In This Issue

A Message from Tamico . . . . . . 1

Regional Advocacy News . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Quality Corner . . . .2

Innovation Feature . . . . . . . . . . 3

Public Policy Update . . . . . . . . . . 3

Living Out Our Mission . . . . . . 3

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Spring 2019

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© Copyright 2019, Bethesda Lutheran Communities 18-210-10 OPS

Connecting parents, families, guardians and advocates with the latest from Bethesda

BestLife!

Greetings! It’s been a busy spring for Bethesda in Texas, I wanted to share a few updates with you all including some recent events . I hope you enjoy the photos .

Community Life Center (CLC) UpdateWe hosted an event at the CLC in celebration of Valentine’s Day . Many of the people we support enjoyed dancing, singing and listening to music . Decorations were skillfully made over a two-week period by the people receiving services at the CLC . The “Photo Booth Picture Frame” was a crowd pleaser and enjoyed by all .

Staff Update: Welcome Rebecca Simmons!Rebecca is the newest member of the Bethesda Southern Region team and will serve as a program manager for the Host Home program . Her professional background includes service coordination through The Harris Center, mental health/forensics, mental health court coordination and mental health probation . Rebecca is passionate about advocating for those with disabilities and is looking forward to working at Bethesda .

“I feel blessed to be part of an organization that makes such a difference in the lives of others,” says Rebecca .

Connecting All Abilities at the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoMarch was National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and the Texas team mixed awareness with fun at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo . Each year the Special Children’s Committee of the show donates rodeo tickets to Bethesda, along with other adults in the developmental disability community . Everyone enjoyed watching Mutton Bustin’, wagon races, bull riding and more . They were also treated to concerts by Camila Cabello and Luke Combs . While enjoying the rodeo and concert, the people we support and staff members shared Bethesda’s #ConnectAllAbilities DD Month wristbands with rodeo volunteers . Everyone had a great time!

As always, thanks for your ongoing support . Feel free to reach out to me anytime – I always welcome your feedback .

All my best,

TamicoTamico Melvin, Regional Director, Southern Region

A Message from Tamico

Your Regional DirectorTamico MelvinSouthern Region

email: Tamico .Melvin@BethesdaLC .org

phone: 281 .516 .4024

Southern Edition

People we support and staff agreed that the Valentine’s Day Photo

booth was a hit!

2

Thank You for Your Input!Quality Corner

The Texas Intellectual and Developmental Disability System Redesign Advisory Committee recently held a public hearing to review state efforts to carve-in intellectual and developmental disability (ID/DD) supports into Texas Star+Plus, the state’s managed care system.

Studies found that the cost savings would come from two sources. The first assumption is that Texans with disabilities could choose to move to a less costly setting. The example presented at the meeting was an individual who opts to move from a three-or four-bed group home to their own home. However, Texans with ID/DD already have that right and, when pressed, staff could not explain why they would make that choice under an MCO system and not under the existing system.

The second area of potential cost savings was “utilization adjustments” which would be made by MCO care coordinators. Members of the committee pushed back arguing that care coordination was taken away from ID/DD service providers several years ago as it was considered a conflict of interest. Putting management of the care coordination function under the organization that stands to benefit from cost reduction is seen as a significant conflict of interest that puts the financial wellbeing of the MCO ahead of the interests of people with disabilities.

Texas stakeholders are urged to visit the Bethesda VoterVoice action center and advocate against the carve-in of ID/DD supports into the Texas MCO system until such time as state officials are able to demonstrate that people with disabilities are able to access the quality supports they need and want.

To take action, visit Bethesda’s VoterVoice online advocacy center at www.votervoice.net/BLC/campaigns/62010/respond

We released our Parent/Family/Guardian satisfaction survey to family members in the first edition of BestLife! We appreciate hearing about areas where can improve, like diversifying activities and/or events where your loved ones receive supports . We are addressing these areas through deliberate and intentional enhancement plans in each region, and welcome feedback (on upcoming surveys) to let us know how we have improved .

We were pleased to see areas where we are meeting your satisfaction . The questions with the highest overall satisfaction were:

1. Staff members treat me with respect and courtesy .

2. Staff members respect the privacy of the person receiving services .

3. People at Bethesda respect the person receiving services as a person .

In addition to implementing enhancement plans based on survey results, we’re also continuing compliance improvement efforts . The team is deploying Quality SnapShots and monthly monitoring in each region to gather information and provide feedback to regional leaders on compliance and quality improvements .

Regional Advocacy NewsSouthern Region

Using Technology to Create MoreIndependence and Support New Services

These are some of the latest ways Bethesda is using technology . Each is focused on a different support setting or service .

Transitional Living & Group Homes In Oregon, we’ve configured a home with devices intended to foster independence for adults in a transitional living home . With the innovative use of iPads, MedMinder® medication dispensers and other smart technology, residents are focusing on building life skills like meal prep and prescription dispensing . In Missouri, we’re setting up several group homes with similar smart home technology that’s focused on helping residents become more independent . In both cases, we’re doing extensive testing and monitoring to determine efficacy before we expand to other programs, services and locations .

Behavior Support Services In Colorado and Illinois, technology is integral to the expansion of this new service line which aims to enhance people’s lives by improving communication and independent living and social skills . It allows staff to provide remote behavioral supports in real time using secure tech devices . All communication is HIPAA compliant and completely supported by the Bethesda IT team .

We will continue to seek opportunities to use technology to improve the quality and level of supports provided . We look forward to expanding application of both examples above to additional locations .

Bethesda is always looking for new ways to provide supports especially those that help increase independence. A large part of staying on the leading edge with new support models is using technology in new ways.

Dear Jesus,

I am afraid and worried and feeling miserable

right now. I know You will never leave me alone,

but I am still scared. Help me remember You are

with me. Help me remember You love me all the

time. Thank You for being strong for me, especially

since I do not feel strong right now.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Dear Jesus,

I am not feeling well and it is making me angry

and frustrated. I do not like being sick and I do

not like pain. Even though I am mad, help me be

kind to those who are trying to help me. Forgive

me when I lose my temper. Help me feel better

soon. I trust You Jesus.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

The LORD gives strength to His people. The LORD blesses His people with peace.

- Psalm 29:11 NIV

Dear Jesus,

Although I am sick, I am happy to have

wonderful people around me. I’d like to thank

You for the doctors and nurses and all the

people who are taking care of me. Help me be

patient and kind to them. Help me remember

they are doing their best to help me.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Dear God,

I praise You for loving me. In the Bible,

You promised to always be with me. Help me

remember that promise, especially when I am

sad and confused and not feeling well.

Help me find peace.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.

Copyright 2018,

Bethesda Lutheran Communities

BLC-RL-123456-0618

BethesdaLC.org Email: ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.orgHOSPITAL COMMUNICATION CARD

SADANGRY

AFRAID

HAPPY

3

Public Policy Update

Living Out Our Mission

Bethesda’s Hospital Communication Card is designed for those who need help advocating for themselves during hospital stays or serious illness . There are icons on the front to support communication and prayers on the back for specific requests made by the patient .

Talk to your local Ministry Consultant, email ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.org or visit BethesdaLC.org to learn how you can reach out to your community with this excellent resource .

Copyright 2018,

Bethesda Lutheran Communities

18-154-RL-HCC-0718

BethesdaLC.org Email: ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.org

HAPPY

HOLDMY HAND

SAD

PRAYWITH ME

GET MYNURSE OR DOCTOR

AFRAID

CALLCLERGY

ANGRY

OFFER MECOMMUNION

STOP ORLEAVE ME ALONE

TALKWITH ME

STAYWITH ME

READTHE BIBLE

HOSPITAL COMMUNICATION CARD

SINGWITH ME

Seen here is Andrea . MC Becky Lindsley visits her home in Oregon each month to lead a Bible class and activity time .

Seen here is MC Jana Peters and Chad, who is supported by Bethesda in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, working through his Faith Action Plan . Once the plan

is completed, MCs begin to work with congregations in the local area . This process often includes training sessions with church staff and leaders to make sure each congregation is not only welcoming, but enfolds your loved one into the family of Christ and creates a sense of belonging .

Bethesda ministry consultants (MCs) are available to help connect your loved one to a congregation of their choice .

If you would like to spend some time in God’s Word today, watch this Psalm 46 video featuring several students from Bethesda College: youtu.be/cC9L0DoG7ek

Bethesda would also like to support families! For free weekly devotions, sign up here: BethesdaLC.org/inbox-inspiration/

Seen here is Pastor Lance Stiver and other members

of Alliance Community Church who went through a training session with MC Rev . Brice Bennett in Fort Wayne, Indiana . Sometimes MCs must adapt to specific situations, but spending time in God’s Word is always in the forefront .

FEATURED FAITH RESOURCE

Bethesda is always looking for new ways to provide supports especially those that help increase independence. A large part of staying on the leading edge with new support models is using technology in new ways.

Public policy advocacy is an excellent opportunity to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by helping

all people with ID/DD to “lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

March was a very significant month for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) . In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation designating March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month . In his proclamation, President Reagan urged all Americans to join him in “according our fellow citizens with [developmental] disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential .”

A necessary component of providing opportunity to our fellow citizens is to have disability provider rates that allow for a robust and qualified workforce that empowers people with ID/DD to live their best life possible . It is appropriate then that March is also the time that state legislatures throughout the country begin to debate state budgets in earnest . Advocacy is critically important in ensuring that people with ID/DD have their voices heard when our elected officials set state policy priorities through the budgetary process .

People with disabilities must let their legislators know what services and supports they need to live how they want, with who they want, and where they want . And, they need to communicate the vital role direct support professionals (DSPs) play in their lives and the significant hardships staff turnover and vacancies cause in their everyday lives . What better way to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month than to mentor and empower our family members, friends and colleagues to become

effective self-advocates . Self-advocacy gives voices to people with disabilities to have greater control over their lives and to become as independent as possible .

And, when we advocate with them, we amplify their voice and add an important additional perspective so legislators understand the impact inadequate disability funding has on families and others who care deeply for people with ID/DD . Public policy advocacy is an excellent opportunity to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by helping all people with ID/DD to “lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential .”

Spring 2019

Connecting parents, families, guardians and advocates with the latest from Bethesda

BestLife!

600 Hoffmann Dr. Watertown, WI 53094BethesdaLC.org | 800.369.4636

Southern Edition