🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Peyton Miller of Garfield,
Benco’s May 2025 Employee of the Month!!!
Peyton has been a dedicated facet of the team and has offered to come in to help on his days off. He readily accepts offers of overtime and is enthusiastic about providing the residents with the best possible care. He had come up with new recipes that work well with our residents food requirements. He’s even found ways of preparing foods for one of the residents who has a very specific kind of dining plan that help that resident have pancakes again! He’s always ready with a smile for the people we work with and the resident s will be come excited when he comes into work. When heightened or during times of stress, some of the resident at the house have significantly more relaxed body posture when Peyton is in the room with them
Peyton has done research to figure out accessible activities and places to go for the residents who have physical mobility aids or restrictions. He has found parks with paved walkways for the resident who cannot always walk with a smooth gait. He has found parks with limited dog interaction for a resident that does not to be approached by larger animals.
He will make time to help other employees figure out how best to achieve a task, like walking someone who doesn’t cook often through how to make a new dish. He is always ready to step up and help out with extra stuff on busy days. He’ll do the extra load of laundry because someone else is mopping up a spill. I don’t believe “someone else will get that” is a phrase he’s ever used.
~Savannah Taylor Rogers
DSP @ Garfield
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Thomas Thompson of Supported Living,
Benco’s April 2025 Employee of the Month!!!
Thomas has been a long time staff at Support Living and is reliable and consistent support for the individuals we serve, showing up everyday, on time for them. He is always trying to get them out into the community or into nature. He models healthy living and encourages good choi8ces. He listens to them with empathy and understanding and celebrates their successes. He has helped guide an individual toward his dream of finding a more fulfilling career path and helped several others problem solve interpersonal issues. He often takes it upon himself to communicate with community partners and family members to get important documents signed or collected to bring to the Program Coordinator. In addition to his amazing support to the individuals, he is always willing to take on extra tasks to help out at the program, like running to the store to replenish the water jugs, taking out the trash, shredding papers, going to the bottle drop, going to the care wash and fueling the cares. He is very appreciated here at Supported Living!
~Angie Lawrence
Supported Living Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Sarah Haight of Sequoia,
Benco’s March 2025 Employee of the Month!!!
Sarah has been a dedicated DSP for over a decade and continues to put her whole heart into everything she does. She has competed her DSP-III certification with the NADSP program and is an excellent role model for new and old staff to follow. At staff meetings, Sarah has been choosing a “Sequoia Employee of the Month” to recognize, with a small prize of their choosing. she also gives shout outs to several staff for all the great things they did that month!
One thing that is really important to Sarah is advocating for the Sequoia residents’ wants and desires. She does all that she can to make sure that the supports that we provide follow the orders from medical professionals and the ISP teams, while also respecting when the residents choose to do otherwise.
Recently, Sarah has created what she calls a “Get (Resident Name) Better Campaign” for a resident who has been feeling ill and has had little energy and motivation to do her ADLs. Every day, Sarah creates a new sheet of paper with factual information, inspiring quotes, and encouraging words, and it is all presented in a way geared toward this resident. There have been quotes like “do one small thing today to make tomorrow better than yesterday” to help the resident focus on taking one step at a time, rather than worry about the intimidating big picture. This has noticeable positively affected the resident’s mood, and she will even come to staff and ask for Sarah’s daily paper. 🙂
Her positivity and effort to emotionally support the residents amazes me each day, and we are so lucky to have Sarah at Sequoia! She absolutely deserves to be recognized for all that she does.
~Jen Huff
Assistant Program Coordinator at Sequoia
Sarah took it upon herself to create a person-specific chore plan when it was identified the individual could use some help keeping her space clean and safe. she met with the resident to discuss her preferences and ideas and wrote out a whole guide of how the resident prefers to be cued; helpful ways to encourage and redirect; and specific tools to utilize such as a timer to help keep up.
Additionally she came up with a separate plan with the resident to motivate her in a positive and encouraging way. Sarah worked with the resident to identify health goals and break them out into smaller steps so they wouldn’t be daunting. She provided visual cues that really stuck with the resident and allowed them to have a visual reminder of the goals in an understandable way. Sarah brainstormed positive affirmations like ” you don’t deserve to feel crummy, you deserve to feel amazing!” and started a “Daily Dose of Motivation” program. She shared this in a proactive way with other parts of her team so that interactions could be consistent and collaborative. Sarah’s person-centered, positive approach to encouraging healthy living (both mentally and physically) is so appreciated! She is a creative problem-solver who truly wants the best for the people we support.
~Laura Lonski
Benco Residential Director
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Peyton Miller of Garfield,
Benco’s February 2025 Employee of the Month!!!
Peyton has been helping his Program Coordinator with training a new staff, and has been showing off his expertise with sharing crucial information about the residents and person-centered supports. Even while working short staffed he has been able to teach her how to be flexible and adjust the routine to make sure the residents are taken care of and feel comfortable. He has been showing off his leadership skills, not just in training the new staff but by being an example for the entire Garfield crew. He has picked up last minute shifts allowing his teammates to participate in the Polar Plunge, has worked with a positive attitude while working short staffed, and picked up the pager when no one else was available. He has created a stable and comfortable work environment for the residents at Garfield while they are adjusting to changes to their environment and support team.
Thank you,
Reyman Woitt
~Program Coordinator at Garfield
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Micha Fa’amausili of Stone Street,
Benco’s January 2025 Employee of the Month!!!
While Micha has long been a positive presence at Benco, recent events have illuminated the incredible skills she possesses and the impact she has had on multiple programs.
When Gleicher’s home modifications projects required all three resident to temporarily relocate, Micha immediately stepped up to take the lead on multiple fronts. She organized packing and storage; she brainstormed suggestions for schedule shifts that would best meed the needs of residents and staff alike; she held conversations with both family members and residents to help them feel included and supported; and she created organization systems to ensure that transportation, appointments, and other needs were all clearly communicated across 3 programs. She has continued to lead coordination between all 3 programs as residents’ locations shift and change, and has been dependable and flexible throughout.
Whether it was 3 days, 3 weeks, or 3 months into the relocation, Micha operated as if she had been working with the residents and staff for years. Her open, positive communication style led to quick trust-building with residents and residents’ families. one family member described feeling blow away but the generosity of Micha’s suggestions of changes we could provide. Another resident’s guardian described how the program environment was filled with “unconditional love” and the connections built were both inspirational and impactful. Staff have communicated appreciation, comfort, and confidence after her arrival.
Micha has navigated some very complex dynamics with grace and respect. She remains flexible and positive regardless of the circumstances. She shows in her actions and her works that she truly values the experiences of the residents and staff, and wants to ensure that she makes every effort to maximize potential. Micha has gone above and beyond in so many ways, it is impossible to imagine a better candidate for employee of the month!
~Laura Lonski
Benco Residential Director
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Tabitha Glaser of Witham Hill,
Benco’s December 2024 Employee of the Month!!!
I would like to nominate Tabitha Glaser for Employee of the Month because she has been a wonderful fit for Witham Hill. She has a very infectious and enthusiastic attitude. She is always ready to work when she comes on shift. She is willing to help wherever help is needed and she has already made a huge impression on the resident, developing a very receptive rapport with them. She keeps it positive and engaging
Tabitha is also incredibly reliable and willing to work and/or fill in when she can. She is very dependable. She is consistent and is a valued and respected member of the team. She definitely deserves to be recognized for her amazing work ethic and having the right attitude to work well with the resident. We are lucky to have her!
~Dominique Christensen-Marchant
DSP-II at Witham Hill
I am nominating Tabitha for Employee of the Month because she consistently show up with a positive attitude that radiates at our program. she exemplifies dedication and teamwork because she is always willing to help cover extra shifts in addition to her full time schedule.
Tabitha has the ability to navigate challenging situations without hesitation, and her open communication with her coworkers and the Program Coordinator have contributed to our program’s success. She has built a positive relationship with the resident and she genuinely cares about the resident, coworkers, and PC. I am truly grateful that Tabitha is a part of our team, and her presence is invaluable!
~Jodi Henderson
Program Coordinator at Witham Hill
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Dalton Rabaino of Stone,
Benco’s November 2024 Employee of the Month!!!
Dalton is undoubtedly a fan favorite here at Stone Street. He is a quiet powerhouse and will do just about anything to wrangle a smile or giggle from the residents he supports. Just this month I’ve witnessed him making up silly songs on the keyboard, put on different wigs to surprise them and include the residents in little pranks on the nurses that resulted in big belly laughs from the individuals.
After Thanksgiving, multiple family members who visited took time to express their gratitude for Dalton and the lengths he goes through to ensure quality outings and care is given to their loved one. They said how impressive it was to have someone care for their loved one like their own family. He was specifically requested on most of the outings that weekend and accompanied this resident to an OSU wrestling match and a family game night at church later that day. His calm demeanor and easy going attitude helped bring comfort to a family who is experiencing many firsts this year.
Without being asked, Dalton took the lead in putting up all the Christmas decorations to bring joy to the home. He also volunteered to be delegated in special care tasks that allow one of the Stone Street residents more independence and freedom to explore the community. He, without hesitation, agreed to cover a shift this week and cheered on the resident as they participated in speech and physical therapy.
His person centered practices are evident with every person living at Stone. When I asked, who braided one of the residents hair so nicely, the answer is always Dalton. When asked questions about how to encourage an individual to complete a task, Dalton comes to show me how to do it. One resident needs help with a puzzle and the other needs a protein shade make and both tasks Dalton is surely to be seen taking on. He is a favorite coworker and by the reactions of those he supports, he’s a favorite DSP!
~Micha Fa’amausili
APC at Stone
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO Courtney Rose of Sequoia,
Benco’s October 2024 Employee of the Month!!!
I am thrilled to nominate Courtney for Employee of the Month. To say that I’m grateful is an understatement. Courtney embodies reliability and dedication, consistently going above and beyond to enhance the lives of both our staff and the individuals we support. She also has great attendance; she rarely misses a shift, making her a dependable presence in our team.
Courtney is the most reliable staff when it comes to chores. not only does she do them consistently, but she does them thoroughly and often goes above and beyond with the deep cleaning. She always does the extra cleaning without complaint. I can’t express enough how appreciated it is.
Courtney also played a crucial role in our recent room swap. She did much of the unpacking, organizing, and cleaning after everything was swapped over. After the room swap, there was some trouble with an individual’s tablet not getting a WiFi signal even though three staff members worked on it. Courtney dedicated some time to get it working and was successful. It was amazing to get the WiFi extended to the back of the hours so the individual could use their tablet.
We had a medical emergency this month. Courtney was calm and supportive throughout the incident. She also handled numerous solo shifts with grace as we needed staffing in two places. Courtney stepped up to ensure that everyone was well cared for. Her willingness to take on solo shifts during this challenging time exemplifies her dedication and compassion.
Lastly, Courtney took the initiative to organize the shelf in the office, creating a more efficient workspace for all staff members. These efforts not only make our jobs easier but also enhance the overall atmosphere in our workplace.
For all these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly believe Courtney deserves to be recognized as Employee of the Month! Her hard work and compassion greatly enrich our team and the lives of everyone at Sequoia.
~Sarah Haight
DSP at Sequoia
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO BRANDON Kuebrich!
SEPTEMBER 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Brandon work his DSP magic at Stone Street and HE IS A TREASURE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED! Brandon has a smile that never wavers and customizes his tones and voices to each individual resident and their preferences. I shadowed him on a resident’s morning shower routine and each step of that routine was done with gentle verbal consent and great attention to detail. Helping someone shower is an immensely intimate and vulnerable position to be in as a resident and Brandon helped cover them with towels to maintain warm and dignity as other areas of their personal care were being assisted with. On that very same day I watched him quickly adapt plans when assisting with a resident’s weekly trip to Sharri’s for pie. Pie day is an important day for this resident and when they arrived at Sharri’s THERE WERE NO PIES! Brandon was quick on his feet and cheerfully reassured a disappointed resident that they would acquire pie somewhere else and made that outing an adventure to Winco for pie.
The DSP work at Stone street can be physically and mentally demanding but Brandon does it with a smile. He’s brought his creativity to the program and made customized Blinko boards to help bring laughter and play to the home. I feel honored to work with someone like Brandon who truly puts his entire heart into his support and makes everyone around him smile even when it’s hard. I hope this months PIE DAY HERO is recognized not just for this day of heroics but for every other day that may go unnoticed because Benco is truly fortune to have him on our team.
~Micha F
Gleicher DSP
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO JOHN BARLOW!
AUGUST 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I am excited to nominate John Barlow for Employee of the Month. John has consistently gone above and beyond in his role. In addition to being a fantastic lead staff, his direct support is superb! His dedication and positive attitude make Sequoia a great place to work.
Outstanding Contributions:
John’s contributions extend far beyond his core responsibilities. On numerous occasions he has shown remarkable commitment to ensuring Sequoia runs smoothly. For example, one day when I returned to the company vehicle and noticed it was low on gas, I apologize for the oversight. Without hesitation, John promptly filled up the tank and continued with his usual duties. This kind of initiative and responsibility demonstrate his exceptional work ethic.
Exceptional Work Ethic and Versatility:
John’s versatility and willingness to tackle various tasks are truly commendable. On a day when he managed 3 long outings (each lasting1-2 hours), he not only focused on these critical activities but also went the extra mile. While I tried to handle tasks that the program to ease his load, John still took time to do laundry, meal prep, and dishes between outings.
Positive Team Spirit:
John’s friendly and approachable demeanor makes him a pleasure to work with. He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude and a willingness to assist whenever needed. Whether it’s meal prep, managing laundry, handling dishes, or supporting personal care tasks, John approaches every responsibility with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Going the Extra Mile:
John’s commitment to excellence is evident in his proactive approach to his work. The day following the aforementioned tasks, he went above and beyond by taking care of additional personal care duties and handling laundry, further showcasing his dedication and reliability.
In summary, John Barlow is exemplifies the qualities we value in our employee—dedication, versatility, and a positive attitude. His consistent efforts and willingness to go the extra mile make him an outstanding candidate for Employee of the Month. I wholeheartedly recommend him for this recognition I believe he deserves it.
~Sarah H.
Sequoia DSP
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO BRANDON KUEBRICH,
JULY 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Brandon has such a kind energy and is clearly incredibly invested in the well-being of the residents at Stone. He has built strong relationships with each resident during his year with Benco, so much so that he is a go-to person who brings calm and comfort to them. It is evident that his heart is in the work he does and that he takes his job seriously.
When a resident was recently hospitalized, there was a situation where the resident became agitated and resistant to care. I responded but was unsure how responsive the resident would be to me, and reached out to Brandon to see if he could help in any way. He dropped everything in his personal life to come right away to help – not as a person on shift, or pager person, just a staff who wanted the resident to have a good experience. He didn’t even ask any questions; he just saw my message and came right away to support. The resident was immediately calm and participated in needed medical procedures, and I was so grateful for Brandon’s presence to make that happen.
Brandon is also someone who seeks out ways to help or make things easier at the program. For example, he problem solved around fixing a vehicle issue and was able to come up with a solution to what could have been a costly and lengthy vehicle repair. He takes initiative to go out to the store and pick up items as needed and always involves residents when able.
I just really appreciate Brandon and the way he puts his all into his work! This impacts the residents and the program beyond a way he may know and I just want to recognize him and the ways he shines!
~Laura Lonski
Residental Director
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO SARAH HAIGHT,
JUNE 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Sarah always goes above and beyond in her work. She is always willing to lend a hand, cover where needed, do tasks for others if she sees they are swamped and helps others to be successful. Sarah is also a “fan favorite” with the clients as they always want to tell her all the exciting things!
~Christine Manson
Sequoia, PC
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO NIA DESHON OF ROLF HANSEN,
MAY 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I’d like to nominate Nia Deshon for Employee of the Month. She has consistently shown outstanding client support for the last 28 years. Each year Nia plants the RHA garden with a client. We have a blueberry tree, year round kale, strawberries, different peppers, beets, cucumbers, brussel sprouts and cantaloupe, squash and always something fun like a pumpkin. One client is very involved in independently watering the garden. Nia build a soak hose system to aid in his success of watering. Nia also spends one on one time playing cards, Jenga, and card games with each client. She makes nutritious meals and gives clients different options of what they enjoy eating. Nia consistently takes one client to the library, dollar tree, and different thrift stores. She stays busy on shift and sets a great example for fellow employees! When she goes on vacation she is sorely missed. Great job Nia!
~Heather Reynolds
Rolf Hansen, DSP
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO GARRETT MERCER OF ROLF HANSEN,
April 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Garrett has been a positive force and sunshine in the human form since he started working at RHA. He shows up to shift and already has his day planned with resident interaction and outings before he gets here. The residents love him! He’s established weekly outings with more than one resident and each resident looks forward to seeing him and asks when he’ll be working next. Garret is always active and willing to help. He interacts with the clients by taking them to movies, on walks, to the bottle drop, Goodwill and ARC thrift store trips. While at the program, he works on puzzles with clients, helps with editing projects and is always lending an ear to clients in crisis. If there is down time, he is cleaning. He has stepped in and covered multiple shifts with short notice. Garrett is a breath of fresh air to everyone who works and lives at RHA! And he is the first one to answer the phone when a resident calls. Priceless!
~Heather Reynolds
Rolf Hansen, DSP
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO JEN HUFF OF SEQUOIA,
March 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Jennifer is someone who shines in so many ways. Whether she as interacting with a resident, other
employees, or community members, she is warm, positive, and upbeat. She has an incredible can-do
attitude that is contagious; she inspires those around her to feel like they are capable of being their best
selves.
Jen is also extremely organized and professional. She has a clear grasp on what needs to be
accomplished and works hard to find the balance between all of the different aspects of the job. This has
become even more challenging as she has temporarily stepped into additional job duties with the PC on
leave, but she has taken on the challenges so seamlessly.
Jen not only meets deadlines and task expectations, she tackles any initiative that would improve
residents’ lives, whether it is a deep dive into insurance coverage; helping a resident sign up for their
dream camp; scheduling needed medical procedures and accompanying residents to keep them feeling
comfortable; or maintaining strong communication with their family members. Most recently, she
coordinated a new volunteer opportunity that has been a longstanding goal of a resident.
Jen is such a treasure and we appreciate her! I am proud to have her represent Benco
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO KAITLYN DYER OF SYCAMORE,
February 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Kaitlyn has continued to shine in her role as Assistant Program Coordinator at Sycamore. She has helped the PC to tackle large projects with enthusiasm and know-how. Her attention to detail allowed her to discover a concerning lab reading for one of the residents that was missed by the PCP and helped bring it to their attention.
This staff has been punctual, productive, and cooperative and has been rocking both her direct-care and APC duties. All of Sycamore is very appreciative of her contributions to our team and to the support of those we care for.
~Mark DuBois
Sycamore House, Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO IOLANDA WA’A OF GLEICHER HOUSE,
JANUARY 2024 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Iolanda brings a lot of big, positive energy to the Gleicher program. She is enthusiastic in her approach to all things she commits to, especially the lives of the residents she supports. Her warm greetings and playful engagement make for a joyful atmosphere.
Fostering independence and encouraging physical exercise are major priorities for Iolanda. The residents always do what they’re able when she’s there to cheer them on, but of course, she’s there to support where needed. At a recent staff meeting, she taught us all the one resident was fully capable of doing a task and we’ve been able to implement that into their regular routine since.
Iolanda was one of Gleicher’s pillars during the recent ice storm. She willingly and enthusiastically volunteered herself to say at the program for 30+ hours at a time. Even when offered to be tagged out, she insisted that everyone stay safe and made sure that we knew everything was well in hand.
~Justin Bolger
Gleicher House, Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO CEDAR KAPLINK OF ROLF HANSEN,
DECEMBER 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I would like to nominate Cedar Kaplink for Employee of the month. He has done the planning and troubleshooting for a trip for a client. I feel he has gone above and beyond what was expected of him. He continues to do whatever it takes to make this trip a success for the client, even sacrificing some of his personal time for meetings and planning. I feel he should be recognized for this huge task that he took on.
~Jennifer Hatcher
Rolf Hansen, Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO LISA CLARK OF GLEICHER,
NOVEMBER 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Lisa plays a supporting role in all our individuals’ lives. She’s the Robin to their Batman, Chewbacca to their Han Solo & the Samwise Gamgee to their Frodo. She’s a silent powerhouse and doesn’t absorb any of the spotlight away from our program’s residents. A month ago, we had a community outing incentive program to encourage our DSP to find opportunities to be creative and attend some of the seasonal festivities. Lisa completed a full blackout of her activity bingo card and researched community activities in Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon and Monroe! However, when it came to presenting the bingo winner, Lisa did not say anything of the amazing outings she initiated. Only after a few questions from PC, since we’ve all read her notes, did we realize she completed the entire bingo card. She didn’t take our residents for a prize, she did it because of the joy it brought to their lives.
An individual in our program expressed how special it made them feel to have a customized outing with Lisa. They went to the Pix theater in Albany to watch a war movie (one of those individuals favorites) and he loved the recliner and different seating options there. He told me, “It was just me and her, not *housemates!” They ended the night by stopping at 711 as requested. Two other individuals have started attending a community dinner and a local church and seem to have positive interactions with possible new natural supports. Lisa shows us that DSP work is more fulfilling when you pour your heart into it. We are so fortunate to have her on our team!
~Micha Faamausili
Gleicher House, Assistant Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO DAKOTA LATHROP OF GRANT
OCTOBER 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I would like to nominate Dakota for employee of the month for the month of October. Dakota always keeps constant communication with his program coordinator in regard to the ladies at Grant and any house concerns. After completing his DSP 1,2,3 he has taken a new approach when it comes to being a direct support professional. Dakota ensures that when he is caring for his clients that hit is always person-centered care, while keeping constant communication with his program coordinator, Dakota has come up with so many bright ideas for the ladies here at grant and ways to serve them in better ways medically, and also for community inclusions. Dakota also has bright ideas for our staff meeting agenda to help better serve the ladies at Grant and to help with the Grant program running smoothly. He is always paying attention to the details. He always has excellent documentation, which helps the program coordinator to understand what is going on with the clients and come up with solutions to better meet their needs.
During staff shortages on overnight shift, Dakota has really pitched in and helped with a lot of extra shifts although he has a full-time schedule for school and his own personal life. Also, when Dakota comes to work, he is very cheerful, always comes to work with a very positive attitude, gets along with all his peers, and has a good rapport with all the ladies he supports at our Grant program. Dakota has also been a phenomenal trainer for many new staff that have come to our Grant program. He has been an asset to our program since the day he walked in the door.
~Patricia Mayotte
Grant Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO IAN OPDAHL OF GLEICHER,
SEPTEMBER 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Benco’s slogan is “caring without limits” and someone who embodied this belief is GH direct care, Ian. I haven’t shared a shift with Ian until recently and observing the kindness that radiates from him as he interacts with each of our GH residents, is a breath of fresh air. Not only have I learned he’s a phenomenal cook, but he puts so much effort into supporting our individual needs. Ian uses humor and humility when there are rough times. He is agreeable and willing to step back and never engage in a power struggle. There is a level of peacefulness that he emulates even during challenging times.
I wanted to nominate him because often the quieter hardworking staff go unnoticed because they don’t demand attention. I wanted to shine some light on his hard work and let him know his efforts are not unnoticed. I benefit, as a direct care staff, from watching his interactions that makes me want to be better than I am. The power to inspire change in others by simply being yourself is what makes this employee a perfect candidate for employee of the month.
~Micha Faamausili
Gleicher Assistant Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO DEB SMITH OF WITHAM HILL,
AUGUST 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Deb goes above and beyond to incorporate person-centered supports to the individual we support. Deb is very open-minded and she is always willing to support her team and the PC in any way possible.
Deb’s calm demeanor and positive attitude play a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment for the individual we support and her co-workers. Deb has proven to be very dependable ad reliable and she is always willing to help cover shifts when needed.
Deb consistently puts in effort to maintain a positive relationship with the individual we support and she always shares insightful ideas with her co-workers to set them up for success. Deb’s presence is invaluable, and we are grateful to have her at Witham Hill.
~Jodi Henderson
Witham Hill Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO LISA CLARK OF GLEICHER,
JULY 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Lisa is an exemplary staff member. She is thorough in completing every documentation task and is punctual with her shifts. She takes the residents on outings frequently. Her demeanor is unshakable calm and consistent, which gives comfort the the residents and confidence to her coworkers. She covers shifts often and sometimes with very short notice, and she happily completes extra tasks, like the recent overnight fire drill for example.
Lisa is a dependable pillar for the Gleicher team, and I believe the same is true at all of the other programs she substitutes for. Especially as a new Program Coordinator, I can’t say enough good things about her. It’s hard to imagine a more deserving person to receive Employee of the Month, and for this, Lisa is my nomination this month.
~Justin Bolger
Gleicher Program Coordinator
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO CINDY EVANS OF 17TH STREET,
JUNE 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Cindy has shown up in some really amazing ways over the past few weeks. First of all, she was subbing at the program and took it upon herself to try and figure out a financial issue. This is a small thing but just shows that she is willing to put in the time to make sure things are right.
Then, her supervisor called the program for a resident situation in the community and she just happened to be there to complete some documentation. The supervisor was just hoping for assistance in problem solving, but Cindy took it upon herself to offer to come out to where they were, and to help out. She had the creative idea to bring the resident’s favorite food, and went and got it before arriving to assist. She was calm and cheerful and helped resolve the situation.
When overnight coverage needed to be found in the middle of the night, Cindy agree without hesitation to come in to help. She asked no questions and just let them know she would be there when she could.
Finally, she was the staff who noticed that another resident had a medical issue going on. Staff had been trying to figure out why that resident had been more escalated lately but hadn’t figured it out. Cindy was the one who noticed the new medical issue and immediately provided a pain PRN and notified the supervisor so that it could get checked out. The individual wound up being diagnosed with an infection, which not only could have worsened quickly, but also could have continued to cause that resident pain and discomfort.
Cindy has a close attention to detail and shows high levels of care for the residents supported. She doesn’t hesitate to help out in whatever way she can and keeps a positive and solution-oriented mindset. We are grateful for her!
~Laura Lonski
Benco Residential Director
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO LAUREN HANLEY OF SEQUOIA,
MAY 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
From the moment Lauren clocks into her shifts, she is ready to jump into any and all necessary tasks. Lauren will go above and beyond to help both the residents and her fellow staff, with sincerity and care.
Lauren is currently a full-time student, but this does not stop her from offering to cover numerous open shifts as needed. Now that she is near graduation, she has even started to cross train as a sub at another program that is in need of coverage; this is all on top of the extra hours she puts in at Sequoia.
Her patience and kindness when interacting with the residents is highly admirable, and it is apparent when the residents look forward to seeing and spending tie with Lauren. she is always willing to support the residents in their outings, whether it be working out at the gym, grocery shopping, or going to fun events like the Gem Faire.
I have personally noticed and experienced the increase in positivity in both myself and the staff at Sequoia whenever Lauren comes into work. Even when she is taking a much deserved vacation, we all can’t wait to see her when she returns.
Lauren, you are an amazing, hard-working person and we are so lucky to have you! Sequoia appreciates all that you do!
~Jennifer Huff
Assistant Program Coordinator at Sequoia
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO CEDAR KAPLENK OF ROLF HANSEN,
MARCH 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Cedar has taken on the lead role over the last several months of advocating for one of the residents who has had tremendous work issues. He has helped with the unemployment process, listened to the resident’s account of all the details and taken notes, attended meetings with other support people about the issue and spoken to and filled out paperwork that will allow the resident to work with a local lawyer.
Cedar is very professional when dealing with this issue. He has listed to and consoled the resident many times, making sure to explain each step in the process to them. Cedar is also this resident’s main technical support when it comes to helping them on their computer projects. Rolf Hansen is a better place because of Cedar!
~Heather Reynolds
Lead Staff at Rolf Hansen
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO NICOLE LEVITICUS OF STONE STREET,
FEBRUARY 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
I would like to nominate Nicole because she has really gone above and beyond for not only Stone Street, her home program, as well as the Grant and Witham Hill programs too!
Because of her flexibility, willingness to learn, and ability to connect with others, Nicole has contributed enormously to the improvement and daily flow of the programs she is a part of.
I have heard nothing but great things from the Program Coordinators Nicole has worked with at Grant and Witham Hill
~Kayla McNeeley
Program Coordinator at Stone Street
🎉 CONGRATULATIONS🎉 TO JEN HUFF OF SEQUOIA,
JANUARY 2023 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH!
Jen has been doing a great job as the Assistant Program Coordinator. she stepped in seamlessly and was a quick study when first hired in September. Through the month of January she has taken one resident to the gym each week. she comes in early for her Overnight shift each week and then she stays later the next day to make sure the necessary management needs are met.
We have also had a resident who had several stays in the hospital so Jen has had to coordinate follow up medical appointments for this individual and she has taken them to multiple each wee. In addition to the medical needs relating to the hospital stays, Jen has also been working to establish a new doctor for the individual. Due to rescheduling by the doctor office and the hospital stays the scheduled meet and greet appointment for the resident with the doctor was rescheduled multiple times. Jen checked back regularly to get a sooner appointment and then came in on her day off to accompany the resident to the appointment to ensure that she was seen as soon as possible.
Jen has taken over writing the weekly schedule while we have no Program Coordinator and the Residential Director has been on leave. She makes sure that when a special occasion like Night to Shine, or an outing for a resident comes up that staff are scheduled for the appropriate time frames needed. She is also making sure that there are treats, coffee, and energy drinks for staff at the program. Having access to these little things is a nice touch when coming in for a shift.
Thank you Jen, for always having a positive attitude when on shift!
~Molly Maxwell
Direct Support Professional at Sequoia