HOLIDAY SHOPPING • BRIGHTER FUTURES HONOREES November 2017

Holiday Shopping Give back this holiday season!

It’s that time of the year where the weather is getting colder and holiday music is beginning to play, this can only mean one

thing- holiday shopping is just around the corner! As you make your list of who to buy presents for, consider making a larger impact this year. Easterseals Serving Greater Cincinnati has many opportunities for you to shop till you drop and help make a positive impact! Visit Building Value to shop for the DIY person on your list! Has a family member or friend mentioned this year that they want to fix up their house, apt, etc.? Give them a gift that they can use for practical use- such as: some new tiles, architectural antiques or a gift card! Building Value Building Value is an Easterseals social enterprise that salvages reusable materials for sale to the public. Their efforts help the environment, reduce the cost of disposal, invest in the local workforce, and give architectural gems a second life. If you’re looking for a one of a kind gift for a one of a kind person- Inside Out Studio is the place to look first! They have incredible pottery work and all different mediums of art. You can either visit their store in Hamilton, OH or check out their Facebook Page to see some pictures. Inside Out Studio is an

initiative through the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. We provide an opportunity for artists with disabilities to produce, market, and

receive an income from their art. The Holidays are also a great time to give back and to donate your time, talents, and treasure. Building Value is always looking for volunteers! It is a great way to impact people AND the planet. If you’re looking to donate monetarily, visit here! You can always donate in someone’s name or in honor of someone. No matter how you choose to give this holiday season, Easterseals wishes you the happiest holiday season!

The holidays are a great time to give back and to donate your time, talent, and treasure!

Introducing our Brighter Futures Celebration Honorees! Three individuals and one organization who break down barriers to employment

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The annual Brighter Futures Celebration is approaching, and we are thrilled to share with you the three honorees! Brighter Futures Celebration is a festive evening recognizing achievements in employment, personal goals, and self-sufficiency.

We received so many amazing nominations this year, it was very challenging for the committee to whittle recipients down to just three. We thank you for your involvement in this process, and for your passion for the individuals you have worked with over the years.

Nathan Johnson

Persevering through heart surgeries and an intellectual disability, Nathan was determined to achieve community employment. After years in the Blue Ash work center, Nathan trained at Easterseals’ Building Value and has been proudly working at Walmart for more than two years.

Otis Hinesman

After multiple personal struggles, Otis’s life was finally looking up. Then, a heart aneurysm put him in a nursing home and out of the construction business. He trained with Easterseals’ Certified Logistics Training to start a new career, and is approaching his one-year anniversary with Tri-State Wholesale Building Supplies.

Jasmine Jackson

She resisted the negative influences of peers while growing up, but fell into a deep depression when she did not get into her dream college. Then she enrolled in Easterseals’ YouthBuild. She took the skills she learned to Easterseals’ Building Value, then to Messer Construction, and ultimately started her own company.

Kaivac Cleaning Systems

We are recognizing Kaivac as our 2017 Outstanding Community Partner in recognition of more than ten years of creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for people with disabilities.

Celebrate with us

Brighter Futures Celebration is a fundraiser that spreads awareness of our work among business partners and sponsors. But it’s also a great night to celebrate the amazing individuals we serve! We want you to join us. If you are interested in attending, please contact Erica Busch to learn about our discount tickets for staff, or volunteer opportunities.

Brighter Futures Celebration November 8, 2017 5:30 Cocktail Hour

6:30 Dinner and Program JACK Casino

Thank you for your passion for the individuals you have worked with over the years.

Safety Spotlight: Why Being Safe is Important to Easterseals Why do you think it is important?

Fire Drills! Tornado drills! Earthquake drills! Bomb Threat drills! Gas leak drills! Power Outage drills! Did you know that Easterseals is required to hold all of these drills at least once per year? In some cases, as in the fire drills, we are required under Ohio Revised Code to hold them one time per month! These requirements are in place to ensure that our employees and the individuals we serve know what to do in case of an emergency.

Each time there is a drill it is documented on the Easterseals Emergency Drill Form. This document contains information about the date and time of the drill, weather conditions, location, number of people participating, and any issues that come up during the course of the drill. These drill forms are reviewed by the Facilities Manager and Compliance Director, and logged for review by auditors. Meeting drill requirements is a very important part of the safety

audit process. If there are problems that arise during the course of the drill they are reviewed by the Safety Committee, who carefully tries to find a solution to the issue. Increasingly the drill forms are coming back with notations that there are employees who are not participating in the safety drills. This is a concern for us.

Drills are a great time to exhibit our Actions for Excellence, specifically our actions of Integrity and Teamwork! As employees you set examples for both your co-workers and the individuals that we serve. As team members, when you participate in drills you show others that you are there with them, and are willing to help, if needed. If you have concerns about your participation in drills, please see your supervisor or building safety committee member.

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Easterseals

COMPLIANCE HOTLINE

513-347-1587

Robin Totsch,

Compliance Officer

Safety is Compliance If you see safety concerns, report them anonymously through the Compliance Hotline.

Compliance Corner: Thank you! Thank you for everything you do to help us stay compliant!

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For better or worse, there are compliance regulations associated with everything we do throughout our employment at Easterseals. There are regulations associated with hiring, benefits, every single program Easterseals offers, all of our administrative support services including facilities, human resources, transportation, finance, fund development, quality improvement, safety, and even our board governance. All of the rules and regulations keep us on our toes, and at times it perhaps seems as though we spend all of our time simply worrying about complying. And while there is always room for improvement, we all do a pretty amazing job of keeping up. So, this month, the Compliance Department wants to say THANKS for all the things you do to help us stay compliant!

Thanks for keeping up with your Relias Training, even when doing it seems to be a drag!

Thanks for participating in all of our safety drills so we know what to do in case of emergencies!

Thanks for sending safety suggestions to the safety mailbox and reporting safety concerns right after you notice them!

Thanks for completing your documentation in a timely fashion!

Thanks for calling the Compliance Hotline if you see something you think isn’t quite right!

Thanks for asking your supervisor if you are unclear on a rule or requirement!

Thanks for reviewing our Easterseals Policies and Practices if you have questions about how we do something!

Thanks for ensuring the health and safety of the individuals we serve, first and foremost, and then completing the incident report!

Thanks for ensuring the confidentiality of the information we have about the individuals that we serve!

Thanks for clearly demonstrating what it means to be ethical, legal and compliant in your day to day work!

Staff Anniversaries Chalk it up to another amazing year.

Anita Smith

11/24/2008

9 years

Bettina Davis

11/03/2003

14 years

Christina Wolnitzek

11/10/1997

20 Years

Clarence Taylor

11/30/2016

1 year

Colleen Lillis

11/10/2014

3 years

Danny Hornsby

11/13/2014

3 years

Erica Busch

11/08/2007

10 years

Floyd Hayes

11/25/2015

2 years

Heather Jarrett

11/05/2007

10 years

Isabel Brown

11/04/2015

2 years

Kristy Bachnivsky

11/12/2014

3 years

Margie Adams

11/03/1986

31 years

Mark Jackson

11/03/2006

11 years

Penny Gill

11/02/2012

5 years

Becky Sears

11/02/1988

29 years

Sean Brown

11/11/2013

4 years

Sue Hensley

11/01/2011

6 years

Tephra Fields

11/14/2016

1 year

Tonya Hicks

11/09/2015

2 years

Diane Howard, OOD Job Coach

Jamie Brandner, Workforce Development Specialist, Butler County Youth

Denise Smith, Direct Support Specialist, Symmes

Marvin Montgomery, Project Search Lead Job Coach/Developer

Julie Posey, OOD Job Coach

Robert Rodgers, Workforce Development Specialist, Butler County Youth

Kathee Ridgeway, Direct Support Aide, ADS Rossplain

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New Hires Welcome to the team!

Staff Spotlight: Bruce Reller Transition Coordinator with HOME Choice, Rossplain

Bruce has been working for Easterseals for 4 years and 8 months.

His favorite part of his job is “The look on our participant’s faces when they are happy in their new home. It’s such a great feeling!”

Teamwork is Bruce’s favorite Action for Excellence because “you can accomplish so much if you work as a team.”

Before he worked at Easterseals, he worked for 8 years as a Job Coach for Pendleton County High School in Falmouth, Kentucky. He came Easterseals because he was looking for better opportunities.

If money was not an issue and he could go anywhere, he would go to Hawaii. “I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, and I hope to go visit it sometime in my lifetime. It’s a state I’ve always wanted to visit, and it would be like Paradise!”

His favorite food, is Italian food such as lasagna, spaghetti, and pizza.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Back to the Future are his favorite movies.

He lives in Northern Kentucky with his wife of 4 years and his daughter who will be one in December!

Bruce shares that his favorite memories are, “My wedding day when I married my soulmate and the birth of our daughter.”

When he is not at work, he is a freelance writer on the side. He loves to play sports and attend and Cincinnati sports games.

He is excited that in the coming months he will be transitioning to Community Link where he will be a Worksite Coordinator.

Our own David Dreith spoke at this past housing summit for returning citizens, and the LGBTQ community. sponsored by Housing Opportunities Made Equal, in which EasterSeals was a part of the planning committee for this event.

Also, a big thanks to Lauran McHaffie, Kate Elliot, LaTasha Bell, Jill Cates, Jasmine Bowie, Dee Dee Stephens, and Brandi Lewis for their participation as well!

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Thank You!

“I’m a people person! I always like to meet new people and talk to them about anything. I might be shy at first, but I know how to start up a conversation.”

6 Healthy Thanksgiving Tips! These six tips will help you enjoy your meal without increasing your cholesterol-or your waistline.

1. Toss the Turkey Skin

As soon as you grab a slice of turkey, trim off the skin. Though delicious, the skin is very high in fat – and not the good kind. Toss the skin before you even start eating. If you leave it on your plate, you may eventually be tempted to nibble.

2. Eat Before Dinner

Don’t deprive yourself before your Thanksgiving dinner. Eat a hearty breakfast and lunch complete with in-between snacks throughout the day. If you show up at dinner starving, you’ll be more likely to overeat and your body will have a harder time digesting the heavy meal.

3. Eat Plenty of Vegetables

Before reaching for turkey and potatoes, fill two-thirds of your plate with a rainbow of vegetables. Healthy holiday veggies will fill you up and keep you from indulging in unhealthy food.

4. Drink Lots of Water

A quick festive season suggestion: Drink plenty of water before and during your meal! Not only does your mind often interpret thirst as hunger, but water will help your stomach stay full and keep you from

overeating. Plus, you won’t pack on any of the additional calories soft drinks and other beverages can add to your meal.

5. Limit Sweets

Limit the sweets! Aim for a teaspoon or two of cranberry sauce instead of drowning your turkey in it. This yummy treat is high in sugar so you should eat it in moderation. When it comes to dessert, you don’t have to avoid it altogether. If you’ve eaten a healthy meal, you can indulge yourself in a sliver of pie or small portion of ice cream. If you’re still craving more, continue eating fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthier way.

6. Leave the Dinner Table After Eating

The simplest pieces of healthy Thanksgiving advice? Once you’re done eating, leave the table. The entire dinner party should move to another room to chat and spend time together. Hanging out around the table may tempt you to snack on some leftovers.

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Healthy Habits: Cauliflower Stuffing Cauliflower takes the place of bread in the low-carb stuffing of your dreams.

TOTAL TIME: 0:30

PREP: 0:15

LEVEL: EASY

SERVES: 6

INGREDIENTS

4 tbsp. butter

1 onion, chopped

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped or thinly sliced

1 small head cauliflower, chopped

1 c. chopped mushrooms

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage (or 1 tsp. ground

sage)

1/2 c. vegetable or chicken broth

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until soft, 7 to 8 minutes.

Add cauliflower and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes more.

Add parsley, rosemary, and sage and stir

until combined, then pour over vegetable broth and cover with a lid. Cover until totally tender and liquid is absorbed, 15 minutes.

Serve.

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Staff Birthdays Happy Birthday from Easterseals!

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Heather Buxton

11/3

Babsi Arn

11/4

Beth Clevenger

11/4

Tricia Smith

11/5

Don Wittrock

11/8

Bob Berberich

11/8

Christine Mason

11/9

Deborah Stephens

11/9

Angela Vantrease

11/14

DeLea Dinsmore

11/16

Donna Lindsay-Thomas

11/16

Lisa Grout

11/16

Francisco Owens

11/17

Steve Haggard

11/17

Nany Conlon

11/22

Shirlene Gilb

11/25

Jordan Reyes

11/27

How do you feel when you bring a smile to someone’s face? Does it make you feel all warm and bub-bly inside? Does it make you feel like you’ve made a difference? If you have answered yes to all of these questions then think about this next question; do you like being recognized for your hard efforts? Of course you do! Everyone likes to get some positive feedback every now and then! By nominating someone for an Actions for Excellence award you can make someone’s day by giving them a shout out AND you can recognize someone for a job well done! In the hustle and bustle of work sometimes we all need to take a moment and reflect on the good that hap-pens. Thankfully a nomination form only takes just a few minutes to complete! Take a moment to appreciate a co-worker today by nominating them for an Actions for Excellence Award!

Time it takes to watch a Buzzfeed Video: 4 minutes…

Time it takes to listen to listen to Bohemian Rhapsody: 6 minutes…

How your coworkers feel when you recognize them and make them feel appreciated: priceless!

Actions for Excellence: Staff Nominee

Branding Beat: Marketing Changes

Kate Elliott will be out of the office with a new baby until December 27.

Kate Ducey will be filling in on a part-time internship. She will be available to assist with social media,

Sunburst newsletters, updates to the website, and program materials like flyers.

IMPORTANT: Kate Ducey is only in the office M/W/F, approximately 8am – 12pm. Please plan ahead so that she is able to assist you within her scheduled hours.

Share program news with her for inclusion in social media and newsletters.

Keep up the great momentum from our Social Media Challenge! Keep sharing, keep posting, and keep sharing content with the Marketing team.

If you need flyers printed or updated, she will help as best she can.

If you are contacted by media for any reason, reach out to Danielle Gentry-Barth. It is very important that all public statements or advertising initiatives be streamlined and cohesive with the organization and its brand as a whole.

If you have an event approaching that you would like publicized, reach out to both Kate and Danielle and they will coordinate appropriately.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time of transition.

Did you know?

Program flyers can be found on your common drive! That’s right, on the V: drive, U: drive, and in SharePoint on Microsoft 365, there is a folder labeled “2016 New Brand.” This folder is your one-stop shop for most things Easterseals: Logos, instructions to update your email signature, brand colors and fonts, and flyers!

Flyers can be found in the subfolder “Program Flyers.” The most commonly requested flyer, the general overview of Easterseals, is named “Learn about Easterseals.”

If you ever find inaccuracies, or need contact information updated, reach out to Marketing and it will be taken care of as quickly as possible.