1

GHO’s Residential Home

WINTER 2016—SUMMER 2017

GHO Mission Statement General Human Outreach (GHO), in the Community, Inc. established in 1992, is a nonprofit agency that operates programs certified by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to provide quality services to enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Inside this issue: GHO’s New Residential Home

1

MESSAGE FROM E.D. 2

GHO’s DHWOW’s Program 3

GHO’s New Residential Home (cont’d from pg. 1)

4

Conferences Attended 5

GHO WELCOMES NEW STAFF 6

Contact Information 8

GHO 2016 Holiday Party Highlights

7

Individual Residen al Alterna ve (IRA) 6&7

GHO proudly announces the approval by OPWDD (through the Aging Out Program) to open two residen al homes (one in 2017 and the other 2018). On September 1st 2017, GHO will open a two-family house, located at 156-09 137th Avenue. The Aging Out Program was ini ated and designed to help students transi on from high school into adult life. Through the guidance of our trained staff, Aging Out students and families will receive support and services, such as: Day Habilita on Without Walls, Family Sup-

port and services, and Supported Employ-ment.

Nigel Cole, Director of Habilita on Opera ons/Development was brought on board in 2016 to develop and implement this program. His vast experience and knowledge in design and management of such programs make him an indispensable component to the program’s success.

The new Individual Residen al Alterna ve (IRA) is located at 156-09 137th Avenue, Jamaica , NY 11434 for eight young adults with developmental disabili es.

2

This has been a very busy and exciting year at GHO. Our Electronic Records System is fully operational and has already made our organization more efficient and productive. Claudine Grant, Electronic Health Records System (EHRS) Supervisor, has with the diligent support and assistance of department managers modernized the way we maintain records of the individuals we provide services for. The facilitation of record keeping has enabled the staff to focus more on our primary mission providing the best in human services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

On demand data, records, notifications securely maintained and delivered through a myriad of static and portable devices enhance the services we are able to provide to our individuals in so many ways. Our partnership with Therap, the system’s host, has borne much fruit and will con-tinue to be rewarding the years to come. Look for some dramatic changes in our website appearance in the next few months. GHO has collaborated with Marketing Works and Vibrant Creative to give GHO a fresh new digital appearance. As our organization and services grow, it is essential that our web identity reflects the contemporary essence of our day to day efforts serving our population. The expansion of our Individualized Residential Alternative (IRAs) will reach fruition in September, 2017 with the opening and occupation of the home by a group of “Aging Out” indi-viduals that will exceed age limit/placed out of school system and staff carefully selected to serve them. GHO has added new staff and is expanding all of its programs to meet the demands of the com-munities we serve.

Message from the Executive Director

Freeman Tsui, Execu ve Director

Sincerely,

Freeman Tsui Execu ve Director

3

GHO’s Day Habilitation Without

Walls (DHWOW’s) Program

Donald Quinn, the Sr. Day Habilitation Without Walls (DHWOW) Supervisor, was brought on board by GHO to implement a services designed to move individuals out of traditional day habilita-tion settings into community based programs and if feasi-ble, into the competitive

employment program. DHWOW’s functions from Monday-Friday 8:00AM—3:30PM, and operates in Man- hattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Mr. Quinn provided some insight into the design, implementation and operation of the DHWOW’s program. He was asked what is the greatest skill, work experience or educa-tional achievement that has best prepared him for the assumption of this role as super-visor. Mr. Quinn indicated that, “patience” was the most important attribute needed to carry out his function productively and effi-ciently. “Patience is a virtue, and provides the necessary mindset for the various variable and intangibles that come into play in start-ing and operating this program. Mr. Quinn has to play many roles from generating a viable number of individuals who are going to participate in the program to supervising staff as well as forging relationships in the business community. Multi-tasking is impos-sible without patience.” When asked what was/is the biggest chal-lenge that he faces as supervisor of the program, Mr. Quinn indicated, “the estab-lishment of reliable volunteer sites, where

the principles of those businesses under-stand the true nature of the mission of our organization, and have a co-existing desire to maximize the fulfillment of life of individ-uals with disabilities.” Some of the volunteer sites already devel-oped by Mr. Quinn in his short tenure as su-pervisor include, The Burlington Coat Facto-ry, the 911 Memorial Museum and New York Cares. These three entities have made firm commitments to taking on volunteers out of his program and helping them devel-op a realistic sense of contribution to a work environment. To assist him in the daily un-dertakings of the program is his Day Habili-tation Aide, Maria Suero, who supervises the individuals and ensures that their volunteer experience is productive. The most rewarding aspect of his job is “seeing individuals motivated to become more socially involved and become confident about themselves.” Mr. Quinn would like to see growth in the program both from the standpoint of participants and staff, and to ultimately become director of the program. Mr. Quinn specifically cited Nigel Cole, Pat Liu, Yvonne Tramble, Steve Inesyan, Carla Young, Kinjo Tse and a host of other GHO staff members in helping him make this vital project a reality.

Donald Quinn, Sr. Day Habilita on Supervisor

Carla Young Special Projects Coordinator

4

Individual Residen al Alterna ve (IRA) 6&7

(Con nued from Page 1)

Larry Edwards, who will manage137th Avenue location brings extensive knowledge and a fastidious attention to detail along with his valued experi-ences. Many question marks abound when stu-dents and families of individuals with disabilities ponder what happens after high school eligibility has been exhaust-ed. Special consideration to their unique circumstances are critically analyzed in determining the appropriate and person-centered solutions to this monumental transition. OPWDD in conjunction with the State Education Department, local school dis-tricts, and special education staff as-sists students with developmental disa-bilities transition from school, and helps them and their families plan for the supports that will be needed in adult life. The typical age for planning for transi-tion for such students is age fifteen (15). Students at residential schools are entitled to remain at school until they complete their educational re-quirements or until the end of the school year in which they turn 21. Once students complete their schooling, OPWDD is responsible for their adult services, and students can only remain at school until OPWDD offers appropri-ate adult service. Age Out coordinators can help students and families learn about residential support options, as

well as employment and other day sup-ports. What is an IRA? An Individual Residential Alternative (IRA) is a type of community residence that provides room, board and person centered service options. Similar to the Community Residence (CR) living envi-ronments, Supervised IRAs provide 24-hour staff support and supervision for up to 14 residents. Supportive IRAs are limited to 3 or fewer individuals and provide need-based supports and ser-vices for those who are living in their own homes or apartments, but do not require 24-hour staff support and su-pervision. Day services are also availa-ble for individuals living in IRAs and may include day habilitation, prevoca-tional services and supportive employ-ment.

Carla Young Special Projects Coordinator

GHO was granted permission to open up another residen al home in Rochdale, N.Y. in September. The staff shown, from le to right, Larry Edwards, IRA Manager, Stacey Horsford, Residen al Coordinator and Nigel Cole, Director of Habilita-

on Opera ons/Development.

5

Conferences Attended

GHO staff, from le to right Claudine Grant, EHRS Supervisor, Camille Brown, Day Habilita on Coordina-tor, Freeman Tsui, Execu ve Director, Judy Popso, Corporate Compliance, Vicki Chan, Assistant Execu ve Director were invited to the Therap Na onal Confer-ence in Fairfield, New Jersey, from Jan. 31—Feb. 3 2017. Therap users from across the region shared their knowledge and experiences with the Therap System.

GHO’s SEMP team gave a workshop about Sup-por ve Employment service at the 2nd Annual Korean Family Support Conference that GHO co-hosted with the Beau ful Church in Long Island. There were about 30 Korean speaking parents a ending this workshop.

Freeman Tsui, Execu ve Director from GHO held a press con-ference in support of the 1st Chinese Family Support Services conference that GHO organized in the Chinese community.

A group of 20 Chinese delga ons from XionXi prov-ince visited GHO and learned about OPWDD ser-vices that GHO provides. The group appreciated the thorough presenta ons and the tour of GHO’s Day Habilita on. GHO received a piece of Chinese calligraphy as a sign of sincere apprecia on.

6

GHO staff work very

GHO Welcome New Staff

Talisha Wynter, Medicaid Service Coordinator has been with GHO for three months. She previously worked at Heaven Hands, as Direct Support Professional (DSP) and within six months she was promoted to Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC). Ms. Wynter’s greatest accomplishment is providing the best quality of service for the individuals. Talisha’s long-term goal is to gain more experience in the field and to con nue to provide quality service for her individuals.

Donald Quinn, Sr. Day Habilita on Supervisor (DHWOW) has over 15 years of experience in the Day Services site. Mr. Quinn’s greatest accomplishment thus far is to in-crease the intake process and develop the DHWOWs pro-gram. However, his long-term goal is reach full capacity in all the programs he is part of.

Marlena Yu, Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC) has been with GHO for four months. Within those months of employ-ment, Ms. Yu has witnessed the development of the individ-uals. Marlena’s greatest reward is providing a stable envi-ronment for the individuals that she serves, seeing them flourish brings joy to her heart.

Desmond Chase, Human Resources Recruiter has over 20 years of experience in the field of Human Resources. His most recent posi on was Recruitment Specialist at Independent Living Asso-cia on. He acquired his Master’s in Human Resources and Em-ployee Rela ons from Brunel University, London United King-dom and hold the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) cer -fica on from SHRM. Desmond’s long-term goals are to obtain the best candidates in the job markets and to ensure that a high rate of reten on of all employees.

7

GHO 2016Holiday Party HIGHLIGHTS

GHO would like to send a special thanks to the Holiday Committee team for making the Annual Holiday Party a success!!!

8

-

We’re on the web!

General Human Outreach (GHO), Inc.

125-10 Queens Blvd., Suite 2705

Kew Gardens, NY 11415

Phone: (718) 261-6552 Fax: (718) 261-6698

E-mail: info@ghoinc.org

We’re on the web!

http://wwwvdd.ghoinc.org/