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Office of Community Access and Independence
Vicki Manley, Deputy Executive Director
DIVISION FOR REGIONAL CENTER OPERATIONS
Tracy Myszak Director
PUEBLO REGIONAL CENTER
Teresa Bernal, Interim Director
270 West John Powell Blvd.
Pueblo West, Colorado 81007
Phone 719-585-4001
FAX 719-585-4030
www.cdhs.state.co.us
June 3, 2015
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I have had the privilege of speaking with and meeting several of you over the past month that I have
been in this role. It has truly been a pleasure to get to know you and your loved one and work to ensure
that their needs are being met.
I apologize that I have not had the opportunity to send you an update, but my primary focus has been
working to get to know each of our clients and that their programming and daily routines continue as
scheduled. We continue to have Friday field trips, with recent visits to the movies, shopping, and even
the Royal Gorge. We even recently purchased fishing equipment for an upcoming fishing excursion.
As I’ve discussed with many of you, the Pueblo Regional Center is NOT closing. In fact the
enhancements and improvements currently under way are being done to stabilize the Regional Center
and ensure its continued operation well into the future. As so eloquently stated by Executive Director
Bicha in April, our goal is to make Colorado’s Regional Center system the best in the country, now and
into the future!
With that in mind, Teresa Bernal continues as acting director of the Pueblo Regional Center, but we are
well into the recruitment and interview process for a new permanent director. We have been
appreciative of the numerous clients, parents and guardians who have assisted us by participating in the
interviews for the new director. Your input and guidance has been invaluable. It truly has been a team
process to find the perfect person to take on this extremely important job.
As we’ve mentioned in previous communications, a professional third-party human resources contractor
was brought in to interview staff throughout the Pueblo Regional Center. This team met individually
with 170 staff and asked each of them about any safety or resident care concerns they may have; what’s
going well; what could be improved upon; and what they thought needed to be changed in order to make
the homes and lives of our residents outstanding. Staff suggested several improvements including
management spending more time in the homes interacting with clients and staff; improved system for
staff scheduling; updated staff training; better staff communication; and improved food selections for
clients.
Our Mission is to Design and Deliver Quality Human Services that Improve the Safety and Independence of the People of Colorado
Our dietician and purchasing staff developed a new food plan that was implemented last month. The
staff is actively ensuring that more fresh vegetables and fruit are a part of the menu and available for
clients when they want them. The improved quality of the diet is in the interest of the residents. New
monitoring systems are in place to ensure that pantries and refrigerators are adequately stocked so that
clients have plenty of healthy food choices.
Staff raised concerns regarding the frequency and quality of their training. Right away, we brought in
outside trainers to ensure all staff have CPR and First Aid training. This is just the beginning.
Additional upcoming trainings include:
● Four-hour sessions on two occasions to train employees in the Eden Alternative, a cutting-edge
philosophy that affirms care as a collaborative partnership.
● In July we will have mental health treatment experts from CDHS’ Office of Behavioral Health
instruct direct care staff on ways to best deal with residents’ mental health needs.
● Staff with supervisory responsibilities will receive additional training on leadership and staff
supervision to make sure they have the skills and support to do their jobs well.
● And, we will re-train staff on abuse hotline reporting requirements.
We have much in process, and it is very important that we hear from you. We want to hear your
suggestions, answer your questions, explain what is applicable to you, and promote your participation in
the growth process of our Regional Center and your loved one’s home. Please call us with your
suggestions, questions, and concerns. We are your ally, we are here to help you, explain what is going
on, and answer your questions. But we can’t do it alone. We need your advice, input and suggestion to
ensure we are on the right path for making Colorado’s Regional Centers the best in the nation.
If I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with you directly, please call or email me or Donise Neal at
719-585-4009. We look forward to connecting with each of you.
Sincerely,
Chuck Wingfield, LCSW, CAC III
719-288-3654
[email protected]