At Dungarvin, we value our employees and we want to be the employer of choice. Our formal recognition program is just one way we show our employees how important they are to us. This program provides an ongoing method to acknowledge the employee performance of direct care professionals and supervisors when performance surpasses standard expectations.
September 8-14 we celebrated Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week as another way to show employees the value they hold within the organization. Direct support professionals do not get told thank you enough, so it is very important that we set aside this time to recognize all the hard work Dungarvin’s direct care staff do every day.
In addition, we celebrate employment milestones throughout the year. Milestones occur at 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, and so on. As of June 2013, Dungarvin Minnesota had 65 employees that have been with us for10 years and longer, 112 employees that have with us for 5 to 10 years, 68 employees that have been with us for 3-5 years, and 157 employees who have been with us for 1-3 years.
Thank you to all of our staff! We are fortunate to have such a dedicated team of direct support professionals!
Commitment to making a difference in the lives of individuals served is the foundation of Dungarvin’s mission. This dedication to giving elevates the quality of our services sets us apart from other organizations. Adopting this commitment to quality, Dungarvin California employees are motivated to serve because it satisfies their need to make a difference in the lives of others and has a positive affect on their sense of worth and contribution to society. As an added bonus, it would seem our mission is not only something that affects Dungarvin employees and their actions but also ultimately inspires and motivates others.
Below are a few examples of our mission in action:
In June of 2013, two DSPs observed a person in services beginning to lean, which was uncommon for this individual. According to staff, he appeared to be “passing out.” Acting quickly, one DSP called for help and began to stabilize the person, who was starting to lean over more and become increasingly limp. The individual began to lose color, and his body became rigid. Rapidly, his pigment changed to blue. A second DSP heard his co-worker call for help. Quickly, he entered the room and upon seeing that the individual was not breathing, called 911, and began CPR without hesitation. Immediately, the individual’s color returned, and he began to breathe on his own again. After being checked out by a doctor and given a passing health report, the individual was able to return to his regular activities the following day.
In September of 2013, a person in services began to choke while at the Day Program. Several DSPs stepped up to provide assistance. Together with the site’s Program Director, the Heimlich maneuver was successfully performed to clear the individual’s airway. He recovered without further incident.
On the same day, the same Program Director was working with another person in service to improve his attendance following several days of absence. After an encouraging conversation with the Program Director, the individual came to Day Program. Upon arrival, the PD recognized that his coloring was unusual and that he required urgent medical attention. The Program Director expertly coordinated emergency responses, and the individual was swiftly admitted to the hospital. Tragically, evaluation at the hospital revealed a terminal illness. According to the hospital doctors, had the Program Director not responded as quickly as she had, the individual would have passed away within 24-hours. Her follow up was remarkable because it allowed enough time for the opportunity for the individual and his family to come together to say their final goodbyes. In just a short amount of time, this Program Director demonstrated her commitment multiple times to our services, individuals, and their family members.
To the California DSPs, Coordinators, and Program Directors, we are grateful for your contributions to the health, safety, and quality of life of persons served. It is through this commitment that we change lives and quality of life is maximized. Thank you for your loyalty to building meaningful relationships, for combining your genuine concern for others, your personal competence, and your actions. You do make a difference.
Dungarvin Indiana operates two homes licensed in the “Exceptional Support Needs” category, or ESN. These are transitional homes for people whose behavioral support needs are much greater than other individuals who live in the community. Our goal is to provide intensive support to each person so that he or she may develop the skills needed to transition onto a waiver without the need for increased staffing and supervision. This past August, our ESN individuals participated in a unique community activity: an extended boat ride on Lake Michigan!
Due to some significant behavioral challenges, the people who reside in the ESN homes in Indiana rarely participate in certain community activities. However, with the assistance of our partners at Michiana Behavioral Services and Therapy (BST), arrangements were made for all eight of the people we support with exceptional support needs to participate in a boat ride on Lake Michigan. We are thrilled that no significant incidents of concern occurred and happy that this outing was a major success for all of those people who attended. All staff and supported individuals had a great time. One of the people from the ESN home even captained the boat for over a half-hour!
