February Anniversaries

First NameLast NameHire Date
JOYTROXEL02/25/2000
JANATESTON02/03/2004
BONNIEBROWN02/19/2008
JENNIFERJACKSON02/14/2011
ASHMINSMALL02/06/2012
PAMELABUTTERWORTH02/03/2014
HANNAHROBERTS02/02/2015
MICHAELPRICE02/01/2016
TIFFANYLEATHERWOOD02/08/2016
BRITTANYWEBB02/08/2016
SYDNEYHUNNELL02/05/2018
TAMIRODGERS02/04/2019
RANDALLSMITH02/13/2020
THERESATAIAPISI02/22/2021
TINATHOMPSON02/22/2021
REBECCABECKER02/22/2021

February Birthdays

EmployeeBirthdate
ARNOLD, MELISSA D.2/1
BROWN, BONNIE J.2/2
CHAMPION, MELINDA A.2/2
STALTER, GERALD M.2/2
DOTSON, MARTHA L.2/3
PIETRAS, AMANDA M.2/4
BENNETT, SABRINA M.2/10
GARTON, TRISTA C.2/11
DALTON, RHONDA J.2/13
OSBORNE, PEGGY J.2/14
BREWER, RICKYA O.2/14
DAVIDSON, ELIZABETH N.2/16
REED, KARON E.2/16
WILSON, MELISSA S.2/18
TROXEL, JOY N.2/18
CHERRY, ELIZABETH B.2/20
ROBERTS, HANNAH R.2/20
MCCOMBS, Nikki N.2/23
MORAN, TAMARA J.2/24
COTTON, TERRI A.2/24
Robertson, Krishawna N.2/24
JOHNSON, AMY K.2/28

The Dickson Chapter of People First

Many of our Direct Support Staff, People Supported and Administrators were directly affected by the Waverly, TN catastrophic flooding on August 21st. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and 20 lives were lost to the damage caused by the 17 inches of rain. The town continues to recover from the unprecedented flooding. Many organizations reached out to support the towns recovery and sustainability. The Dickson Chapter of People First was one of those selfless entities.

The Dickson Chapter of People First is a powerful self-advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement and full inclusion of people with disabilities into society. The Waverly flooding dramatically touched the hearts of our members and they spear headed a toy drive for the residents of Waverly. In December of 2021, due to the generosity of Direct Support Staff, People Supported and Administrators the People First Chapter was able to donate over 25 canvas totes and 5 backpacks to the residents. These are a few pictures of the devastation and recovery efforts:

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

CQL Virtual visit – 2

 

   According to the CQL website (www.c-q-l.org), CQL’s Accreditation approach is more about being on a journey toward ongoing organization transformation instead of passing a test or a receiving a passing score. Any human service organizations and systems can utilize a proven framework for quality monitoring and enhancement. This includes providers like DSDC, but also includes hospitals, nursing homes and drug/alcohol treatment centers. This framework consists of planning meetings, self-assessments, interviews, on-site visits, focus groups, stakeholder events, data analysis, and ongoing partnership, organizations can continually improve the quality of supports and the quality of life for people receiving those supports.

   In January, DSDC completed our 2nd on-site visit with CQL to maintain our current Accreditation. This year’s on-site visit was completed through zoom and was hosted by Ped Ezell, Quality Enhancement Specialist from CQL. Don Redden, Katie Powers, Christine Theofanopoulos and Richard Streck attended the zoom visit where we reviewed DSDC’s adherence to CQL’s Basic Assurances System. This includes Rights restrictions, personal finance management, employment opportunities, etc. We reviewed the development of DSDC’s Personal Outcome Measures program and the growth of the short-term dreams that were chosen at the initial Accreditation.

   The visit was completed successfully and with resounding praise. Don Redden, Katie Powers, Christine Theofanopoulos and Richard Streck will be meeting to work on the development of the organizations long-term dreams. These will be posted in next month’s newsletter, so please look forward to more CQL related information.

February is a month that many People Celebrate Valentine’s Day

In Looking at Relationships and being Person-Centered, we talk a lot about what type of relationships we have with others.

Some questions are below that we ask during pre-planning of ISP meetings.  We do this to find out if those we support are happy with the relationships they have.

What is a Relationship? 

The Dictionary defines a relationship as the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

What kinds of Relationships are there?  There are four basic types of relationships: family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships. Other more nuanced types of relationships might include work relationships, teacher/student relationships, and community or group relationships.

Why is it important we find out what type of relationships people have that we support?

1.One of the main reasons we ask about relationships and complete relationship maps with those we support is to make sure our agency and staff know here at DSDC what and who is important to the person. 

  1. Another reason we complete a Relationship Map each year is to find out who is in the persons life and if they have had any changes, such as someone moved away,
  2. they are no longer friends, someone may have passed away, the person lost interest in having a relationship with that person. There are several reasons we complete the Relationship Map.
  3. We also want to find out if they are wanting a relationship in an area of their life and how we can assist them to achieve that. Perhaps they want to be part of a community group and we can
  4. assist them in getting to meetings. It could be that the supported person simply wants to see a family member or friend more so we talk about it and put into action a plan on how we do that.
  5. It could be that the person wants a job or to go to school but may need supports on the job or wish to have someone to assist them with studying for a class, but does not want/need staff on site.
  6. In this case we can assist them in making “Natural Supports” on the job, in the community or at school.  This is the team working together to locate someone in their natural environment that
  7. they feel comfortable with in assisting them if they need a bit of assistance.

Whatever someone’s desire is for more friends, how to make friends, wanting to see family more or having a relationship with a significant other, it is our responsibility to listen and assist the person supported in making and maintaining new relationships so that they have a full and rounded life.

Happy Valentine’s Everyone!

Broccoli Casserole

Recipe:

Broccoli Casserole

2 packages frozen chopped broccoli

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 eggs, beaten

Ritz crackers

butter

Cook broccoli 5 mins & drain. Mix broccoli, soup, cheese, mayonnaise, & eggs and pour into casserole dish. Top with crushed ritz crackers and small pats of butter. Bake 350 for 30 mins. 

Dad Jokes

 

1) What did the baby corn say to the mama corn? Where’s pop corn?

2) How do you make an egg-roll? You push it!

3) Why did Mozart kill his chicken? Because it kept saying Bach, bach, bach.

4) How do snails fight? They slug it out.

Sweethearts Candy History


Oliver R. Chase invented a machine in 1847 to cut lozenges from wafer candy, similar to Necco Wafers, and started a candy factory.

Daniel Chase, Oliver’s brother, began printing sayings on the candy in 1866. He designed a machine that was able to press on the candy similar to a stamp.

The heart-shaped conversation candies called “ Sweethearts”  got their start in 1901. Other styles were formerly produced such as lozenges, postcards, horseshoes, watches, and baseballs. Line extensions carrying the Sweethearts brand include chocolates and sugar-free hearts.

A Sweetheart with the phrase “LOL”, a relatively new phrase

In the 1990s, Necco vice-president Walter Marshall wanted to update some of the sayings and retire others, including “Call me”, “Email me”, and “Fax me”. The romantic expressions continue to be revised for young Americans. Necco received hundreds of suggestions a year on new sayings.

In 2018, Sweethearts was acquired by Spangler Candy, which has been a part of America’s candy culture and heritage for 114 years. As a century-old candy maker, Spangler certainly knew how important this brand was. These iconic heart-shaped candies have been exchanged between classmates, friends and loved ones for more than a century.

..

,

Sweethearts returned in 2020 with the original flavors from before Necco’s 2010 change, but due to equipment problems the familiar sayings were largely either incomplete. The candy may also taste a little different too, but this change is less about necessity and more about nostalgia. Spangler found the original recipe for Sweethearts in old paperwork; while Necco had modified the formula and flavors over the course of Sweethearts’ 118+ year history, Spangler is excited to bring back the OG flavors, including banana and wintergreen — a sweet surprise for any fan of the brand.

In 2021, in addition to the classic messages, Sweethearts featured new sayings inspired by timeless song lyrics from the last seven decades.

Hopefully seeing this candy brings back many memories for you!

 

  Strawberry Yogurt Ice Pops

                                             (makes 10 pops, depending on the mold you use)

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients                                                          

                               

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries

3 tablespoons honey

Preparation

  1. In a blender place 1 cup strawberries, milk, yogurt and honey and blend for 1 minute until smooth.
  1. Place a strawberry slice in the bottom of a 3-ounce Dixie cup. Repeat with the other cups.
  1. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full with the strawberry yogurt mixture and place them in the freezer.
  1. Remove cups from the freezer after 1 hour and stick a popsicle stick into the center of each cup.
  1. Place cups back in the freezer and let freeze for an additional 4-6 hours.
  1. Remove cups from freezer, peel off the paper and serve immediately!

Fun "Facts"

 

1) The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour

2) The best place in the world to see rainbows is in Hawaii.

3) Climate change is causing flowers to change color.

4) There are more twins now than ever before.

5) Four babies are born every second.

6) The Earth’s ozone layer will make a full recovery in 50 years.

7) The most expensive coin in the world was sold for more than $7 million.

8) There are more than 24 time zones around the world.

9) All giant pandas in zoos around the world are on loan from China.

10) All the ants on Earth weigh about as much as all the humans.