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Archive for Stories – Page 2

A man in a yellow hat is holding a stuffed animal.

Posted by Debra Mendes

· June 8, 2016

Our Visit To Harpers Ferry, WV

Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are two tiny 19th century villages, side-by-side, which lie at the eastern-most point of West Virginia, bordered by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park surrounds both towns, providing visitors with tours, museums, hiking and biking trails — all within easy walking distance of the living history villages. Today, the majestic beauty of the two rivers and the cliffs surrounding Harpers Ferry draw visitors from all over the world. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the heart of town. Boutique shops offer a variety of beautiful items for our visitors and local eateries can satisfy the palate. Local outfitters can help with rafting, tubing or kayaking trips. As the eastern gateway to West Virginia, Harpers Ferry beckons visitors from near and far. Journey back into history and to historical Harpers Ferry and Bolivar again and again….

This is how Harpers Ferry is described on the web; DCI Members just enjoy the many displays, museums, and shops. The view of the Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers is great for just sitting and watching, maybe drowsing a bit, or having your picture taken! The sight of the many visitors, hikers, and campers passing thru provides lots of people watching opportunities. We spotted a small bird of prey floating on the air currents above and guessed what he might have been hunting for. The train thundered by – who was on it, where were they going? Looking at the display of clothing that was current during the time period made DCI Members glad they did not have to dress that way. The gift store provided lots of laughs with the hand puppets, and plenty of books to look at. All in all, a very relaxing and enjoyable morning.

Categories : Day Program, News

Posted by Debra Mendes

· May 11, 2016

A Place That Feels Like Home – Day Program and Service Coordination

Kat first started working at DCI as the Service Coordinator she was excited to discover that part of her job would be to visit with members and their families once a month in their homes. You get to see and really know people when you visit them in their home. But Kat did not realize how different a person might be when in the familiar and safe environment of their home until she made a visit to Racey’s home. Kat had observed and tried to interact with Racey while she attended the day program at the center. While she appeared to enjoy and was willing to participate in activities she never spoke. Not one word. She did not speak to her peers or any of the staff. She would simply smile or nod her head yes or no to a question. Kat scheduled an appointment with Racey’s mom and visited their home one evening after Racey was home from the DCI Day Program. Kat sat at the kitchen table with Racey’s mom discussing what things Racey likes. When asked about Racey’s speech, her mom laughed and asked Racey to come to the kitchen. Racey came in and plain as day said “What you want?” to her mom. Her mom asked Racey questions about her day and Racey told her mom all about what happened at the center that day. That was 8 years ago.

Racey now carries on a conversation with peers and staff. She comforts peers or staff who might be down or sad with the words “it will be alright baby” and a hug. Racey says hello to Kat every morning and tells her about things going on at home and with special Olympics. Her words are short and her sentences choppy but she makes herself heard and understood when she sings or is happy or upset.

It has taken many years for Racey to get to the point of talking to all of us. Once when Kat asked her why she talks so much now at the center she responds with one word “home.” For Racey over the years DCI and the people around her have become home. We are proud to have been and to continue to be a part of creating a place in the community where Racey can feel at home.

Categories : Client, Day Program, Stories

Posted by Debra Mendes

· May 2, 2016

Learning To Work Together

Not all behavior is bad. We need behaviors to function in society. Shaking some one’s hand. Saying hello and goodbye. Purchasing groceries. Talking on the phone. Interacting on a job site. These are all behaviors. Behaviors are measurable observable actions. Behaviors are actions we use to get something we want. Behavioral actions can be positive or negative and still serve their function. A child that screams and cries will get the attention of their parent just the same way a child who is laughing loudly will. All behavior is learned. Therefore, all behaviors can be taught.

It is the job of the Behavioral Support Professional to discover the function of negative behaviors and to determine what positive behaviors an individual need to acquire in order to function as independently in the community as possible. The BSP then develops the goals for the induvial based on their assessed need and writes the steps that the direct care worker will use to teach the behavior needed to reach the goal.

Learning new behaviors happens at different paces and for many people learning requires repetitive consistent instruction. But everyone can.

Learn more about our Behavior Support Services

Categories : Behavior Support, Client, Stories

A man in overalls standing next to two goats.

Posted by Debra Mendes

· March 10, 2016

A Goat Farm Teaches Discipline Skills Through Customized Employment

Chris has been actively involved with Daily Companions, Inc since 2006. Along with his mother, he has an extended family including cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Along with numerous family ties, Chris is very well known in the community and has many friends. In knowing Chris and observing him in daily activities through DCI, it is obvious that he is very well liked, enjoys helping others, and would pretty much do anything to help out. He needed help with being on time, and focusing on tasks. He did well with working closely with male companions.

During the discovery process, we had the opportunity to explore a locally owned goat farm where they raise goats and process various fine goat cheeses for marketing. Ms. Cloughfeather, CEO of Daily Companions, while being given a tour of the farm discovered for herself how friendly goats are. As we entered the gate, the goats approached us, and one particular goat continued to chase after Ms. C. as she was quickly heading back toward the gate. Although she was trying not to be rude to the host, this shows how the work environment needs to “fit comfortably” for the individual. I have to add that this was quite possibly the quickest I’ve ever seen Ms. C. move.

Chris, during a discovery activity, went to the County Fair to visit some of the goats entered in the fair for judging and met the owner’s older daughter. The business got its start with her one goat that was entered through 4-H years ago. Chris participated in helping out with tending the goats and observed the hand milking process. He was tickled and surprised by their cooperativeness and their social behavior. Chris is a natural with the goats and showed much interest and enthusiasm for all the animals/livestock at the fair. During our time at the fair, he knew so many people and introduced me to many friends and acquaintances. He was interested and curious to learn more about the farm and exploring helping out as a farm support worker.

Through Customized Employment, Chris participated in job exploration and training at the goat farm since August 18, 2014, working on learning and completing tasks as a support staff.

These tasks are broken down into three categories:

Goat Support Work, which includes replenishing their hay in numerous bins, graining, watering, attending and care for the goats. This also includes learning to identify and call them by name.
Milking Set Up – Preparation and milking up to six goats.
Clean Up – Washing/Sanitizing and Recheck Goats water supply

One day is learning about the cheese production and assisting with preparing the cheese for market.

Chris made significant progress in many areas with ihs skills on these tasks and he continues to show interest and desire to improve on being a support staff for the farm. In this supportive environment, working closely with the support staff and owner, this role became a great fit for him and for the business.

Chris was employed for 8 hours a week @ $7.25 an hour. This was an increase in his wage income.

Along with learning new skills, Chris had to adjust to an early schedule as he was required to be at the farm for the 6 am milking. He worked on learning the basic routines along with the out of normal issues/changes that arise for tending and milking the goats.

The owner has plans to increase cheese production and her number of milking goats. She has plans to purchase a cheese press which extracts the whey from the cheese. As she explained and demonstrated, this has been a cumbersome and timely process doing it by hand. We are currently exploring increasing his hours to expand his skills to assist with the cheese processing and marketing. She is encouraged with Chris’s progress and she has also talked to Chris about helping out with spring projects at the farm.

Chris’s previous work experience was through work exploration in high school and working a car wash. He was also previously employed hanging door flyers for a local pizza shop. Now that he is working at the goat farm this is providing him new work experiences and challenges to enhance his work skills, and establish good work ethics. During the training and employment, Chris learned to adapt well to changes in routines. At the goat farm, there is never a dull moment. Again, goats are very social in nature and are very smart. There is one particular goat, Po that is the nuisance goat. He would not leave Chris alone while he was working and sometimes would chase after him. Chris was never mean or insensitive to this goats’ nature, but rather tolerated her and worked on figuring out ways to keep her in a gated area/block her while he filled the bins. It was hilarious how this goat would open up the gate and get out. Also, just after the first couple weeks the milking machine broke down, so he got to learn not only how to start the milking and stripping but do the entire process by hand. This truly was an experience, and he again adapted quite well.

One of Chris’s attributes is his caring nature and attentiveness of the goats. The owner has been impressed with Chris’s attention to issues or concerns that were related to safety or wellness of the goats. Again, goats are very social and smart. They know their names when called. Chris worked hard on recognizing them by their marking, colors, characteristics and their physical response to his interactions. He had six goats that he needed to learn to identify at the beginning so visual aides were created and strategies were devised to help him with this. We also incorporated labeling and task list for the setup and the milking procedures. We also devised simulated hay bale to practice proper lifting and carrying techniques, a milking strainer/lid that has to be correctly inserted, math practice time sheets for recording his time and photos and quizzes for identifying all the goats. As the weather changed, so did the tasks. To help devise shortcuts and problem solving for the getting the grain in a trough that was difficult to fill due to its location in the hay shelter, I attempted to find a way for Chris to fill it. The goats surrounded and blocked me in to get to the feed. One goat just went right through my legs, and I ended up just sitting on the goat while he ate. Chris has never let me forget that episode. Goats will also try and “get your goat” by being at the door to be milked first and respond to other’s names. On this particular day, Chris and I both got the wrong goat three times due to the lighting changes (daylight savings time), their wintry changes and because they “tricked” us. We look forward to sharing more of the goat’s antics and shenanigans and to be involved with helping with the kidding process, welcoming the newborn “kids” that are due in a few weeks. This will also be a new experience and adventure for Chris.

Learn more about our Customized Employment Services

Categories : Client, Customized Employment, Stories

Tags : customized employment

A part of the workforce through customized employment

Posted by Debra Mendes

· March 10, 2016

Preparation And Experience Led To Paid Employment With DCI Supported Employment

When Jonathan joined Daily Companion’s program in October 2010 he was volunteering at the Salvation Army for 3 mornings a week. He expressed that he liked being there and enjoyed the support he had in the organization, but he wanted a bit more – he wanted to be paid.

Jonathan continued to volunteer at the Salvation Army and participated in other training goals and volunteer work experiences with Daily Companions. In February 2013 a Supported Employment specialist connected with a business opening in an expanded location. Jonathan’s job at Black Dog Coffee began. As Black Dog Coffee grew so did Jonathan’s work opportunities with them.

It has been a perfect fit for Jonathan who loves coffee and is able to put labels perfectly on the bags of fresh roasted coffees sold by Black Dog. Jonathan who is not one to sit back on success expressed that he wanted to work more. He is currently employed at Black Dog two days and week and was able to be employed at ROC’s one day a week as his schedule allows. If you ask Jonathan, he hopes to work even more days at Black Dog or ROC’s in the future.

Update on Jonathan’s story: Jonathan is now employed Tuesday thru Thursday at Black Dog. As of June 1st, he set a personal record for 229 bags of coffee! Jonathan also picked up a third job. He is also working at Cracker Barrel. The whole DCI family is proud of him and his success.

Categories : Client, Stories, Supported Employment

Achieving goals through Daily Companions Support Services

Posted by Debra Mendes

· March 10, 2016

Reaching Goals Through Supported Employment

You know life is funny. When Quincy joined Daily Companions in 2010 one of the first things he told us when we met him is that he would like to have a job at Subway. In August of 2015 Quincy is indeed working at ROC’s Subway. Quincy had several programs, volunteer experiences and work experiences with Dominoes and Mc Donald’s over the 5 years he has been in the program that have prepared him for reaching this goal of his.

Quincy and Daily Companions program has gone through a lot of changes since 2010. Quincy has grown and matured. Daily Companions has adapted to Quincy’s changing needs and abilities and has grown with Quincy to the point that a statement that Quincy made to staff in 2010 has become a reality for him.

Today Quincy enjoys his work at Mc Donald’s 2 days a week and at Roc’s 2 days a week. The rest of the time he enjoys interacting with his friends at Daily Companions and going out into the community every day for different activities and job exploration experiences.

Categories : Client, Stories, Supported Employment

Posted by dci2admin

· January 30, 2015

Reliable-ity, Sociable-ity, Capable-ity, and overall Possible-ity

Andre is originally from Baltimore, MD. He and his mother moved to the Martinsburg area 6 years ago. He has one brother, Chris, and a loving dog named “Egypt”. Prior to coming to Daily Companions, Inc. Andre would just hang out at home, read books, exercise and occasionally go to the Public Library to look up things on the internet. Finding a job for him was difficult as he has Autism, had not graduated from High School, nor did he have his GED. He also had no transportation. Andre’s family felt he never received the help he needed in the school system. “There were too many students with IEP’s, and not enough teachers to give Andre the guidance he needed to succeed in school, or prepare him after graduation” states his mother, Heather. Andre was referred to Daily Companions, Inc. by Stephen Brady of DHHR for the Customized Employment Grant Program, and in June of 2015, Andre’s journey began.

After his initial meeting with the staff from Daily Companions, Inc. Andre began the “Discovery” process. During this time, Andre and his Customized Employment Specialist discussed his job desires, means of transportation, and any specific accommodations and/or support he felt he needed to succeed in a job setting. Not graduating from High School was an obstacle to many potential employers, as was his never being previously employed as a result. However, once someone met Andre, they saw he was a bright, enthusiastic young man, and encouraged him to apply with them. Andre enjoys the outdoors, and self-taught many of the skills he has through his research at the Library. Having a supportive family helps him with his good social skills in being polite, friendly, and willing to help others-qualities some potential employers recognized immediately in Andre.

Another obstacle was transportation. Andre does not drive, and he has never used public transportation before. Thus, Andre and his Employment Specialist discussed various potential work sites and then mapped out the bus routes to plan how he would get from his home to each work location by bus. With help from the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA), Andre and his Employment Specialist practiced boarding the required bus, transferring as necessary, and riding the complete route. This activity was completed over several days, one route a day, taking note of other potential job opportunities on each route. Andre also took note of where he would need to catch each bus, times each bus ran, how to recognize each bus, where to transfer if need be, and where to get off each bus. The drivers on each route were accommodating and eager to help Andre feel more confident in his ability to ride the bus on his own. They answered many questions and never made Andre feel like he was distracting them. The drivers also informed him of the half-fare program for individuals like himself, in which he would only pay half the normal fee with a designated card issued each month. Other transportation options were explored, however, the bus was the most economical and reliable means for Andre if he needed a ride to work. Fortunately for Andre, he has individuals in his life who are happy to help him get to work when they can.

Once Andre felt confident in his ability to get to work, it was time to put his hard work to the test. Andre began doing “Job Discovery” with his Employment Specialist. This process allowed Andre to get unpaid, yet necessary, job experience in a variety of locations and skills. These jobs tested Andre’s abilities to follow directions, learn and retain new skills, improve social skills, and understand the concepts of work expectations for each location. Like any job, he needed to be there on time, complete assigned tasks and be accountable for his area. Never having worked before, this was difficult in the beginning, and at times, Andre felt it was “too Hard.” But he is a proud young man and continued to try his best. Through these opportunities to gain work experience, Andre was encouraged by site staff to apply at Walmart, Target, Gabe’s, and Food Lion.

During this same time, an opportunity for employment came up at Cracker Barrel in the dish room. Andre had not done this type of work before but was willing to apply and learn. He applied, was interviewed, and on August 31, 2015, was happily hired. Andre did well in orientation. He struggled to complete his online testing of workplace policies, but with accommodation by Cracker Barrel Management to allow guidance and verbal explanation by his Employment Specialist, Andre passed all of his exams. He studied “The Cracker Barrel Mission Statement”, “Safety in the Work Place”, “Fire and First Aid Procedures”, “Understanding Culture & Diverse Populations”, and “Conflict Resolution in the Workplace”, to name a few. Andre then completed his “on the job training”, and was later on his own to apply all he’d learned out on the floor.

Since being hired, Andre has done very well according to his Cracker Barrel Staff. He is reliable, friendly, and adapts to any task given. Andre is willing to help everyone and does all that’s asked of him and more. When the staff was asked what they like most about Andre, his trainer Jessica stated: “He’s adorable, everyone loves him.” One of his managers, Jennifer B., stated: “He’s phenomenal!”. Every visit his Employment Specialist has had with Andre at work has ended with someone saying they like working with Andre. He has already gone from a “Rising Star” to a “Par 1” in Cracker Barrel’s 4 STAR Recognition Program, thus earning his first raise. Andre has become proficient at his job and is proud to have earned his first STAR. He is anxious to learn more in his job so that he can reach the next level-PAR 2. When discussing his job satisfaction today, Andre was asked:

What is the best thing about working at your job?

“They give me the opportunity to work and are all very friendly.”

What is the hardest part of your job? “Scrubbing the pans…you need serious elbow grease.”

“Scrubbing the pans…you need serious elbow grease.”

What is the easiest?

“Doing the takeout and loading the dishes.”

Where do you see yourself a year from now?

“Maybe still washing dishes…hopefully janitoring.”

If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?

“I don’t know…I never thought about changing it”.

Andre has been a shining example putting his disability behind him and show others his Reliable-ity, Sociable-ity, Capable-ity, and overall Possible-ity. He put his mind to being successfully employed and hasn’t looked back. Andre states “Everyone should be able to work if they want to, no matter what they need help doing” and “Everything is possible if you want it bad enough.” Does Andre ever complain? Yes, like the rest of us…when he has to pay taxes. But he says that’s what “Normal” people do.

Learn more about our Employment Programs including Customized Employment

Categories : Client, Customized Employment, Stories