NorthStar Services Receives Recognition
at Fall Conference

NorthStar Services was recognized in a variety of categories during the 2002 ACP/AAMR Fall Conference. The annual conference which involves organizations from around the state provides the opportunity to hear from nationally recognized speakers in the field of developmental disabilities services and to recognize excellence within the state. The two day conference was held October 17 & 18 in Grand Island.

On October 17, Association of Community Professionals (ACP) presented awards in four categories at the noon Awards Luncheon. One award for Outstanding Support Person is presented for each of the six geographic regions of the state. Nominations are accepted from each public and private provider locale. Jeanie Miller from O'Neill received the award for the Northeast Region. Cheryl Montgomery, Program Specialist for NorthStar Services, was presented one of two awards for Outstanding Colleague.

At an Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 18 the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) recognized outstanding accomplishments in five categories. The Fremont Area Program received the award for Distinguished Quality. This award is given to one community program in the state which provides meritorious person centered services. The award was accepted by Melissa Lebahn, Lisa Enstrom, Carol Schaullis and Robin Adams on behalf of the program.

In each award category nominations are given points and rated on the standards. NorthStar Services congratulates these recipients and celebrates the recognition of quality among us.

Margaret Kruse, Melissa Lebahn, Robin Adams
Cheryl Montgomery, Lisa Enstrom

Annual Governing Board Meeting Honors
15 and 20 Year Employees

The Annual Governing Board Meeting was delayed for a week, from its original scheduled date of January 16, 2003, due to heavy snowfall. On January 26, 2003 the Board met at Prenger's Restaurant in Norfolk to hold elections, conduct business and honor long term employees.

Six people were recognized for 20 years of service: Barb Fehringer, Norma Hagge (Bloomfield); Marion Mark, Jere Baldwin (Columbus); Carol Volk (Norfolk) and Manuel Asesor (South Sioux City). Twenty year employees receive an engraved clock and 8 hours of pay (part time employees) or leave (full time employees)

Ten employees were recognized for 15 years of service: Laura Donlon, Kelly Klug-Brehm, Sherry Koliha, Carol Pollock, Joan Heimann (Columbus); Orval Daniels, Denise Williams (Norfolk); and Cyndi Johnson, Debbie Ruzicka, Rita Tullberg (Oakland). Shelly Hobbs of O'Neill will attend a meeting in the near future to receive recognition. Fifteen year employees receive an engraved plaque and 8 hours of pay or leave.

Recognized employees and their supervisors were guests at a buffet luncheon. James Prauner, Board Chair, noted that 285 years of experience were represented by the group. He thanked them for their dedication and service on behalf of the organization.

In other Board business James Prauner was re-elected as Chairperson, with John Woerth (Vice Chair), William Larson (Secretary) and Kelvin Wurdeman (Treasurer) completing the slate of officers. Jerald Schwager(Antelope Co.), Randolph Little (Boone Co.), Gail Heiser (Boyd Co.), Lawrence Turner (Cherry Co.), Dean Perry (Cuming Co.), Don Hahlbeck (Holt Co.), and Ted Eichenberger (Keya Paha Co.) joined the Board this year. Amendments to the By Laws were approved, as well as a proposed amendment which would move the Annual meeting to February. The recommendations for a plan of succession for the CEO were adopted. Plans for a new Central Office building in Wayne were presented and the Board approved moving into the bidding process. Additionally, vehicle grant applications for 2003 were authorized.

Valentine Joins Northstar Services

On November 1, 2002 the provision of services officially transferred from Keya Paha - Cherry County Developmental Services to NorthStar Services in the Valentine area. This transfer added the 9th area program to the organization. Mary Claire Mohrfeld, Director of Administration, spent several months in Valentine working with staff and the KPCCD Governing Board in preparation for the transfer.

Kim Wescott is the Support Supervisor for the program, Lisa Sinnett is the Supervisor Assistant/Med Coordinator and Win Mills is the Office Manager. Mary Claire continues to provide assistance and consultation as the program completes the transition.

The Valentine Program currently employs 22 staff and provides support to 20 people. Nineteen live in Valentine, and one lives in Kilgore and commutes. Five people live in a NorthStar Services 24 hour setting, and 9 live in their own homes or apartments with NorthStar Services support. Five people live in their natural homes and one person lives in a Nursing Home.

Fourteen people have part time employment in Valentine, in such businesses as Pizza Hut, Texaco, Conoco, Wards Plumbing and Heating, Tammy's Beauty Salon, District 53 Elementary School, Tetherow Cattle Company, the Recycling Center, Pine View Nursing Home, Corner Market, McDonald's, Graphic Design, Jan's Counseling and Prairie Estates.

Community life is important to the people of Valentine and the NorthStar Services program is an important part of maintaining that connection. The country side is beautiful up their way, with the Sandhills, and the Niobrara River with its pine studded canyons.

Scott Lambrecht hired as Fiscal Director for NorthStar Services

Scott, the father of two, Emily 5 and Grant 2, grew up in Pierce, NE where he continues to live . After graduating from Pierce High School he attended North East Community College in Norfolk and Wayne State College each for two years.

Prior to coming to Northstar Services on December 2, 2002, Scott was employed by BankFirst (formerly Bank of Norfolk). While there he worked in the accounting department. Scott learned of the position of Fiscal Director for NorthStar Services from an ad in the Norfolk Daily News. The position attracted him because of the variety of levels of accounting described in the position description.

Since joining NorthStar Services, he has been learning the different areas of the fiscal component, describing his guides as "patient teachers". Scott has been working with Alan to establish a retirement plan for employees, and attending numerous meetings in addition to learning his way around the numerous forms, funds and procedures. He looks forward to meeting the people of the organization as he visits each area program as time allows.

At the annual Governing Board meeting in January it was announced that Scott would be joining Alan in efforts to communicate with the Unicameral and attending legislative sessions concerning issues and proposed legislation which would have major implications for developmental disability services. Currently this includes LB 413, to which Alan referred. The political world is a new challenge for Scott, but he looks forward to meeting the opportunity with Alan's guidance as he broadens his familiarity.

New Supervisors in Columbus

Jenise Messing

Jenise grew up in Shelby, about 20 miles south of Columbus, as one of 6 children. She graduated from David City Aquinas, then attended South East Community College and Lincoln School of Commerce. After graduating from LCC, Jenise was employed for 4 years as the Assistant to the Vice President of American Tire Distributors (formerly T.O. Haas Tire Company) in Lincoln.

While working in Lincoln Jenise met Kyle Sundberg, her fiancé. They are planning an April 2003 wedding. After their August engagement the couple decided they would like to move closer to their families, (Kyle is from Stromsburg). When Jenise saw the Northstar Services ad they felt it would it would be a perfect job for her. Jenise has a 19 year old brother, Joe who has developmental disabilities and receives support services from the Shelby school system and Region V services in Columbus. While attending college she worked as a CNA at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and gained experience with people who experienced a variety of disabling conditions.

Jenise began her position with NorthStar Services on November 18, 2002. She has a caseload of 15 people in services and 16 staff. Jenise finds she spends much of her time with the paperwork functions of the position, such as schedules, time sheets, expense sheets, provision of services forms, etc., not to mention meetings, interviewing staff candidates, providing initial orientation and attending staff training. She is looking forward to becoming more familiar with the day to day aspects of the Direct Support Staff position. Jenise feels that she learns something everyday and looks forward to a long history with NorthStar Services.

Terri Groteluschen

Terri grew up in Oxford, Nebraska and currently lives in Humphrey with her husband of 25 years, Lonnie, a diesel mechanic, and daughter Rheanna (17), a junior at Humphrey Public School. Terri and Lonnie also have two sons, Ian (22), a diesel mechanic at John Deere in Humphrey, and Micah (19) a student at Northeast Community College where he is studying horticulture. Granddaughter, Summer is 4 years old.

Terri has a bachelor's degree in Human and Social Service Administration from Bellevue University and has been employed in the long term care industry for approximately 25 years. Prior to coming to NorthStar Services Terri spent 3 years as the Executive Director of the nursing home in Fullerton.

Terri says her position with Northstar Services, which she assumed November 18, 2002 , is totally different than her previous jobs, but she welcomes the challenges and responsibilities. She has found the opportunity to build relationships with the 15 people in services she supports to be rewarding. Terri is also responsible for 17 Direct Support Staff.

Supporting People in Reaching Their Goals:
The Mission in Action

If you want a better understanding of how the mission statement works in the lives of people all you have to do is spend some time with Ruth and Sheila or Lori and Jeanie. Sheila Parks and Jeanie Miller of the O'Neill Area Program have each been recognized as the Outstanding Support Staff for Northeastern Nebraska by the Association of Community Professionals (ACP). Sheila received the 2001 award and Jeanie the 2002. The nomination for each woman provides a closer look at what our work looks like at its best.

"(Sheila) understands that relationships ARE the service delivery system AND its intended outcome." "Evidence of her understanding is in the outcomes she has helped Ruth, the person she supports, achieve. Ruth had lived in our system for years and years. She carried the weight of many labels … mentally retarded, mentally ill, schizophrenic, bi-polar, behaviorally impaired, and aggressive. She'd also endured a multitude of settings and situations dreamed up by our system centered thinking targeted at fixing Ruth.

"It was Sheila who finally saw through the labels to the lonely person standing in the middle of an almost empty network relationship map. It was Sheila who befriended Ruth, who helped her track down lost siblings and other relatives, old classmates and neighbors. It was Sheila who helped Ruth find a variety of jobs, to become valued by employers and co-workers. It was Sheila who helped Ruth join a fitness center and weight loss support group, a place where Ruth found acceptance, success and friends. It was Sheila who sleuthed out the resources that have helped Ruth find and afford a beautiful new home." The nomination also refers to Sheila as an intense listener and "one of NorthStar -O'Neill's most valuable resources."

"Jeanie has found ways to help a young woman named Lori find a voice and claim personal power in her daily life through the use of some adaptive devices. Lori, with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, very little typical communication and almost total personal support needs, enjoys an active life in her home community. Jeanie and other team members (including Norma Vanderbeek) have helped Lori use her communication devices to express her interest, ask questions, to make comments on her outing to ball games, school concerts, church and community events, the county fair and carnival Jeanie and the team have assisted Lori to become involved in her church's fall festival by helping a grade school class and teacher run the cake walk. Lori has lead the rosary and called Bingo, using her assistive device and 'Jeanie support'. Lori has a big interest in the baking/cooking arts. Jeanie has helped Lori use her other adaptive equipment to use a mixer, ice cream maker, cookie press, popcorn popper, crock pot, etc. She is then assisted in using her communication aides to issue invitations, give recipe directions, explain what she has made or to talk about her activities after the fact." Jeanie's nomination describes her as a leader "in every sense of the word" and a true definition of quality.

These women are two of the Direct Support Staff in NorthStar Services who truly bring the mission to life. In the months ahead we hope to bring you more stories of the "Mission in action".

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