Author: cmogden1

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to place your order with the good folks at Rainbow Industries. They have a wide variety of goodie baskets that will surely satisfy your sweetheart. From popcorn and candy baskets to hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, a Rainbow Industries’ gift is sure to please. For more information or to place an order, contact Denise at (870) 722-1254 or 722-1255.

It’s a pride thing. It’s an independence thing. It’s an employment thing.

Such are some of the descriptions when a Rainbow of Challenges’ (ROC) individual is hired for full and part-time positions by local businesses.

Hope Public School System Child Nutrition Director Deanna Gilbert is one such person who thought outside the box and utilized the pool of prospective employees at ROC for work to be done in the Hope High School kitchen and other areas under her direction.

A 31-year employee of HPS, Gilbert is well-recognized in the community, the state, and the region, being named Arkansas Director of the Year and selected Southwest Director of the Year from numerous states. Under her guidance, Hope Public Schools received a USDA Silver Award for the summer feeding program in Hope.

“I love it,” she said recently. “I figured God put me here and it’s my passion. We try to reach the kids.”

Her decision to begin including ROC individuals in her food service work began with a conversation with Judy Watson, CEO of Rainbow of Challenges. “We were just talking about hiring some folks for our dining room, to help ROC out and to help us out at the school,” Gilbert continued. “I met with Lori Thompson from ROC and got the ball rolling from there.”

Currently, HPS employs three full-time ROC employees, one part-timer, and two who serve as substitutes.

Getting the individuals work-ready was an easy task, once again, thinking outside the box on traditional training. “We started training programs for the individuals, using picture instructions, for example, to use the sealing machine and we went from there,” said Gilbert.

Once on the job, Gilbert became exposed to the many qualities an ROC individual brings each day. “These workers are here every day,” she said emphatically. “They are more dependable than many of my district workers. They take so much pride in their work and they just want to please. They want to do it right and they strive to do it right.

“To me, that’s been one of the best things we have done in our program, so we are expanding,” she said.  “We are steadily training more of the folks and when we need a substitute, we call y’all.”

While starting out in the dining room, the individuals are being cross-trained to work in other areas under Gilbert’s supervision. “They are as much a part of us as a district employee,”
Gilbert noted.

The skill level of the ROC employees is on par with others hired for the district. “If you slowly train them, they are willing to learn anything,” said Gilbert. “The training process is a bit different, but by watching us and by talking to us, they are picking everything up.

“For instance, Norma, working at (Clinton) Primary, she started working in our tray room, running dishes and washing trays all day, but she now is working in the kitchen as well when she’s finished with her other duties.”

There is no shortage of enthusiasm from the ROC employees. “When I walk in and see Norma, she lights up and says ‘Mrs. Deanna, I love it here.’

“They are just like us, they just have different avenues of getting there,” Gilbert confides. “That’s why I want to expand on it.”

Gaining employment in the community is reaching the “mountaintop” for an ROC individual. Becoming integrated in a workforce only reinforces the goals they have been striving for since coming into the ROC program.

The next goal is to motivate other employers in the area to also think outside the box and begin hiring ROC individuals in their businesses. “People are scared because they don’t know,” Gilbert stated. “They are welcome to call me and come watch them in action in the schools. We want them to see how well it has worked

“It’s a win-win partnership,” says Gilbert. “I’ve got a pool of good employees and even substitutes we can count on. I encourage others to give them a chance, even if it’s part-time. They will not regret it.”

Hope Public Schools’ Superintendent Bobby Hart shares the sentiments of Gilbert. “ROC adults have been an awesome addition to our district,” he stated. “HPS is able to staff quality workers and ROC is able to assist its clients with a job and a better sense of independence.  The production of our ROC workers is tremendous and I would encourage any organization to consider ROC as a potential workforce tool.  We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful relationship.”

Gilbert encourages other employers to call her with any questions or for a hands-on tour of what ROC employees can do for them at 870-777-3231.

Prospective employers who would like more information from ROC are encouraged to call Lori Thompson at 870-722-1276.

Pictured from left to right are Joseph and Mary Joseph, T.J. Connell, ROC Staffer Shelby Rivard, and Faye and John Connell of Living Hope Disability Ministry upon their presentation of a $400 donation check to be used for the annual ROC Fall Ball & Awards Gala. The celebration is scheduled for November 21 and the check will go toward expenses for the event. Living Hope Disability Ministry is an outreach ministry which uplifts and provides an acceptable environment for people with disabilities. For more information about the ministry, please call 870-777-5056.

Making Rainbows childcare center of Hope will again conduct its annual “ROC Angels” drive.

 

The goal of the project is to provide a merry Christmas complete with toys, clothes, and essentials for many area children whose family fulfilling their Christmas wishes may be impossible. In 2016, more than 185 children had their wishes filled.

 

ROC Angel Christmas trees will be located at a front entrance of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hope and each tree is filled with deserving “angels”. Those wishing to participate may simply pick a number from the tree containing specific information on each child such as shoes and clothes size, favorite color, specific wishes, etc.

 

After purchasing the items on the angel’s wish list, the unwrapped toys and items may be dropped off at the Rainbow of Challenges Administration building located at 500 South Main Street in Hope. The items will then be distributed to the families of the angel during the month of December.

 

Those who purchase items are urged to attach the number representing their Angel when they drop off their items in order to match it to the name on the list being kept at Making Rainbows.

 

Making Rainbows has again teamed with Tyson Foods of Hope for additional toys, toiletries, and gifts. The Tyson employees will again provide many heartwarming smiles through their generous efforts.

 

Prescott/Nevada County Special Services will also conduct their own Angels drive, allowing members of the community to assist in making the area children’s Christmas a bright one.

 

It is time once again for the ROC Angels Program designed to assist families during the holiday season that might not otherwise be able to enjoy this season of giving. If you are interested in applying for the program, please pick up an application from the office of Michelle Bowlin at Rainbow of Challenges’ administration building located at 500 South Main Street in Hope. Applications may be picked up between the dates of October 23 and November 3, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. All applications must be returned in person to be reviewed and verified.

– LifeShare Blood Centers will be conducting a fall blood drive at Rainbow of Challenges on Tuesday, October 3.

 

Donations may be made at the mobile donor coach located at the ROC Administration building on South Main Street from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

 

The only requirement to give blood is the donor must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and provide current identification.

 

The process takes about 30 minutes and a trained technician will insure the donor is comfortable and safe.

 

LifeShare Blood Centers is a nonprofit organization with centers supplying blood and blood components to community hospitals predominately in the south central United States including Hope and the surrounding area.

 

The need for blood remains high during this time of year, so make plans to join Rainbow of Challenges to help meet and exceed their goal.

 

Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. administers a wide array of services for persons who have developmental disabilities in Southwest Arkansas. Emphasis is placed on services that help each person achieve the highest degree of personal independence. Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. is committed to implementing a safer, healthier, happier, more independent lifestyle for individuals having special needs.

 

For more information and to schedule a time, please contact Rainbow of Challenges at 870-777-4501.

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) National Advocacy Campaign is sponsoring National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week beginning Sunday, September 10.

Rainbow of Challenges and Prescott/Nevada County Special Services will observe the week with a wide variety of activities and gifts to show support to all area DSPs.

A planned DSP appreciation reception will be held on Tuesday, September 12 at Hempstead Hall from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Hope Mayor Steve Montgomery will read a special DSP proclamation during the event.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are employees serving as direct care workers, in-home support workers, personal assistants and attendants to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live more independently and in community settings.

The appreciation event is an opportunity for Rainbow of Challenges and the entire community to honor the local direct support workforce and the tremendous difference they make each day in the lives of those they serve.

Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. administers a wide array of services for persons who have developmental disabilities in Southwest Arkansas. Emphasis is placed on services that help each person achieve the highest degree of personal independence. Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. is committed to implementing a safer, healthier, happier, more independent lifestyle for individuals having special needs.

For more information, please contact Rainbow of Challenges at 870-777-4501.

Officials at Rainbow of Challenges are proud to introduce the SkyROCit, Inc. foster care program. SkyROCit (pronounced “skyrocket”) is one of seven programs across the state to contract with the Arkansas Department of Human Services for foster specialized care services.

SkyROCit will recruit area families interested in opening their homes to children and youth with developmental and intellectual disabilities. SkyROCit has taken the challenge to ensure qualified foster families are specifically trained to provide a loving environment for children in need. The program will operate as a sister agency to ROC, working alongside the Hope-based organization in every aspect in reaching goals and objectives.

Nationally, more than one-third of the 500,000 U.S. children in foster care are touched with a developmental disability.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services reports that there are approximately 1,200 foster parents providing care for an average of 4,000 children at any given time. Those numbers translate into approximately 1,300 children in Arkansas foster care that have some form of disability.

Because the need is so great and ROC has the specialized training and positive historical perspective of providing care for children and adults with developmental disabilities is the impetus behind the new program.

It is the goal of SkyROCit to provide a safe and stable home for Arkansas children while also providing a rewarding experience for those families who foster them.

“We are excited about the opportunity to contract with DHS to provide foster care for kids with developmental disabilities and other special needs,” stated Rainbow of Challenges’ CEO Judy Watson. “Foster families for this population of kids is a real need across the state.  With the number of kids in the foster care system and being able to identify families that have the heart to take the special needs population into their homes, we felt that it was a win/win for everyone.”

“This opportunity through the State’s vision to address the need of specialized foster programs is motivating and we are ready to help bring continuity of services to these incredible children and youth that get lost in the system,” said Jennifer Merkey Block, Vice President of ROC Children’s Services.

Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. administers a wide array of services for persons who have developmental disabilities in Southwest Arkansas. Emphasis is placed on services that help each person achieve the highest degree of personal independence. Rainbow of Challenges, Inc. is committed to implementing a safer, healthier, happier, more independent lifestyle for individuals having special needs.

Interested in learning more about this program or our services? Contact SkyROCit at 870-722-1236 or 870-777-4501.

As the U.S. Senate contemplates plans for reductions in the Medicaid program, ROC individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities could face a drastic reduction in services.

The Senate is considering cuts and caps to the current program where funding for ROC home and community-based services would be affected. The senate is considering approximately $830 billion in cuts to the Medicaid portion of the American Health Care Act, now called the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, which was recently proposed by Congress.

Medicaid is the primary source of funding for services that assist those with disabilities, providing protection from being forced into institutions. The primary focus at ROC is to provide the individuals served with the greatest amount of independence possible, while enabling them to live self-supporting and rewarding lives.

“Our concern and the concerns across the country are that “traditional” Medicaid programs for the aging, blind and disabled will be cut and viable services to these neediest populations will be effected, which are not part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA),” said Judy Watson, ROC Chief Executive Officer.

“The proposed legislation would put a cap on the money the state receives from the federal government in one of two ways; paying a block grant or a per capita rate to the state. Either will be devastating to rural states like Arkansas,” Watson noted.

“The services that ROC and other programs provide to individuals with disabilities are optional state services under Medicaid, which means these would be some of the first services to receive cuts if the state receives less money,” continued Watson.

“We are asking everyone interested in retaining the current services to individuals with disabilities in Southwest Arkansas and throughout the state to contact Senator Tom Cotton’s offices and voice your opposition to these deep Medicaid cuts.”