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The Connector.
Arizona
Iowa
See pictures from
Wickenburg Open House
Press Releases
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Newsletter
Articles:
-
Monthly Adult & Older
Children Program Schedules
Are Now On-Line
The monthly schedules for the Adult and Older Children
Programs are not available on
the Calendar page.
Click here to select the calendar you need.
- From the Program Director's Desk
(Arizona)
You
may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if
you don't try.
Beverly Sills
I presented at a local
Kiwanis Club today and the topic was
AmeriServe and
Developmental Disabilities. There were about
30 people in attendance
and I got up and started presenting, a
little shaky. As I was
talking, I calmed down and I realized that
Read more...
-
Dean's Blog
April Open House Follow-up
Open House produced a
number of people interested in our
company and how we help
those with disabilities. We were
pleased to have the
continued opportunity to open up our
doors and provide the
public with resource information and
details of services that
AmeriServe provides. This open house
Read more...
-
Challenge - Prepare and Use Your
Skills
Often, our biggest rewards come from making the effort to do
the little things. Making
a grocery list before going shopping at
the store often saves us
money, planning the days activities
the night before alleviates
stress and worry about the next day,
and telling the people around
us "thank you" and showing
appreciation causes them
to help us out more often when we
Read more...
-
ASI Monthly Elective Education -
Iowa
Behavioral Support
Alternatives Refresher
- Friday,
May 16th, 12:00-2:00pm
- Thursday,
May 29th 3:30-5:30pm
Options for Community
Awareness
- Friday, June 13th, 12:00-2:00pm
-
Thursday, June 19th 3:30-5:30pm
Read more about the classes...
-
The Art of Self Perception,
Self Deception and Life as
We Know It
Self perception and the perception
of others are two of the most
ignored, but most operational,
barriers to achieving a lifestyle of
choice, purpose and value. Most of us
feel these are a couple of
things we cannot do anything about.
Yet if nothing is done,
Read more...
-
Graduation With Honors
Continuous
education and training for our employees is a core
company value of AmeriServe International.
Each month we
provide opportunities for all employees to
participate in training.
We also offer specific training directed
toward supervision and
management. This is done though our sister
company, American
Institute of Management. This month we had
3 Client Service
Read more...
-
Jam Session At Western Trails
Many
people who attend The Planning Center have been
visiting Western Trails Center on Thursday
afternoons for their
“Jam Session.” The Western Trails Center is
located at 3434
Richard Downing Avenue in Council Bluffs.
Jam Session
participants have welcomed us warmly and
said we could
Read more...
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Article One - From the Program Director's Desk (Arizona)
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are
doomed if you don't try.
Beverly Sills
I presented at a local Kiwanis Club today and the topic was AmeriServe and
Developmental Disabilities. There were about 30 people in attendance and I
got up and started presenting, a little shaky. As I was talking, I calmed
down and I realized that people were really interested in the topic being
presented and what I thought would take me 10 minutes to present (because I
talk a little fast) took about 45 minutes!
I thought a lot about this presentation today and was a tad nervous about
it…even considered calling to change the date…put off the inevitable.
BUT then in discussion with my husband I said, “What kind of example does it
set if I am asking people to try to do things that may seem strange or
difficult when I can’t do the same?” He nodded his head in silent wisdom, as
he often does when I am trying to talk something out, and I had my answer. I
needed to swallow my fear and get my tushy to that meeting and give the best
presentation that I could.
So, I did, and strangely, I had fun…people asked a bunch of questions, and
talked about history and changes in the system over the years and good
discussion was had.
So, my point this month… sometimes it is hard to put yourself out there,
sometimes it is tough for the people we work with to try something new, but
life is about experiences and learning and moving forward in life…are we
doing our best each day to model this for the individuals we serve? The
families we meet with? Our community?
Happy May. Stay cool. Remember your hot weather safety: stay hydrated, use
sunscreen, do activities outside in the early morning or evening…be safe.
Michelle Shriver
Back
to top
Article Two - Dean's Blog
April Open House Follow-up
Open House produced a number of people interested in our company and how we
help those with disabilities. We were pleased to have the continued
opportunity to open up our doors and provide the public with resource
information and details of services that AmeriServe provides. This open
house was our second since the company branched to
Wickenburg. And, of course, you can expect continued future public functions
like this open house to materialize again and again. We constantly strive to
connect with people and the public so that they are aware of the resources
that are available to them.
Our open house began with plenty of food and refreshments to choose from.
Many attendees enjoyed playing the table games, which included air hockey
and billiards. Some children were involved in board games such as Battle
ship and Chutes and Ladders. We delivered literature and brochures
detailing our services and the AmeriServe way. There was plenty of
socialization and interaction between people, which made a positive ambiance
of the surroundings for individuals to embrace one another. We had a great
time and we hope to see all of you again at our next open house. Thank you
to all who attended and special thanks to the AmeriServe staff for your time
and efforts! Way to go!
Dean Anast
Lead Client Service Coordinator
AmeriServe International Inc.
Wickenburg, Arizona
Back
to top
Article Three - Challenge - Prepare and Use Your Skill
Often, our biggest rewards
come from making the effort to do the little things. Making a
grocery list before going shopping at the store often saves us money,
planning the days activities the night before alleviates stress and worry
about the next day, and telling the people around us "thank you" and showing
appreciation causes them to help us out more often when we need it. These
are just a few examples of little things we can do to reap natural rewards
from a little extra effort.
Many of you have spent the extra time to learn by reading the AmeriServe
newsletter, and I have gotten a lot of feedback from you about the things
you have learned and how that has made a difference in your daily lives. The
little things that people pick up and are able to use in their daily lives
by reading informational articles can become
extremely rewarding when you can find new ideas to simplify situations that
are
causing frustration at home or in the community. I want to encourage you to
continue doing this. Find one article a week that you can read to learn
something new that will help you in your daily activities. Search the web,
pull out a book you have, or go to www.ameriserveinternational.com to read
articles you missed. I believe you will find this to be very rewarding and
not very time consuming.
I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to complete a
survey at the
AmeriServe website (www.ameriserveintl.com). It is available for anyone who
reads our
newsletter or visits our website to complete. Any one who does this will be
entered into a drawing to receive a gift card, a reward, from AmeriServe for
their participation and effort. The survey will be available until June 1,
2008 and I will talk about the results and answers in my next article. Thank
you for your participation, I can't wait to hear from you.
Josh Warne
Back
to top
Article Four -
ASI Monthly Elective Education - Iowa
Behavioral Support Alternatives Refresher
Friday, May16th 12:00-3:00pm
Thursday, May 29th 20th 3:30-6:30pm
Training provided by American Institute of
Management.
See Sign-up sheet at work location.
This continuing education session is designed to provide
an overview of the Behavioral Support Alternatives program. For participants
who have completed the two day,
6-hour course, this will be a “refresher”. For people who have not yet
attended the full course, it will offer some insight into what the full
course can offer. This is not a replacement for the course, but gives
attendees the opportunity to regain lost information and to ask client
specific questions which may not be fully covered in
programs or behavior plans.
Goals of this course:
- Identify the role that each of the
“players” play in the development, escalation,
de-escalation and
prevention of behaviors.
- Recognize the signs of aggression.
- Utilize appropriate early intervention
techniques to physical intervention.
- Demonstrate effective proactive
communication techniques for de-escalating
behaviors.
- Demonstrate proficiency in various BSA
techniques. - State four values of positive
teaching and
positive behavior support
Options for Community Awareness
Friday, May16th 12:00-3:00pm
Thursday, May 29th 20th 3:30-6:30pm
Training provided by American Institute of
Management.
See Sign-up sheet at work location.
One of AmeriServe International’s core
beliefs is that individuals need to develop relationships with others to
live full and productive lives. Persons assisted by AmeriServe move about
the community making new connections with people in work, recreation,
service to others and leisure associations. Meaningful interactions are
guided by the AmeriServe International, Inc. to enhance quality of life and
impact choice.
Attend this session to:
- Learn the purpose of a meaningful, directed community experience
- Create action plans to improve interactions
- Develop creative options to get out of a repetitive cycle
- Review available resources
- Discuss how professionalism by AmeriServe staff persons can impact the
outcome
- Practice ways to introduce Clients and the company to others
Back
to top
Article Five -
The Art of Self Perception, Self Deception and Life as We Know It
Self perception and the perception of others are two of
the most ignored, but most operational, barriers to achieving a lifestyle of
choice, purpose and value. Most of us feel these are a couple of things we
cannot do anything about. Yet if nothing is done, efforts to include and
connect people with disabilities to others in the community in valued roles
are much more difficult.
Much like each of us people with disabilities develop a self perception that
is reinforced by the feedback they receive from those with whom they
associate. We seek the approval of others that are of value to us. It is
through interactions and feedback that we develop a sense of self and self-
awareness. This sense of well-being comes from our associations as well as
our function or role in those associations.
The role played is as important as the association. Who doesn’t know someone
who always needs something every time you see them? In terms of perception,
that person feels very valued because they know you will help them. While in
your perception, you may say to yourself, “I wonder what they need now?!?”
Two very distinct impressions of the same person were formed by the same
interactions.
Given the above, how often do we think we have figured out how to help
create a positive self image with a person and in reality have created a
sense of dependence? We felt good, but the outcome we intended was opposite
of what was achieved. What of others observing the interaction? Did it
create a positive perception of the person or did they see dependence?
I am raising an awareness of this issue for the simple reason that we, in
our attempts to support people, may have an inverse effect on how they are
perceived both by themselves and by those who associate with them. Well
meaning as we all are, the intended outcome is not always the actual
outcome.
Supporting people in the context of the interaction and relationship is not
just something we throw together at the last minute. Careful consideration
and planning are needed to ensure we actually create positive perceptions.
The context in which we teach is as important as the skill being taught.
Planning with a purpose in mind is essential to positive outcomes. Personal
Network Planning seeks to provide a map for those who support others to find
the people, places and things that will enhance self perception and the
perception of others. It focuses on opportunities to teach skills in the
context of that relationship while focusing on the role the person is
playing.
As we age and our experience expands, the need for validation subsides as
our sense of self grows. All those moments in which we wish we had done
differently tend to mellow with time and become a part of who we are. A
planning process that looks at where the person would or could be if given
the opportunity takes into consideration all elements of a life style of
choice, purpose, and value. With an eye on where we are going, obstacles
seem to loom less large.
Continuing isolation for fear of what others may think is a poor excuse. The
perception of others will grow as the experience grows. Planning to create
opportunities for the experience is essential to developing self perception
and creating a positive perception in the eyes of others. Prerequisite
skills or lack thereof have never prevented me or you from interaction with
others. Perhaps we can all think of a time when they should have. But in
reality we learned from those experiences and others learned about us. That
is life as we know it.
Back
to top
Article Six -
Graduation With Honors
Continuous education and training for our employees is a core company
value of AmeriServe International. Each month we provide opportunities for
all employees to participate in training. We also offer specific training
directed toward supervision and management. This is done though our sister
company, American Institute of Management. This month we had 3 Client
Service Coordinators, Becky Eckert, Susan Larrison and Dennis Stolz, devote
their time and attention to learning the basics of supervision. At the
graduation ceremonies each was given a certificate for completion and were
recognized by the executive team for their efforts and dedication to
self-improvement. As a result of their participation in Basic Supervision
class the company and the people we serve will all benefit. Congratulations
and thanks to all three of the CSCs. It is an honor to have such fine people
working with us at AmeriServe International.
Back
to top
Article Seven -
Jam Session At Western Trails
Many people who attend The Planning Center have been visiting Western Trails
Center on Thursday afternoons for their “Jam Session.” The Western Trails
Center is located at 3434 Richard Downing Avenue in Council Bluffs. Jam
Session participants have welcomed us warmly and said we could participate
in the future. Upon returning to the Center we dusted off the tambourine and
rhythm sticks, got out our rhythm CD and began to hold band practice 2 – 3
times a week.
During our practice time we work on listening for the beat and all playing
together. We also have two knee slapping songs we are working on and hope to
be ready for our first “gig” in May.
We are still debating what to call our band. Amerishine has been suggested,
but we would like some more ideas submitted before making a democratic
choice. We have had several audiences to date; students from Iowa Western
Community College and office staff from AmeriServe. We will keep you updated
as to the progress of “the band.”
Back
to top
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