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4th Quarter Newsletter 2008

Roshindia Pinesett — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Click here to view 4th Quarter Newsletter 2008

13-Feb-09 11:00 AM

3rd Quarter Newsletter 2008

Roshindia Pinesett — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:00 GMT

3rd Quarter Newsletter 2008

Click here to view 3rd Quarter 2008 Newsletter

14-Oct-08 10:00 AM

2nd Quarter Newsletter 2008

Roshindia Pinesett — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:00:00 GMT

2nd Quarter Newsletter 2008

Click here to view 2nd Quarter 2008 Newsletter

3-Sep-08 12:00 PM

1st Quarter Newsletter 2008

Roshindia Pinesett — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Click here to view 1st Quarter 2008 Newsletter

13-May-08 4:00 PM

Center Resident - Janis "JJ" Jackson - 2008 Excellence in Government Awards Program

Roshindia Pinesett — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:00:00 GMT

In late February 2008, Mr. J. M. Hedge, Chief, Support Services Division (SSD) for the Houston VA Regional Office, received the initial correspondence from the Houston Federal Executive Board (FEB) soliciting nominations for the 2008 Excellence in Government Awards Program. This is an annual special event that is sponsored by the Houston FEB, which is devoted to recognizing extraordinary accomplishments by exceptional Federal employees. There are ten (10) categories of winners that are recognized at an Awards Luncheon that will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, which coincides with National Public Service Recognition Week.

Mr. Hedge was proud to nominate our very own Janis Jackson, a resident at Cullen and a Mail Clerk at V.A. Medical Center, for consideration to receive the 2008 Award for Employees With Disabilities. The category description was for any employee who is physically disabled and through significant personal effort has overcome the disability and performed his or her job in an exceptional manner. After reading the description, without hesitation, he immediately thought of Janis and began writing up the nomination. Although he knew that the competition would be stiff, he was confident that “JJ's” efforts and accomplishments were noteworthy and would be very competitive.

This week, Mr. Hedge received the fantastic and exciting news from Mr. Michael Mason, Executive Director, Houston Federal Executive Board that Janis was selected as the winner for the 2008 Excellence in Government Award - Employees With Disabilities.

In Mr. Hedge’s professional opinion, Janis serves as a role model for people with disabilities, in that, despite her own limitations, she has overcome her disabilities to the very best of her ability and has exceeded our employment expectations in so many ways. As the actual award nomination states, "JJ has established herself as a valued member of the mailroom team and she positively contributes each day in support of our mission to provide the very best service to our nation's Veterans." Needless to say, Janis is blessed with a wonderful family and the staff at the Center, who have guided her to be independent in her activities of daily living. Janis is assertive, understands and exercises her personal rights, which is evident in her choices of her routine, activities, goals and personal relationships. We, as well as her parents, are very proud of her efforts and of this wonderful recognition.

Mr. Hedge comments, “Janis is not only a role model for people with disabilities...she has inspired our leadership team, her supervisors, and her coworkers with her enthusiasm, positive attitude and the sense of urgency that she exhibits when performing her assigned duties and responsibilities. JJ is one in a million!"

3-Apr-08 1:00 PM

Archie Banes – TIBH Employee of The Year

Roshindia Pinesett — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:00:00 GMT

TIBH Industries, INC. helps provide employment, through the State Use Works Wonders Program, for Texans with blindness and other disabilities. In 2007, there were over 7,600 people with various disabilities employed all over Texas and TIBH contracts paid over $26 million in wages to these exceptional Texans.

TIBH held their annual luncheon and one of their employee’s of the year was Archie Banes. Archie Banes has been apart of The Center’s landscaping crew for over nine years. On a personal note, Archie Banes is a proud father of three little girls. Archie was asked, why he like working for The Center. His response was, “I really like working with GB and Jeff, I also like the other guys, we are all friends.”

“The Center has several contracts that provided services to the Texas Department of Transportation,” said Wilford Scott I was also talking with a senior management official of the Houston District of TxDOT and The Center was made reference to. The comment was “I wish all contractors were like “The Center,” they show up when they are supposed to show up; they do what the contract calls for them to do; they just take care of business.”

3-Apr-08 1:00 PM

2007 Annual Summary

Roshindia Pinesett — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Dear friends, families and supporters of The Center:

The Center faced its biggest challenges and opportunities in 2007. Our year began by negotiating with the City of Houston over the issue of land on West Dallas where our main programs operate. I am humbled by the generosity and support we received from Center friends and families and the Houston community. Thanks to overwhelming support, The Center can now make plans to improve our facilities and, just as importantly, expand our services to reach an even greater number of persons with developmental disabilities. The Center’s Board of Governors is working on developing the best service model to help us reach our goals.

Also in 2007, the successful growth of our Home and Community Based Services (HCS) program prompted The Center to open apartment group homes. Presently four apartment homes are fully occupied. The clients living in these homes are able to embrace their dreams of personal independence. The Center is able to provide certain supports, supervision, and monitoring to clients participating in the HCS program. HCS is a Medicaid waiver program, and as an HCS provider The Center can provide services both to the clients presently served and to those seeking services for the first time. Client enrollment in this program has steadily climbed from 25 in 2006 to 49 in 2007.

Another area of steady growth has been in our day programs. In 2007 we had 88 new admissions. This is an unprecedented number and I am certain our resolved land issue and publicity has increased the public’s awareness and interest in our services. Our total client enrollment is at 724.

Behind all of this tremendous growth is the dedication and commitment of a great group of department directors and managers. It is their continued drive towards excellence that will steer The Center towards its exciting future. I thank all of them for their support, professionalism and dedication. Our direct program staff, those that have a daily impact in the lives of those we serve, are highly praised for their commitment to people with mental retardation. Everyday, they achieve small miracles. My sincerest appreciation goes out to all Center staff for their efforts to make a difference each and every day.

Again, thank you to all of our families, volunteers, community supporters, business partners, sponsors, governing members and staff. Without you the successes we achieved in 2007 would not have been possible.
We look forward to 2008 as we map out our new and exciting future.

The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation Consolidated Statement of Activities
Year Ended June 30, 2007
Revenue and Support
Contract service fees and tuition revenues    $9,067,000
Contributions and special events    1,687,000
United Way allocation    1,403,000
Sales of product and services        433,000
Investment income, net     267,000
LifeCare client activity    270,000
All other     151,000
Total Revenue and Support    $13,278,000
Expenses
Salaries, payroll taxes, and benefits     7,465,000
Program cost, including food and supplies     2,017,000
Facilities    1,358,000
Outside services     846,000
Depreciation     748,000
Insurance     284,000
LifeCare client activity    218,000
All other     761,000
Total Expenses    $13,697,000
Decrease in Net Assets    $(419,000)
Includes The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation and Foundation for the Retarded

Enrollment Data by Program: Year Ending 2007
Cullen Residence Hall157
Vocational/Supported Employment    260
Adult Activity Center/Day Care    187
Supported Living    27
Willow River Farms    51
Home and Community Services    42
Total Served    724

2006 enrollment: 673

Active Volunteers    398
Volunteer Hours    15, 390

7-Feb-08 3:00 PM