Happy Thanksgiving

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Melody Beattie

From the Clients and Staff of Dreams With Wings, we would like to wish you and yours a happy and blessed Thanksgiving with the warmth of family and friends.

Case Management

Individuals who receive services under the Supports For Community Living (SCL) Medicaid Waiver are eligible for Case Management services. Dreams With Wings has a professionally trained team of case managers that can assist you in planning and coordinating your support needs.

 

Your case manager will help you put together your team that will assist you in reaching your dreams. Some common services that case managers help to secure are residential supports, day programming, supported employment, therapy services (OT, PT, Speech, Behavior Supports), one on one support and respite. Your Case Manager can also help you get special items you may need like wheelchairs and therapy equipment.

 

Our case managers believe in the person-centered planning approach. They work with each individual and their team to set goals and put plans in place to help you make your life look like you want it to look.

 

Your case manager will help you and your family navigate the Medicaid system. They will help you with annual paperwork to insure that you have the funding in place that you need.

 

Your case manager is a valuable resource in putting together the pieces of support that you need. They will meet with you at least once a month to insure that you are getting the supports that will help you reach your dreams.

 

Holiday Shopping?

Amaryllis Blubs

Holiday Cards

Holiday shopping can be an fun filled afternoon in the mall with friends and family; taking in the holiday ampnoshere… unless you are someone who does not like crowds, have small children or lack the time to search for that special gift with meaning.  Dreams With Wings has its’ own online store.  Visit Dreams With Wings website at www.dreamswithwings.org or click on the link under blogroll.  Proceeds from all sales benefit the clients at Dreams With Wings.

Goodbye to a special friend

Catherine was always known to us as “Mrs. Black”.  She was certainly someone who could be counted on to do whatever was asked.   She was always involved in the Jack O’Lantern Stroll, going as far back as the time when pumpkins were carved in dining rooms of homes.  She loved carving so much that she involved her children in the task.  Today, they are staunch supporters of our efforts.  She was always the first one to show up for the yard sale to price items and work check out.   Her words were soft but you always knew where she stood and she was always there, especially for her son Steve.  He has grown into a wonderful and kind man because of her.  We will always miss her but she has left a true legacy of love, friendship and support.  Dreams With Wings is an organization that has indeed been touched by her!

Jenifer

BLACK, CATHERINE “KATE” ROBY (KAUFMAN), 81, of Louisville, passed away Friday, November 7, 2008 at her residence. Catherine was a private caregiver and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. She was also affiliated with the Dreams with Wings. She was preceded in death by a son, Donnie and a daughter, Peggy. Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Carter (Erman); sons, Tom Roby (Denise) and Steve Black; a son-in-law, Ron Hall; brothers, Bernie Kaufman (Faye), Johnny Kaufman (Betty) and Jake Kaufman; a sister-in-law, Lucille Kaufman as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2008 at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, 3800 Bardstown Road, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Dreams with Wings, 1759 Bardstown Road or Hosparus of Louisville.

Published in The Courier-Journal on 11/8/2008

Behavior Supports

Behavior Supports that are provided by Dreams With Wings are based on the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis which is a science specializing in the study of challenging behaviors, duel diagnosis, and co-existing disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental delays and mental retardation.

 

All behavior specialists have completed the required coursework necessary to receive a master’s degree and several behavior specialists have been board certified and maintain that certification with continuing education requirements.

 

Behavioral Supports is a collaborative and comprehensive service that incorporates the individuals’ entire team.  The behavior specialist begins the process by conducting a functional analysis.  This assessment is used to determine what environmental or internal factors may be contributing to the problematic behaviors.  This assessment takes approximately 10 hours to complete and is divided into several visits with the individual, staff and family members.  The behavior specialist will review the individuals file and any other previous assessments that were conducted, he or she will set a time to observe and interview staff and family members close to the individual and then a formally written assessment including recommendations will be developed.  After the functional assessment is completed, the behavior specialist will begin developing the Behavior Support Plan (BSP). The BSP is a step-by-step plan for staff and family members to help with consistency and reducing problematic behaviors while also working on increasing appropriate behaviors such as self help skills, social skills or any other functional skills needed.  The behavior specialist will train and role- play the details of the plan with all members of the team and introduce a data collection procedure to help track progress.  Once this phase is complete, the behavior specialist will begin monitoring the individual on a monthly basis.  Monitoring includes 1:1 visits with the individual, updates from the staff and family members, assistance with any crisis issues and data evaluation.

 

Summary of Behavior Supports:

 

• A referral is made by the individual’s case manager
• The behavior specialist begins the Functional Assessment, which is a 10-hour process
• The behavior specialist develops the Behavior Support Plan, which is a 6-hour process
• The behavior specialist trains and monitors the program on a monthly basis

Supported Employment

 

 

Working in the Highlands

Supported Employment provides individualized job development, specialized job training, and the availability of support or retaining as long as the supported employee maintains his or her job.  If a job is lost for any reason supported employment assists with replacement and other individualized supports necessary to maintain employment. 

Dreams With Wings currently have clients employed at: The Galt House, O’Sheas, Minuteman Press, Home Depot, and Old Navy.

 

Supported Employment Goals are:

• Opportunity to earn equitable wages and other employment related benefits
• Development of new skills
• Increased community participation
• Increased self-esteem
• Quality of life

 

Supported Employment Components are:

• Refer to Vocational Rehabilitation
• Person Centered Job Selection
• Job Development
• Job Placement
• Follow-up Services for the duration of employment

Building Relationships - Making Friends

Radio Disney Strolls with Dreams

Radio Disney Crew

Radio Disney was on hand at this year’s Jack O’ Lantern Stroll.  They played many of the tunes from the popular movie High School Musical, and from the hit show Hannah Montana.  The Disney Crew was on hand to play games with the participates of the Stroll; which included the mummy wrap, pass the pumpkin, twister scram and a crazy dance.  The winners enjoyed prizes of like the latest Disney DVD’s, CDs and a Disney Prize Pack.  Be sure to mark your calendars and join Dreams With Wings for next years Stroll.

 

 

Lip-Sing Winners