Saint Rose Center
Annual Report
June 30, 2005

Click here for the 2009 Annual Report
Click here for the 2008 Annual Report
Click here for the 2004 Annual Report

Table of Contents

Please note that the web version of this report is incomplete. Below is the full table of contents for the printed report; sections that are available online are links.

• The Year in Review 2004-2005
• The Program
• Organizational Decision-Making Process
• CARF
• Individual Surveys
• Community
• Self-Esteem
• Training Notes
• Family Survey
• Demographics/Graphs
• Buidling/Safety
• Acknowledgements
• IDHS Financial Efiiciency
• Statement of Activity

Mission Statement

Our Mission is to offer to adults with developmental disabilities a program, which stresses independence and community involvement. We fulfill that mission by encouraging individuals to strive for their highest potential. To that end, we support clients to be active and valued participants in community life; have healthy relationships with family, friends, and neighbors, make informed choices about life pattern; develop and exercise competencies; and strive for self-sufficiency and personal security. The Center welcomes adults with developmental disabilities, regardless of race, color, ethnic background, religion, or other discriminatory status.

July 1, 2004 saw a change in funding for St. Rose Center, from grants to fee-for-service conversion.

In a recent survey billing procedure, billing rejections, use of file protocol, technical assistance and remittance still pose a problem for providers and the Department of Human Services. Such an immense change in the funding system requires time to run smoothly. We look forward to 2005 for improvement.

Thanks to Speaker of the House, Michael J. Madigan, we hope to have all our your people funded.

We must all remember that funding is based on our annual audit and for only certain items. It does not take into consideration—program enhancement, additional staff, building expenses, the little surprises that appear during the year. Therefore, we must continue to rely on the generosity of our parents and friends. (Fund raisers, grants, and donations) So, please continue your generosity and support.

This year, we formulated program development guidelines for our staff, families, and other supporters. These guidelines are most helpful as each area of learning is explored step by step.

We entered into a more intense collaboration with CSO (Community Service Options, Inc.) They offer services such as, being present at annual reviews, interest in the family unit, and frequent visits to the Center. We welcome what is best for our young people.

One of our young people will no longer come to the Center. She will take her place in the work world. We will, however, be forming a support group for our people leaving the program who may wish to keep in touch.

All in all another challenging and interesting year.

A sincere thank you to all who believe in the Program at St. Rose Center and wish to support our efforts.

God bless each and everyone of you.

Gratefully,
Sister Theresa Tamburo

The St. Rose Center program consists of five domains, which are living, personal, social, achievement and community. Like a Russian doll, each domain encloses smaller program areas, and each program area encloses special sets of coded program hours. The center's structure gives the individuals a wide variety of opportunities and life experiences. The individuals' monthly satisfaction surveys indicate this array mimics the individual's interests.

This year, we utilized the 2004 CARF Performance Analysis to evaluate the program. This is a self-written report on the center's progress. We needed to include benchmarks. After participating in many of the center's meetings and reading many of the surveys, the four-member Administration team gave written suggestions on how much time each group should spend on each program hour. The benchmark applied was an average of these suggestions. The team also rewrote hourly codes and ivested in a new computer program to receive data from the Direct Support Persons (DSP's).

English and Spanish Program guides communicated information to staff, families and committee members. Staff discussed additional information directly from CARF business improvement reports and wrote new schedules. Each staff taught all program areas to their groups. A second new computer program purchased assisted in sorting and collating the center's vast collection of internal written communications. An update to the Employee Safety Handbook also worked into the training program and a new DSP initiated our community workers to working with laptop computers. Their schedule included reviews and training at their on-the-job work sites by the DSP and the job coach.

Ten additional individuals enrolled in the program from Ray Graham High School. A second new DSP added to the functioning of the lower group and a third DSP employed as a substitute later took a full-time position. All three new staff trained at Anixter Center for 40 hours and completed 80 hours of on-the-job training with the second "Qualified mental retardation professional" (QMRP) who had newly accepted the role of staff trainer. The first QMRP accepted the role of coordinating an expanded caseload.

In addition to these changes and the change from fee-for-service funding, the organization gained the assistance of our PAS agency, Community Service Options (CSO). The Individual support and service advocates (ISSA) from CSO participated in Annual meetings, home visitations, and helped to structure the goal program through focus on the inventory of client and agency planning (ICAP). New goal data sheets assisted in a simpler ordering of individual's personal goals.

The DSPs trained individually and in teams. A continued interest placed in rights and cultural diversity stemmed an interest in community events such as trips to the Museum of African American Culture, the Mexican Cultural Art Museum and the Auditorium theatre to see an African Play called, "Tokoloshe." An emphasis made to better use existing supplies, materials, and equipment led to a new sorting and redistribution of items. QMRPs followed-through with paperwork hoping we could regain use of occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Lastly, the center trained in the state requirements necessary to successfully pass the Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS) inspection.

The business of St. Rose Center continues to improve. The work begins with strategic planning.

• Alongside the annual report tallying the years past effort, a written three-year plan supersedes future barriers and helps us to advance our goals and objectives.
• The center is committed to independence and community for the young people we serve.
• We are concerned with all of our stakeholders such as the families, community members, and governmental representatives
• We work hard to be financially solvent and good custodians of trust.
• Our environment remains open and accessible to the people we serve.
• We are aware of differing attitudes toward people who are developmentally disabled and we act as front-runners in blaancing needs and expectations.
• We recognize human and material resources are hard to come by so we practice good conservation.
• With a cautious eye, we assess risks
• We are given continued support by our Governance Board who are interested in the center's success and well-being.
• Updated policies and procedures guide our actions and rights uphold and protect our boundaries.
• We are prepared to progress into the future fully aware of technological advances available to us.
• We continue to research our ideals and respond to field trends.
• Our environment is safe.

It is with great respect toward many helping hands that we say good-bye to a good year as we welcome and look forward to the next.

"We also have a mission to complete and it is by following the example of Blessed Guanella in his devotion to the blessed Eucharist and trust in Divine Providence that we too will find success." --Sr. Darlene Johnson, DSMP

(# of responses)

• Everything is fine, I like it! (593)
• I am satisfied with the service (464)
• I am making progress with my goals (450)
• I like food preparation (145)
• I like outings and don't to to miss (132)
• I like program work and learning (132)
• I like workshop (123)
• I like computers and Internet (119)
• Thank you staff, you are nice, special, and I love you (109)
• I like Shopping (81)
• I like parks, exercise and sports (81)
• I like eating, especially at Restaurants (55)
• I like going to the library (42)
• I like arts and crafts (42)
• I like earning money (42)
• I have good information to share with staff (41)
• I like math and money (41)
• I like holidays (39)
• I want people to know I am working harder/and better! (35)
• I like parties and dancing (32)
• I want a job in the community (31)
• I like reading and writing (28)
• I like music (28)
• I love everybody (26)
• I need more help with skills and goals (26)
• I like helping (20)
• I like my friends (20)

The individuals and staff at St. Rose Center have had a good year with community events. They have taken in Chicago sights at Navy Pier, Millennium Park, fishing at McKinley park and strolling along Calumet Beach. They traveled to Indiana to participate in Mass and a Walk for Peace and to Libertyville to see Lamb's Farm. There were cultural journeys to the Auditorium Theatre, Dusable Museum of African American Culture and Mexican Cultural Art Museum. They danced at the VFW Christmas party, Allahambra Christmas party, Spring Fling and parties at St. Rose Center.

There is always an interest in shopping and dining and this year the individuals and staff found Chinatown, Park Ridge Mall and local stores, eateries and on-the-run picnics. They have also gone on many walks including the library, exhibits at the Daley Center, the pet store, the fire station, both zoos, and the Little Red School House Forest Preserve. They have volunteered at the St. Michael's Soup kitchen, in gardening, and in collecting change for the Tsunami Relief effort.

In addition, the individuals and staff have entertained themselves with basketball, bocce ball, volleyball, soccer and softball at a variety of parks and gone bowling at a local lane. They have celebrated Father Guanella's Feast Day with food brought in from Nick's Pizzeria, celebrated May crowning of Our Lady, and celebrated Thanksgiving with food brought in by Tony and other St. Rose sponsors. Throughout all they were encouraged by Townhall discussions on decorum, healthy eating, exercise, reduction of stress, rights, responsibilities, and relationships. Lastly, they have responded to many activities and news events by preparing colorful and informational displays in the rooms and in the center hall.

In October of this last year, 41 individuals participated in an informal self-esteem survey. Twenty-nine suverys (71%) were useable for the study. Forty questions asked during two separate one-hour "Thinking Group" meetings gave the group room to think. The areas included in the study were fostering good relationships, striving for a sense of security, looking after self, creating a positive self-image, and developing social/work confidence.

The survey was from Ibex Management Limited. Questions rephrased to capture the question's essence helped to limit barriers of confusing language. A question originally phrased, "How do you feel about the state of your health," would be changed to "Do you feel your health is very good, very bad or something in between?" The survey-takers were observant during the time questions were asked, but then the environment relaxed as people tried to "figure" aloud each of their responses. The QMPR responsible for the survey answered all questions before progressing to the next question and the individuals recorded answers using pencil and paper.

On the low end of the scale, Fifty percent of the group thought it might be a good thing to get jealous. Forty-two percent of the group didn't feel they could do things without someone saying, "Good job," and, Thirty-one percent of the group thouht if they were in trouble, no one would take care of them. On this last question, many of the individuals indicated they would take care of themselves.

The questions everyone in the room responded to in a positive manner related to not taking cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. The individuals were in 100% agreement on this issue. Ninety-five percent of the group responded that they felt hope in areas of work, love and life. Ninety-three percent of the group felt good about finding clothes when shopping. Lastly, they felt strongly about wanting people to depend on them. Everyone felt good in answering questions about themselves. As a whole, the group's self-esteem was at an 82% confidence level and they scored best in the area of developing social and work confidence.

The individuals are proud of themselves and we are proud of them.

"The witness of an individual's strength can be seen and exemplified in their ability, endurance, and spirit through the journey of life with its milestones of joys, suffering and temptations." --Sr. Charlene Badiola, DSMP

Person-Centered Quality of Life Renwick, Brown & Raphael
University of Toronto
Outlined: Ann Garvey, QMRP

Note: Outline numbering system varies by browser and may differ from printed report

1. Recent International Trends (Rights recognized and education guaranteed)
1. normalization
2. connumity living
3. independence
4. individual attention
5. inclusion
2. Quality of Life
1. How are the lives of people with DD affected
1. main focus away from working toward objectives
2. and away from others deciding what are good objectives
3. toward how the use of these trends improve people's lives.
2. Questions considered
1. are people really happier?
2. are they better off?
3. are their lives more fulfilling?
3. Quality of Life encompasses the values that are central to human life and that constitute the essence of our existence.
3. International Conceptual Structure of Quality of Life (My World)
1. microlevel: the individual, family and/or advocate(s);
2. Mesolevel: communities, institutions, organizations, or programs;
3. macrolevel: culture, society, or large populations, country, political.
1. family life
2. manners
3. leisure activities
4. work habits
5. religious practices
6. care of one's physical health
4. Core dimensions--US Schalock
1. emotional well-being
2. personal development
3. self-determination
4. interpersonal relations
5. social inclusion
6. rights
7. material well-being
8. physical well-being
5. Person-centered Quality of Life -- Social Justice
1. Each person finds his or her own ways to express needs and goals associated with core human domains.
2. Each individual knows best which ways are most suited to his or her life and circumstances
3. These individual expressions of needs and goals comprise a person's uniqueness and define a person's individuality.
4. All persons are worthy and have value
5. Each individual should direct and participate in planning for their own lives and futures among a range of real atlernatives.
6. The individual's values, decisions and personal choices are worthy of respect by others
6. Supporting Quality of Life requires
1. observing and listening to what each indiivudal shows (i.e. through actions and nonverbal behavior) and has to say about his or her life.
2. actively seeing and hearing what makes life good and not so good, and what unique aspects of life give importance and meaning
3. the individual remains the principal source of information about what he or she deems important and enjoyable
4. we must tailor supports (natural and professional) by assisting in the development of plans that come close to the person's own perception of the world and better facilitate quality within the individual's life.