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This year has been filled with many achievements. Since our last annual report, we have opened a new residential group home in the Casa Grande area and we have added two additional licensed residential settings in the Tucson area. We have struggled with the fall out that can sometimes occur with rapid expansion, and we have used this experience to improve program wide policies and systems. We have redesigned policies and systems that will more effectively support our staff and provide quality services to our consumers. This year marks the 26th year of providing support services for individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the state of Arizona. Over the years we have been instrumental in improving the lives of thousands of individuals in dozens of communities. As I write this annual report, I recognize that we have learned so much during this time.
We celebrate this achievement……but only for a moment. Only a brief moment…. because we know that our journey has only begun….. What we have learned and achieved have now become tools. How we choose to use these tools will define who we are…. How we choose to use these tools will be a testament to our character.
My desire is that we each take our skills and our new found knowledge – and use them wisely. Use them responsibly. Remembering that responsibility is not a burden. Being responsible is a great source of personal power …a way to take charge of our lives and shape the future.
This annual report marks the 26th year that ENCOMPASS has been providing services for individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Arizona, and this annual report marks the year that we choose how we will use what we have learned.
We have an opportunity to make a positive impact for future generations. For too long our children have looked to false heroes who prove only to be celebrities. Celebrities are not the true heroes of tomorrow ……the true heroes of tomorrow will be found among us.
….Those who choose to be strong in character.
….Those who choose to be true to their word.
….Those who choose to exhibit integrity in day to day actions.
….Those who choose to be dedicated to the common good.
.....Those who recognize that they have a key role in the future.
….Those who recognize that if they don’t take the lead, no one will.
As I write this report I remember why I have spent such long hours working to improve the PPEP, Inc. ENCOMPASS programs and services. I remember what our goals were at the beginning…….. and, most important, I remember what our opportunities are now that we have achieved those goals. We have a choice. We will continue to strive to be leaders in the field of developmental disabilities. Leaders with a strong character. Leaders that do what is right even when no one is watching.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer
Recently while visiting one of the ENCOMPASS residential programs I had the opportunity to visit with Jonathan. Since it was not in Jonathan’s regular routine for me to be present at his home when he arrived from school, he was eager to show me everything about his home. I noticed quickly that he modeled my behavior as we visited. Even when we were done visiting and I had moved on to review the supply needs of the home, I noticed Jonathan watching the staff and modeling the staff’s behaviors. Observing Jonathan is a good reminder for all of us how important it is to exhibit appropriate behaviors. Not only because our program participants often model our behaviors, but also because staff model our behaviors. How critical it is for leaders in the organization to always follow policy and exhibit behaviors that are above reproach. I believe it was George Van Valkenburg who said, “Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.” Mr. Van Valkenburg’s words are certainly true in providing human services and supports.
These words and my visit with Jonathan are also a very good reminder to me of why we have spend such long hours reorganizing ENCOMPASS and shifting greater energies on the creation and development of Team Leaders throughout our programs. A leader is an example, whether he intends to be or not.
The shift from an institutional to a community focus has required a drastic reconfiguration of staffing patterns and staff training over the past several years. Regardless of the type of human service needed, services are increasingly being delivered by a cadre of community support workers. These individuals require training in an array of new skills in order to implement the profound changes that are shaping the way we think about services for vulnerable citizens. We have all witness a greater focus on the participant and on participant empowerment. We have also witnessed a shift to person centered planning processes to help participants achieve more desirable futures. These changes and shifts have made it necessary for ENCOMPASS to develop integrated approaches in service delivery that stresses collaboration and develop flexible use of resources and funding mechanisms.
In our continual goal to accommodate this shift, we have worked diligently over the past year to make the ENCOMPASS organizational structure flatter with a de-emphasis on hierarchy. We have developed a new organizational structure that we believe will encourage staff participation, teamwork and a communication system that flows up and down the chain of command and across all functions. The division continues to strive to integrate work as a whole job rather than discrete tasks and provide supervision and supports that emphasize coaching rather than discipline.
It is my belief that this reorganization will encourage partnership building and teamwork throughout the division and provide the structure necessary for creative problem solving. The most critical component of the ENCOMPASS reorganization has been the creation of a new job position, Team Leader. Team Leaders will work under the direct supervision of a member of ENCOMPASS management and will provide a team leadership role to ensure quality of life for program participants and residents. The new position will assist in mentoring, training, and supporting direct care staff members. In addition, this position will be involved in observing client attitudes and actions and communicate with parents, guardians, case-managers and other professionals regarding those observations. Team Leaders will encourage a collaborative team effort among members of the direct support team for the facility and will lead by their example.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer
Employees feeling respected, recognized and rewarded is a vision that I have for ENCOMPASS, a division of PPEP, Inc. I believe that it will be through the realization of this vision that we will be able to continue providing outstanding service for our customers.
With the federal government projecting multiple years of deficits and the State of Arizona continuing to reduce funding, we must aggressively move forward to insure that excellent providers are appropriately recognized for the quality of supports and services they provide.
Over the past 20 years, I have learned from my experience while working in the field of developmental disabilities that it is in the times of great chaos and extreme challenge that leadership must emerge to chart a course for the future. When that happens, a vision can be realized despite all the barriers and critics.
PPEP, Inc. ENCOMPASS provides very unique and individualized services to more than 200 individuals with developmental disabilities across the State of Arizona. We must continue to manage change, pursue excellence, and articulate the supports that are necessary to maintain high quality programs.
I recognize that our most valuable resource is our staff. The ENCOMPASS staff make all of the difference. I never feel that I say “thank you” enough to our employees. With over 250 employees in this division, I must rely heavily on management and director level staff members to convey this message on a day to day basis.
Our employees truly make the difference. I realize that providing outstanding services to the individuals that we serve begins with me and how I treat my employees. Of course our customer base is important and meeting contractual requirements are important, but it is just as important to strive to insure that employees feel that they are treated fairly and that we are concerned about their well being.
With more than 40 facilities and more that 250 employees, immediate feedback and communication for our staff is one of the most difficult challenges faced in ENCOMPASS. I am committed to continue to pursue more effective methods to provide feedback and communication with the ENCOMPASS staff. I want to hear each of the staff’s ideas. More importantly, I want to ensure that more direct care staff members and consumers are included in advisory capacities.
It will be through these types of efforts that the vision to provide respect, recognition and rewards to our staff will be achieved.
When funding is limited for salaries and wages, it is so very important that our staff know that what they do makes such a difference.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer
You are among the 200 direct care professionals in ENCOMPASS that make up the foundation and strength of this program. Without you to provide the array of direct supports needed to assist people with developmental and other disabilities with dressing, bathing, preparing and assisting in eating of meals, maintaining their homes, traverse their communities, and live safely in their homes, the goal of ENCOMPASS could not be met.
In Avondale, each of you has insured that individual family members and guardians remain an integral part of the program planning for each of the program participants. This is done on a daily basis when you travel to and from each and every home. Such positive daily communication is vital in the success of the Avondale Day Treatment and Transportation programs.
In the Casa Grande and Arizona City communities, each of you has exhibited the patience and flexibility that allows for the sharing of resources. When vehicles require repairs or maintenance – or when fellow direct care professionals have required training – you have graciously worked around changes while remaining focused on providing consistent quality of care to your consumers.
In the Globe area, you have embraced person centered planning and individualized care for consumers. You have witnessed the impact of positive role modeling and you have been “family” for individuals with no natural family supports.
In the Tucson area and surrounding communities, each of you has gone above and beyond to work extra hours and participate in extra staff meetings to insure that appropriate coverage for each and every consumer was available in times of staff shortages. You have exhibited loyalty to the agency as well as to the individuals we serve.
In the Ajo area, each of you has developed new skills that have greatly contributed to high quality of care for our program participants and residents. Data collection and follow through have contributed to the increase in comprehensive care for our consumers.
These strengths, and many others, may take shape slowly – but are easily recognized when they exist.
Thank you for your collaborative and cooperative efforts to implement the mission of ENCOMPASS. Many of you have given input and recommendation that has contributed to the development of the goals for 2003. You have made a difference! You are the heart of the American Spirit.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer
Like many of us, I awoke to the tragic news of the Pentagon and World Trade Center disasters on the morning of September 11, 2001. Struck by sadness and disbelief, I attempted to focus on the day ahead. As I drove into work, I wondered how the events of today would effect our staff and the individuals we serve. Over 170 individuals with varying degrees of developmental disabilities would be relying on us today for understanding, care, support and comfort. Their families would be looking to us to insure the utmost in safety for their individual.
I felt myself reviewing the safety measures that we take to insure this safety. Never before had I realized exactly how long this list is.
Yes, each of our facilities have a disaster and emergency plan specific to the facility and area. Each of our staff members working in that facility are trained on that emergency and disaster plan.
Yes, each of our facilities conduct emergency evacuation drills and those drills are monitored and reviewed by each Area Director, State of Arizona Monitoring Staff and myself.
Yes, each of our facilities has a means of communication in the facility as well as outside of the facility.
Yes, every single staff member employed with the ENCOMPASS program must pass a complete FBI background check. Our system to insure that we receive fingerprint clearances on each staff member is up to date and I had reviewed the status of each fingerprint clearance just a few days earlier.
As this list of strengths grew I began to feel very proud. Proud to work in an environment where this type of quality and attention to detail is applauded and encouraged. Proud to work with the type of staff who are diligent in their efforts and compassionate in their actions.
The ENCOMPASS division of Project PPEP, Inc. provides community integrated services to well over 170 individuals with developmental disabilities. Each of these individuals and their families has chosen Project PPEP, Inc. out of a list of 40 or more other agencies across the State of Arizona.
What a tremendous amount of faith that is placed in us to provide the best quality of personal care and safety. The tragic events of September 11, 2001 has renewed our commitment to continue to provide the safest residential and community programs as well as the best quality of care.
We pledge to continue to look at every means possible to insure the highest quality of care and the safest environments.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer
I recall an evening early in September when I became overwhelmed with appreciation for so many of the individuals that I have had the opportunity of providing services during the past year. I had asked my 6 year-old how her day at school had gone and what she had learned that day.
As a lot of 6 year-olds might reply, she answered, “I don’t know.”
This caused me to further inquire, “Surely you can remember something from today that you learned.”
Ands, at that she replied, “I don’t know, mom. Do you know what you learned today at work?”
This was said in fun and we both had a nice laugh. But, the statement did cause me to think, “What do I learn?” And the following thoughts came to mind, filling my heart with appreciation to all of the individuals that have taught me so many important life lessons. . .
Sharon’s smile has reminded me that the saying is true, “Smiles can be contagious.”
Norma and Frank have reminded me that love is something to be celebrated and appreciated.
Lynell has taught me to never underestimate the positive effect of an appropriate environment for all individuals. Environments that allow for meaningful, enjoyable activities and interactions. Environments that are safe and orderly.
Doris reminds me that babies are wonderful. Babies do make you feel special and responsible.
Tom has taught and reminded me that by simply providing individuals with the opportunity to choose, we can promote independence and decision making.
Gene has taught me so many ways to communicate with him. Some of the techniques I explored in attempting to understand and communicate with Gene have helped me communicate with so many others.
Marc has helped to teach me how to use my words and my touch in a more effective way with individuals.
Trina has been a reminder to me that new experiences can be so valuable. To learn a new skill, no matter what your age, allows you to grow in so many ways.
Ron teaches me that a hug can say so much more than words. Sometimes only a hug will do.
James has taught me that an individual’s personal space includes more than just the space around them. To be respectful of others personal space includes the sights, smells and sounds too.
Loving memories of Oma remind me to take the time to write down and record the stories and events of my life now before my memory begins to fade. Those cherished stories can live on even as our memory fades.
Tillman has taught me to appreciate simple things like the thrill and the freedom one feels when they first learn to drive.
Penny has taught me a very valuable lesson about simplicity. Sometimes simpler is better. Holidays and special events do not have to be extravagant to be celebrated. Simplicity can reduce stress and allow room for enjoyment.
To these individuals and many more, this pupils says, “Thank you”. Thank you for reminding me that there are always new things to learn. There are always new ways to look at old problems. There are always more ideas to explore.
Reflections over the past year within the ENCOMPASS program bring thoughts of growth, success and, of course, the individuals that we serve.
Gina K. Judy
Chief Administrative Officer |
