CHRONICLE

CH FEBRUARY 2020

Congratulations to January Winners

Tierra Bailey

Jacob Laporte

We hope you enjoy your

Groupon gift cards!

Inside This Issue

1 February Giveaway / January Winner

2 Oakland County Parks Events

3 HHA eXchange / Beacon Park Films

4 Tri-County Peers Connect / ECare Bake Sale

5 Crucial Conversations

6 National Girls and Women in Sports Day

7 Winter Fun Fest / Ice Fishing Derby

8 RR Corner / Winter Blast / Friday Frolic

9 Tax Preparation Assistance

10 Tax Preparation Assistance Cont.

11 Tax Preparation Assistance Cont.

12 Anniversaries / Your Voice Your Vote

13 Employee Spotlight / Family Movie Night

14 Abilities Awareness Rally / Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally

15 Oh Yes, They Can!

16 January Caregiver of the Month

We hope to help one lucky Caregiver celebrate

Valentine’s Day with dinner and a movie for

two.

We will draw the winner at the beginning of the

month, stay turned next month to find out the

winner and to see next month’s giveaway.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf

can hear and the blind can see.” Mark

Twain

Lights, Camera, Action!

February Flicks is coming back to Beacon Park featur-ing family-friendly films and programming every Sat-

urday in February!

Don’t let chilly weather give you cabin fever – get out of the house and head to Beacon Park for a FREE movie inside a cozy heated tent. There will be a giant big screen, comfy couches and refreshments available for purchase. You can also bring a blanket or two and cozy up with your family and friends. Every Saturday there will be a double feature, starting with a kid-friendly favorite at 4pm.

Arrive 30 minutes early and take part in a variety of movie-themed activities and entertainment, such as photo booths, trivia and prizes, make and take crafts and more.

MOVIE SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 2 – Wonder @ 4pm Based on the New York Times bestseller, this movie tells the incredi-bly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters the fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.

Make it a date night: Crazy Rich Asians @ 6:30pm

Saturday, February 9 – Princess and The Frog @ 4pm Hardworking and ambitious, Tiana dreams of one day opening the finest restaurant in New Orleans. Her dream takes a slight detour when she meets Prince Naveen, who has been turned into an am-phibian by evil Dr. Facilier. Mistaking her for a princess and hoping to break the spell, Naveen plants a kiss on poor Tiana – thereby turning her into a frog as well. The pair hop along on an adventure through the bayous to seek the help of a powerful voodoo priestess.

Make it a date night: Loving @ 6:30pm

Saturday, February 16 – March of the Penguins 2 The Next Step @ 4pm A young penguin answers a mysterious call compelling the animals to venture to an unknown destination. This showing comes in advance of the Freep Film Festival on April 10 – 14.

One for the older kids: Ready Player One @ 6:30pm

Saturday, February 23 – Black Panther @ 4pm When King T’Challa returns to his home nation of the secluded but technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, he is put to the test as both king of his country and Black Panther when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. To defeat his enemies and protect his countries, the king must rally his allies and unleash the power of Black Panther.

Black History Month feature: Selma @ 6:30pm

HHAeXchange

ExpertCare has exciting news, we

have contracted with HHA eX-

change to meet the Electronic Visit

Verification (EVV) requirement and to

assist Caregivers with submitting time-

sheets and notes electronically. Ex-

pertCare will be offering training and

assistance with learning this new tool

once we are ready for implementa-

tion. We will keep you informed once

we have an implementation date.

HHA eXchange has a variety of differ-

ent tools that empower caregivers to

deliver better patient care in the

home.

The HHA eXchange caregiver por-

tal is a web-based application de-

signed for caregivers to use on a

desktop or laptop computer. Using

the caregiver portal, caregivers can

review and plan their schedules, inter-

face with their agencies, request

broadcasted shifts, and manage their

activities.

When in the field, caregivers can

switch to the HHA eXchange mobile

app to continue to manage their ac-

tivities. Both the caregiver portal and

mobile app are synchronized; there-

fore, any action performed on one

device (computer or smart phone) is

automatically reflected on the other.

If you’re in the Troy area, stop by our

office and check out our Bake Sale

on February 10th & 11th.

Also, be sure to check out our Polar

Plunge Team on February 29th!

Ice Fishing Derby

Independence Lake County Park

February 8, 2020

7:00 am through 5:00 pm

Join us for a fun-filled day of competi-

tion and prizes. Catch northern pike,

blue gill and crappie. Gift cards and

other prizes for winners of the longest

northern pike and longest pan fish.

Bring your own bait and equipment.

Lunch will be provided and vehicle ad-

mission is included. No alcohol, ATVs or

snowmobiles.

Fee:

Pre-registration before 2/8/2020: $10 for

adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. Day of

the event, 2/8/2020: $15 for adults, $10

For kids 12 and under.

Register online

at www.parksonline.ewashtenaw.org

Questions:

Contact Julie Pahl, 734-449-4437 x 201

or pahlj@washtenaw.org

Recipient Rights Corner

ExpertCare would like to first thank you for

providing the highest quality care to your Re-

cipient. ExpertCare wants to ensure the safe-

ty of our Recipients and continue to give you

the tools to provide safe quality care and

wellbeing. Below are incidents that resulted

in Recipient Rights violations. Please review

the following Rights reminders to prevent fur-

ther violations.

While providing services, all Recipients

shall receive services suited to his/her

condition. This can include but not lim-

ited to, treatment in the correct environ-

ment and the right setting for services.

During this time, the Recipient must be

working towards goals in the plan of ser-

vice. Caregivers must engage and be

present with the Recipient to keep the

Recipient focused on his/her goals in the

IPOS.

Your family, visitors, friends and pets are

not allowed into a consumer’s home.

You are the only one allowed on the

premises, even if the consumer/family says

it is okay; it is not permitted.

When providing care to a Recipient there are

many rules that need to be followed and at

times these can be difficult to remember. If

you have questions or concerns about your

case or do not fully understand the IPOS,

please call ExpertCare. We are here to help

you better understand the Recipient’s Rights

before it becomes a violation. We appreci-

ate your attention to this matter. If there are

any questions or concerns, please feel free to

contact ExpertCare at (248) 643-8900.

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up some-

one else.” Booker T. Washington

Join us in Campus Martius Park February 7-9, 2020 for

Quicken Loans Winter Blast Weekend! The traditional

one weekend festival that has transformed down-

town Detroit into a winter themed wonderland is

back and ADMISSION IS FREE!

Event Hours

Friday, February 7th 5pm-11pm

Saturday, February 8th 11am-11pm

Sunday, February 9th 11am-8pm

Friday Frolic Dance

Friday, February 14, 2020 from 7pm-9:30pm

Troy Community Center

3179 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI 48083

Dancing with DJ and refreshments.

$7. For more info, visit rec.troymi.gov

The Romulus Senior Center

Offering FREE tax services to seniors 60 years and older from

12:30 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday starting in February at the Sen-

ior Center, 36525 Bibbins. The services are applicable for disa-

bled and low-income individuals. The tax assistance will continue

until April 11th by appointment only. Also, every Friday, tax as-

sistance is available at the Romulus Senior Towers. For more

information and to make an appointment, please call 734-955-

4120.

Accounting Aid Society Tax Assistance Program

7700 Second Ave. Suite 314

Detroit, MI

Website: www.accountingaidsociety.org

30 tax centers that help clients in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and

Livingston Counties.

The Community Tax and Resource Center

8634 W. Vernor Highway (corner of Lawndale & Vernor Hwy.)

Detroit, MI 48209

Phone: 313-554-2884

Offers free income tax preparation for low-income households, as

well as information on opening a credit union account, home

ownership programs and getting assistance paying utility bills.

Call for appointment and information! Arabic & Spanish speaking

preparers!

A Homebound Program for seniors and those physically unable

to visit a tax site is available via mail by contacting the Account-

ing Aide Society at 313-647-9620 and asking for a Homebound

Packet.

Neighborhood Tax Center

1401 Lawndale Street (corner of Homer & Lawndale)

Detroit, MI

Phone: 313-841-2240

Walk-ins welcome! No appointment needed.

Summer Tax Assistance Program

Phone: 313-556-1920 OR 866-673-0873

Services include help for those who missed the regular tax filing

deadline, need help filing prior year tax returns, need to amend a

return or file for credits such as the Homestead Property Tax

Credit and the Home Heating Credit. The program serves fami-

lies throughout S.E. MI who have annual household of $50,000 or

less and individuals with annual incomes of $35,000 or less.

Those with physical disabilities unable to visit a tax site can re-

ceive free help through the agency's Summer Homebound Pro-

gram.

LASED

(Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development)

4138 W. Vernor

Detroit, MI 48209

Phone: 313-554-2025

Website: www.lasedinc.org

Tax assistance program.

Cass Community

11850 Woodrow Wilson Street

Detroit, MI 48206

Phone: 313-883-2277

Website: http://casscommunity3.wordpress.com

Senior center provides tax preparation assistance. Call for

locations and more information.

South Eastern Michigan Indians, Inc.

26641 Lawrence

Center Line, MI 48015

Phone: 586-756-1350

Email: Semii1975@yahoo.com

Website: www.semii1975.org

Assistance with locating resources or providing direct ser-

vices with legal services, chore services, applying for the

bridge card through MICAFE, tax assistance, Medicare D

and many others.

The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation

4750 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI 48201

Phone: 313-833-1300 ext. 13 to make an appointment

Website: www.hannan.org

AARP Tax-Aide Service/AARP volunteers are in the ser-

vice center on Tuesdays and Fridays, February 2nd to April

15th to help seniors prepare their tax return and apply for

tax credits. Open to all people, 60 and older in Metro De-

troit.

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency

Administrative Office:

2121 Biddle Ave.

Wyandotte, MI 48180

Phone: 313-284-6999

Website: www.waynemetro.org

Has many sites throughout Wayne County. Prepares taxes

for free to families with incomes under $50,000. Walk-ins

are accepted but appointments are served first!

ACCESS

2651 Saulino Ct.

Dearborn, MI

Phone: 313-842-5124

Website: www.accesscommunity.org

Clients MUST meet the following income guideline set by

the IRS to qualify: individuals with the annual income of

$20,000 or less and families & the annual income of

$42,000 or less.

Goodwill Industries--The Center for Working Families

7700 Second Avenue

Detroit, MI 48202

Phone: 313-557-4838 OR 313-557-4828

The Center for Working Families provides engaging one-on

-one group and family financial services including income

tax assessment and preparation, financial literacy, financial

counseling/planning and connecting the community with

various resources that promote financial independence.

Interested North End residents and families should call

during normal business hours.

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The Community Tax and Resource Center

7000 W. Fort

Detroit, MI

Phone: 313-554-2884

Offers free income tax preparation for low-income households,

as well as information on home ownership programs and get-

ting assistance paying utility bills.

Focus: HOPE

1300 Oakman

Detroit, MI

Phone: 313-494-4760

Website: www.focushope.edu

To be eligible for free services, an individual must have an an-

nual income of $20,000 or less while a family limit is $50,000.

Macomb County Free Tax Locations

Website: http://www.macombresources.info/home

Macomb County Community Services Agency

21885 Dunham Road, Suite #10

Clinton Twp., MI 48036

Phone: 586-469-6999

Email: mccsa@macombcountymi.gov

Website: www.macombcountymi.gov

Northern Action Center:

58144 Gratiot

New Haven, MI 48048

Phone: 586-749-5146

Armada, Bruce Twp., Chesterfield Twp. (north of 23 Mile Road),

Lenox, Macomb Twp. (south of 23 Mile Road), Mount Clemens,

New Baltimore, Shelby Twp., St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights,

or Utica.

Central Action Center:

18 Market Street, Suite C

Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Phone: 586-469-6964

Chesterfield Twp. (south of 23 Mile Road), Clinton Twp., Fra-

ser, Harrison Twp., Macomb Twp., Mount Clemens, New Balti-

more, Shelby Twp., St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights or Utica

South Action Center:

22856 Ryan Road

Warren, MI 48091

Phone: 586-759-9150

Roseville, Center Line, Eastpointe, or Warren

Free tax preparation! Appointments needed.

Warren City Hall (Conference Room)

1 City Square

Warren, MI 48091

Phone: 586-574-4539

Those 60 and older can receive help filing their personal in-

come tax returns.

Assistance is available.

Accounting Aid Society / Center Line Senior Center

25355 Lawrence

Center Line, MI 48015

Phone: 866-673-0873

No E-filing. Appointments only.

Village of East Harbor

33875 Kiely Drive (600 feet south on Callens at 23 Mile Road)

Chesterfield, MI

Phone: 586-727-7078

No appointment needed.

Walk-in appointments only on tax days.

Consumers Power Energy Office

35350 Kelly Road (at 15 Mile)

Clinton Twp., MI 48035

Phone: 800-477-5050

No appointment needed.

Eastpointe Senior Center

16600 Stephens Dr.

Eastpointe, MI 48021

Phone: 586-445-5084

By appointment only and does have e-file.

Mt. Clemens Public Library

150 Cass Ave.

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043

Phone: 586-469-6200

Walk-in appointments only on tax days and does have e-file.

New Haven Action Center

58144 Gratiot

New Haven, MI 48048

Phone: 586-749-5146

By appointment only.

Macomb County Adult Day

25401 Harper

St. Clair Shores, MI

Phone: 586--469-6313

Appointments only!

Warren Conference Center

1 City Square

Warren. MI

Phone 586-574-4552

No appointment needed and has e-file.

Romeo Senior Center

361 Morton Street

Romeo, MI

Phone: 586-752-9601

By appointment only. No E-filing.

Roseville Senior Center

18961 Common Road

Roseville, MI 48066

Phone: 586-445-5423

Website: www.haugh.housedems.com

By appointment only. For Roseville residents.

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St. Clair Shores Senior Center

20000 Stephens

St. Clair Shores, MI

Phone: 486-498-2339

By appointment only. Does have e-file.

St. Rene Church

35955 Ryan Road

(between 15 & 16 Mile Road)

Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Phone: 586-939-7500

No appointment needed. No E-filing.

Trinity Lutheran Church

4516- Van Dyke NE at Hall Road

Utica, MI 48317

Phone: 586-731-4490

No appointment needed. E-file available.

Christ Lutheran Church

32300 Schoenherr between Masonic and 14 Mile

Warren, MI 48093

Phone: 586-293-0700

No appointment needed. No E-filing.

Accounting Aid Society / Samaritan House Senior Center

See under Wayne County also!

62324 Van Dyke Ave.

Washington, MI 48094

Phone: 586-336-9956

Appointment needed and does have e-file.

Washington Senior Center

57880 Van Dyke Ave.

Washington, MI 48094

Phone: 586-786-0131

By appointment only. No E-filing.

HOPE Center

33222 Groesbeck Hwy. (North of 14 Mile Rd. on the East side of

Groesbeck)

Fraser, MI 48026

Phone: 586-294-4673

Website: www.hopecentermacomb.org/vita

You are eligible for VITA if your annual household income is:

Less than $25,000 a year for an individual

Less than $50,000 a year for a family (2 or more people)

Our trained and certified volunteers are available to prepare re-

turns by appointment only.

We CANNOT process corporate returns or foreign income. Satur-

day from 9AM-4PM

OLHSA

(Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency)

Central Office (Oakland County)

196 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue

P.O. Box 430598

Pontiac, MI 48343-0598

Phone: 248-209-2600 OR 1-800-482-9250

(Toll Free)

Email: info@olhsa.org

South Office (Oakland County)

1956 Hilton Road

Ferndale, MI 48220-1719

Phone: 248-542-5860

Email: info@olhsa.org

OLHSA (Livingston County)

2300 E. Grand River Suite 107

Howell, MI 48843-7574

Phone: 517-546-8500

Email: livingston@olhsa.org

Website: http://olhsa.org/complete-services#Education

Free Tax Preparation for qualified Oakland and

Livingston County residents.

Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency

Central Office:

196 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue

PO Box 430598

Pontiac, MI 48342

Email: info@olhsa.org

Website: www.olhsa.org

South Office:

345 E. Nine Mile Road

Ferndale, MI 48220

Phone: 248-542-5860

Email: info@olhsa.org

Website: www.olhsa.org

Assistance from the Accounting Aid Society.

Call for current times.

Oakland Neighborhood Tax Center

1956 Hilton North of 9 Mile, east of Woodward

Ferndale, MI 48220.

Phone: 1-866-673-0873

Offering free tax preparation--call for current times.

Lighthouse of Oakland County

46156 Woodward Ave.

Pontiac, MI 48342

Phone: 248-920-6100 (new phone number)

Website: www.lighthouseoakland.org

Provides resources to move individuals from crisis to self-

sufficiency. Tax prep assistance.

Pontiac Consumers Energy

1030 Featherstone @ Opdyke

Pontiac, MI 48342.

Offering free tax preparation on Saturdays

The Older Person’s Commission (OPC)

650 Letica Drive

Rochester, MI

Phone: 248-656-1403

Offering free tax preparation and you do not have to be a senior

to take advantage of this offer.

City of Oak Park Senior Center

Phone: 248-691-2350

Ferndale Senior Citizens

Phone: 248-546-2313

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Employee Milestone

Anniversaries

We would like to recognize and

congratulate the employees

below for reaching a milestone

anniversary in January.

5 Years Sarah Kim Toby Fox

David Gilleylen Paula Fowler Amna Malik0 Ciera Thurman

Olisa Ester

10 Years Megan Murphy

Thank you for demonstrating a continued

commitment to

ExpertCare and the clients we service. You

make a difference!

GETTING TO KNOW THE EXPERTCARE

OFFICE STAFF

We thought it would be nice to introduce ourselves and tell you a

little bit about each of our office staff. Each month we will feature a new

interview with someone from our office.

MEET SHARRON PORTER

ECare: Tell our Caregivers and Consumer families a little bit about

you.

Sharron: For the last three years I have worked in Medical Bill-

ing. I am currently studying Accounting at Wayne State. I enjoy

hiking with my family.

ECare: What is on your bucket list?

Sharron: I hope that I get the chance to travel abroad someday.

ECare: What is your position at ExpertCare?

Sharron: Payroll and Billing Specialist.

ECare: What are your job responsibilities?

Sharron: Process timesheets and billing. To be honest I am still

learning them all.

ECare: How long have you been working at ExpertCare?

Sharron: Since January 6, 2020.

ECare: If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the

extra time?

Sharron: Read or get caught up on Supernatural.

ECare: What do you wish you knew more about?

Sharron: Everything.

ECare: What are some things that help you have a great day?

Sharron: I enjoy chocolate and coffee.

ECare: What do you like most about ExpertCare?

Sharron: Although I have only been here for a short time I feel

very welcome and that I am part of the team.

Programs and websites mentioned within this newsletter are for the sole purpose of providing information of interest. ExpertCare Management Services does

not endorse these websites, the content, and/or programs mentioned. ExpertCare takes no responsibility for loss or damage suffered as a result of using the

information contained in these websites or participation in the aforementioned programs and events.

Maria has been a caregiver

with ExpertCare for the past

six months. She’s being

nominated by ExpertCare

staff for showing great qual-

ities such as integrity, ac-

countability and empathy.

She has never been afraid

to ask questions or ask for

help if she was unsure of

something.

One of the families Maria

provides care for let us

know how happy they are

with the service she pro-

vides. They stated she is

very reliable and compas-

sionate. She has helped her

consumer become more

confident and over come

her stage fright at choir

practice due to Maria be-

ing by her side.

ExpertCare truly appreci-

ates everything she does

and is very proud to have

her represent ExpertCare in

the field. Thank you for your

hard work and dedication

in changing the lives of oth-

ers.

Thank you for demonstrat-

ing ExpertCare’s core val-

ues of:

Helping People Succeed

Passion for Success

Can Do Attitude

LOOK WHO’S TALKING

JANUARY CAREGIVER OF THE MONTH

MARIA BADENHOOP

ECare: Tell us something about yourself that others find interesting:

Maria: I love people, I am very funny, and I love to do activities.

ECare: What is on your bucket list?

Maria: On my bucket list is to travel and have adventures.

ECare: You’re happiest when?

Maria: I am happiest when my bills are paid off.

ECare: What’s your favorite childhood memory?

Maria: My favorite childhood memory is spending time with my friends and

family.

ECare: If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?

Maria: I would like to be a manager for a day.

ECare: What’s the one thing, you can’t live without?

Maria: One thing I could not with live without is my dog, my mom, and my

husband. I love them very much with all of my heart.

ECare: What made you decide to become a Caregiver?

Maria: What made me become a caregiver is I love helping others and mak-

ing them feel comfortable.

ECare: What is your best piece of advice for other Caregivers?

Maria: Well my piece of advice is you need to treat your clients like your

mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, sister, or brother and be patient with them

and comfort them during hard times and be there for them and take them

out.

ECare: What is your proudest moment as a Caregiver?

Maria: My proudest moment as a caregiver is being with people and caring