SARAH Newsletter Vol.2

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Thoughts from the Executive Director’s Office

Executive Director Denise Henry

We welcome Denise Henry as the new Executive Director for SARAH, Inc., succeeding Pat Bourne who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Denise has been Associate Director at SARAH, Inc. for four years with more than three decades of experience in the field. During the course of her career, she has worked extensively as a behavioral clinician, in quality assurance, project management and the programmatic oversight for residential, day and employment services. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.

“I expect to continue moving ahead with the strategic initiatives already begun by my colleague Pat Bourne, the Board and our management team” said Denise. “I recognize both the opportunity and challenges social service agencies such as SARAH are facing in CT. I look forward to bringing my skills and expertise to build on the 60 years of progress already achieved by the organization.”

Pat Bourne has served as Executive Director of SARAH, Inc. since 2006. During her tenure, SARAH, Inc. has expanded its reach, providing supports and services to more than 600 children and adults with differing abilities.

“Today, SARAH Inc. serves more people in different ways and in many more communities. SARAH, Inc. is a recognized leader in the field. I am honored and humbled to have been part of this extraordinary team for the past 11 years” reflects Pat. “I am extremely grateful to the Board of Directors, our incredible staff and especially our amazing participants for their enthusiasm, encouragement and support over the years. You are my inspiration and motivation. While the challenges are great, the future is bright and the possibilities are endless. Thank you for inviting me on this journey with you and for giving me “the best day possible” every day.”

While Denise will officially assume her responsibilities in November, Pat will continue in a consulting role and work closely with Denise over the next several months to ensure a smooth and successful transition.


 

SAVE THE DATE

 


 

SPOTLIGHT

 

Pat, Sean and Ted – Stony Creek

Pat, Diana and Denise

SARAH – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – is the theme of our year- long celebration of 60 years of service. The  SARAH Appreciation Night on 10/5/17 at the Stony Creek Brewery was an opportunity for SARAH to thank our many donors, sponsors, patrons and friends for their support over these many years. We were proud to pay tribute to the early “pioneers” whose vision and determination changed the world for their children – and all children – with differing abilities. From its humble beginnings as a school run by volunteers in the basement of a local church, SARAH, Inc. now serves over 600 children and adults with differing abilities in communities throughout Connecticut.

Senator Ted Kennedy and Rep. Sean Scanlon presented SARAH with an official citation from the CT. General Assembly recognizing SARAH as a “beacon of hope and opportunity to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families since 1957.” The citation further states” our constituents and the entire State are grateful for all you’ve done and continue to do to make the world a better place for those with disabilities.”

Pat Bourne, our out-going Executive Director, was also presented an official citation in recognition of her retirement. The citation states that “under your leadership, SARAH has reached new heights of programming and service …positively improving the lives of thousands of individuals.”


 

IN THE NEWS


We are pleased to announce that, on or about December 1, 2017, our KIDSTEPS administrative offices will relocate to the new Clifford Beers Autism Center at 43 Marne St. in Hamden.   KIDSTEPS will have its own offices at the center and we will be able to share the communal space and many of the resources available at this newly designed, state of the art autism center.

The Clifford Beers Marne St. Clinic offers comfort, community and consistency in a sensory friendly environment to promote social inclusion for children with differing abilities.

Transition plans are still in development and we will keep you informed on our progress as information is available. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we make these transitions. Working together as a team, we will ensure KIDSTEPS continues to provide quality services with minimal disruptions for everyone involved.  Stay tuned!

Linda Vigorito and Teller

Elisabeth Teller, Director of SARAH, Inc. KIDSTEPS Children Services, has been reappointed to the CT Interagency Birth to Three Coordination Council by Governor Malloy. The CT Interagency Birth to Three Coordination Council (ICC) consists of representative members appointed by the Governor and leaders of the State House of Representatives and State Senate. The council’s role is to advise and assist the lead agency (Office Of Early Childhood) in the implementation of the Birth to Three System.

KIDSTEPS is the children’s division of SARAH Inc. and is a Birth to Three early intervention program serving infants and toddlers with developmental delays.  The KIDSTEPS service region encompasses 31 towns throughout southern and eastern Connecticut.  Our professional staff of certified therapists, early childhood specialists and teachers offers therapeutic consultation, treatment and counseling to families to help them meet their children’s developmental goals.  Services are provided exclusively in natural environments such as family’s homes, child care settings, and community locations. Service Coordination is given to each family to assist them with making connections to community resources including transitioning.

 


 

SARAH, INC IN THE COMMUNITY


SARAH in North Haven and students from the CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) are volunteering together at the Whiffen Farm, a family-owned farm, in East Haven. Together, SARAH participants and the CELC students are learning farming operations and animal care through hands on work . This volunteer experience is a great learning opportunity and a chance for everyone involved to make new friends.

SARAH is proud to partner with CELC. CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School of Branford provides an energizing, personalized, and significant middle school experience. Students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children thrive during these important and impactful 5th – 8th grade years.


 

SARAH Works!


Spotlight on Supported Employment

Michelle Brady

Congratulations to Michelle Brady! #1 in Customer Satisfaction at Big Y

Recently, Big Y in Guilford conducted a contest asking customers to complete a ballot identifying the name of their bagger and to rate their performance. This contest applied to all Big Y employees.

We are proud to announce that our own Michelle Brady was the overwhelming winner of the contest! Michelle was recognized by her supervisor and co-workers and presented with a Big Y gift card and a coveted gold coin. While justifiably proud of her accomplishment, Michelle will tell you she was “just doing her job.”

Congratulations to Michelle for a job well done!

SARAH Employment Services
Dozens of SARAH, Inc. supported workers are employed in retail, service and manufacturing jobs throughout the community. Workers can be independently employed with occasional supports as needed or can be supervised and trained by a coach as they ease into a new job. Supports are customized to meet each person’s interests or needs.

SARAH, Inc. also provides students, schools and families with extensive transition planning and supports to ensure that students with special needs and other differing abilities have a variety of work experiences to enhance their career development.

Do you know a business who could benefit from hiring another hard working and dedicated employee like Michelle?  Call or contact Jen Kostek, Director of Employment Services at jkostek@sarah-inc.org or at 860-399-1888, ext 311).


 

WE’RE HIRING


SARAH, Inc. continuously looks for TALENTED, ENERGETIC and highly MOTIVATED individuals who want to make a difference helping people with disabilities help themselves! Our services extend throughout the greater New Haven region to Middlesex, New London and Windham counties.

Our Adult Services programs provide life skills and work training in addition to employment support. KIDSTEPS offers early intervention services to infants, toddlers and their families to help them reach their full potential. http://sarah-inc.synchr-recruit.com/


 

ADVOCACY

 

As we go to press and after months of delays and negotiations, the Governor has just signed a bipartisan biennial budget. There is much about this budget we do not know and there are still many implementation details still to be worked out. However, we do know that this approved budget restores Employment and Day funding for 2017 and 2018 graduates.  There is also funding for the ID Partnership, a DDS systems change initiative introduced by Governor Malloy to address residential waiting list and rate stabilization for providers. This budget also restores funding to the Birth to Three early intervention services and keeps the Birth to Three program under the administration of the Office of Early Childhood.

There are still many uncertainties and it is unclear what the final level of funding both DDS and DSS (which administers the Medicaid Waiver) will receive to support services for people with I/DD. We do know that the countless hours of testimony, lobby days, press conferences and thousands of emails and phone calls made a difference. We thank our legislators for their collaborations and bipartisan commitment to the people we serve.

We must remain vigilant as this process evolves and we will keep you informed as information is available.

Thank you for raising your voice on these most important issues!


 

GET INVOLVED


SARAH, Inc. relies on the generosity and support of our families, friends and our communities to carry out our mission to “enhance skills and enrich the lives of individuals with differing abilities in our community”. How can you help?

We ask you to get involved in the way that best works for you.  Donate your time, talent and treasures to help us continue to do what we do for the people we serve. For more information on how you can help, contact Denise Henry, Executive Director, at dhenry@sarah-inc.org or at 860-399-1888, ext. 308.


 

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU


So, what do you think of our newsletter? What else would you like to know? We will add a few comments every newsletter.

Also, know that this is NOT a printed newsletter, although you are welcome to print yourself a copy. Please share this with others! We will be sending this electronically, posting a link on Facebook, and posting on our website. Please be sure we have your current email address. We want to hear from you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]