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    30Jun, 2016
    FY 2017 Caregiver Support Services Applications Open July 1

    The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) has announced that Caregiver Support Services funds will be available for fiscal year 2017 beginning July 1, 2016.

    Caregiver Support Services provide short-term relief for the primary caregiver; they may be approved for an individual that meets the state definition of intellectual and developmental disabilities level of care and for whom the primary caregiver selects an eligible provider. CSS are not available to the primary caregiver if the individual is receiving or begins to receive similar services from any other state- or Medicaid-funded program.

    The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Previous CSS applications during fiscal year 2016 do not carry over to fiscal year 2017. A new application must be completed for each fiscal year’s CSS funds (July 1 through June 30). Any pending CSS applications will be voided the last week of June, and a new application must be submitted on or after July 1. Individuals who received services during the previous fiscal year are not guaranteed continued services and must complete the application process on or after July 1, 2016.

    Initial CSS budgets will be approved for $500 for each eligible individual regardless of the number of eligible individuals residing in the residence. When initial funding is spent, the recipient’s CSS provider can request addition funding. Each new request is reviewed individually and is dependent on available funds.

    You can apply online at this DDRS webpage. You also can call a BDDS district office to have an application sent to you, or you can apply in person at a BDDS district office.

    Interested applicants are encouraged to contact your county’s BDDS district office for more details. You can find the list of district offices here.

    27Jun, 2016
    2016 Duck Race Huge Success

    Duck season has officially closed for 2016.

    The 10th annual Carey Services Duck Race was a huge success. The event raised nearly $40,000 for agency programming and client needs on a hot, humid night at The Splash House in Marion. It was a perfect night to be a duck and be in the water.

    And, speaking of ducks, the Carey Services duck mascot was officially christened after the race. In a community contest in cooperation with the Chronicle-Tribune, our feathered, well, really fuzzy, friend was given a baseball jersey with the name “Quackers.” So we now know what to call the big yellow bird.

    The three case prizes went to: Shirley Puckett, $1,500; Keith Newman, $500, and All-Star Staffing, $250. One of the big attractions for the 10th anniversary observance was the chance to win a $25,000 cash prize to go toward the purchase of a new vehicle. A random duck was drawn before the race, but another random duck drawn from the ducks gathered at the finish line did not match the first number drawn, so nobody won the big prize.

     

    14Jun, 2016
    Vote on Name the Duck Contest Finalists

    The five finalists in the Carey Services’ Name the Duck Contest have been determined. The initial voting, in cooperation with The Chronicle-Tribune, concluded Monday morning. Members of The Alliance Seekers of Grant and Blackford Counties helped Carey Services Duck Race Committee members narrow the nominations to the finalists.

    The five finalists are:

    • Quackers
    • Ducky
    • Quackie
    • Lucky
    • Fuzzy

     

    You can vote on your favorite name by clicking here. The winner will be announced after the Duck Race on June 25th at The Splash House. The contest is part of the 10th anniversary celebration of what has become one of Grant County’s early-summer traditions. Tickets for the race are $5 and are available at Carey Services’ main campus, 2427 S. Carey St. This year’s race will give out three cash prizes and — in a new twist — someone could win cash toward a new vehicle. Full race information and rules are available here.

    13Jun, 2016
    Afena Community Shred Day June 18

    Carey Services is again joining with Afena Federal Credit Union to offer the second annual free Docu-Shield community shredding day from 9 a.m. to noon on June 18.

    The event will be in the parking lot at the credit union’s south branch, 1312 W. 44th St., in front of the Kohl’s Department Store and TJ Maxx store. Docu-Shield staff members will collect personal papers for secure shredding. All materials will be stored in secure vehicles and taken to Carey Services for destruction.

    Afena will have games and other activities at the event, and Afena employees will be conducting a bake sale with the proceeds going to Carey Services.

    6Jun, 2016
    Early Head Start Receives Highest Rating

    Carey Services’ Early Head Start Program recently received a Level 4 rating from Paths to Quality, Indiana’s quality rating and improvement system for early care and education. The recognition covers the Marion and Hartford City locations.

    The program has four levels, and each level builds on the succeeding level. All providers start at Level 1 and work through the process toward a national accreditation and a Level 4 rating. Each level represents significant jump in quality and training requirements.

    Level 4 programs are the highest rated programs and have demonstrated a commitment to the highest level of professionalism in quality early care and education. Carey Services recently completed an accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which set the foundation for the Level 4 recognition.

    Carey Services has more than 130 youth, prenatal mothers and families involved in its Early Head Start programs in the two cities.

    For more information, call (765) 668-8961, or click here.

    26May, 2016
    Duck Race Tickets Available

    Tickets are available for the 10th Annual Carey Services Duck Race.

    This year’s race will be June 25 at The Splash House in Marion. As part of the 10th anniversary celebration, we’re moving the event to the evening. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the race will begin about 7 p.m. We’re also having other fun activities, including a contest to help give our well-known duck mascot a name.

    Tickets are $5 and are available at Carey Services’ main campus, 2724 S. Carey St. The purchase of a ticket also allows the ticket holder to have a free admission to The Splash House during the water park’s normal hours that day.

    For more information, call (765) 668-8961. You also can find race information here.

    14Apr, 2016
    Early Head Start Receives NAEYC Accreditation

    Carey Services has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation’s leading organization of high-quality early childhood professionals and programming. The agency earned this accreditation for its Grant and Blackford classroom programming and this adds value to the early childhood partnerships and services in those two counties.

    “We’re proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC, and to be recognized for our commitment to this community and the children as we reach the highest professional standards for early childhood education,” said Cathy Queen, director of Early Head Start at Carey Services. “NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know children in our high-quality program have teachers who create engaging classrooms, enhance relationships with their parents and families, and develop rich experiences for their students to assure they are school ready for Grant and Blackford County schools.”

    Carey Services serves 48 children ages 1-3 and their families in classroom settings in Grant and Blackford counties, as well as 82 children ages 0-3 and families in home-based programming. Carey Services has provided the Early Head Start program since 1998 and routinely receives high marks in state and federal reviews. In earning accreditation through NAEYC, Carey Services is eligible to achieve a Level IV Paths to Quality – the highest level of quality for childcare in Indiana.

    To earn NAEYC Accreditation, Carey Services’ Early Head Start went through a voluntary, extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against 10 NAEYC early childhood program standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received NAEYC accreditation after an on-site visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards. NAEYC-accredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years.

    “It’s a lengthy and rigorous process to achieve NAEYC accreditation, and we are proud to meet these high standards for children and families in Grant and Blackford counties,” said Jim Allbaugh, president and CEO for Carey Services. “Carey Services is focused on assuring optimal brain development is achieved in the first few years of life to set a child’s path for success in school and in life.”

    In the 25 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Carey Services is now one of over 7,000 programs currently accredited by NAEYC, nationwide.

    2Mar, 2016
    2016 Indiana Disability Poll Available

    The 2016 Indiana Disability Poll is now available online.

    The poll is one way people can provide input to state officials on how to improve the Indiana disability plan. The online survey has six categories for someone to provide responses:

    • A person with a disability
    • A parent, family member or guardian completing the survey for a person with a disability
    • A professional or service provider completing the survey for a person with a disability
    • A parent, family member or guardian of a person with a disability
    • A professional or service provider without a disability
    • An interested community member without a disability

    You can find the survey here.

    2Mar, 2016
    March is National Disability Awareness Month

    March is national Disability Awareness Month.

    In Indiana, more than 19 percent of the state’s population are children and adults with disabilities. The goal of the month-long observance is to increase awareness of those who have disabilities while also promoting inclusion and independence for all people.

    This year’s theme is “Inclusion is Within Everyone’s Ability,” which is a reminder that everybody has a responsibility to help our communities become vibrant places that include people with disabilities.

    For more information, visit the website of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities here.

    10Feb, 2016
    2016 Board Members, Officers Announced

    The Carey Services board of directors recently approved the 2016 board of directors and board officers.

    Keith Newman was re-elected chairperson after having served as chairperson in 2015 and after having served two previous terms as vice chairperson. Eric Walts, who served two terms as chairperson, was re-elected immediate past chairperson. Other officers re-elected for 2016 include Michele Kelsay, vice chairperson; Doug Bryant, treasurer, and Steve Smithley, secretary.

    In the recently published Carey Services annual report, Newman stated, “As Carey Services board chair, I love the privilege of serving with a team of individuals invested in such a purposeful mission: ‘a community based human services organization assisting individuals and families to turn abilities and barriers into opportunities by providing individualized services, education, and advocacy’.”

    “This board is strong, and members are engaged and committed to the mission, vision, and values in such a way as to link other community individuals to our purpose,” said James Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “They are ambassadors, and they truly want others in the community to celebrate the successes of staff and those we serve.”

    Complete list of 2016 Board of Directors:

    Keith Newman – Chairperson

    Michele Kelsay – Vice-Chairperson

    Doug Bryant – Treasurer

    Steve Smithley – Secretary

    Eric Walts – Past Chairperson

    Jacquie Dodyk

    Michelle Bunker

    Jim Widner

    Rodney Faulk

    Rich Orrell

    Cindy Kohlmorgen

    April Evans

    Jim Wallace

    Angela Herrington

    Eric Reaves

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