frustrated at being confined to a hospital bed. He exhibits challenging behaviors, and hospital staff needed assistance in order to keep him safe and ensure that he received the required medical treatment. The A-1 staff worked together to make sure hospital coverage was provided; A-1 employees who could travel to Buffalo did so, and those who needed to stay close to their own homes covered the open shifts at A-1.

“Every day, you guys do so much, and I appreciate all of you. You cannot find a finer group of people who are dedicated to the people we support,” Patti said. “Our job is incredibly difficult, but also incredibly rewarding.”

Members of TRC’s executive staff spoke glowingly of the A-1 employees.

“The values represented by your team and the work that you do are representative of our mission,” said Executive Director Denise Jones. “This team has really come together and made it happen.” She noted that in addition to providing care at the hospital, members of A-1 transported the resident’s mother to the hospital so she could visit him.

“You guys are a great team, and you really do care for the people who live there,” Joanne Bevan, Assistant Executive Director for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services, told the A-1 staff. “You treat them like they’re part of your family.”

“Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts,” said Mary Jo Hamilton, Director of I/DD Services.

Acting on behalf of the entire home, Behavior Support Specialists Rebecca Kendall and Carrie McCausland came forward to thank Patti for her efforts. “Patti, our home wouldn’t be as great without you. You’re the best manager The Resource Center has,” Rebecca said. “You have accelerated the success of A-1 exponentially. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” She and Carrie presented Patti with a bouquet of flowers.

Mark Morton, Assistant Executive Director for Employee Relations, noted that Lela Berry, the Residence Coordinator overseeing A-1, had nominated the home’s staff for the award. Mark presented each member of the A-1 staff with a certificate, a monetary award and a letter congratulating the employee on being selected for the quarterly staff appreciation honor. Reading the letter aloud, Mark mentioned that the hospital staff had expressed appreciation for the support provided by TRC staff.

He concluded by saying, “Thanks so much for the great leadership provided by the management team and the dedication by the direct support staff towards the care and support of the individuals residing in A-1.”

Pictured are, from left, sitting, Jessica LaSpada, Jordan Coan, Patti Clark, A-1 resident Chris Sattelberg, and Rebecca Kendall; and, standing, Paul Sweat, David Gowan, Alta Harding, Brian Crawford, Jason Lutgen, Tiffany Lynn, Andrew Heggarty, Sheila St. John, and Carrie McCausland. A-1 staff members missing from the photo are Tammy Blodien, Kierstyn Gordon, Brandi Mecusker, Suzzanne Mettler, Kayode Olowomeye, Jim Prince, Charles Reardon, Justin Simpson, Jake Stimson, and Jim Tingue.