Kokua Spirit Vol. 18

Everyone has been working so hard to make ends meet for our clients! We know that times are tough and you're tired. We appreciate you and we are working hard to fill shifts and find solutions. Please know that you can reach out for more support or training and though we may not have an immediate answer, we will work to find it for you!

We are one big team and there are so many different levels of support and care that go into making sure those we support are healthy and happy and living their lives to the fullest!

Please don't forget the difference you are making everyday!

We've got a new, sweet get around vehicle for making sure clients get where they need to be! It's basically our own DAL bus, and things have been off to a great start, and people are saying good things about having this bus available to support their needs! If you would like to book a ride on the Kokuber Bus, please use the google form Marsha sent via scomm or contact Noah directly

The Halloween party was a real success and a whole lot of fun! It was so cool to see people that we hadn't seen in a while and everyone worked so hard to make it all happen, and to get people there! Thank you to everyone who volunteered, drove, served food, took pictures, played games, danced and just visited It

More Halloween Shenanigans!!

Thank you to client AB's Grandma, for her donation of some very lovely knitted hats. They were just in time for cooler, fall weather and very much appreciated!

SQA says Thank You to some of our Rockstar staff that have been going above and beyond!

As the ones working the on-call phone, this team is aware of who is really working hard and helping out their teams and clients! Thank you to all these stellar staff and thank you SQA for recognizing them!

Alyssa (L), and Myriah sport their Kokua #DifferenceMaker shirts and want to thank you for being awesome Difference Makers!

Rock'N'Roll Memories with Ken

by: Ken Frye

In 1952, a 29-year-old DJ named Richard E Clark, aka Dick Clark, was born to TV audiences. ABC wanted to have a TV show called American Bandstand. Dick Clark was young enough to fit the bill as the DJ for the show. Originating out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania from 1952 to 1964, the show aired on ABC television network for an hour and a half every day. There were teenagers who would stand outside WFIL TV every day just trying to get on American Bandstand. Each kid in the audience became a dancer on the show, and every kid in America wanted to be on TV, and dance on American bandstand!

When Dick Clark was first approached with the idea of the show, he said he didn't know what to do with all the kids in the audience. He didn't know how he was going take care of that many kids, but ABC coerced him into starting the show, and it's a good thing they did! Dick Clark headed the show that led the bandstand caravan buses all around the country and showed all the famous acts of the day, giving kids a chance to hear their favorite musicians and music at the time. Dick soon became known as America’s “Oldest Teenager,” as he showcased kids having fun and dancing to their favorite tunes on live television. His worries about what to do with all those kids during the show were unfounded, as he created a new level of respect and appreciation for music, and the kids just wanted to dance along! Dick Clark signed off American bandstand in 1975 and gave ABC the rights to do other programming in its hallowed time slot.

Photos from American Bandstand, (top), and of Dick Clark, the host of the show, circa 1958.

As for me, Dick Clark became the ultimate DJ who set a standard for me to be a DJ, that I still strive to meet, even to this day. Dick Clark could walk, and I couldn't, but he made me feel like if he could be a DJ, then I could too. Dick Clark eventually had a stroke and ABC wanted to discontinue him as the host of New Year's Rockin’ Eve and replace him with Ryan Seacrest. Ryan would not allow ABC to phase out Dick Clark that easily and he turned down the opportunity to host so that Dick Clark could remain a part of American pop culture and stay in people's memories as Mr. New Year's Rockin’ Eve.

Dick Clark was an important figure in 50s and 60s music and was also a pivotal force in the beginning middle and end of 70s and 80s rock music. Dick Clark made rock'n'roll stick to everybody's memory and became the face of rock’n’roll for generations to come. Not just a voice, Dick Clark became the face of music.

Imagine that you hadn't been able to poop in 4 days and no one knew, and couldn't help you, because you couldn't tell them? You would probably be really uncomfortable and perhaps in pain, and needing some relief.

A Bowel Protocol is something that is in place to help us be aware of when someone may need a little more help...moving things along.

If someone is having trouble emptying their bowels on their own, they may need assistance from a medicine or procedure.

Bowel obstruction is a leading cause of death in adults with disabilities and the reason we track BMs and provide these PRN relief measures is to try to avoid this type of scenario.

You need to be aware of and familiar with the protocols for the individuals in your care. BMs are tracked for those with a bowel protocol specifically, so that when it's been too long, we can provide support. If you have any questions or concerns about these protocols, please reach out to the Health Office.

Bowel Protocols and PRNs- What's the big deal with them anyway?

Delegation is important!

When you get hired to work here you also agree to be delegated to give medications to the people you support. Once you take your ND Class you should receive a notification email (through the address you provided), from our Nurse Delegators at BD Nurse Delegation. If you don't accept this and go into the portal to sign off on the tasks, you cannot be delegated. This is causing some unnecessary hold up, as your coworkers who are delegated wait for some more support!

Please stay on top of your delegation up front and then be sure and review any correspondence and updates. Thank you!

Pro Re Nata- PRN or "As needed"

Medications-

Just like a bowel protocol or a feeding protocol, some of the people we support have "as needed meds" for things such as anxiety, pain, itching, nausea, etc. Sometimes the people we support cannot tell us they are in pain and it is up to us to look for the indicators that they may be in pain. These would be listed on the prescription for a prn, such as Tylenol.

Each of the medications, has a legitimate reason for being prescribed by the health care provider, though they may not be a med that is taken all the time, on a scheduled routine. These meds are available as they are needed, or prn, and there should be symptomatic criteria that accompanies the prescription.

When you sign off on a delegated task, including one for a PRN, there are diagnoses, and/or reasons listed as to why this med may be given. You should be familiar with the reasons why a prn would be given for a particular individual, as well as signs and symptoms to look for.

If there is a PRN for psychotropic use there should be a PBSP (Positive Behavior Support Plan), in place and there should be ways listed in the PBSP to try to re-direct and/or replace the behavior with another one, prior to administration of a prn.

If you are familiar with someone's PBSP you will know the signs and symptoms to look for when they may be becoming escalated, agitated, upset, etc. If you are not able to support them with redirection or discussion, and the person appears to still be upset or agitated, or is increasing in their behaviors, you may always offer a PRN!

If you were hired prior to 2022, you need to complete your CE credits by December 5th! That's not much time so get on it! Login to OFL, (contact Training if you need that info), and get learning! Also, if you haven't checked out the Carelearn platform through DSHS, do it! They have some good stuff too! If you aren't set up, Training can hep you get this going too.

some of our newer folks! We are so glad to have you here!

De'Andre Buckley at 51st B for always being on top of things! She is reliable, kind, and honest. She does an amazing job of supporting our client every single day. Chastine Ortiz at Roger's for stepping up to lead her team as stand in TL! She's doing a great job. -Sherri

Shoutout to Annie for her flexibility in getting Trenton clients to the play. Also, thank you to Jared for his help as well and support with other clients that night. Good teamwork! Meredith

Brianna is doing a really great job at Kendra and deserves a shout-out! -anon shout-out to Angel G. for her excellent client care! Big Shout out to Maile for always keeping a good head on her shoulders and for handling difficult client situations, calmly and professionally!

HUGE shoutout to the entire Roger's house team! The client care has not slipped even a little bit and the clients are still getting out of the house to do fun things.

Another HUGE shoutout to the entire Nepean house team! They are the definition of team players and are always willing to lend a helping hand if needed.  The last one is for Mery Kioko, Lavenia Marles, Andrew Wachira, and Nise Maiava They all pick up A LOT of hours and sometimes not always by choice, yet they never come to work with a poor attitude or let the client care slip. We appreciate them so much.   -anon

Thank you to Sean and the Board for our Holiday Bonuses! anon

Shout-out for Myriah! She is consistently picking up shifts in the home I currently work at without hesitation. The clients are always stoked when she stops by. She is very helpful whenever contacted on the on-call phone also. We appreciate her soooo much!!Anonymous

Shout-out to Liz for her constant advocacy and support of both clients and staff. We are sure gonna miss you! Anon

Shane at 22nd deserves a shoutout for his excellent advocacy for a client and his needs. Great work! -anon

hummingbird studio wants to thank our community for their donations and support of this year's Give Local Campaign. A BIG thank you to the South Sound Community Foundation and everyone who chipped in to support our new endeavors. We exceeded our fundraising goal and look forward to moving forward with re-opening the studio and bringing you hummingbird café. Stay tuned as 2023 brings some exciting new ventures!

The Holidays are upon us and with that lots of shopping that clients will want to do. Please make sure they are planning ahead and talking to Finance so that we can help support them to have the Holiday they would like.

There are some fun things in the works for next month activities so stay tuned for that as well!