McIntosh Trail Community Service Board
TRAIL TALK
VISION STATEMENT
The Vision of McIntosh Trail
Community Service Board is to
promote and support community
cultures in which those who have
or experience disabilities are
visible, valued, participating, and
contributing members.

. MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of McIntosh Trail CSB
Board is to offer individuals
experiencing symptoms associated
with mental illness, addictive disease
and/or developmental disability the
hope for optimal functioning by
providing quality behavioral health
services and supports.
November 2014
Butts County Disabilities Center celebrates Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
by Michael Davis
© Copyright 2014 Jackson Progress-Argus
The staff and consumers at the Butts County
Developmental Disabilities Service Center last week
went pink for a day. Forty clients and the staff spent
Friday celebrating October as Breast Cancer
Awareness Month.
Activities included a pink clothing fashion show, a
parade through the parking lots of Daughtry Park
where the service center is located, and a pink balloon
release.
Pamela Head, the director of the center, said the balloons were in recognition of those who have survived
breast cancer and those who have succumb to the disease.
The “Pink Out” events also included planting a Knock Out rose in remembrance of a worker at the
Developmental Disabilities Center who died from breast cancer in 2011.
Lisa Duffy, a program manager at the Butts County Developmental Disabilities Service Center, said her
mother Nellie Mae Hunter retired from the center in 2005.
Kyva Smith, secretary and office manager at the center, also read a poem she wrote to honor those who
have battled the disease.
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
To chants of “pink out, pink out,” clients of the Butts County Developmental Disabilities Service Center on
Friday formed a parade line in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
(Staff Photo: Michael Davis)
Clients of the Butts County Developmental Disabilities Service Center on Friday released pink balloons in
recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Staff Photo: Michael Davis)
Lisa Duffy, center, a program manager at
the Butts County Developmental Disabilities
Service Center, stands next to a Knock Out
rose planted in honor of her mother by
Henry Sims, left, and Mavis Holland, right.
(Staff Photo: Michael Davis)
2
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
During the time of the Breast Cancer celebration, staff honored Lisa Duffy and Director Pam Head for Boss’s Day.
Thank you to Trakonice K. Smith for sharing this article with staff.
3
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2015 BENEFITS SELECTIONS
Open enrollment runs from October 27th to November 14th to enroll in your 2015 Benefits.
We have a lot of choices this year with three different vendors to choose from. Blue Cross Blue Shield,
United Health Care and Kaiser Permanente (KP). You have three HRA Plans, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Two
HMO’s and a High Deductible Health Plan offered thru United Health Care along with a Co-Pay only
plan with Kaiser.
This is a lot to think about, trying to choose which plan is best for you, so take your time and read all the
information I have made available for you over the past month to help you make a well informed decision
that will work for you and your family. Just be sure you understand your decision and are comfortable
with what you choose. You can change your selection as many times as you need but remember that the
last choice that you make prior to November 14th will be your choice for 2015. There is another learning
session on November 5th if you need more information to help you make your selection for 2015. Just
send me your name to register for the class. If you just have questions feel free to email me with your
questions and I will do my best to research and get you an answer.
If you have made your selections for your benefits both Health and Flex with Georgia Breeze please be
sure you are sending a copy of your final selections to me at HR/Admin. So we can be sure you are
enrolled correctly. It is important that you keep a copy of the confirmation number as well as give it to
HR for confirmation should a problem arise.
Thank you to everyone for your patience and consideration you have given to me as we go thru the
enrollment process. If I can do anything to help you during this enrollment please let me know. Here are
the websites for your convenience. Think about joining the 401K plan and taking part in the State
Charitable Contribution Program and of course don’t forget the option of the APCU (Credit Union). Lots
of options to look at for 2015.
www.teamgeorgia.gov
myshbp.ga.gov
GaBreeze.ga.gov
Marcia Watts
4
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
Ebola Facts
The 2014 Ebola epidemic is effecting several countries in West Africa, principally the nations of Liberia,
Sierra Leone and Guinea. The risk of an epidemic in the United States is extremely remote. However,
many of you may have concerns and questions, especially those of you with friends or family in West
Africa.
Unlike colds or the flu, the Ebola virus does not spread easily. Ebola is not spread through air, water, or
food. The virus takes anywhere from two 21 days to “incubate” and develop into Ebola disease. Even if a
person is infected with Ebola, they cannot spread it to others until they show symptoms of disease.
Anyone experiencing the following symptoms along with travel to effected areas of West Africa within
the last three weeks, should be isolated and medically evaluated:
 Fever including low grade
 Severe headache
 Muscle pain
 Weakness
 Diarrhea
 Vomiting
 Abdominal pain
 Unexplained, unusual bleeding or bruising
The Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids (urine, feces, saliva, vomit,
sweat, semen, breast milk) of someone who is sick with Ebola. This can also happen by contact with
objects that have been contaminated with blood or bodily fluids of an effected person (e.g., needles or bed
lines).
Please refer to the webpages below for the current information related to the Ebola outbreak and for
infection prevention tips and flyers related to hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and other tips to
limit the spread of infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html
http://dph.georgia.gov/infection-prevention-tips-staying-healthy
http://www.dph.ga.gov/ebola
Submitted by: Dawn Goins
5
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the
citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”
Abraham Lincoln
“We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who
were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was.
Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they
became champions of a noble cause.”
Ronald Reagan
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but
to live by them.”
John F. Kennedy
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
Thomas Jefferson
“We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail.”
George W. Bush
“It’s about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It’s about making sure they have the
care they need and the benefits that they’ve earned when they come home. It’s about serving all of you as
well as you’ve served the United States of America.”
President Barack Obama
6
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
MCTRAIL’S HALL OF FAME
Congratulations! The following McTrail staff have been inducted into our Hall of Fame.
We applaud you for your hard work and dedication. Pat yourself on the back!
Nothing to report this month.
NOTE: Please send me stories of staff going the extra mile. I know there are
many stories out there and they deserve recognition.
Five ways you can empower yourself to achieve
By Ralph Marston
1. Make every experience a learning experience. Be endlessly curious. Just as importantly, be
meaningfully curious, that is, curious about the things that matter most to you. Expect to find valuable,
useful knowledge everywhere you go, from each person you meet, and you will.
2. Dream big and fill in the details. Be completely honest with yourself, looking clearly and
unashamedly at your authentic, driving purpose. From that purpose, create a dream so compelling it will
keep you working until late into the night and then get you out of bed early in the morning.
3. Keep going. Don’t be stopped by discouragement over the setbacks. They are a natural part of the
process. Know that they’ll come, and be ready to keep going when they do. Just as importantly, don’t be
stopped by the successes. When you’ve made some progress you’re in an ideal position to make much
more, so do it.
4. Be aggressively and continuously thankful. Gratitude will open your eyes, your mind and your spirit
to the value that exists in every situation. When you’re genuinely thankful for what you have, no matter
what it may be, you can make meaningful, effective and positive use of it.
5. Take responsibility. Don’t waste your time or drain your energy by making excuses or assigning
blame. The fulfillment in your life is up to you. Yes, absolutely seek the advice, assistance and
cooperation of others, and offer your own in relationships of mutual benefit. Yet always keep in mind that
no matter whose fault the mistakes may be, no matter whose job the task may be, the achievements you
seek to create are one hundred percent your responsibility.
7
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
Answers on Page 14
NOVEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE
8
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
TRAINING
DATE/LOCATION
TIME
New Employee Orientation
Monday, Nov. 3
Area Admin
8:30-4pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Tuesday, Nov.4
Area Admin
9-4pm
Non Violent Crisis Intervention UPDATE
Thursday, Nov. 6
Henry County Counseling Center
9-1:30pm
Clinical Documentation
Friday, Nov. 7
Area Admin
8:30-5pm
Lifting /Transferring of Individuals
Fri., Nov. 10
Henry County Dev. Disabilities
10-12pm
Lifting /Transferring of Individuals
Fri., Nov. 10
Henry County Dev. Disabilities
1-3pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Wed., Nov. 12
Area Admin
9-4pm
Non Violent Crisis Intervention UPDATE
Thursday, Nov. 13
Henry County Counseling Center
9-1:30pm
Lifting /Transferring of Individuals
Fri., Nov. 14
Area Admin
10-12pm
Lifting /Transferring of Individuals
Fri., Nov. 14
Area Admin
1-3pm
New Employee Orientation
Monday, Nov. 17
Area Admin
8:30-4pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Tues., Nov. 18
Area Admin
9-4pm
Non Violent Crisis Intervention
Wed &Thurs, Nov. 19&20
Henry County Counseling Center
9-2:30pm
both days
Supervised Assisted Medication
Friday, Nov. 21
Area Admin
9-1pm
Personal Care Assistant
Friday, Nov. 21
Area Admin
1-4pm
NOVEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE CONTINUED
9
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
TRAINING
DATE/LOCATION
TIME
Clinical Documentation
Friday. Nov. 21
Area Admin
8:30-5pm
EHR for DD Staff
Monday, Nov. 24
Area Admin
8:30-12:30pm
Housing Orientation
Monday, Nov. 24
Area Admin
1:30-2:30pm
Transportation
Monday, Nov. 24
Area Admin
2:30-3:30pm
DECEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE
TRAINING
DATE/LOCATION
TIME
New Employee Orientation
Monday, Dec. 1
Area Admin
8:30-4pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Area Admin
9-4pm
Clinical Documentation
Monday Dec. 8
Area Admin
8:30-5pm
Non Violent Crisis Intervention UPDATE
Tues, Dec. 9
Henry County Counseling Center
9-1:30pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Friday, Dec. 12
Area Admin
9-4pm
New Employee Orientation
Tuesday, Dec 16
Area Admin
8:30-4pm
Standard First Aid/CPR
Wed., Dec. 17
Area Admin
9-4pm
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
Thurs&Fri, Dec. 18&19
Henry County Counseling Center
9-2:30
both days
Supervised/Assisted Meds
Monday, Dec. 22
Area Admin
9-1pm
Personal Care Assistant
Monday, Dec. 22
Area Admin
1-4pm
10
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
DECEMBER TRAINING SCHEDULE CONTINUED
TRAINING
DATE/LOCATION
TIME
EHR for DD Staff
Tues, Dec. 23
Area Admin
8:30-12:30pm
Housing Orientation
Tues, Dec. 23
Area Admin
1:30-2:30pm
Transportation
Tues., Dec. 23
Area Admin
2:30-3:30pm
Clinical Documentation
Tues., Dec. 30
Area Admin
8:30-5pm
MORE CLASSES WILL BE ADDED AS THEY ARE SCHEDULED.
CHECK SHAREPOINT FOR DATES AND TIMES.
Register for classes by e-mailing Janet
At [email protected]
11
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
Listed below are staff birthdays. If your name is not included or has an error, please notify
Shanda Wheeler so she can make necessary change in her personnel records.
From all of us to all of you
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Robin O’Neal
1
BHC
Cynthia Wideman
3
Henry CC
Curtis Jester
6
Lamar Peer
Shari Thomas
9
Administration Office
Roslyn Boren
10
BHC
Lori Pendley
11
New Choices
Christie Horne
12
BHC
Clasteen Walker
13
New Choices
Cynthia Walker
14
Residential Options
Jennifer Gibson
15
Pinewoods
Ceretta Sheppard
23
BHC
Sharon Henley
30
Henry DD
Shanice Moore
30
Henry CC
12
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
MCINTOSH TRAIL’S FAITHFUL SERVICE AWARDS
Thank you for your years of faithful service to our individuals and employees.
Wendell Jordan
Shari Thomas
10 years
10 years
Fayette County Counseling Center
Administration Office
WELCOME
We are so glad to have you!
Jennifer Alford
Aaron Armstrong
Rena Castlin
Dr. Allen Lavender, Jr.
Jean Scott
Courtney Smith
Pauline Solan
Markeia Tivis
Ashley Wallace
Admin
BHC
Pinewoods
Medical Staff
Admin
Laurel II
Staff Facility 7
Staff Facility 2
BHC
GOOD-BYE AND GOOD LUCK
We hope you find success in your future endeavors.
Maureen Cox
Rosa Singleton
ACT
Henry DD
13
TRAIL TALK
November 2014
Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzle Answers
Please be aware of how much you waste. REDUCE the amount of paper you generate by not
printing emails or attachments. Use your computer file folder system to keep these things if
you think you might need them.
Laura Doering, Editor 770-358-8263
E-mail: [email protected]
14