The Pathway W W W . H B I M N . O R G F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3 Jersey Knows How to Have Fun UPCOMING EVENTS: By Brianna Dey The Jersey ladies, now they know how to have fun! During this past year they have been to the State Fair, basketball games, the zoo, walks to the park, music in the park, and out for ice cream, just to name a few. 18th Annual Golf Classic August 19th 2013 When they are at home, they enjoy decorating the house for the seasons. During the summer months, they like to sit outside on the deck and soak up the sun after a hard day at work. They always enjoy friends and family coming over to visit and this summer they have been talking about having a barbecue at the house for friends and family. The one thing for sure is that they are always having fun! 8th Annual Made in the Shade September 21st 2013 Art Abilities October TBD 2013 Independence By Joe Johnson Give to the Max Day November 14th 2013 Independence had a busy year. The individuals continue to enjoy their community outings like Forever Friends at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. They attend Forever Friends on Thursday evenings during the fall and spring. It is a gathering of people to worship and be entertained by musical talents of weekly guests. They really look forward to this and attend as much as they can. They also like to go to the Winnetka Learning Centers for games and arts and crafts. The Timberwolves games are a big hit too, as they are entertained by mascot, Crunch and the Dance Team. They also enjoy the malls, going out to eat and taking in a movie. Going to the Cinema Grill is a hit, as it allows them to have a meal while they watch a movie. Made in the Shade is popular every year. The pledges raised by the individuals are used for a pontoon boat ride around Lake Minnetonka. It is a fun day in the summer! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: In January, we had our annual holiday gathering with family. There was a great turnout. We may need to move the party to a bigger place because it seems to get bigger and bigger every year! CEO Corner 2 Wellness Corner 3 HBI Happenings 3 Continuing Education 3 Employee Anniversaries New Hires 3 Corporate Office Extensions and 4 The guys are always available and willing to try new things. Give Independence a call; they would love to join you on your next outing. Rest in Peace my Friend Lawrence 6/24/1946-1/31/2013 By Rosaline Wilson Rest in peace my friend, in heaven so high. Where you can have all the gadgets and cell phones you want and eat all the cookies and pie. And you can sing so loudly How Much is That Doggie in the Window so all the angels can dance, with a new friend who has come to join them way up in the sky. So rest in peace my friend Lawrence. No more pain and tears, you’re up there with our heavenly Father who is glad to have you there. Even though you’re truly missed down here on Earth, we will always remember you the most on all holidays and the day of your birth. PAGE 2 CEO Corner Don Priebe This legislative session is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the history of disability services. Just about everything is on the table: how much individuals receive for their services, how that amount is determined, and how services are licensed . Back in November of 2012, Minnesota forecast a $1.1 billion deficit for the biennium ahead (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014). In January, the Governor issued his first, proposed budget featuring tax increases of approximately $5.6 billion and increased spending of somewhere around $3.9 billion. That left more than enough to take care of the deficit. So disability services in general, and Homeward Bound in particular, are not staring a rate cut in the face this legislative session (see below though). It appears less and less likely that the legislature will propose one, since the state forecast in February cut the deficit by about 40% (to $627 million). Considering that Homeward Bound was 2.58% in 2009 ($277,000) and 1.5% last year ($177,000), there is reason to celebrate. However, that is where the good news ended. We were disappointed that the Governor proposed COLA increases for just about every Medicaid provider in his proposed budget (nursing homes, hospitals, physicians & dentists) except disability services. In addition, a 1.67% cut left over from the 2012 session was not taken out. Our trade association ARRM, and individual providers, have lobbied the governor's office to include a COLA for individuals receiving services in his revised budget following the updated February forecast, and hopefully he will. But we have also arranged for bi-partisan introductions of COLA bills in both the house and the senate, as well as the elimination of the cut. Payment Methodology, aka Disability Waiver Rates System or DWRS, is also on the table. As you may remember from my article in June of last year, this is the new system DHS must create to set rates for our services. Working together, DHS and the Coalition (providers and advocacy organizations) spent most of the second half of 2012 trying to finish researching and designing the new DWRS system according to 2012 legislation. DHS was cooperative and transparent, so lots of progress was made. However, while DHS has decided there was enough progress to submit legislation this year for authorization to implement the new system, the Coalition disagrees. It submitted a letter last week to DHS spelling out 22 significant areas where more study or work is needed to complete the system. The Coalition will offer up an alternative bill, based on DHS’ bill, but with its changes. Finally, DHS is putting together a bill to revise how Homeward Bound and other disability services are licensed. We are especially concerned about increased licensing fees and increased regulation at a time of financial challenge. So, down the road we may be asking staff and family members to help us educate their legislators, representatives and senators, about the need for a COLA, for more work on the DWRS, and on regulation. We will be communicating via letter to staff and family members suggesting messages to convey to their legislators. We ask that you call, write or email both your representative and senator using the messages we suggest as the basis for your communication. If you do not know who your representative and senator are, you may visit the website below, and enter your address, city, state and zip code. http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/ You may also email or call Liz Trombley at the corporate office to obtain the same information. Her number is 763-746-4822 and her email is [email protected] PAGE WWW.HBIMN.ORG 3 WELLNESS The final recipe submitted for the Frosty Challenge is below. We look forward to doing this DESK again over the 2013 holidays! Please look for our next Wellness Event on the Step to It pro- gram starting this spring and March is National Nutrition Month! Chicken with Apples and Cider Submitted by Laura McDonald Serves 4 Ingredients: 3 T. reduced calorie margarine 1 Granny smith apple, cored and sliced Four -4oz. Skinless, boneless Chicken Breasts 1/4 t. Salt 1/4 t. Ground Pepper 1/2 C. Apple Cider 1/4 C. Cider Vinegar 1 T. Packed Dark Brown Sugar 1/2 t. Cinnamon 1 Medium Onion (sliced thinly in rings) 2 C. Hot Cooked Wide Noodles Directions: - In a large nonstick skillet, melt half of the margarine. Sauté the apple until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the brown sugar; cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 3-5 minutes longer. Transfer to plate. - On a sheet of wax paper, sprinkle the chicken with the cinnamon, slat and pepper. In the skillet, melt the remaining margarine. Sauté the chicken until browned, 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer to another plate. - In the skillet, cook the onion, covered, until tender, 608 minutes; stir in the cider and vinegar. Reduce the heat and simmer 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet; simmer, spooning the sauce over the chicken, until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid is reduced by half, 4-5 minutes. - Return the apples to the skillet; cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Arrange the noodles on a platter; top with the chicken mixture, pouring any remaining juice over chicken. Per serving: 287 Calories, 6g Fat, 1g Saturated Fat, 76mg Cholesterol, 273mg Sodium, 34gt Carbohydrate, 3g Fiber, 24g Protein, 34mg Calcium Continuing Education By Jan Gunderson HBI Happenings **Homeward Bound would like to wish Kris Daggett, Assistant Director of Training, a fond farewell. She is leaving Homeward Bound to pursue her next adventure. We will miss her!** Pathway Staff Don Priebe, Editor Liz Trombley, Publisher Employee Anniversaries Jan Gunderson Mary Lou Johnson Kevin Smith Deb Voigt Joe Johnson Kathleen Livingston Nicole Lester Joseph Blamo Otterlee Collins Mohamed Kaba Musu Massey Judy Anderson Janet Ong’era Mercy Kamande Nancy Goblisch Kristine Burdick 3/28/1977 3/16/1981 3/19/1984 3/18/1985 3/07/1991 3/27/1991 3/31/1997 3/30/1998 3/30/1998 3/27/2000 3/27/2000 3/22/2004 3/03/2008 3/31/2008 3/02/2009 3/30/2009 Winfred Ngae Nathan Matti Mamuna Roberts Andrea Holden Augustine Jappah Melissa Johnson Jennifer Peterson Genine Piro Amal Diiriye Abiel Adjagodo Tania Bottoli Catherine Rentz Evan Stewart Rashmi Bhattarai Isha Conteh 3/30/2009 3/01/2010 3/01/2010 3/15/2010 3/15/2010 3/29/2010 3/14/2011 3/14/2011 3/28/2011 3/12/2012 3/12/2012 3/12/2012 3/12/2012 3/26/2012 3/26/2012 Homeward Bound, Inc. values the continuing education of its employees. Outside education can help you meet your goals and strengthen your effectiveness on the job. Homeward Bound has a scholarship program available to employees who qualify. Katz Grant: Reimbursement is $100 per qualifying course maximum $500 per calendar year. Staff must apply to participate in any of these programs. For applications or more information call Jan Gunderson at 763.525.3186 ext. 223. Employee Education Scholarship from the WCA: This scholarship will reimburse you $100.00 per credit up to $2000.00 per (calendar) year. To be eligible you must be enrolled in a college degree program where the area of study will lead to career advancement in the field of long term care such as Nursing, OT, PT, Social Work or Psychology. To be eligible you must complete an application form before the semester and your classes begin. (More rules apply to eligibility - call for details) Jan Gunderson at 763-525-3186 ext. 223. W E L C O M E Please welcome the new employees for January Phinlet Moranga Jeanean Richardson Nadine Mihigo Jennifer Yates Robin Nguyen Eric Tah 43rd Atwood Fernbrook Fernbrook June Plymouth The pathway newsletter is published monthly for Homeward Bound’s staff, families, volunteers and Board of Directors. It is for internal publications only. The Pathway is not an official publication of Homeward Bound and is not intended to be used as such. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication. The deadline for the articles is the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. EEO/AA Homeward Bound Corporate Office Extensions and Direct Dial Numbers DEPARTMENT/TITLE NAME 763-525-3186 EXT: DIRECT DIAL Assistant Director of Training TBD 221 763-746-4840 TBD Director of Human Resources Deb Voigt 222 763-746-4810 [email protected] Recruiter Jan Gunderson 223 763-746-4811 [email protected] Asst. Director Program/Operations Gerri Dukart-Gbor 224 763-746-4853 612-396-2710 [email protected] Asst. Director Quality Assurance Cathy Tucker 225 763-746-4851 612-432-7074 [email protected] Director of Program/Operations TBD 226 763-746-4850 TBD Risk Manager Mary Carlson 227 763-746-4802 [email protected] Account Payable Gayla Gatzke 228 763-746-4833 [email protected] Director of Development Lori Merriam 229 763-746-4820 [email protected] CEO Don Priebe 230 763-746-4801 [email protected] Accounts Receivable Laura McDonald 231 763-746-4831 [email protected] Director of Finance/Property Donald Frink 232 763-746-4830 [email protected] Information Technologies Chris Dunleavy 233 763-746-4800 [email protected] Development Associate Kristine Burdick 237 763-746-4821 [email protected] Development Administrative Asst. Liz Trombley 238 763-746-4822 [email protected] Asst. Director Program/Operations Bonnie Roskop 239 763-746-4852 HR Assistant/Reception Toni Walton 240 763-746-4812 [email protected] Accountant/Payroll Lou Ann Hackbarth 241 763-746-4832 [email protected] Assistant Director of Training Ann Holmes 243 763-746-4841 [email protected] 12805 Highway 55, Suite 400 Plymouth, MN 55441-3868 2013 Board of Directors David Hofstad, Board Chair Dave Spencer, Vice Chair Deb Hansen, Treasurer Jeffrey Amann, Secretary Thomas Gardner Patrick Hurley Jan Moser Andrea Nelson Ryan Sherwood Tim Trimble Terry Williams Mary Ystesund  CEO/President Donald Priebe CELL 612-432-7102 EMAIL [email protected]