NorthStar Services Employees Receive
Recognition at Fall Conferences

Each year staff from NorthStar Services has had the opportunity to attend an organizational conference with colleagues from around the state. The Nebraska Chapter of AAMR (American Association of Mental Retardation) hosted the Region VIII Fall Conference in Lincoln on September 28 - 30, 2003. The Conference Theme, Achieving Quality of Life for All was addressed through a series of presentations over the three day event. Presenters included such well known speakers as Theresa Varnet, Jeffrey Strulley, Tim Kolb and Robert Schalock; and came from places such as Alaska, Canada and California. Autism and Autistic spectrum disorders were a special focus of many presentations. The central concept was that achieving and sustaining a high quality of life are not dependent on the person or the level of disability they experience; rather it is dependent on how personalized supports are provided.

During the Nebraska Chapter Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, September 30th two people from NorthStar Services South Sioux City Area Program received the Outstanding Quality Award. Mary Jensen and Angel Newton were recognized for their creative and dedicated support which provided numerous opportunities for a young woman named Georgette to experience life in her community. Mary Maxwell, a noted humorist from Omaha who spoke after the awards ceremony, was so taken by the story of Georgette, Mary and Angela that she referred to it often in her presentation. Alan Zavodny, NorthStar Services CEO, was also elected to the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Chapter of AAMR at the conference.

The annual ACP (Association of Community Professionals) Conference was held October 23 & 24, 2003 in Grand Island. Dr. Thomas Pomeranz, a nationally known speaker and creator of the concept of Universal Enhancement presented the two day conference. Dr. Pomeranz led the participants through the principles of Universal Enhancement which proposes quality support systems operating on the idea that without an appropriate attitude even one to one service can be institutional, and quality of life is not found in "institutions". Several examples and practical applications were discussed. Participants were also invited to attend a Friday afternoon leadership session.

Cary Deane, Linda Kalhoff and Tracey Schlegel at ACP conference

Several NorthStar Services Staff were honored at the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 23rd. Tracey Schlegel, Support Supervisor from the Columbus Area Program received the Outstanding Support Person - Northeast Area, Cary Deane, Support Supervisor from the O'Neill Area received the Outstanding Colleague Award and Linda Kallhoff, Area Director from the O'Neill Area received the highest honor awarded by ACP, The Robert Schalock Award for her history of innovative service in the field of developmental disability.

We hope you will all join us in celebrating once again this excellence among us. For more on these award recipients see our regular column - Mission in Action at the end of this newsletter, or click on the name or the recipient above.

Governing Board Meets in August and October

Regular meetings of the NorthStar Services and Region IV, Inc. were held on August 21 and October 23, 2003. Both meetings were held in Norfolk at Prenger's Restaurant. NorthStar Services conducts business the first half of each meeting and Region IV, Inc. conducts business in the second half.

Scott Lambrecht, Fiscal Director, reported on the retirement annuity which became available for employees in July, with 42% participation rate of those eligible. William Larsen, Secretary of the NorthStar Services Governing Board, was authorized to sign the needed certificate of corporate resolution for the 457 Retirement Plan.

Alan Zavodny, CEO, presented the Board with a proposal from Ron Jensen for NorthStar Services to join Nebraska Association of Private Resources (NeAPR) with the beginning of the new fiscal year. NeAPR is a lobbying association which combines resources to strengthen their position. Annual dues for NorthStar Services would be $9,000 which would fund lobbying efforts and senatorial breakfast meetings. The Board declined the invitation.

Alan informed the Board that the process to redistribute funds across the State known as the OAP (Objective Assessment Process), also previously called the ICAP (Inventory for Client and Agency Planning), has been slated to be implemented July 1, 2004. Alan is representing Providers and NorthStar Services on a State work group addressing this issue. It is not anticipated that any cuts with the implementation of the OAP will be felt this fiscal year. (As of December 3, 2003 implementation of the OAP funding model for people already receiving services has been indefinitely postponed - see Alan's Notes for further information.)

Budget to date information was distributed and discussed. Fiscal year 2002-2003 ended with revenue over expenditures of $164,000, which is within $6,000 of Alan's projections when he presented the 02-03 budget. Overtime and delivered intervention hours continue to be monitored and addressed at the local level.

Linda Kallhoff, O'Neill Area Director, is serving on the Leadership and Innovation Work Group for Joint Providers. This group has determined that the state of Nebraska needs to shift from a systems centered provision of services model to a person centered service model. This will help Nebraska return to a leadership position in Developmental Disability services within the country.

Kathleen Garvin, South Sioux City Area Director, is serving along with Alan Zavodny, CEO, on the Services Coordination Interim Study for Senator Byar's office. This group is looking at the efficiency of the current Services Coordination model and alternatives.

During the Region IV, Inc. section of the meeting Mary Claire Mohrfeld, Director of Administration, distributed the year end financial report, showing a final balance of $22,091.53 for the fiscal year. Mary Claire also informed the Board that the sale of the existing Norfolk Day Service Center has been finalized and NorthStar Services is currently renting the building from Mr. Dudley. The O'Neill property at 1802 Holt has been taken off of the market and the Bloomfield property at 702 W. Main is still for sale. The Board awarded the bid to Otte Construction of Wayne for construction of the new Day Service Center in Norfolk. The bid was the lowest total bid, with the inclusion of two alternates at a total of $1,074,198. (See Norfolk Day Services Building Underway for further details). Additionally the Board acted to approve an exchange of rights to property in Wayne for an alternate site after further discussion concerning offers from Ameritas and Wayne Industries. The accepted proposal is expected to save Region IV, Inc. approximately $13,000 on the project. Meyer Building Co., Inc. of West Point was awarded the contract to build a group home in Wayne. Again the lowest bid was awarded at a base of $309.875.00 with a $40,000 cap on dirt work due to the location change. Construction on the Central Office has been delayed due to weather, but the contract has a $200 per day penalty clause if the February 14, 2004 deadline is not met.

In other Board action Cherry and Keya Paha counties joined the interlocal agreement for Region IV, Inc., making yearly contributions on the same rate as the other 20 counties represented on the Board. Cherry and Keya Paha counties will also share proportionally in any assets earned after July 1, 2003. This action gives Commissioners from those counties a vote on the Region IV, Inc. Board. The Board also elected not to take action to fill in the run off pit on the Columbus Day Service site.

At the October 23, 2003, meeting Dan Fuerhoff and Nancy Brozek, Certified Public Accountants from Christensen and Associates of Norfolk presented the annual audit. Board members had an opportunity to look over the report and ask questions. The audit was accepted.

Scott and Alan presented information to the Board concerning LB 724 which proposes closing two mental health regional centers and transferring services to community based programs which will be developed. A letter from Ron Ross, Director of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, was shared and discussed concerning county contributions to private providers. No action was needed for either of these items.

The Annual Governing Board Meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2004, at Prenger's Restaurant in Norfolk starting at 10:00 am.

Norfolk Day Services Constuction Underway

Jon Carlson, Alan Zavodny, Marie Johnson, Merle Bronzynski, Brenda Johnson, and Jeff Morlok break ground for the new building.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held 9:00 a.m. on September 17,2003 at 7th and Prospect. A July 2004 completion date is planned for the 13,000 square foot building which will house the new Norfolk Day Service Center and area offices. The plans include a large conference area to host such activities as Governing Board meetings and regional trainings.

The Norfolk Area has occupied the current facility at 218 Braasch since 1974. The building was recently purchased by Dudley Cleaners (see Governing Board article). This building was no longer appropriate for the needs of the area program, nor the organization as a whole. Building a new facility had been discussed for sometime before the final project was approved.

Retirement Plan Offered

With the July 11, 2003 payroll 152 employees began to take advantage of the new NorthStar Services 457 Employees Retirement Fund. Employees authorize pre-tax payroll deductions to be invested in any of a number of funds offered by RBC Dain Rauscher and Nationwide Financial Services. As an additional benefit, NorthStar Services matches 25% of the employees elected deferral up to 3% of their annual salary (employee A defers 2% of their annual salary, NorthStar matches 25% of that 2%; employee B defers 5% of their annual salary, NorthStar matches 25% of the first 3%).

There are two eligibility requirements to participate in the plan. An employee must meet both requirements. To be eligible the employee must have worked at least 20 hours a week for one continuous year of service. There are two periods (January and July) each year in which employees can choose to enroll or modify their current account (increase/decrease deferrals for example).

According to Mary Herzberg, financial consultant with RBC Dain Rauscher the 42% enrollment rate for the first period (July 2003) was higher than the national average for new plans.

Scott Lambrecht, Fiscal Director, estimates that at the current enrollment level (152 employees) NorthStar Services is matching $940 per payroll. Employees are contributing approximately $4.04 for every dollar NorthStar Services pays in administrative costs and matching contributions. His projection is that employees will contribute a little over $125,00 in the fiscal year.

While it is too late to enroll for the January period, please see your Office Manager for details before the next period (a notice will be sent).

Supporting People in Reaching Their Goals:
The Mission in Action

Angela Newton and Mary Jensen, AAMR Outstanding Quality Award Recipients

Several months, maybe a year ago, I knew that I would be nominating someone from the South Sioux City NorthStar Services Area Program for an award. At the time I was not sure which award and I certainly did not intend for it to be an entire area program. At the time, my plan was to watch the blossoming of a life unfolding, and at some future point highlight the efforts of those who accompanied the woman on her journey. Well the journey has ended, and now seems to be the right time to tell the story.

In order to understand this nomination, you need to hear the story of Georgette. Georgette was a young woman who received day and respite services from the South Sioux City area program for a number of years. Georgette had what is often described as significant support needs, which basically meant that she needed the use of a wheel chair, did not communicate in traditional ways, depended on others to care for all of her personal needs and had little interaction with the world around her. Her IPPs were often a struggle because people were not sure what they could actually teach Georgette and then when programs were authorized frustration followed because progress was hard to come by. For years this is the way she lived within the service delivery system. From time to time people came into Georgette's life that enjoyed spending time with her, because despite everything she had a spirit that was larger than life - if one took the time to soak it in.

A couple of years ago people in the South Sioux City Area Program started to really focus on getting to the heart of what is important to the people supported in that program. Via person centered planning tools staff began to intentionally listen to what people like, don't like, want, want to get rid of, in other words - they really started to get to know the people they support on a more personal level. Through this process a woman named Mary Jensen met Georgette. David Hingsburger calls this type of meeting "First Contact", the time when a person with significant disabilities and a person who provides supports to that person make an actual interpersonal connection which leaves both people changed. Mary got to know Georgette in ways that previously few people would have even considered possible. It was in those first weeks or months of discovery that I saw Georgette through the crack Mary was helping her make in the shell that had always surrounded her. That was the day that I knew one day I would write this nomination.

I was sitting typing away on my lap top in the South Sioux City conference room when I heard a giggle in the hallway. Someone was speaking to Georgette and so I looked up expecting to see the Georgette I had always "known" (and I do use that term loosely). What I saw instead was Georgette walking down the corridor with Mary's arms clamped tightly supporting her, talking constantly describing the people and things they were passing. They stopped in the doorway to say hello, and when I greeted them as I had done so many times before, Georgette looked at me, right in the eyes, for the first time. And in her eyes, I saw what can only be described as honest to goodness joy, and a smile to match. Mary told me that they had been outside sitting on the hood of the car. Mary said she didn't know for sure if Georgette liked to sit there because it was warm, or because she wasn't in the wheel chair, but she loved to sit there and watch the world go by. Georgette was finally getting to look life head on, and she was loving it.

As time passed, first Mary, then Angela Newton after her, learned more and more about this woman Georgette. They went places and did things that had never even been considered on her radar screen. Georgette had the opportunity to go to the movies, and found that she really liked movies with music and dancing. She went to the Humane Society where she was attracted to the biggest and loudest dogs there. She loved going through the car wash, Native American music, 70's music (especially Don McClain's American Pie), and sitting on the picnic table sharing a pop with a friend. A favorite pastime was to walk around the Day Service Center, visit each room, check out the different chairs and see what everyone was up to. As Mary said, Georgette liked doing "normal things". Angela would curl Georgette's hair in the morning when Georgette arrived at the DSC, which would bring a smile from ear to ear. Georgette was particularly fond of barrettes and Angela made sure she had them. Knowing Georgette loved life on the move, they continued to find ways to keep her on the go.

Georgette died on July 8 after a brief illness. While there is a part of me who is angry at the fact that Georgette's life ended so soon after she was finally getting to live, there is a much bigger part that celebrates the fact that indeed in those final months she really did get to live. There is a hole in the fabric of the South Sioux Area now that Georgette is missing. There is also a legacy left by Georgette and the staff who knew and loved her. Never again will someone with "significant support needs" be left existing for years before someone starts working on making that "first contact". There has been a change in how people think about people who have more need for support, and that will not be lost.

This story is just one of many stories that show how it is that NorthStar Services South Sioux City exemplifies distinguished quality.

Cary Deane, Support Supervisor, O'Neill was the 2003 Recipient of the ACP Outstanding Colleague Award. Cary has been employed by NorthStar Services for over 14 years in a variety of capacities, working first as Direct Support Staff, then Residential Manager, and currently as Support Supervisor.

Cary is a true leader in the movement from system centered to person centered services. "She does the deep kind of listening necessary to really hear people's dreams and goals." She continually encourages those around her to look at "what is it going to take" to make the things important to people happen.

Cary's response to a man named Larry who wanted to move back to his hometown from the service delivery system where he lived 100 miles away changed the way services are provided. It was Cary who asked "What would it take to help Larry move back to his home town, and to craft the supports necessary to make the move successful?" The answers to those questions meant abandoning the traditional system of support and starting from scratch. Larry, his family and Cary took on the challenge and now Larry lives in his own home, works and recreates in his home town - with a network of supports to sustain this lifestyle.

"The experience has changed the landscape of how we provide services." Others are now supported to life successful lives in their home towns with our regard for where the service provider is located. Lives have changed, the lives of people who are supported by the organization, and those employed to provide those supports. Cary's job has changed, and demands increased as she is responsible for supervising from a distance. "Her pioneering spirit and innovative thinking helped us learn to adapt and change. She led the way in helping us become more responsive to people, their needs and their dreams!!!!!"

Tracey Schlagel, Support Supervisor, Columbus was named as the ACP Region IV Outstanding Support Person for 2003. Tracey has been employed for 20 years, holding positions as Residential Assistant, ADC Instructor, Apartment Supervisor and currently as Support Supervisor. During her tenure she has supervised and coached numerous employees, guiding them through all of the organizational changes over the years.

Tracey's genuine affection and sincere respect for the people supported by the organization are benchmarks for the staff she supervises. She is a "hands on" supervisor who is able to show staff how to do the job rather than simply telling them what to do. Tracey is never too busy for a question or quick conversation about the various events of life. It is not unusual for people (staff or people supported by the organization) to seek her out to discuss a problem on the job, or a situation of a more personal manner.

Linda Kallhoff, Area Director O'Neill was the 2003 recipient of the ACP Robert Schalock Award, considered to be one of the highest honors given by the Association of Community Professionals. Linda was nominated for her years of innovative and dedicated leadership not only within NorthStar Services, but within the state of Nebraska. Throughout the state, Linda is known as a pioneer of person centered services, applying the principles and techniques long before the rest of us had heard the words. She has served numerous terms on the ACP Board, including 2 terms as President, as well as serving on the APSE Board and Innovation and Leadership Joint Provider Workgroup.

Linda has been the Area Director of the O'Neill program for over 25 years, and has led the program through periods of growth and change. The O'Neill program consistently rates high in the Provider Profile conducted by the Arc of Nebraska. They have closed their Day Service Center, and a large percentage of people supported by the program live in their own homes, or with their families. The O'Neill area under Linda's guidance has long used Relationship Maps as a tool to focus supports, understanding that relationships create quality of life and community, which in turns creates strength. Linda then presented the power of the Relationship Map at an AAMR Conference, a Video Conference and numerous agency trainings.

Linda is an ardent learner. She has traveled throughout the country and to Canada to learn from the biggest and brightest in the field of developmental disability and person centered, respectful service delivery. There is always a new book in her hand, and she is in constant search for the next thing she can learn. This thirst for knowledge and ideas makes her an insightful, dynamic leader. The "Linda K. Library" is always available to anyone interested in expanding their horizons. If you have a question or struggle, she probably has an applicable book or article. Her discomfort with not yet "doing it right" challenges those of us who know her work ever harder to reach that "right".

Alan Zavodny, CEO of NorthStar Services, said of Linda: "As the saying goes, NorthStar Services is really glad to have her on our side. Linda is an enigma. She is the one that dares to dream always, but can also convince herself that ' 60 Minutes' is going to be pulling up to expose some scandal at any moment. Note to Linda: Mike Wallace doesn't even know that O'Neill exists! Linda has shown a dedication and commitment to Nebraskans with developmental disabilities for over a quarter of a century (and she is still so young !) I respect her and always appreciate her perspective."
Linda will always be the first to tell you that she has not made any accomplishment on her own. She freely gives credit and recognition to those around her. As a leader she understands that you can not lead if no one will follow you. Also as a leader she recognizes that sometimes it is better to follow if one of the "flock" has a better way. Her soft spoken, gentle manner demonstrates respect for all of those whom she encounters. Her insight and empathy reflect the expectations she has for those around her to live the Mission of NorthStar Services.

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