ISSUE NO.58 Winter 2020
touchstone A quarterly publication providing the latest news & information for individuals with disabilities, families, friends and our community.
I AM YOU & Playback Improv return In February, nine performers and a ten member Playback improvisational troupe, will present I Am You, a professional theatrical production demonstrating to the community that all individuals have artistic abilities and stories to share as well as dreams and aspirations. Stone Belt received a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission for I Am You performances in 2020. Stone Belt’s I Am You focuses on empowering people with disabilities to speak for themselves and share a part of their life story with the community. They will share their stories through different modes such as monologues, music, poetry, and artwork.
Stephanie Weber, Dan Lodge-Rigal, and Lucy Farmer. The Playback troupe is directed by Whitney Sullivan. Performing in I Am You and Playback requires a seven month commitment. The performers are selected following an agency-wide audition and narrowed down based on their desire to share their story, artistic ambitions, and impact on the audience. Performers vary from year-to-year and are chosen to represent a wide range of different backgrounds and abilities.
I Am You performers are supported by Stone Belt in Bloomington, Bedford, and Columbus. The cast includes Logan Bell, Johnny Brooking, Neisha Luther, Derrick Martin, Kenton McInteer, Patty Muelenbein, Beth Myers, Ryan Pollack and Carl Strange. I Am You is directed by Lucy Farmer.
Once selected, directors Lucy Farmer and Whitney Sullivan established relationships and supported each performer in choosing a meaningful story and determining the most captivating method to share their story on stage. Performers worked individually, in small groups, and large groups to get feedback and make changes and adjustments as needed. Following six months of rehearsing, it is finally show time!
The Playback improvisational troupe is back by popular demand. The troupe is comprised of people with and without disabilities. Members include Kimmi Bignell, Mary Kate Bistro, Betsy Higgins, Mai Key, Brandon Kerfoot, Wesley Mull, Jessica Walker,
Stone Belt’s first I Am You stage production in 2008 grew from Michelle Davenport’s (a recreational therapy student at that time) desire to document and preserve the stories of people with disabilities. Michelle believed the stories of inspiration, courage,
Stone Belt’s Playback Troupe practice their Fluid Sculptures during rehearsal. (Left to right) Brandon Kerfoot, Lucy Farmer and Wesley Mull.
and resilience could be brought to stage as a powerful testament to the performer’s courage and strength. Stone Belt agreed.
I Am You performances February 21 & 22 at 7 p.m. Ted Jones Playhouse 107 W 9th Street Bloomington, IN Tickets are currently on-sale at the BCT Box Office 114 E Kirkwood Avenue or online at bctboxoffice.org
Contacting Your Legislators In Indiana: Every Indiana citizen has a state representative and a state senator. To find your legislators go to: http:// iga.in.gov/legislative/ find-legislators/. Contact these individuals for concerns at the state level, such as funding for the direct support professional workforce. In Washington: To express your concerns about the changes in the Medicaid program or other federal issues, contact these federal legislators. • Senator Todd Young 202-224-5623 in Washington, D.C. or 317-226-6700 in Indianapolis www.young.senate. gov/contact/emailtodd • Senator Mike Braun 202-224-4814 in Washington, D.C. or 317-822-8240 in Indianapolis www.braun.senate. gov/contact-mike • Representative Trey Hollingsworth 202-225-5315 in Washington, D.C. or 812-288-3999 in Jeffersonville http://hollingsworth. house.gov/contact/ email • Representative Greg Pence, 202-225-3021 in Washington, D.C. or 812-799-5230 in Columbus http://pence. house.gov/contact
FROM THE CEO
A look ahead to 2020 By LESLIE GREEN I hope your new year is off to a good start. As you can tell if you follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/ StoneBeltArc/), Twitter (twitter.com/stonebeltarc) and via other online news, things are as energetic as ever throughout Stone Belt’s programs. I am using this opportunity to give you a look into some of our plans and expectations for 2020. Our first big event of the year will be I Am You on February 21-22. This will be our 7th season of the production featuring the stories, gifts and talents of people with disabilities. This year, we are excited to bring back our Playback improvisational troupe as a part of the production. LESLIE GREEN I can attest you will be inspired, amused, warmed, and in awe of the things you’ll experience in the show. This is one of my favorite things that we do at Stone Belt. I’m always emotionally lifted by the courage and abilities of the performers. Ticket information can be found on page one. Get yours early as we will sell out both performances. The Advocacy Luncheon Series continues with two planned events, and probably more in the fall. On February 27, Kylee Hope, Director of Indiana’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS), will speak about the Waiver Redesign project that is currently ongoing. DDRS will be submitting a proposal to the federal government later this year that will change, and hopefully improve the Medicaid waiver. Since many of our clients receive this funding source, this topic is of great interest. On May 28th the luncheon topic is Building a Relationship with Your Legislator featuring Senator Mark Stoops and Hannah Carlock from The Arc of Indiana. Details about both of these events are on the back page of this issue of Touchstone.
Speaking of the Legislature, the Indiana General Assembly is in session. This is not a budget-making year, so our agenda will be shorter, but we must take every opportunity to impress upon our legislators the need for strong support of our services, including the need to address our workforce crisis. Your involvement is critical, so please watch our various media channels on ways you can get involved and make your voice heard. Since this is an election year, we plan to hold a candidates’ forum in the early fall. You will have the opportunity to hear from the local Indiana General Assembly candidates and to ask them questions about their support of disability issues. Since crowd size “talks” we will need a large audience to demonstrate a strong and active constituency that cares about these issues. And, of course, we urge you to inform yourself on the candidates’ positions and then vote in November. More details to come. We are honored to receive a Community Impact Grant from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to start Boost, a Direct Support Professionals internship program. This will help us engage and employ local high school seniors, giving them intensive, hands-on training as they prepare for a career in healthcare and human services. More information can be found in this issue of Touchstone. Every day and night of 2020, we will continue to support over 1300 people in our various programs. Many lives will be changed – some will move into a new home, some will get a promotion at work, some will graduate from Project SEARCH, some will sell their first artwork – the list goes on and on. Daily life in Stone Belt services is quite dynamic. Your support helps us keep the scope and quality of our program at the highest level. We appreciate your engagement. It makes the greatest difference in our ability to meet our mission to prepare, empower, and support people with disabilities to live full lives in the community. Happy New Year,
Milestones highlights staff achievements Congratulations to Pamela McCoy who won The Arc of Bartholomew County’s 2019 Professional of the Year. This award recognizes a person employed in the field of serving individuals with developmental disabilities whose work has resulted in improvement in supports and services for people with developmental disabilities and their families and assists in furthering The Arc’s goal of fully inclusive opportunities for all persons with disabilities. Pamela works at Stone Belt Milestones program Pamela McCoy won The Arc of Bartholomew in the Columbus area County’s 2019 Professional of the Year. (Left to right) Ella Boyd, Executive Director of as a Senior Behavior The Arc of Bartholomew County, Pamela McCoy, Clinician. She also and nominator Peggy Myers. provides therapy in our Outpatient Clinic. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has worked for Stone Belt for over five years. Her nomination for the award came from Peggy Myers, who has taught Columbus students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for over 25 years. “Winning this award is especially meaningful because the nomination came from someone with vast experience in our field who more recently became aware of the high quality clinical work that Pam performs every day,” said Milestones Director Jim Wiltz. “It is a real tribute to her efforts serving individuals in Columbus. Please let Pam know how much her great work is appreciated within, and outside of, Stone Belt.”
New senior skills clinicians The Skills Development Program—under the leadership of Jennifer Hammond, LCSW—is growing. The program is committed to enhancing the individual and family’s ability to improve skills in emotional control, stress and time management, problem solving, conflict resolution, communication, concentration, community integration, and other activities of daily living. In an effort to accommodate the growth, Jeff Reuter and Anna Cavanaugh now have the title Senior Skills Clinician. Jeff and Anna have been with the Skills Development Program for several years and know the ins and outs of implementing treatment programs and manageing caseloads. Stone Belt congratulates Jeff and Anna for their teamwork, especially their willingness to take on more duties to help Milestones expand supports to individuals by growing the Skills Development Program.
Columbus outpatient psychiatry changes A significant shift in Milestones supports is happening for those receiving Outpatient Psychiatry Services in Columbus. This shift is due to the resignation of our Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) at the end of 2019. The good news is that we plan to provide the same high level of clinical support that people have come to expect from Milestones. Starting the second week of January, our Bloomingtonbased APN, Kevin Moore, assumed the Columbus psychiatry caseload. Our longtime Columbus receptionist Patty Wessel has transitioned to working in our Bloomington office Monday through Thursday. She will be working closely with Milestones receptionist Melissa Goodman, under the supervision of Practice Manager Deb Lane, and on Fridays she will be working with Kevin Moore in Columbus. It is difficult to fully quantify how much effort it takes to keep our clinical supports tailored to fit the needs of our clients while also balancing available resources. The changes we are making in Columbus are just a snapshot of the effort put forth by Milestones staff on a continual basis to strike this delicate balance. Thank you to all the members of this great clinical team for the hard work you do to make the future look bright for all of Milestones clients in 2020.
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Becoming a corporate partner is a premiere way to show support for people with disabilities and is vital in helping Stone Belt staff and clients reach beyond what current resources allow. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor, visit www.stonebelt.org/giving. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Development Manager Adam Hamel at (812) 332-2168, ext. 269, or ahamel@stonebelt.org.
NOTABLE NEWS
Stone Belt receives $25,000 grant up to 15 graduating seniors with training, knowledge, and hands-on experience to support people with disabilities. Upon graduation, participating interns may be offered full-time or parttime positions as Direct Support Professionals at Stone Belt. “Stone Belt’s Boost program will combine its Direct Support Professionals training with paid internships for high school students enabling participants Stone Belt’s CEO Leslie Green, Development Manager Adam to apply what they learn Hamel, and Board member Carol-Anne Hossler at the Community through on-line and classroom Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Impact Grant instruction and real work Award reception. environment,” said Adam Hamel, The Community Foundation of Bloomington development manager. “The certifications and and Monroe County awarded $25,000 to competencies earned during the internship Stone Belt during its annual Community are applicable to other healthcare positions Impact Grant Award reception in 2019. and are portable to other developmental disability providers and healthcare facilities Eleven local organizations were given throughout Indiana. The goal is to provide money to help with projects and programs the interns with the skills to grow within the designed to help the community reach the agency and/or seek higher education in a foundation’s Monroe County Quality of Place field such as nursing, counseling, or another and Workforce Attraction Plan. The grants field benefiting those with developmental were co-funded by Smithville Charitable disabilities.” Foundation. Stone Belt will use the grant money to pilot its Boost program, a classroom and internship gateway experience for local high school students interested in careers in health care and human services. The 10week, paid internship opportunity will equip
For more information about the Boost program, contact Stone Belt Human Resources Manager Preston Hughes at phughes@stonebelt.org or 812.332.2168 ext. 261.
“It comes as no surprise that Stone Belt has developed an innovative strategy for addressing its workforce needs and serving its clients. Implementing an internship strategy is a win for high school students, for Stone Belt, and for our community. We fully expect that the pathway Stone Belt has developed will ultimately prove useful to students and organizations across the state. We are proud to support Stone Belt in another creative strategy for serving those with disabilities.” —Tina Peterson, President & Chief Executive Officer Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County
Dedicated board member and friend passes away Michael Melby, a dedicated and passionate member of Stone Belt’s board of directors, has passed away. Michael was the board treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee During his three years on the board, he championed the acquisition and development of a new medication administration system for Stone Belt, which has helped increase accuracy and efficiency. The system ensures that clients get the right medication at the right time and it makes it easier for staff to keep ongoing records. “I’m thankful that we were able to get to know Michael,” said President of Stone Belt’s Board of Directors Anne Higley. “Michael combined his caring, thoughtful, creative characteristics with a willingness to jump in and get things done.” Michael was Director of Innovation and Activation at IU Health, responsible for the planning for the new IU Health Regional Academic Medical Center and he spent the first part of his career as a hospital pharmacist. He is sorely missed by his collegues at Stone Belt.
Stone Belt Board Member Michael Melby
THANK YOU DONORS Stone Belt appreciates our generous donors (January 1-December 31, 2019) and their continued support. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of this listing. If there is an omission, please accept our apology and reach out to Adam Hamel at (812) 332-2168 ext. 269 or ahamel@stonebelt.org.
Cornerstone Society ($10,000.00 - $24,999.00) Carol-Anne, Don & Jonathan Hossler, Randall & Rae Kirk, The MENTOR Network, Smithville Charitable Foundation
Pillar Society ($5,000.00 - $9,999.00) CFC Properties, Inc., Jim & Mary Kenny, Don & Carolyn Snyder
Limestone Society ($2,500.00 - $4,999.00) Lisa Baker, Big Red Liquors, Malcolm Brown, Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County, Crowder’s Healthcare Pharmacy, Kay Dahlgren, Cindy Higgins, Hylant Group, IU Credit Union, Indiana Arts Commission, Michael Melby, Richard Sanders, St. John Associates, Hal Turner
Builder Society ($1,000.00 - $2,499.00) Bill & Mickey Bartley, Blue & Co., LLC, Vicki Borrelli, Boston Scientific, Alex & Ginny Buchwald, Charlie & Rhonda Burch, Patricia Chase, Clendening Johnson & Bohrer, P.C., Michael & Betty Davis, Brian & Danica D’Onofrio, David & Jane Dunatchik, Susan Failey, First United Church, Inc., Preston & Lori Garraghty, Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy, German American Bank, Leslie Green & Ed Maxedon, Anne Higley & Eric Benson, Louie & Trish Ierino, Ivy Tech Community College, Dan & Beth Lodge-Rigal, DJ Masson & Betsy Gersin, Jim & Joyce Grandorf, Patrick McNaughton & Diane PeIrine, Valerie Merriam, Stuart & Cookie Mufson, Brady & Casey Mullis, New Unionville Baptist Church, Oliver Winery, Mary Phillips, Henry & Celicia Upper, Charles & Lisa Zorn
Advocate Society ($500.00 - $999.00) William & Sue Becker, Jim & Anne Bright, Evelyn Brown, James & Carol Campbell, Daniel & Debbie Conkle, Joe & Kim Hamon, Justin & Emily Harrison, Margaret Hathaway, MaryEllen Jones, Rodney & Linda Margison, Edwin Marshall, Michael’s Uptown Café, Nancy Owen, George Rice, Trish Sterling, Richard & Susan Stryker, Reginald Travis & Wendy Bowler-Travis, John Turner & Catherine Gray
Steward Society ($100.00 - $499.00) Shirley Abbitt, Melanie Adams, Robert Agranoff & Susan Klein, Andrew & Kimberly Allard, Amal & Salih Altoma, Amvets Ladies Auxiliary 2000, Katie Anderson, Ann Armstrong, Ivo Austin, Cheryl Baumgart, Jim & Margery Belisle, Basil & Jane Bennett, Leslie Bishop & Jeffrey Hyman, James Bohrer & Denise Howard, Stephen Bonowski, Marsha Bradford, Kenneth Brashaber & Charlotte Daniel, Mark & Charlene Braun, Michael & Cynthia Brown, Ward Brown & Amanda Denton, Bucceto’s Pizza, Edward Buffie & Penny Githens, Tyler Bunch, Dallas Burch, Capital Group, Carla Carson, John & Carole Clark, John Clower, David Cole, Cook, Inc. , Amy Cornell, Susan Cote & April Armstrong, Jean & Doris Creek, Mary H Daniels, Rick Davis, Betty Deckard, David & Kim Deckard, Dick & Rosemary Dever, Doreen Devitt, Greg Dinkins, Melinda Doster, Stephanie Dowell, Jeannine Easton, Joe & Gloria Emerson, Georgia Emmert & Janice Bagwell, David Eskenazi, FarmBloomington, First Care Management Company, Sara Frommer, Bernie & Vickie Fry, Lois & Jerry Frye, Maureen Gahan, Joseph & Mary Gajewski, Teddy Gambler, Nancy Gilliland, James & Constance Glen, Shirley & Tom Goodman, Henry Gray,
Jo & Steve Ham, Susan Harder, Don & Judy Harris, Doug & Pamela Hausmann, Mary Held, Erna Alant & William Hempfling, Phyllis & Robert Herr, Tim Hines & Rebecca Philippsen, Hive, Tom & Susan Hoard, Craig & Kathy Holden, Michael & Barbara Horvath, David Hossler, Roger Innes & Karen Jepson-Innes, Jewish Federation of Cincinnatti, Paloma Kelley, Toby & Amy Kleffman, Jim Laughlin & Catherine Sherwood-Laughlin, Lennie’s, Carol Lewis, Gregory Lloyd, Gina Lovell, Bill Lozowski & Sarah Baumgart, Russ Lyons, Bob & Suzanne Mann, Gloria McAuley, Jason & Heather McAuley, Woody McGee, Nancy Metcalf, Donna Miller, Teresa Miller & Dan Allen, Daunna Minnich, Lawrence & Brenda Mitchell, Stephen & Sandra Moberly, Mother Bear’s Pizza, Patrick & Glenda Murray, Duncan & Paula Myers, Steven & Lisa Nail, Charlie Nelms, Phyllis & Francis Newton, Molly and Brian O’Donnell, Mary Lou & Angela Otting, David Owen, Robert Parker, Loretta Patterson, Terry & Dixie Patterson, Bill & Phyllis Perkins, Jamie & Debra Prenkert, Ron Remak, Melinda & Michael Riley, Dick Rose, Satori Integrated Martial Arts, Kathleen Sideli, Curtis Simic & Mary Bonk, Penni Sims, Chester & Celeste Skoczylas, Keegan & Brent Smith, Ken Sparks, Gene & Ellen Stern, Sue Stillions, Shirley Stumpner, Nila Sunday, Joe & Karen Tamewitz, Beverly Teach, Tim & Beth Thrasher, John Tollefson, Joan & Cliff Travis, Bill Van Tine & Sally Collins, Albert & Susan Velasquez, Albert & Marie Vendel, Rita Wacker, Hugh Wallace & Elaine Finnegan, Carl Weinberg & Beth Gazley, Kyong Ge & Kenny Williams, Wayne & Vivian Winston, Nancy & Dane Woll, Matthew Worland, Charlotte Zietlow
Friend Society ($1.00 - $99.00) Ben & Jane Ackerman, Dorcas & Robert Barrow, Shirley Bastin, Catherine Beeker, Bloomington Garden Club, Michael & Carol Bodnar, Kathryn Burton Moore, Dan & Patricia Butler, Jim & Shirley Carrell, John & Wilma Chambers, Derek Coomer, Jim & Ginny Coppedge, Cup & Kettle Tea Co., Lana & Paul Eisenberg, James & Jacqueline Faris, Laura Flowers, Steven Floyd, Brad & Susanne Galin, Carla Gardner, Gordon & April Ginnings, Adam Hamel, Kathy Hammel, Randolph & Diane Harrison West, James & Ann Heath, Manuel Hernandez-Martin & R. Shana Ritter, Ruth Hickman, Charles Hines, Jr., Sierra Hofmann, Paula Ingle-Smith, Sherry & Jeremy Jeffers, David & Anne Johnson, Darryl & Nancy Jones, Marianne Kielian-Gilbert, Alice Leake, Les & Kate Lenkowsky, Amy Lifton, Lara Lowery, Thomas & Teresa Macdonald, Scott & Mary Mapes, Connor Marshall, Nancy Martin, Francis Moll, Kathryn & Harold Moore, Shirley Morrow, Nature’s Way, Needmore Coffee Roasters, Rozanna & Linzy Page, Wayne Parkinson, Bobbie & Channing Partenheimer, Mary Peckham & Christopher Raphael, Wes Peters, Diane Petersohn, Margaret Pruden, Bob & Elaine Pryor, William Quillen, Kenneth & Catherine Ratcliff, Barbara & Gwyn Richards, Robert & Suzie Rimstidt, Janette Robertson & Venus Abbitt, Donald & Anne Root, Linda Rushton, Martha Schick, Marian & Kadhim Shaaban, David & Sarah Smith, Jane & Mark Summitt, Anita Sumner, Lynne & Paul Thompson, Rochelle Tinsley, Michelle Webster, Todd & Rebecca Willis, Chrisanne Wright, Jim & Kate Wiltz, Lee VanBuskirk & Bonnie Gordon-Lucas, Martha Young, Randy & Barbara Zinn
In-Kind
ABR Print, Bloom Magazine, Patricia Gibbs, IU Athletics Office, IU Auditorium, Janitized Commercial Cleaning, James & Lara Keith, McAlister’s Deli, Nick’s English Hut, John Parent, Terry’s Banquet & Catering, Word Arts, Inc., Steve & Ann Worland
Why I Give... By Jason McAuley “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Variations of that question arise often while playing with my 5 year-old daughter, Wynne. No matter the answer, there are things to do and learn to make the answer a reality. With hard work and determination, the sky is the limit. For a person with Jason McAuley a developmental disability, the provision of support services likely determines how successful they are in reaching their goals. Unfortunately, the determination of whether support services are provided, is made based upon the availability of funding. The availability of funding is determined according to the perceived need for, and effectiveness of such support services. Our perception of what persons with developmental disabilities are capable of accomplishing is profoundly impacted by what we have witnessed historically. History has taught us that with more support, people with developmental disabilities can fully participate in and make our communities more fulfilling for everyone. However, the perceived effectiveness of support is too often measured in relation to historically expected outcomes. Our expectations for what is possible are far too low, because we haven’t yet committed the level of services and support to show what each person with developmental disabilities is truly capable of achieving. When funding is based on historically expected outcomes, a ceiling is placed on the goals and dreams of people with developmental disabilities. Stone Belt provides its clients the opportunity to earn, work, make, participate, and learn to be who they want to be while empowering them to fully participate in our community. Through Stone Belt’s support services, people with developmental disabilities can pursue who they dream to be. I give to Stone Belt because with hard work and determination, the sky should be the limit – for everyone. I give to Stone Belt because Wynne, who has Down Syndrome, deserves to dream.
UPCOMING EVENTS AUTISM & SPIRITUALITY January 28, 3 p.m. January 30, 6 p.m. First Presbyterian Church
Cyndi Johnson, MDiv, who has a son with autism and works for The Arc of Indiana as a family advocate & Mari Shawcroft, associate director of Milestones Clinical and Health Resources, will discuss autism along with various resources, techniques, and practices to enhance communication, participation, and relationships. RSVP to smckenney@stonebelt.org
I AM YOU February 21, 7 p.m. February 22, 7 p.m. Ted Jones Playhouse, 107 W 9th Street
Performers tell stories of resilience, courage and power. Tickets on sale at the BCT Box
Office, 114 E Kirkwood Avenue or online at bctboxoffice.org
ADVOCACY LUNCHEON SERIES February 27, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
Kylee Hope, Director of Indiana’s Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS) will speak about the Waiver Redesign project. Lunch is provided. RSVP to advocacy@stonebelt.org May 28, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
Building a Relationship with your Legislator is the topic and features Senator Mark Stoops and Hannah Carlock from The Arc of Indiana. Lunch is provided. RSVP to advocacy@stonebelt.org
ST. MEINRAD DAY OF SERVICE March 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stone Belt, 2815 E 10th Street
Stone Belt, in cooperation with St. Meinrad Benedictine Oblate, is hosting a community drive to collect items for care kits to give to the Shalholm Center, Wheeler Mission and Friend’s Place. Drop off items at Stone Belt from Feb. 22-March 11. Contact smckenny@stonebelt.org
ONGOING ART SHOWS The Indiana Institute on Disability Community, Indiana University 1905 Range Road
Artists’ work is displayed on an ongoing basis, with new artwork rotating in and out quarterly with the season change.
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