August marks the end of the summer session for the DDS Urban Youth Collaborative Program. The 2023 Urban Youth Graduating Class included:
Rose Fuegue, Intern Peer Leader & Clinical
Miguel Camargo, Marketing
Annette Forchoh, HR & Day Program
Alice Obare, Strive2Thrive
Julia Sebilian, Safe Minds Community Center & CBDS
Gabrielle Victor, Strive2Thrive
Anna Yang, CBDS
Anna Wang, Safe Minds Community Center & CBDS
As always, it is an honor to welcome representatives of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to Omni Way for the annual graduation ceremony. DDS Commissioner Jane Ryder joined us along with her DDS colleagues:
Gerald Scott, Recruitment Manager
Tom Marshall, Area Director, Lowell Office
Beverly McGovern, Assistant Area Director, Lowell Office
Kelley Lawless, Regional Director, Northeast Region
This occasion was especially important because it marked the end of a new format for the UYCP, led by Community Recreation & Engagement Manager Brian Etheridge. This was the first summer where the program branched out of the day habilitation program, allowing students to also explore administrative departments at Incompass. In some cases, interns were able to split their time between two programs.
UYCP intern Julia Sebilian gave a heartwarming speech about her time in the program, the connections she made with fellow interns, and the impact individuals had on her. She was inspired by her observations while working in the Safe Minds Community Center, a new brain injury program offered at Incompass. Once she finishes graduate school, she hopes to get into program management in a human services setting. Hopefully with Incompass!!
The ceremony wrapped up with students presenting their legacy gift – a yearly tradition. Interns collaborated with participants in the day programs to create a beautiful art project. The marketing team nearly jumped out of their seats when they realized that it was a collage of art pieces forming the Incompass heart graphic. What a way to end the program! As always, we hope to welcome back these familiar faces next year, along with new ones. Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Urban Youth Collaborative Program. Learn more about the program here.
As we bask in the warmth (and humidity) of summer, I am delighted to share that at Incompass Human Services, the season has brought no respite in our mission to make a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.
Actually, that is not entirely accurate. You see, we achieved a significant milestone by opening our first respite group home, catering to medically complex individuals across the Northeast region. Presently, we have three individuals staying with us, and it warms my heart to witness the support and care they receive from our compassionate staff.
As we step into a new fiscal year, we find ourselves eagerly embracing a fresh strategic plan – our first as an affiliate of NEHSCO – that will undoubtedly propel us toward greater heights. I am excited to witness the incredible strides our dedicated team will take in the coming months, and I can honestly say that the culture of our agency has never been stronger!
As you read this, I’ll be in Las Vegas, where our COO Kelly Trickett and I are attending The Arc of the United States, National Council of Executives (NCE) Summer Leadership Initiative. This event is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow with leaders from various Arc chapters across the nation, inspiring us to further our commitment to those we serve.
This summer edition of our Insights newsletter fills me with immense pride, as we continue to be a beacon of innovation and compassion. Let me share with you just a few of the updates that have really risen to the top over these past few months.
Incompass Human Services was delighted to celebrate the recognition of two outstanding members of our team. Our COO, Kelly Trickett, was honored as a Distinguished Young Professional by the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication. Furthermore, our residential manager, Claude Dossa, was honored as a workforce hero by The Arc of Massachusetts, reflecting the exceptional level of care he provides to our clients. Congratulations again to both Kelly and Claude!
Additionally, we’ve made considerable progress in refining our approach through collaboration. Our team of Care Champions recently came together to develop the yearly balanced scorecard, leveraging insights gained from our engagement with the esteemed London/Boston-based Clarasys Consultants. This collective effort ensures that we continuously grow our program portfolio and enhance the quality of services we provide while staying true to our founding mission and core values.
Our Chelmsford headquarters are also buzzing this summer with the arrival of our latest cohort of Urban Youth Scholars, who come from colleges including UMass Lowell, Yale, and Bowdoin College. Watching these students come together to work with our individuals is always a joy, and we’re fortunate that the Department of Developmental Services continues to support this vital workforce development program.
As we embark on this exciting journey, we are acutely aware of the immense responsibility we bear in enriching the lives of those who rely on our support. None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Care Champions, the trust and support of families and caregivers, and the resilience of the individuals we serve.
On behalf of the entire Incompass team, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Together, we will continue to create a positive impact and empower individuals to live fulfilling lives. Here’s to a summer filled with progress, growth, and compassion!
Pictured above (L-R): Guest Nurse Naomi and Incompass Nurses Barbara, Vera, Kate, Assumpta, Zoe, Colleen, and Alicia.
Last week we celebrated National Nurses Week, and while the love for our nurses is vast, we realized that others might not know the extent and variety of their responsibilities at Incompass. To optimize the level of care they are providing, we have nurses designated to certain settings such as day habilitation, residential, and family & community services. Their daily responsibilities differ depending on the setting, but the goal remains the same; to promote person-centered health care that enables people with multifaceted needs to live life with optimal wellness, independence, and autonomy.
One step in achieving the abovementioned goal is equipping our new Care Champions with knowledge of common health-related concerns and safety measures. Pictured below is the Assistant Clinical Director of Nursing Services Alicia Mordach addressing attendees of a recent new employee orientation.
Topics discussed include:
allergy awareness
seizure overview and safety measures
a guide to personal protective equipment (PPE)
These overviews, along with the “Just Not Right” training, where they discuss the different ways people may communicate illness or discomfort, are taught both annually and as needed.
The folks we serve are some of the most vulnerable in our community, which is why it’s imperative that our programs and services are being offered with health and safety protocols at the forefront. We couldn’t do what we do without our nurses, so we want to give our heartfelt thanks.
In this episode, Shared Living Coordinator Kwasi Asamani answers some of the most commonly asked questions prospective providers have about their homes. He says you don’t have to own to be a provider, and you don’t need to be in a single-family home to be eligible either! Watch the episode below or click here.
In our second episode, Shared Living Coordinator Susan Frasca explains the ins and outs of becoming a Shared Living Provider. Spoiler alert…if you have an available bedroom in your residence, you are welcome to apply! Watch the episode below orclick here.
