Wish List Wednesday
5 years ago
Friday, May 31, 2019
Good News Friday!
Congrats to Imagine!'s Out & About adult participants for completing a 5K race a couple of weeks ago. Hosted by Two Angels Foundation, Inc., our participants geared up for this event all spring by training and raising money. It was a huge success and we look forward to doing it again next year!
Friday, May 24, 2019
Good News Friday!
Mandy, who accepts services from Imagine!, participated in a “Maker Monday” at the Loveland Library this past Monday. Maker Mondays are hosted by the Loveland Library the first and third Monday of every month for fun STEM maker activities, and Mandy’s presentation fit the bill perfectly.
Mandy has been working with Imagine’s Stephanie Kenealy on an interactive book using the TAPit, an interactive computer station designed for individuals with disabilities used by Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source team. For Maker Monday, Mandy read her book using the TAPit at the library to a group of younger children.
Thanks to library employees Erik & Beth, who were a huge help in making the Maker Monday event happen.
Mandy has been working with Imagine’s Stephanie Kenealy on an interactive book using the TAPit, an interactive computer station designed for individuals with disabilities used by Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source team. For Maker Monday, Mandy read her book using the TAPit at the library to a group of younger children.
Thanks to library employees Erik & Beth, who were a huge help in making the Maker Monday event happen.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Technology Tuesday
Today, I am pleased to share the final report of the Imagine! Remote Supports demonstration for people with intellectual disabilities. You can find the full report here, and below is the report's Executive Summary, showing that Remote Supports can cost effectively help people live independently with increased safety and self-reliance.
Imagine! has a long standing reputation as a leader in bringing technology solutions to Long Term Care (LTC) services. One simple and obvious solution that has not been embraced by the State of Colorado is Remote Supports. Remote Supports consists of a system of sensors and devices designed to monitor a person’s environment and alert caregivers of situations that need attention. Such situations can include flooding because a sink overflowed or danger of fire because a stove was left unattended. The current Colorado Developmental Disabilities waiver system does not allow complete reimbursement for these types of supports.
Many states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Missouri and Connecticut will cover costs associated with a remote monitoring system including hardware, installation and monthly service fees. These states have recognized the value of using technology to support independence without sacrificing the health and safety of the individual. In an age of dwindling human resources and ever tighter Medicaid dollars the embracing of these technological supports is becoming a necessity.
In 2014, Imagine! received a commitment of $100,000 from the Aaron Matthew Tuneberg Memorial Fund to create a three-year, replicable pilot project that used technological supports to improve the safety of Colorado citizens with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are able to live independently or with limited supports in their communities.
The goal of the pilot project was to install Remote Support systems with as many individuals as possible, and to measure the systems’ effectiveness. Imagine! chose to partner with SimplyHome, a North Carolina and Wisconsin-based company that provides a system called “The Butler” to help individuals live more independently. The SimplyHome system uses a central control unit to send alerts to caregiver/s based on rules defined by the caregiver and data collected from a variety of sensors including heat, motion and water.
Over three years, Imagine! installed fifteen Butler systems in individual’s homes and assessed how these systems impacted areas of concern when it came to safety. Imagine! examined data from surveys conducted with caregivers, alert data produced from the SimplyHome system and incident reports involving individuals in the pilot. We found that overall, the SimplyHome system increased the person’s health and safety while preserving their independence. These results support what other states already know: remote supports can reduce costs of LTC and users enjoy the benefit of personal freedoms and self-reliance.
Imagine! has a long standing reputation as a leader in bringing technology solutions to Long Term Care (LTC) services. One simple and obvious solution that has not been embraced by the State of Colorado is Remote Supports. Remote Supports consists of a system of sensors and devices designed to monitor a person’s environment and alert caregivers of situations that need attention. Such situations can include flooding because a sink overflowed or danger of fire because a stove was left unattended. The current Colorado Developmental Disabilities waiver system does not allow complete reimbursement for these types of supports.
Many states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Missouri and Connecticut will cover costs associated with a remote monitoring system including hardware, installation and monthly service fees. These states have recognized the value of using technology to support independence without sacrificing the health and safety of the individual. In an age of dwindling human resources and ever tighter Medicaid dollars the embracing of these technological supports is becoming a necessity.
In 2014, Imagine! received a commitment of $100,000 from the Aaron Matthew Tuneberg Memorial Fund to create a three-year, replicable pilot project that used technological supports to improve the safety of Colorado citizens with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are able to live independently or with limited supports in their communities.
The goal of the pilot project was to install Remote Support systems with as many individuals as possible, and to measure the systems’ effectiveness. Imagine! chose to partner with SimplyHome, a North Carolina and Wisconsin-based company that provides a system called “The Butler” to help individuals live more independently. The SimplyHome system uses a central control unit to send alerts to caregiver/s based on rules defined by the caregiver and data collected from a variety of sensors including heat, motion and water.
Over three years, Imagine! installed fifteen Butler systems in individual’s homes and assessed how these systems impacted areas of concern when it came to safety. Imagine! examined data from surveys conducted with caregivers, alert data produced from the SimplyHome system and incident reports involving individuals in the pilot. We found that overall, the SimplyHome system increased the person’s health and safety while preserving their independence. These results support what other states already know: remote supports can reduce costs of LTC and users enjoy the benefit of personal freedoms and self-reliance.
Friday, May 17, 2019
Good News Friday!
Imagine!'s Out & About After School Program presented their annual theater performance last month at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, CO. Throughout the year, Imagine! participants helped write "Elevator Explorers," an original one act play. Then, come spring, they took the spotlight and let their creative expression shine! If you missed it, you can check out the play below.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Technology Tuesday
Recent “tourists” at Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome: Susan Klingel, Director, and Janice Rutledge, Residential Coordinator, from the Arc of Madison County in Huntsville, Alabama. The pair are pictured above with Imagine!'s Director of IT, Kevin Harding.
Friday, May 10, 2019
Good News Friday!
One of the best aspects of providing services in Boulder and Broomfield counties is the many organizations and people who support our work in ways big and small. Below are some examples in our community of how you can be part of our mission of creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.
Here's a way you can support individuals with intellectual disabilities in achieving their fitness goals, and get a clean car to boot! Imagine!’s Out & About Happy Feet Program is holding a car wash on May 15 at Imagine!'s Coal Creek Building, 1665 Coal Creek in Lafayette. Donations will go toward registration for a 5K Race the Happy Feet participants have been training for over the past few months.
The good folks at Acreage Ciderhouse and Eatery and Stem Ciders (1380 Horizon Ave, Unit A, Lafayette, CO) host Community Giving Nights every month. Here's how those work: During each month, they select three charities to support. Each Monday night during that month, guests at Acreage will be given a token for every cider they purchase, they will then have the option of choosing one charity to support at the end of the night. At the end of each month, Acreage donates $1 for every token given for each charity.
For May, they selected Imagine! as one of the organizations to support!
We are so grateful! You can help create a world of opportunity by going to Acreage any Monday this May and trying some of their amazing cider, their great food, and enjoying the spectacular view.
See you there!
Do you shop at King Soopers? If so, you can help support Imagine!’s mission while purchasing your groceries.
It’s simple to get started:
Speaking of grocery shopping, South Boulder Lucky’s Market has selected Imagine! as one of this quarter’s (February 3-May 25) Lucky’s Bags For Change partners!
For our readers who live in the area, we’d sure appreciate it if you were to make a shopping trip or two to Lucky’s (located at 695 S Broadway St. in Boulder) before May 25 so you can participate in this fun and environmentally friendly way to support our mission of creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.
Here’s how it works: when shoppers bring in their reusable bags, they can choose to receive $.10 back per bag credit or donate that amount to one of the three Bags For Change partners, including Imagine!. Even better: when a shopper donates, Lucky’s Market will match the donation and double the giving to the nonprofits! Make sure you bring in your reusable bag so you can start dropping dimes to support the three partners.
Thanks Lucky’s for your demonstrated commitment to your community, and thanks in advance to all of you who help out by shopping at Lucky’s South Boulder!
And last, but certainly not least, our generous friends at McGuckin Hardware have set aside the dates of May 17 – May 26 to help support the Imagine! Foundation and our mission of creating a world of opportunities for all abilities.
During that time period, shoppers are encouraged to round up their bill at the cash registers, with the extra portion going to the Imagine! Foundation.
I thank McGuckin Hardware for their commitment to their community, and I invite you all to visit the most amazing hardware store you’ll ever see and help local citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the same time.
Here's a way you can support individuals with intellectual disabilities in achieving their fitness goals, and get a clean car to boot! Imagine!’s Out & About Happy Feet Program is holding a car wash on May 15 at Imagine!'s Coal Creek Building, 1665 Coal Creek in Lafayette. Donations will go toward registration for a 5K Race the Happy Feet participants have been training for over the past few months.
__________
The good folks at Acreage Ciderhouse and Eatery and Stem Ciders (1380 Horizon Ave, Unit A, Lafayette, CO) host Community Giving Nights every month. Here's how those work: During each month, they select three charities to support. Each Monday night during that month, guests at Acreage will be given a token for every cider they purchase, they will then have the option of choosing one charity to support at the end of the night. At the end of each month, Acreage donates $1 for every token given for each charity.
For May, they selected Imagine! as one of the organizations to support!
We are so grateful! You can help create a world of opportunity by going to Acreage any Monday this May and trying some of their amazing cider, their great food, and enjoying the spectacular view.
See you there!
__________
Do you shop at King Soopers? If so, you can help support Imagine!’s mission while purchasing your groceries.
It’s simple to get started:
- Go to http://www.kingsoopers.com
- Sign in to your account (or create one) in upper left of web page
- Click on My Account From left column, click Community Rewards In the search box, type Imagine!, and Imagine! Foundation will show up. Choose it and we will receive a portion of your sales!
__________
Speaking of grocery shopping, South Boulder Lucky’s Market has selected Imagine! as one of this quarter’s (February 3-May 25) Lucky’s Bags For Change partners!
For our readers who live in the area, we’d sure appreciate it if you were to make a shopping trip or two to Lucky’s (located at 695 S Broadway St. in Boulder) before May 25 so you can participate in this fun and environmentally friendly way to support our mission of creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.
Here’s how it works: when shoppers bring in their reusable bags, they can choose to receive $.10 back per bag credit or donate that amount to one of the three Bags For Change partners, including Imagine!. Even better: when a shopper donates, Lucky’s Market will match the donation and double the giving to the nonprofits! Make sure you bring in your reusable bag so you can start dropping dimes to support the three partners.
Thanks Lucky’s for your demonstrated commitment to your community, and thanks in advance to all of you who help out by shopping at Lucky’s South Boulder!
__________
And last, but certainly not least, our generous friends at McGuckin Hardware have set aside the dates of May 17 – May 26 to help support the Imagine! Foundation and our mission of creating a world of opportunities for all abilities.
During that time period, shoppers are encouraged to round up their bill at the cash registers, with the extra portion going to the Imagine! Foundation.
I thank McGuckin Hardware for their commitment to their community, and I invite you all to visit the most amazing hardware store you’ll ever see and help local citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the same time.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Good News Friday!
In today's thriving economy, it can be tough for businesses to find that perfect fit: an employee who learns and grows with your business on a long-term basis.
Imagine! has a solution.
Imagine!'s Supported Employment program has partnered with businesses for over 30 years in Boulder and Broomfield counties, employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With support from trained Imagine! employees, these hard working and reliable individuals are eager to jump into the market and prove their skills!
Check out the video below to hear the story of how one company has found tremendous benefit from partnering with Imagine! for their employment needs. And if you have a business looking for employees, or know someone who does, then check out our website to learn more and get started.
Imagine! has a solution.
Imagine!'s Supported Employment program has partnered with businesses for over 30 years in Boulder and Broomfield counties, employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With support from trained Imagine! employees, these hard working and reliable individuals are eager to jump into the market and prove their skills!
Check out the video below to hear the story of how one company has found tremendous benefit from partnering with Imagine! for their employment needs. And if you have a business looking for employees, or know someone who does, then check out our website to learn more and get started.
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