Governing Board Meetings Held May 15 and June 19, 2003

The Governing Board met on May 15 and June 19, 2003 to conduct regular business. At each meeting business was conducted in two separate sections, the first as NorthStar Services and the second as Region IV, Inc.

Alan Zavodny, CEO presented the preliminary budget at the May meeting. The Board approved a 25% match of up to 3% of salary for eligible employees in the retirement fund. Additionally the Board authorized a maximum budget increase of up to $424,700 to be used for salary increases and benefits. The purchase of 5 vehicles, to be funded by NorthStar Services, prepaying leases from Region IV, Inc. was also approved. Three of the vehicles are replacements for existing vehicles in the Bloomfield, Columbus and Oakland areas. The vehicles to be replaced will be sold by sealed bid.

The Board declined a request by the Yankton Area Adjustment Training Center to sub contract with NorthStar Services. This request was the result of the decision by the State of Nebraska to no longer pay for out of state placements, and not to certify new providers. The sub contract would allow YAATC to receive Medicaid payments through NorthStar’s certification.

Region IV, Inc action at the May 15th meeting included authorization to develop plans for a residence in Wayne and a Day Service Center in Norfolk, acceptance of an offer to purchase the existing DSC in Norfolk which will allow for NorthStar Services to rent the building until a new building is ready, authorized the purchase of a duplex in Valentine and tabled a decision to purchase land for a residence in Norfolk.

Mary Claire Mohrfeld, Director of Adminstration discussed an ongoing situation with the duplex in Bloomfield. There seems to be some settling in one of the bathrooms as well as problems with the landscaping and concrete driveway. At this point there appears to be no legal recourse but repairs will have to be made. The Board asked Mary Claire to bring plans and projected costs to the June meeting.

The house which was on the market in O’Neill has been sold. The buyers have agreed to rent it to NorthStar Services for as long as it is needed. Houses in Bloomfield and Norfolk remained on the market at the time of this meeting (the house in Norfolk has since been sold).

The Governing Board approved the $13 + million budget for fiscal year 2003—2004at the June 19 meeting. The bulk of the budget is dedicated to personnel. CEO, Alan Zavodny informed the Board that this budget is much tighter than previous years in that projected expenses are much closer to projected revenue. Many factors played in to closing the gap, most notably increases in utility rates, insurance costs and potential changes in service authorization hours. The Client Service Contract which includes the new rates approved by the legislature last session was accepted. Other Board action included the annual approval of NorthStar Services Policies and Procedures; approval of a third party contract to provide specific services to two gentlemen; and the hiring of Christiansen and Associates to conduct the annual fiscal audit.

The Region IV , Inc. June Board Business also involved the approval of the 2003– 2004 budget. Mary Claire Mohrfeld also asked for and received continued designation of county contributions for facilities. An amendment to the purchase agreement for the Norfolk DSC was approved.

Architect, Jon Carlson, shared plans for the Norfolk DSC and the Wayne residence. Bids for each project will be awarded at the August meeting.

Mary Claire informed the Board of repair projects which include an air conditioner at the South Sioux City DSC; the need to remove sheet rock in the Bloomfield duplex to evaluate needed repairs; and establishing an alternative to the water retention pool in Columbus.

The Board will meet August 21,2003.

Regional Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting

The NorthStar Services Regional Advisory Committee met July 16, 2003 at the Santa Fe Grille for the regular quarterly meeting with ten members present, including Kelvin Wurdeman representing the Governing Board.

Scott Lambrecht, Fiscal Director provided the Committee with information concerning the budget for the 2003—2004 fiscal year, the annual audit which had just begun and the Client Services Contract for the ‘03—’04 fiscal year. Scott explained several issues, such as retirement matches, salary increases, and projected fuel cost increases which impact the budget. He also shared changes in the audit format due to some accounting requirement changes based on receipt amounts in excess of over $10 million. There are rate increases in the Client Services Contract authorized in the last legislative session.

Mary Claire Mohrfeld, Director of Administration discussed building projects, facilities which have been bought, sold or are on the market and vehicle purchases. Mary Claire also distributed the newly printed color agency brochures.

Cheryl Montgomery, Program Specialist, distributed 2002 Quality Assurance results to the Committee members. The various areas reviewed were discussed and Cheryl answered questions from the Committee.

A Satisfaction Survey is due this fall. The survey is sent to families and guardians of people supported by NorthStar Services. A work group consisting of Jerry Ptacnik, Leslie Bishop Hartung and Cheryl Montgomery will develop the survey tool.

The next meeting of the NorthStar Services Regional Advisory Committee is October 15, 2003.

Summer Celebrations and Service

Jarrad Martin graduated from Wayne High School on May 7, 2003.

This summer has found the people of NorthStar Services active in their communities, participating in graduations, parades and volunteer service.

NorthStar Services sponsored floats in the Burt County fair parade, Wayne Chicken Days and the Dakota County Parade. In South Sioux City the Dakota County theme was Lewis and Clark—Partners in Discovery. The NorthStar float highlighted “discovering new job opportunities in the community”, displaying an 18 foot canoe, holding job seekers, surrounded by bright blue water complete with fish, headed for grassy, green land rich with trees and flowers where people were working in the community.

Several areas participated in annual “Walk for Life” (a cancer benefit) events, sparking some friendly competition. Bloomfield and Wayne vie to see who can raise the most money. To that end Wayne hosted such fundraisers as a spaghetti feed, a bake sale and a Baby Photo contest. Co-Captains Terri Buck and Vern Jacqua lead a team of 14 people and raised a total of $2187.97. Bloomfield’s team lead by Kathy Eckmann and Jolene Jessen hosted a “Kiss a Pig” contest won by Pat Hilfiker, sold watermelon slices, held bake sales and dinners, which combined with walk contributions and luminaries raised $2200.

In Norfolk a group of people , including Lawrence O’Hare, Terry Hall, Mike Schmitz, and Mike Mathers volunteered at the Elkhorn Valley Museum. doing park maintenance. The crew enjoyed the opportunity to give back to their community.

Kathy Micek, Support Supervisor--Columbus

Kathy Micek is a life long resident of Shelby Nebraska. She is married with four children, 18 year old Tyson, Katelynn 15, Holden 12 and 5 year old Parker. Kathy comments that she has one starting college and another starting Kindergarten. In her spare time Kathy enjoys attending sporting and school events for her children, cooking (and eating), gardening and tending to her flowerbeds, riding her bike, swimming, volleyball and working on antiques. Kathy has been a licensed practical nurse for 19 years. She spent 13 years working in the geriatric field before going in to Home Health for about 6 years. She has many skills and much knowledge that she brings to her position in NorthStar Services.

Kathy began her duties as Support Supervisor in Columbus on June 9,2003. The position looked interesting because it would be such a new and exciting challenge. She is responsible for overseeing the services of 11 people supported by the organization in Columbus, with a staff of 20.

Inservice and training have taken much of her first month in NorthStar Services, but Kathy says that everyone has been very nice and she feels like she fits in well.

Oakland Area participates in Operation Shoebox

NorthStar Services in Oakland collected items for Operation Shoebox as a means of support for the troops during the war with Iraq. People divided into teams with the competition resulting in 10 large boxes heaping with personal care items, magazines, news papers and snack items. Candace Fehrer, Colleen Hayes, Mike Barger, Guy Wilkens and Jeff Norris are pictured with the collection prior to taking it to Claire’s in Fremont for shipment overseas.

Lisa Enstrom, Fremont Area's First Area Director

The Fremont Area Program celebrated it’s first anniversary July 1st which was followed very closely by the naming of Lisa Enstrom as the first Area Director. Diane Wagner, Director of Program Development has been serving as a consultant and acting Area Director since last August.

Lisa grew up in South Dakota, the oldest of four children. After graduating from Springfield High School she attended the University of South Dakota (USD/S). While attending college she met her husband of 21 years, Dan, a project manager for a large construction company in Omaha. After they married they moved to Oakland Nebraska, where Dan grew up. Lisa and Dan have three children, Matt, a junior at UNO, Kaley, a seventh grader and Michael, a fourth grader. Lisa is also a very proud Grandma to Gavin Ross, born November 27, 2002.

Lisa first began working for Region IV – Oakland in June of 1988. Over the years she has filled several different positions and has experienced many changes within the organization over time. In December 2001, when she learned services were being expanded into the Fremont area with a focus on job support and community she was excited. The offer of an opportunity to transfer and help get those services off the ground seemed like a dream come true. “Although, sometimes it gets crazy, this has been an exciting new venture” is how Lisa describes the experience.

The Fremont Area Program has grown beyond expectations, currently providing services to 21 individuals and continuing to grow. Lisa has enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and to build relationships with the people served by the agency, their families, community members and her co-workers at NorthStar Services.

Lisa’s goals for her new position and the Fremont Area include a continued quest for community involvement, 1 to 1 job training and support and the pursuit of personal goals by the individuals served by the area program. Lisa, who had been serving as Supervisor Assistant prior to being selected as Area Director, says that although she has changed her title and added responsibilities she considers herself to be only one member of a Great Team.

Supporting People in Reaching Their Goals:
The Mission in Action

Originally this column was intended to spotlight the stories of one or two people each issue, illustrating the impact our mission can have in the lives of people we support when we put it into action. For this issue we will deviate from the original concept just a bit. What you will read this time is a small sample of the rich fabric of life that touches us at NorthStar Services. The majority of the “threads” highlighted below are young people who have allowed NorthStar Services staff to accompany them on their journey from high school to adulthood. As an organization we know this is a privilege and a call to our mission. Other threads involve people who are at other places in their life. We hope that you enjoy the opportunity to take a closer look.

Jennifer Lamb graduated from Ainsworth High School in 2000. Initially Jennifer worked in the janitorial department of the Ainsworth Schools. In August of 2002 she began at Cottonwood Villa, an assisted living facility in Ainsworth. Jennifer works as a dietary aide, setting tables, serving meals, cleaning up and doing dishes, but most importantly she spends time visiting with the residents of the facility. Jennifer enjoys her job, and her efforts have led to a raise and very complementary letter from the administrator highlighting the facility’s appreciation of Jennifer as a valued employee. Jennifer also enjoys shopping, reading, basketball, bowling and spending time with her family.

Brian Hapner, also a graduate of Ainsworth High School (2002), works in his family’s restaurant five nights a week busing, doing dishes and kitchen prep. From August of 2002 until May of 2003 Brian worked in the school kitchens wiping tables, doing dishes among other things. This summer while taking produce to the local farmer’s market Brian met someone associated with the Subway restaurant scheduled to open in Ainsworth this fall. They are interested in hiring Brian when the store opens. Making money is important to Brian as he is planning to buy his own home in the near future. When he is not working Brian enjoys horses. He participates in parades, KBR Harness and Saddle Club, Special Olympic horse shows and other horse activities with his horse Brownie. Brian also enjoys talking books, baseball games, swimming, car races and video games.

April Hemenway, a 2002 Clearwater graduate receives supported employment services and keeps busy with a wide variety of paid and volunteer activities. April spends one day doing various office work in the school. On another day she assists with meals and office work at Headstart in Neligh. Wednesdays she can be found stuffing inserts at the Neligh News and Leader, and Thursdays she at the Neligh Care Center, and assisting two elderly women in Clearwater with groceries and various in home tasks. April lives in Clearwater with her parents, brother and sister. She enjoys swimming, videos, music, animals, collecting Disney memorabilia, cooking and spending time with her grandmother.

Tina Zeigenbein graduated from Lynch High School in 2001. She lives in an apartment in Neligh with her dog Kirby, and works part time in the kitchen at Beverly Healthcare Nursing Home in Neligh. Tina spends her free time scrap booking, collecting angels, teddy bears, CDs, and pictures. She also enjoys stock car races, dances and karaoke.

Brandon Walton, a 2002 graduate spent his first summer out of school touring various businesses and doing some unpaid work experience while trying to decide what sort of job he would prefer. He found that he enjoyed custodial work and stocking shelves. In August, 2002 Brandon was hired part time at Alco stocking shelves. His manager and co-workers have complemented his work saying he is helpful and friendly. Brandon also has custodial jobs at the Stuart Public School and ACS office. Brandon has completed and passed a Driver’s Education class, receiving his driver’s license and purchasing a car. Brandon is continuing his education, having completed one college course at North East Community College with plans to take another course this fall.

Colleen O’Neill decided she also wanted to further her education after graduating in 2001. Colleen’s goal is a certificate in Office Technology from North East Community College in O’Neill. To help pay for her courses Colleen worked part time as a Nurse’s Aide at Beverly Healthcare. She received her CAN certificate in October of 2002. Though she enjoyed her job with the elderly she knew she would prefer to work in an office or as a store clerk, and in April of 2003 she was hired as a part time cashier at Alco. Colleen continues to take college classes toward her certificate, and moved in to her own apartment in July.

Darla Jennings had a busy summer, which began with a visit from her son and a flight back to California with him. While he was here Darla’s entire family got together for family pictures. After her son returned home Darla began a college computer class at Metro Tech. She completed the first class and has started another for the fall session.

Charlie Satterfield moved into an apartment of his own in August. This is the first time Charlie has lived alone, and while he was initially a bit apprehensive, he has settled in nicely. Living by himself is something Charlie had wanted to do for some time and with the help of his team he was able to locate an affordable apartment and make that important step.

Clover McCauley and TJ Vrba are planning a wedding in April 2005. The couple has enlisted the help of family and friends as well as their support teams to prepare for their upcoming marriage. They know that planning the wedding is just one part of their future together and are using their engagement time to lay the foundation for a happy marriage.

Deb Ellis led veterans and their families in saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the Nebraska State Fair Veteran’s Day celebration in August. Mike Barger offered the invocation, reciting the 23rd Psalm at the event, sharing the stage with US Senator Chuck Hagel and Gov. Mike Johanns. Deb and Mike were featured on the front page of the Fremont Tribune and a “Smile” in the editors weekly Smiles and Frowns column.

Back to Homepage