News Releases
The Magic of the Holidays
Dec 14th, 2009 - The House of the Good Shepherd had a night full of magic, thanks to Alan R. Leist III, CFA Managing Director Strategic Investment Advisors.
Mr. Leist sponsored a magic show on Wednesday, Dec. 9th at 4:00 in the Tilton School gymnasium. Leon Etienne was the magician who did a wonderful job keeping the youth and staff both mystified and in stitches.
Through the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, it is so important to enjoy the magic that this time of year brings. The generosity of individuals in our community such as Mr. Leist is a great example of the difference one person can make in the lives of many.
Caption: From left to right- Jamar Turner and Magician Leon Etienne
The House of the Good Shepherd Expands Services
Dec 1st, 2009 - The House of the Good Shepherd is pleased to announce that they have been approved by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a Health Care Integration Agency for the Bridges to Health (B2H) Waiver Program as of September 9, 2009.
The House of the Good Shepherd understands that children in foster care suffer severe emotional, developmental and health disabilities at substantially higher rates than the general population. In response to these challenges, The House of the Good Shepherd, in collaboration with two other agencies, is now working with the local Departments of Social Services in a 14 county region to provide all administrative functions as well as offer additional services through the B2H program.
The goal of the B2H program is to avoid, delay, shorten, or prevent (medical) institutional care, and to provide enhanced services in the least restrictive environment as possible.
This program allows the state to receive federal Medicaid funding to provide services that were previously not available for children placed in foster care or community services supervision. Some of the new services that will be offered by The House of the Good Shepherd and other approved agencies will include health care integration, skill building,
Family/caregiver supports and services, day habilitation, prevocational services, and supported employment. These services can follow the child up to the age of 21.
As a result of this expansion, The House of the Good Shepherd will be hiring Health Care Integrators and Waver Services Providers I and II. For further details regarding these positions please see our website at changingchildrenslives.com , or contact Carol Martin, Employment Specialist at 315-235-7788 or carolm@hgs-utica.com.
If you are interested in learning more about the B2H program please contact Denise Cavanaugh, Business Development Director for The House of the Good Shepherd at 315-235-7643 or denisec@hgs-utica.com
The House Celebrates Star Performers
Oct 24th, 2009 - The House of the Good Shepherd celebrated eight staff members who were named 2009 Star Performers. Selected for the honor were:
Jamie Andrews, Family Support Specialist for the Utica Foster Care Program;
Leila Bjornland, Special Events Coordinator in Development & Communications;
Lorraine Bulson, Learning Center Tutor at the Tilton School;
Sarah Clayton, Teacher at the Tilton School;
Shad Czerniak, Program Manager for the Adolescent Girls program;
Carol Hooper, Secretary for the Tri-County Foster Care program;
Shawn O’Toole, Prevention Case Manager in the Families Foremost program;
Amanda Piersma, Senior Child Care Worker at the Paris Road Transitional program.
Award winners were chosen by a committee comprised of the previous year’s award winners. Honorees are recognized for commitment to mission, exceeding job expectations, and making a significant impact through their work at The House.
Caption: Star Performers from left to right are Amanda Piersma, Shad Czerniak, Leila Bjornland, Sarah Clayton, Lorraine Bulson, Jamie Andrews, Shawn O'Toole, and Carol Hooper.
Mark Your Calendar for the Children’s Art Show
Oct 24th, 2009 - This month the art work of students at The House is showcased at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers and will be celebrated with a reception October 28 from 4 – 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Twenty of Mr. Buffington’s art students have work on display. The show includes a variety of themes: Picasso with oil pastels, Jackson Pollack splatter paint, and photographs of natural sculptures.
But for our children, art is about much more than the medium. Art gives our kids a sense of freedom. “For our students,” says Mr. Buffington, “art gives them a voice.” The students are able to explore modes of expression “with no real limits or constrictions.” Art gives them the freedom to get out there, because, says Mr. Buffington, “They have the ability. It’s just about finding opportunity.”
Teacher at The House Receives Wal-Mart Teacher of The Year Award
Oct 28th, 2008 - Sandra Sokolowski, a teacher at The House of the Good Shepherd’s Tilton School, received the 2008 Teacher of the Year Award from Wal-Mart’s Marcy Distribution Center. Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year Award honors outstanding teachers in the community who show exceptional dedication to children. Sokolowski received a $100 gift card, a certificate of appreciation, and a $1,000 grant for the Tilton School.
Sokolowski, a resident of Utica, has worked at The House for 34 years. She has a bachelor’s degree from Utica College and a master’s degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz. She is certified in special education and social studies. The Tilton School is a special education school at The House of the Good Shepherd for 120 students ages five to 17.
The House of the Good Shepherd is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to changing children’s lives through its services and programs. Based in Utica, The House provides services to 360 children each day who are from across Central New York State, including Utica, Rome, Watertown and the surrounding areas. The House currently employs 400 full- and part-time staff at 17 sites in the local community.
Photo caption: (left-right) Bill Clingon, Transportation Human Resources Manager for Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Marcy, with the 2008 Teacher of the Year Winner Sandra Sokolowski and Dave Williams, Coordinator of Educational Services at The House of the Good Shepherd.
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