dFs News 08-05 - Diversified Family

1 1 The Celebrity Doodles Auction will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2005 at the Hickory post, Hermitage. Original framed artwork donated by over 30 celebrities will be auctioned off in addition to a silent auction with other autographed memorabilia. This event marks our celebration of 20 years of helping families. All proceeds will benefit our building fund. This extraordinary event begins at 6:00 pm with a preview of items and hot hors d oeuvres. The live auction will begin at 7:30 pm with host Ron Errett from WPIC. Tickets cost $20 each and may be reserved by calling the dFs office at (724) 346-2123. You won t want to miss this evening filled with fame, food and fun! Authors Isabel Allende Maya Angelou Norman Bridwell Eric Carle Clive Cussler Musicians Dierks Bently Mariah Carey Troy Gentry Madonna Dolly Parton Gretchen Wilson Cartoonists Lynn Johnston Bil Keane Garry Trudeau Actors & Actresses Tim Allen Whoopi Goldberg Jennifer Love-Hewitt Steve Martin Ben Masters Denzel Washington Comedians Jeff Foxworthy Jay Leno David Letterman Richard Pryor TV Personalities Loni Anderson Hugh Downs Bob Eubanks Emeril Lagasse Art Linkletter Ed McMahon Pat

2 Sajac Dr. Laura Schlesingler Alex Trebek Vanna White Sports Mario Andretti Lance Armstrong Fred Couples John Madden Arnold Palmer Joe Paterno Miscellaneous Helen Gurley-Brown Don Imus Carl Reiner General Schwarzkopf Items other than Doodles Maya Angelou four signed poems Lance Armstrong autographed poster Mariah Carey autographed photo Eric Carle autographed poster David Letterman two tickets to the Late Show Madonna autographed photo Arnold Palmer autographed photo Dolly Parton autograph with quotations Joe Paterno autographed Penn State football Alex Trebek autographed photo Denzel Washington autographed photo In This Issue .. Celebrity Doodles Auction .. 1 Campers Get 2 Pill 3 Bush Budget Cuts.

3 4 Safety Corner .. 5 Dr. McElree 6 Contribution Form ..6 Welcome to Our Team .. 7 PIRC Corner .. 7 New Medical Consultant .. 7 Stars of the Month .. 8 Building Fund Contributors .. 9 dFs news Joint Commission Accredited since 1998 3679 East State Street Editor: Nancy J. Tusinac, , Program Director Hermitage, PA 16148 Layout Design: Megan L. Heathcote 724-346-2123 Fall 2005 Spring 2005 2 As seen in The Herald on August 16, 2005 The Diversified Family Services campers have been working hard to perfect their summer finale performance including writing the music and the story line and creating costumes.

4 Over the past three weeks, about 20 campers rotated in groups through a structured program of fine art, music and movement activities at Buhl Farm park, Hermitage, with the help of D. Abbey Alter, owner of Walnut Lodge Yoga and Movement Center and the Walnut Lodge Players of Sharon. Lana Smith, Diversified Family Services assistant program director, said it is the fourth year the non-profit agency has set up the art camp for people with developmental disabilities, like mental retardation or cerebral palsy. Everything associated with the production comes from the ideas of the participants, Ms. Smith said. The dancing and music is all of their own creation, which also makes it very, very fascinating, Ms. Smith said. On August 19th the campers performed their production of Monster Zone which was a journey play with a lot of magic. The campers age from 13 to 50, and come from Crawford and Mercer counties.

5 Along with a grant from the Erie Arts Council, the counties help to fund the camp. A lot of camps like these are recreational and we pride ourselves in having a disciplined program, Ms. Smith said. Although it s a lot of fun, it s a lot of work at the same time. 3 Fall 2005 Contributed By: Stacey Cannon, Health Services Coordinator, Every Month there is some type of medical awareness going on. There are actually lists all over the internet giving dates and info on all of the health observances nationally.

6 Coming up for October are Dental Hygiene Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Red Ribbon (drug free) Campaign. For November, a great one to notice is Adult Immunization week. November is a good time to be sure you get your flu vaccines, pneumonia vaccines and any other vaccines that you may need as an adult. Start planning flu vaccines manufacturers will not have any problems this year and everyone can get one in a timely fashion. As far as medical awareness, everyone should recognize the one s they are particularly close to. At DFS, we have chosen to recognize again, Breast Cancer Awareness in October, Also known as Lee National Denim Day, which is October 7th 2005. When you donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, you may wear jeans to work and support the ongoing effort to find the cure. The 2005 spokespeople for this Day are Ricardo Antonia Chavira and James Denton.

7 We at Dfs donate $ or more to receive a pink ribbon pin, along with the opportunity to wear denim to work. This is the 10th anniversary for the Lee National Denim Day. Anyone interested in receiving a pink ribbon pin for $ and/or breast cancer literature may stop in and see Megan or myself. There is also a website you can visit at 3 Fall 2005 Community Employment Submitted By: Tiffany Johnson Bush Budget Proposal Includes Severe Cuts To Disability Employment Funds The President s budget proposal for fiscal year 2006 impacts various facets of the community mental retardation system.

8 In addition to the Medicaid cuts, the President s budget also proposes to reduce funding for the Department of Labor s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) by 41% (from $ million to $ million). The Bush Administration explains this proposed cut by saying that The 2006 Budget proposes to return the ODEP closer to its core mission of policy analysis, technical assistance, and dissemination of effective practices to increase the employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the Department of Labor s programs. Concerned members are encouraged to contact their legislators to urge them to oppose these cuts. In particular, members should contact Representative Todd Russell Platts (R) since he sits on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that is dealing with this issue. This proposal could significantly affect supported employment programs throughout the United States.

9 * Rep. Platts contact information is available at * To contact your other Representatives, go to: and enter your zip code in the upper right hand corner. Source: PAR Mail 2005-106 May 27, 2005 Snuggle up to a Fragrant Fire Fall is the perfect time to fire up the fireplace with a cozy blaze. If you want to add a little fragrance to your hearth, try these types of wood to sweeten your fire: Apple: It not only sweetens the smell s it produces colorful flames. Cherry: Although not as sweet as apple wood, cherry wood still adds a little sugar in the mix. Hickory: Known to many great barbecuers, hickory brings in a nice nutty aroma and is a great heat-producer. Black Birch: Don t like your fires so sweet? Black birch adds just enough spice with its cinnamon scent Spring 2005 5 Contributed by: Leslie Jackson Administrative Office Safety Committee Chairperson Try to solve the word scramble using the hints provided.

10 Good Luck!! Scramble Answer Hints 1. OOLSE LEGARV You might see this in a parking lot. 2. ROOP GTNGIHLI A burnt out light bulb may be a factor. 3. YPRSALEHO It s all fun and games until someone gets hurt . 4. ULCTERT People who can t clean up after themselves will leave this behind. 5. ENRGTIPAC These hazards consist of tears, wrinkles, loose fitting, fringe, 6. LSCBAE DNA SIRWE These are usually from electronic equipment such as computers and telephones. 7. TTMOOB RWRDSEA A secretary may leave this open. 8. TREHAEW DZRAHAS Snow, ice, rain, sleet, and direct sunlight to name a 9. SNFEUA REHABVOSI Not following company safety policies. 10. PPRROEMI OOWRETAF Mentioned in our dress code policy. 1. Loose Gravel. 2. Poor Lighting. 3. Horseplay. 4. Clutter. 5.