Waterloo, Iowa - November 14, 2011 - Join EPI's Giving Tree Tradition

Many of the persons EPI serves have loving family members involved in their lives - meeting their basic needs, celebrating life's important moments together, perhaps exchanging gifts, and so on.

However, there is a small number of persons served whose loved ones, for a multitude of reasons, are not in a position to help. More than a decade ago, the staff at EPI took it upon themselves and created the Giving Tree to see that these individuals are remembered around the holidays.

In recent years the Giving Tree has grown with over 200 wishes - each representing a modest need that would otherwise go unmet. This year the staff at EPI are seeking the community's support to ensure each wish will be fulfilled yet again this year.  

We invite you to join the tradition; starting with an open house on Monday, November 21 at our central office (760 Ansborough Avenue, Waterloo). Stop in any time from 8 am - 5 pm and enjoy a holiday treat and warm beverage while you find a modest need or two on the tree you'd like to fulfill.

The Giving Tree holds tags which communicates modest needs (such as winter coats, clothing, toys, music CDs) to an army of secret Santas hoping to brighten someone's holiday.

If you can't make the open house, please feel free to stop by any time during regular business hours to find a wish. Wrapped gifts can be returned to us at any time - with December 16 being the last date to drop off gifts.

Waterloo, Iowa - August 22, 2011 - Leanna Haahr Named Iowa DSP of the Year

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has awarded EPI employee, Leanna Haahr, the distinction as Iowa’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year.

Leanna has worked at EPI for close to four years. She was nominated by her co-workers and individuals she supports for continuously going above and beyond, for her “can do” attitude and endlessly creating options for persons served to participate in all aspects of their community.

One individual Leanna works with describes her as “non-judgmental, flexible and open to the things I love to do.” He goes on to say “she never tries to influence my decisions or complains. I love extremely heavy metal music. Leanna rearranges her schedule so I can go to late night concerts and hockey games too. When I asked if she likes heavy mental or hockey, Leanna always says it’s not about what she likes.”

Leanna says she loves the work she does and that it doesn’t seem like work at all. She goes on to say, “[My job] is about recapturing life for the persons I serve.” That’s exactly what you can find her doing every day. Congratulations Leanna! Thank you for representing your fellow Direct Support Professionals at EPI so well!

This is the second DSP of the Year distinction awarded to an EPI employee in the last two years.

Waterloo, Iowa - June 20, 2011 - EPI Transportation Marks 50th with Trolley

This year, we will celebrate our 50th year of providing transportation services. Formerly known as the “school agency transportation service,” EPI buses have delivered safe and reliable transportation to hundreds of adults and children with disabilities. Our transportation service offers rides to and from work, work training, day activities or school.

“At one time, we covered close to one million square miles a year,” said Ron Satterlee, EPI’s transportation manager. “Then we covered seven counties helping students with disabilities receive an education.” Over the years we’ve become more centralized with our transportation, as have opportunities for education.

Today, we continue to provide transportation for adults and children with disabilities but also for the community. “We’re in the people-helping people business,” explains Satterlee.

“We saw a need for safe, reliable, cost effective transportation available to any member of the community so about ten years ago we started offering our service to all community members.”

EPI transportation services are very popular with celebration oriented events - such as birthday parties, bachelorette and bachelor parties, as well as, day trips. “We’re proud to provide this safe alternative to the whole community.”

We’re excited to announce we’ve added a trolley to our line up of transportation services - just in time to commemorate our 50th anniversary.

The EPI Trolley is perfect for any event you want to make special. It’s air conditioned with comfortable, conversation style seating and comes with a licensed, experienced driver (more details found online for reserving - but hurry, it will book fast!)

Choosing EPI’s Community Transportation Services is just one more way you can support EPI. Proceeds from this service go directly back to EPI programs which help individuals with disabilities succeed. Join us for our 50th anniversary celebration....A pancake breakfast will be held on Wednesday, September 14 from 8 am - 11 am at our transportation garage (2424 Falls Avenue, Waterloo).

Waterloo, Iowa – April 14, 2010 – Exceptional Persons, Inc. Employee Named Iowa DSP of the Year

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has awarded Barb Edsill of Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) the distinction of Iowa’s DSP of the Year. The Direct Support Professional Recognition Award program was started by ANCOR in 2007 to acknowledge the commitment and courage of the direct support professionals (DSP) who work to ensure community inclusion and full participation for hundreds of thousands of Americans with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

[Barb Edsill (left), Iowa DSP of the Year, pictured with Stacey Winter.] 

Edsill has worked in EPI’s CHOICE Day Habilitation program for nine years. She was nominated by her co-workers for continuously going above and beyond creating memorable experiences and always putting those she serves first. One of 238 nominations Edsill was chosen as one of 40 state winners.

The ANCOR Direct Support Professional Recognition Award is judged on criteria in concert with the overall philosophy of ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign to raise awareness and compensation for the direct support workforce. Among other criteria, nominees are judged on their effectiveness in building social networks, meaningful and productive participation in the community for the people they serve and advocating or effecting change on behalf of people with disabilities.

“There were so many inspiring and deserving nominees that it was difficult to choose the final winners,” said Renee Pietrangelo, ANCOR CEO.  “ANCOR takes great pride in recognizing and honoring the remarkable work done by these professionals.”

ANCOR announced the winners from 39 states and the District of Columbia as State Direct Support Professional of the Year recipients during the ceremony in New Orleans recently. They will receive their awards from ANCOR and gift cards from College of Direct Support (CDS) in conjunction with ANCOR’s Governmental Activities Seminar, September 13, 2010, in Washington, D.C.  Vignettes showcasing the individual stories of all winners will be posted at www.youneedtoknowme.org.

Through its National Advocacy Campaign, ANCOR advocates for increased federal funding to support training opportunities and higher wages for DSPs employed by private providers. ANCOR is committed to passage of HR 868, The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act of 2009.  This federal legislation would increase Medicaid funding for support and services for people with disabilities specific to increase wages for community-based DSPs.  People with disabilities would benefit through stabilization of this high turnover workforce.  Direct support services are funded through Medicaid reimbursements; reimbursement rates are set by state governments.

About ANCOR
The American Network of Community Options and Resources is the premier national association representing more than 850 private providers of community living and employment supports and services to more than 385,000 individuals with disabilities.  As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR successfully addresses the needs and interests of private providers before Congress and federal agencies, continually advocating for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The ANCOR National Advocacy Campaign was established to provide a focus on this critical workforce issue. For more information about the DSP workforce shortage visit www.youneedtoknowme.org.

Waterloo, Iowa – March 3, 2010 – Exceptional Persons, Inc. Receives Three-Year CARF Accreditation

After extensive review conducted by three surveyors over three days, Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) has been granted re-accreditation for three more years from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) for seven programs serving individuals with disabilities.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial commitment to the CARF standards and ongoing self evaluation to continually reach for the highest standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during on-site visits and records review that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

In its comprehensive accreditation report, CARF specifically highlighted numerous strengths at EPI, including: [EPI] demonstrates exceptional advocacy, support, and investment in improving the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities; the organization employs tenured, well-trained and compassionate staff members who are committed to the mission and values of EPI; EPI appears to have a strong financial position as a result of its stewardship, planning, sound business plans and practices.  

EPI received re-accreditation for seven programs which include: Community Services: Community Housing, Community Integration, Respite Services, Supported Living and Community Employment Services: Job Development, Job Supports, Job-Site Training.  

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

Waterloo, Iowa – February 2, 2010 – Exceptional Persons Foundation Elects Board Members, Officers

The Exceptional Persons Foundation board of directors recently elected Susan Fangman as its new president. The vote came during the board’s annual meeting in January.

Completing the slate of officers is Donald Bergan, vice president, Frank Esser, treasurer, Lee Miller, secretary, and Larry Fox, past president.

Rudy Bernhard and Bob Kahler were elected to the board, each for three-year terms. Volunteers continuing on the Exceptional Persons Foundation board are Judy Benson, Larry P. Burger, Corey Clark, Gary Mattson, Allen Ricks, Floyd G. Winter, Cecilia Mudd, John Rathjen, and Katy Williams.

Outgoing board members, A. Miller Roskamp and John Huff, were acknowledged for their commitment and service to the foundation. The work of the Exceptional Persons Foundation board of directors touches the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families by strengthening and raising funds for Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) as it carries out its mission in the community.

Waterloo, Iowa – August 18, 2009 – Thank You for Helping EPI after House Fire

Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI) together with Permanent Planning, Inc. would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many persons and businesses that helped during and after the house fire in Evansdale on August 12.

Thank you Evansdale firefighters who responded along with the Gilbertville, Raymond and Waterloo firefighters who assisted with the fire. These men and women were quick to respond, searched the blazing home making sure no one was inside, were skillful in quickly knocking the fire down and especially thorough and conscientious in helping us retrieve important items. We cannot thank them enough for the genuine care and concern they have shown to us.

We also want to thank the area businesses, family members and the communities where these firefighters reside. We understand many are volunteer firefighters and your support and flexibility makes it possible for these firefighters to help those in need.

As we start to put things back together, we have seen the outpour of well wishes, concern and offers of help. Thank you to all. We’d especially like to thank Goodwill Industries for the generosity they have shown in providing residents with their immediate needs, Country Inn & Suites in Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County Red Cross, and the Ansborough Laundromat for their generous donation of time and services.

We are so thankful and blessed everyone who lived and worked at this home are safe. The Cedar Valley has once again impressed us beyond words. We couldn't’t do what we do without you.

###

Media Contact:
Katie Slade, Communications & Development Director
katie.slade@episervice.org | (319) 232-6671