7TH ANNUAL

3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

MARCH 9, 2013

NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL

Come Enjoy the Fun

Form a Team and Play

Sponsor the Event

For more information, click on the Foundation Tab

or contact Angela Brown at the Admin Office

Gretchen’s “Favorite Things” Remembered

We were blessed to be able support Gretchen in our residential program. She first came to live with us on September 5^th 2001. Her delightful personality and inquisitive nature made her someone you just had to get to know. I never passed her in the hallway without her asking how I was doing and when we were going to get the choir back together again. Gretchen loved music and she loved to sing. I had the privilege of singing next to her in a joint choir performance a couple of years ago.  She truly enjoyed the experience of performing.  I think the only thing that would have made that day even better was if we were singing the soundtrack from the “Sound of Music”.

This past April 8^th Gretchen passed away. Her passing was difficult for her family – both her biological family and the family she cultivated living in one of our group homes.  We all know without a shadow of a doubt that she is directing a choir of angels singing the entire soundtrack from the Sound of Music. Gretchen’s mother, Marion Mannheim, has just completed a quilt in memory of her daughter.  Each of the squares highlight another “favorite thing”. There are raindrops on roses, brown paper packages tied up with string, geese in flight with the moon on their wing and many of the favorite lines from the famous song.  Seeing that quilt brought back such great memories of Gretchen’s life and in those memories Gretchen lives on until we get to meet again.

Since the diagnosis, her goal has not changed; however, Melanie’s has taken on a more powerful approach with her children’s development and education.  Melanie has recently begun a new support group/playgroup, A Time to Play, that focus on play.  Melanie has contacted the local Fort Mill Library and businesses to get local support for children with special needs.  Melanie hopes that this group will also provide more socialization for her daughter and herself.  Her wishes are that all children with and without disabilities would come and play.

York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs: Encouraging Steps hosts a joint party one time a month with “A Time to Play” at the Fort Mill Library.  The LEGO party is hosted on every 2 Wednesday from 3:30-5:00.  A Time to Play also is continually scheduling play activities throughout the month.  For more information, contact Melanie at atimetoplaysc@gmail.com or look for her on Facebook.

There will be over 55 workshops offered with close to 70 presenters. Continuing Education Units will be available for nurses, social workers, speech pathologists, teachers, early interventionists, licensed counselors and child care workers. For information, brochure and on-line registration visit www.FamilyConnectionSC.org/annual_conference  or call 1-800-578-8750.

York County Board of DSN is an EXCITING place to work and receives kudos from both employees and those desiring to become an employee.  This is because of the consumers we serve.

Employees being interviewed are asked “why are you interested in working for YCBDSN,” and many times the response centers around wanting a position that is more rewarding and offers fulfillment.   Our agency supports both needs and offers opportunities for growth upon employment.  Two ways are listed below:

(1)    Supervisory academy – This program can assist employees without college degrees to advance to a supervisory position based on performance and experience.

(2)    Transfer Opportunities – This program assists employee with or without college degrees to advance or transfer to shifts that balances work and family.

The Agency supports the livelihood of over 300 employees in full time, part-time and temporary capacities.  We offer an attractive benefit package for employees in full time positions and flexible hours for those interested in working part-time and temporary positions.  We celebrate successes and  have fun at work with employee events, ie department breakfast/lunch for a job well done, pot luck lunches, safety fairs, consumer safety fairs,  employee award ceremonies, employee picnics and other employee events.

When exiting employees are asked “what did you like most at our agency,” 100% of the time the response is the consumers.

Employees with greater tenure with the Agency state, “We love working with the consumers, the work is challenging, keeps us motivated and makes us want to do a good job.”

So, why aren’t you working for our Agency?  We want good people who enjoy making a difference in the lives of others.   For entry level positions, the requirements are to have a High School Diploma/GED, a valid SC driver’s license and the ability to read and write legibly and to follow written or oral instructions.  We take applications Mon – Fri (except holidays) @ 7900 Park Place Road, York, SC  29745.  Candidates applying may be asked to participate in a survey either on the same date as application or another scheduled date.

The following is an announcement posted on the SCDHHS website under the “Media Room” tab as a “Meeting/Public Notice”:

“Renewal of the Community Supports (CS) Home and Community Based Waiver”

Meet:

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Time:

4:00 -5:30p.m.

Where:

SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
3440 Harden Street Extension, Room 251 A&B
Columbia, SC

Information concerning the renewal of this waiver will be available for review on the SCDHHS website, by Tuesday, January 10, 2012. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may email:  comments@scdhhs.gov.  All comments must be received by the close of business January 24, 2012.”