NewsLetter 121 April 2024
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ACI Monthly
Newsletter
NEWS YOU CAN COUNT ON
APRIL 2024
Issue 121
Ability Counts, Inc. advocates and promotes a partnership with individuals with
intellectual disabilities for the purpose of assisting them to gain access to quality
vocational skills, training, employment opportunities and community integration.
APRIL 2024
CONTENT
1. Upcoming Events
2. Years of Service Recognition
3. Welcome: Darold Morris &
Alyssia Duplessis
4. Spotlight on: Debora Romero
5. Changes Around ACI
6. Animal Print Day
7. Spring Fling Dance
8. Casino Day
9. The Arc on Budget Cuts
10. Crazy Hair Day
11. Consumers of the Month
12. Equity in the Workplace
13. Socials
UPCOMING
EVENTS
5/12. Mothers day
5/17. P.J. Day
5/27. Memorial Day
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
Years of Service
Congratulations to Diane Hensel on her 22nd anniversary with
Ability Counts!
Your commitment to make a positive difference in the lives of others
and your dedication inspires us to make a positive impact. On behalf
of all of us, thank you for your 22 years of service.
We appreciate you!
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
We l c o m e : D a r o l d M o r r i s &
A l y s s i a D u p l e s s i
Please welcome our new Community
Employment Specialist, Darold Morris.
Darold has been in the IDD Field for over 10
years. He has worn many hats, serving as a
DSP, Vocational Education Trainer, Case
Manager, and Program Manager.
He is very passionate about this field and has
served on committees that pushed the Rate
Increase through the California Legislature.
He is an avid collector of Marvel and Star
Wars memorabilia and also participate in
Live Action Role Playing groups in California
and Nevada.
Issue 121
Please welcome our new Job Developer, Alyssia
Duplessis.
Alyssia joins Ability Counts with diverse experiences
and a genuine love for making a difference. From
managing nonprofit programs in
K-12 education to navigating sales operations. She's
always pursued the balance between efÏciency and
heartfelt connection.
Alyssia has degrees from Columbia College
Missouri, including an AA in Art Studies and a B.A.
in History and Legal Studies.
She enjoys the fulfillment in nonprofit work, drawn
by its ability to ignite positive change in
communities.
Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys
learning new skills, road tripping, and spending
time with her family and pets.
APRIL 2024
Spotlight on Debra Romero
My story begins June 2nd
1997 at Ability Counts.
Initially, I started as a
volunteer for two months,
seeking to gain insight
into learning more about
disabled adults and
children.
Being a parent to a
daughter with disabilities,
I faced challenges in
understanding her needs.
Every day, I continue to learn and grow, finding fulfillment in
working with individuals with disabilities.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this
organization, where I can make a difference and contribute to
the well-being of others.
My time at Ability Counts provided me with invaluable
experience and knowledge.
Issue 121
CHANGES AROUND ACI
We have started the negotiation process with
our existing Business Customers with the aim to sustain
employment for our groups while aligning with business
production needs and adhering to the minimum wage
requirements for our Consumers. Our objective is to
maintain a minimum of 75% of our existing contracts, but
our ultimate goal is to retain every single one of them. Keep
your fingers crossed for our negotiation team: Victor Jr.,
respective Case Manager or C.E. Specialist and myself.
Once the contracts are signed, Case Managers will organize
meetings with Consumers and their circle of support to
determine if there is a salary cap that they wish to follow.
Additionally, to minimize any negative impact on their social
security benefits, Consumers may chose to split their work
schedules between SEP and CIT.
After the contracts are finalized and the schedules have been
set, the key focus will be on both training the Consumers and
meeting production needs of the Business Customer to
ensure the longevity of our Contracts and keeping Consumers
employed. Job Coaches play a crucial role in this process and
we rely on their expertise to ensure the success of our
Supported Employment Program.
- Sophia Jurisch, Executive Director
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
Animal Print Day
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
ACI Corona shows us that Animal print day Is a fun way
to connect to your favorite spirit animal. From leopard to
snake skin, they show us their fierce fashion and
creative ways to show their favorite patterns from the
wild!
Spring Fling Dance
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
The first dance at the Riverside
facility was a hit, drawing in over
50 Consumers and 8 Staff
Volunteers, who made the event a
success and paved the way for
more to be held at this location in
the future.
The Spring Fling dance was made
unforgettable by the mouth-
watering fried chicken, the
delicious chocolate and vanilla
cupcakes, the stunning hand made
decorations.
The karaoke highlighted the
impressive vocal abilities of our
Consumers, and the energetic
group dances got everyone on their
feet. The excitement for the cha-
cha slide was one of the favorites.
It added to the enjoyment of the
evening.
The carefully placed Spring flowers
crafted by our CIT Consumers
added color and liveliness to the
event.
Huge thank you to our staff
volunteers for their hard work and
dedication in putting together an
event that was not only enjoyable,
but also ran smoothly and
efÏciently.
Thank you La Rae, Leonor,
Samantha, Jasmine,Veronica,
Carla, and Rosa.
Casino day
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
Consumers at ACI Corona take
their chances at winning big
during casino day. They all try
their best to keep their best poker
faces and think through each
decision carefully.
During Casino Day consumers
show off their money skills for the
best outcome possible!
Alejandro holds his cash winnings
showing off his big stacks!
Jackie holds her cards close to her
chest not allowing anyone an easy
win.
Melissa thinks long and hard about
her moves so she can get the best
possible outcome.
Good Luck!
The ARC on Budget Cuts
“Last week, the Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Karen Garcia
published an important investigative article showing how Governor
Newsom's proposed $1 billion in funding cuts to disability services
will impact individuals with developmental disabilities, their families
and the workforce.
The Department of Developmental Services pays private contractors
(service providers) to provide residential and day programs, including
work and training activities, on a per-person basis using a
combination of state and federal funds. But lawmakers recognized in
the mid-2010s that the rates — which have been frozen or cut during
previous state budget crises — did not support an adequate supply of
providers to meet the need for services, according to the
Legislative Analyst’s OfÏce.
Garcia interviewed Jordan Lindsey, Executive Director, The Arc of
California for the story.
"When a family goes to a referred provider, they’re often met with
waiting lists of many months," said Lindsey. "Or, they’re turned away
entirely because the provider doesn’t have enough staff to support the
varying needs of new clients."
StafÏng levels are low across the state because wages start between
$16 and $20 an hour for a difÏcult, complex job, he added.
We encourage you to share with your networks, and/or write a letter
to the editor to provide comments, and urging the Legislature to reject
Governor Newsom’s proposal to delay/cut $1 billion in funding for
disability services.” – The ARC of California
Issue 121
APRIL 2024
April 17, 2024 10:40 AM PT
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