• Search for:
    2Oct, 2018
    Fall Fest Will Be October 3

    Carey Services and the Early Head Start Program will participate in the annual Fall Fest on Oct. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the YMCA in downtown Marion.

    The free annual event is sponsored by Little Giants Preschool – Head Start and the Early Head Start program. The event is designed for families with children from birth to 12 years old who live in Grant or Blackford counties.

    Numerous community organizations will be at the festival to provide information, developmental screenings and car seat inspections. Games and prizes for the children also will be available.

    10Sep, 2018
    CARF Accreditation Visit Oct. 3-5

    Carey Services will have surveyors from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities visiting our facilities and interviewing staff, clients and other interested parties Oct.3-5.

    CARF accreditation is one of the highest accreditations that agencies in Carey Services’ industry can receive. The accreditation is voluntary, but Indiana requires agencies who work with people with disabilities to obtain one of several permissible accreditations. CARF surveyors can recommend up to a three-year accreditation at the completion of their survey time; Carey Services has received a three-year accreditation for its operations at the end of each of its surveys.

    As part of the survey, CARF surveyors will interview people who receive agency services, their families, agency staff members and others in the community. Some typical questions might include:

    • Do we provide a clean and safe setting?
    • Do you receive the services you need and want?
    • Are you treated with respect?
    • Do you take part in planning your services?
    • Are you told what you need to know about your services?
    • Are your questions answered in a way your understand?
    • So you know where to go with questions or concerns?

    Interested people also can speak with surveyors. If you are interested in talking with a CARF surveyor during this visit, call Carey Services at (765) 668-8961. You may also contact CARF International directly (520) 495-7001 or feedback@carf.org.

     

    31Aug, 2018
    Early Head Start Annual Report Available

    Carey Services’ Early Head Start program has released its annual report for the most recent program year, which ran from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The report highlights various accomplishments for the year, including obtaining the highest levels of accreditation, while serving more than 200 families and children for the year. The report also includes a farewell letter from Cathy Queen, who recently retired as program director.

    You can view the annual report by clicking here.

    16Jul, 2018
    New Early Head Start Director Begins Work

    Beth Wickham has joined Carey Services as the director of the agency’s Early Head Start program, replacing longtime director Cathy Queen, who recently retired.

    Wickham has more than 20 years of experience in Head Start programming. She began her Head Start career as a teacher and eventually became site director and education coordinator with the Community and Family Services program in Portland, Ind. She is a Gas City native and Mississinewa High School graduate who currently lives in Marion. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ashford University and plans to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education.

    “I’m excited to be joining Carey Services and the tremendous team that has demonstrated much success over the years through the Early Head Start program,” Wickham said. “I’m passionate about helping children and helping them start off life on the right footing so they can be successful as they grow.”

    Carey Services is the Early Head Start provider for Grant and Blackford counties, working with 130 children and families from pre-natal care through 3 years old at any given time. In 2017, more than 235 children and families participated in some facet of Early Head Start programming.

    “Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Carey Services and to the Early Head Start programming,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “She’s already hit the ground running getting acquainted with her staff and the families we serve, and she will be a great person to continue the quality of care those we serve have come to expect from Carey Services.”

    13Jul, 2018
    State Treasurer Visits Carey Services

    State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell visited Carey Services on July 13 to celebrate the first anniversary of INvestABLE Indiana. After a discussion with Carey Services’ officials and a tour of the agency’s facility, Mitchell spoke with agency employees and clients, family members, and community members about INvestABLE Indiana, the newest program in the treasurer’s office.

    “During these beginning years of the program, it is vital that we reach out to the community and share the news of this program,” Mitchell said. “I want to thank Carey Services for hosting this informational session for their employees and the community here in Marion.”

    During its inaugural year, the Indiana ABLE Authority has seen extraordinary growth and use of the plan. Nearly 200 accounts have been opened, and more than $559,000 in assets are under management. The average account balance is more than $3,000.

    “INvestABLE Indiana is a great avenue to allow individuals with disabilities in Grant County to have savings, while protecting their benefits that they need to thrive and assure their needs are met over the long haul,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “We are very thankful Treasurer Mitchell joined us today at Carey Services, and we hope this event will yield multiple ABLE accounts being set up in Grant County.”

    INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, including a checking account option with a debit card. Up to $15,000 a year can be saved in an account, with a maximum account balance of $450,000. An individual receiving Social Security benefits can save up to $100,000 in their INvestABLE Indiana account and not risk losing their monthly benefit. Money can be withdrawn and spent on qualified expenses, or INvestABLE Indiana account holders can choose to grow their finances and create long-term savings with tax-free earnings.

    To qualify for an ABLE account, the account owner must have the onset of disability or blindness before the age of 26 and qualify for Social Security benefits. If they do not qualify for Social Security benefits, but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, they must have a condition listed on the Social Security Administration’s List of Compassionate Allowances or be able to provide a physician’s certification that the disability is expected to last at least a year.

    Learn more at www.in.savewithable.com.

    9Jul, 2018
    SplashABILITY Event July 25

    The inaugural SplashABILITY event for people with disabilities will be July 25 at the Marion Splash House.

    The event is geared for folks with all abilities, including people with disabilities, their loved ones and their caregivers. The event will be 7-9 p.m. with a discounted entrance fee of $3 for each person (regardless of ability). The public is invited, and the event will have some special features, including:

    • Music and volume levels selected with people with disabilities in mind
    • Briefer duration waves in wave pool
    • Full access to pool in areas otherwise designated for small children
    • Wheelchair lift capability
    • Concession stand open on main, pool-deck area (puree equipment will be available)
    • Outdoor games and activities also will be available to those who don’t want to be in water

     

     

    5Jul, 2018
    State Treasurer to visit July 13

    Kelly Mitchell, Indiana state treasurer, will visit Carey Services on July 13 to celebrate the first anniversary of the INvestABLE Indiana savings plan.

    The treasurer will meet with local residents and community leaders at 11 a.m. in the Building B multi-purpose room on Carey Services’ Marion campus, 2724 S. Carey St. She will provide updates on the program’s first year. The savings plan is the state’s version of the national Achieving a Better Life Experience account program.

    This plan allows for the creation of tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to save for their future and pay for disability-related expenses without endangering the person’s disability benefits. This will help those with disabilities by easing financial burdens and allowing for financial savings to cover qualified living expenses including, but not limited to, education, transportation, housing and medical needs.

    INvestABLE Indiana offers seven investment options, including a checking account option with a debit card. Up to $14,000 a year can be saved in an account, which can have a maximum balance of $450,000. Individuals receiving Social Security benefits can save up to $100,000 without risking losing their monthly benefits.

    Money can be withdrawn and spent on qualified expenses, or INvestABLE Indiana account holders can choose to grow their finances and create long-term savings with tax-free earnings. Contributions and earnings in INvestABLE Indiana accounts are not subject to federal or state income tax if spent on qualified expenses, similar to a 529 College Savings account.

    To qualify for an ABLE account, the account owner must have the onset of disability or blindness before the age of 26 and be receiving Social Security benefits. If they are not receiving Social Security benefits, but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, they may still be eligible if they meet Social Security’s definition and criteria regarding significant functional impairment, and can provide a letter of certification from a qualified physician.

    To learn more about the INvestABLE Indiana savings plan, visit in.savewithable.com.

    28Jun, 2018
    NAP Credits Available July 1

    The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has again awarded Carey Services Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits to sell to donors. Donors can being officially taking advantage of the new round of credits on July 1.

    Individuals and businesses who donate to Carey Services through NAP are able to take a tax credit on their Indiana state income tax return for 50 percent of the amount of the donation and reduce their tax liability to the state. Donors also are able to claim the donation on their federal tax returns. A minimum $100 donation must be made to be eligible for a tax credit.

    Carey Services will use the donations received through NAP to help defray construction costs at the Pleasant Square apartment complex being built as part of our Marion campus. The complex is a second phase of the agency’s affordable housing initiative that began with the Pleasant Woods complex and will include five units that each will have two duplex-style apartments. It is scheduled to be completed in November.

    For more information on NAP credits, call Carey Services at (765) 668-8961, extension, 111, and ask for April Scott, or send her an email at ascott@careyservices.com.

    25Jun, 2018
    12th Annual Duck Race Huge Success

    Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2018 Carey Services Duck Race a huge success. Your part in creating opportunities for the individuals we serve is much appreciated.

    The prize winners were:
    First Place ($1,000) — Grant Memorial Park
    Second Place ($500) — Innovative Packaging
    Third Place ($300) — Leap Managed IT
    Fourth Place ($200) — Dawn Brown
    Fifth Place — ($100) — Ruth Masiongale
    Sixth Place (Arbor Trace golf package) – Lois Watkins
    Seventh Place (Arbor Trace golf package) – Cory Johnson
    Eighth Place (Kings Island tickets) – Leap Managed IT
    Ninth Place (Celtic Thunder tickets/Pro Prints gift certificate) – Lara Clark
    Tenth Place (Taylor University football season passes) – Lora Davison

    6Jun, 2018
    New Housing Complex Groundbreaking Set

    Through collaborative efforts over many months, The Affordable Housing Corporation, Carey Services, and other local partners will officially break ground on the new Pleasant Square affordable and accessible housing development at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

    Pleasant Square will add 10 new affordable community housing units (arranged in five duplexes) north of the existing Pleasant Woods complex that opened in 2013 on South Carey Street. Pleasant Square will be built similar to Pleasant Woods Apartments, and it will feature updated floor plans and amenities based on input from those involved in the Pleasant Woods project and other development team members including Halstead Architects, Randal Miller & Associates, Pleasant Woods Resident Council and Mutual Bank. Both complexes are across the street from Carey Services’ main Marion offices and service sites at 2724 S. Carey St.

    “We’re excited to see this project reach this stage and be able to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services president and chief executive officer. “It has truly been a cooperative effort between many organizations to get to this point as we continue to make this dream become a reality.” Construction is expected to begin days after the groundbreaking; completion is anticipated in November.

    The cooperative project has received more than $1 million in funding from Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and Federal Home Loan Bank of Indiana. The Pleasant Square apartments will be offered to low-income individuals who might or might not have a disability; apartments will be available to low-income families or individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability and/or other disabilities as applications are received. The Grant County area has an acute shortage of safe, decent, affordable, accessible independent living options for people with disabilities.

    “Pleasant Square is affordable housing designed for adults with disabilities,” said Jacquie Dodyk, executive director of Affordable Housing Corporation. “The wait list for such housing is the driving force behind our community partnership to meet this demand.”

    Skip to content