Hello Bethesda families, guardians and advocates in the Pacific Northwest,

We just finished celebrating Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month in March. Bethesda promoted awareness through the #ConnectAllAbilities wristband campaign. Throughout March we shared blue #ConnectAllAbilities wristbands to help start conversations about developmental disabilities and help people see the value in celebrating and connecting with people of all abilities. The month was a great time for our teams to celebrate the real progress that has been made by people with disabilities and reflect on what

more needs to be done to achieve truly inclusive communities. At left is a photo of the team wearing wristbands at our regional manager meeting.

I’d also like to acknowledge a recent $100,000 donation from Doug and Susan Minson. Family member Becky Minson has received supports from Bethesda for 40 years. We recently celebrated the donation with the Minsons and enjoyed a wonderful lunch together.

Another exciting update is the introduction of new technology into a pilot program at the Heather St. home in Oregon. We recently introduced smart technology into this home to showcase how technology can help promote independence for people in a transitional living setting. It was well received and helped to pave the way for the use of smart technology in other programs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Please enjoy this edition of BestLife! Thank you for your ongoing support. I am always open to your feedback and welcome you to reach out to me at any time.

All my best,

JamesJames Arciniega, Regional Director, Northwest Region

In This Issue

A Message from James . . . . . . . 1

Regional Advocacy News . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Quality Corner . . . .2

Innovation Feature . . . . . . . . . . 3

Public Policy Update . . . . . . . . . . 3

Living Out Our Mission . . . . . . 3

1

A Message from James

Spring 2019

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Here’s how:Visit BethesdaLC.org/Subscribe.

Your Regional DirectorJames ArciniegaNorthwest Region

email: James.Arciniega@BethesdaLC.org

phone: 503.997.3813

BethesdaLC.org800.369.4636

© Copyright 2019, Bethesda Lutheran Communities 18-210-10 OPS

Northwest EditionConnecting parents, families, guardians and advocates with the latest from Bethesda

BestLife!

2

Thank You for Your Input!Quality Corner

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed significant state investments in community-based intellectual and developmental disability (ID/DD) supports in his FY2019-21 state biennium budget request. He is requesting that rates for state community residential providers be increased by 10 percent on January 1, 2020, and another 10 percent on Jan. 1, 2021. This is a total budget increase of $59.4 million in state general revenue funds and $117.6 total funds when federal contributions are added.

It is important to note that this is only the first step in the biennial budget process. The budget can and will change over time, but it is very encouraging that Gov. Inslee understands the need for state investment in the ID/DD support system.

In Oregon, the Oregon Resource Association (ORA), an intellectual and developmental disability provider association, is asking the Joint Committee on Ways and Means to include an appropriation of $46.1 million to increase direct support professional wages in Oregon to $15 per hour, which is 120% of the state’s minimum wage.

This increase is needed to address the state’s DSP workforce crisis. Based on a recent national staffing survey, Oregon’s DSP turnover rate remains close to 47.4%, compared to 43.8% nationally as a result of low wages, long hours and increasing overtime. Oregon is one of the few states where the waiting list for ID/DD is growing.

Regional Advocacy NewsNorthwest Region

We released our Parent/Family/Guardian satisfaction survey to family members in the first edition of BestLife! We appreciate hearing about areas where can improve, like diversifying activities and/or events where your loved ones receive supports. We are addressing these areas through deliberate and intentional enhancement plans in each region, and welcome feedback (on upcoming surveys) to let us know how we have improved.

We were pleased to see areas where we are meeting your satisfaction. The questions with the highest overall satisfaction were:

1. Staff members treat me with respect and courtesy.

2. Staff members respect the privacy of the person receiving services.

3. People at Bethesda respect the person receiving services as a person.

In addition to implementing enhancement plans based on survey results, we’re also continuing compliance improvement efforts. The team is deploying Quality SnapShots and monthly monitoring in each region to gather information and provide feedback to regional leaders on compliance and quality improvements.

Using Technology to Create MoreIndependence and Support New Services

These are some of the latest ways Bethesda is using technology. Each is focused on a different support setting or service.

Transitional Living & Group Homes In Oregon, we’ve configured a home with devices intended to foster independence for adults in a transitional living home. With the innovative use of iPads, MedMinder® medication dispensers and other smart technology, residents are focusing on building life skills like meal prep and prescription dispensing. In Missouri, we’re setting up several group homes with similar smart home technology that’s focused on helping residents become more independent. In both cases, we’re doing extensive testing and monitoring to determine efficacy before we expand to other programs, services and locations.

Behavior Support Services In Colorado and Illinois, technology is integral to the expansion of this new service line which aims to enhance people’s lives by improving communication and independent living and social skills. It allows staff to provide remote behavioral supports in real time using secure tech devices. All communication is HIPAA compliant and completely supported by the Bethesda IT team.

We will continue to seek opportunities to use technology to improve the quality and level of supports provided. We look forward to expanding application of both examples above to additional locations.

Bethesda is always looking for new ways to provide supports especially those that help increase independence. A large part of staying on the leading edge with new support models is using technology in new ways.

Dear Jesus,

I am afraid and worried and feeling miserable

right now. I know You will never leave me alone,

but I am still scared. Help me remember You are

with me. Help me remember You love me all the

time. Thank You for being strong for me, especially

since I do not feel strong right now.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Dear Jesus,

I am not feeling well and it is making me angry

and frustrated. I do not like being sick and I do

not like pain. Even though I am mad, help me be

kind to those who are trying to help me. Forgive

me when I lose my temper. Help me feel better

soon. I trust You Jesus.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

The LORD gives strength to His people. The LORD blesses His people with peace.

- Psalm 29:11 NIV

Dear Jesus,

Although I am sick, I am happy to have

wonderful people around me. I’d like to thank

You for the doctors and nurses and all the

people who are taking care of me. Help me be

patient and kind to them. Help me remember

they are doing their best to help me.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Dear God,

I praise You for loving me. In the Bible,

You promised to always be with me. Help me

remember that promise, especially when I am

sad and confused and not feeling well.

Help me find peace.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen.

Copyright 2018,

Bethesda Lutheran Communities

BLC-RL-123456-0618

BethesdaLC.org Email: ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.orgHOSPITAL COMMUNICATION CARD

SADANGRY

AFRAID

HAPPY

3

Public Policy Update

Living Out Our Mission

Bethesda’s Hospital Communication Card is designed for those who need help advocating for themselves during hospital stays or serious illness. There are icons on the front to support communication and prayers on the back for specific requests made by the patient.

Talk to your local Ministry Consultant, email ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.org or visit BethesdaLC.org to learn how you can reach out to your community with this excellent resource.

Copyright 2018,

Bethesda Lutheran Communities

18-154-RL-HCC-0718

BethesdaLC.org Email: ReligiousLife@BethesdaLC.org

HAPPY

HOLDMY HAND

SAD

PRAYWITH ME

GET MYNURSE OR DOCTOR

AFRAID

CALLCLERGY

ANGRY

OFFER MECOMMUNION

STOP ORLEAVE ME ALONE

TALKWITH ME

STAYWITH ME

READTHE BIBLE

HOSPITAL COMMUNICATION CARD

SINGWITH ME

Seen here is Andrea. MC Becky Lindsley visits her home in Oregon each month to lead a Bible class and activity time.

Seen here is MC Jana Peters and Chad, who is supported by Bethesda in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, working through his Faith Action Plan. Once the plan

is completed, MCs begin to work with congregations in the local area. This process often includes training sessions with church staff and leaders to make sure each congregation is not only welcoming, but enfolds your loved one into the family of Christ and creates a sense of belonging.

Bethesda ministry consultants (MCs) are available to help connect your loved one to a congregation of their choice.

If you would like to spend some time in God’s Word today, watch this Psalm 46 video featuring several students from Bethesda College: youtu.be/cC9L0DoG7ek

Bethesda would also like to support families! For free weekly devotions, sign up here: BethesdaLC.org/inbox-inspiration/

Seen here is Pastor Lance Stiver and other members

of Alliance Community Church who went through a training session with MC Rev. Brice Bennett in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sometimes MCs must adapt to specific situations, but spending time in God’s Word is always in the forefront.

FEATURED FAITH RESOURCE

Bethesda is always looking for new ways to provide supports especially those that help increase independence. A large part of staying on the leading edge with new support models is using technology in new ways.

Public policy advocacy is an excellent opportunity to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by helping

all people with ID/DD to “lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

March was a very significant month for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). In 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation designating March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. In his proclamation, President Reagan urged all Americans to join him in “according our fellow citizens with [developmental] disabilities both encouragement and the opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

A necessary component of providing opportunity to our fellow citizens is to have disability provider rates that allow for a robust and qualified workforce that empowers people with ID/DD to live their best life possible. It is appropriate then that March is also the time that state legislatures throughout the country begin to debate state budgets in earnest. Advocacy is critically important in ensuring that people with ID/DD have their voices heard when our elected officials set state policy priorities through the budgetary process.

People with disabilities must let their legislators know what services and supports they need to live how they want, with who they want, and where they want. And, they need to communicate the vital role direct support professionals (DSPs) play in their lives and the significant hardships staff turnover and vacancies cause in their everyday lives. What better way to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month than to mentor and empower our family members, friends and colleagues to become

effective self-advocates. Self-advocacy gives voices to people with disabilities to have greater control over their lives and to become as independent as possible.

And, when we advocate with them, we amplify their voice and add an important additional perspective so legislators understand the impact inadequate disability funding has on families and others who care deeply for people with ID/DD. Public policy advocacy is an excellent opportunity to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by helping all people with ID/DD to “lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”

Spring 2019

Connecting parents, families, guardians and advocates with the latest from Bethesda

BestLife!

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Northwest Edition