Caswell Center 2001-2002 Highlights

Caswell Development Center

NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services

Implemented new Active Treatment Model for entire campus with more emphasis on assisting individuals with developing self care and domestic skills. Reassigned staff in order to implement model.
Developed "Trainer" Position and made some assignments to 2nd shift in order to support evening training requirements.
Initiated procedures to revise Self-Assessment and Habilitation Plan format to ensure that it is more outcome oriented and more person centered.
Piloted computerized Habilitation Plans in two areas.
Implemented policies and procedures on new Safeguard Interventions and Supports and completed training for all staff.
Developed and implemented Employee Hiring Checklist to ensure consistency of orientation to center.
Initiated revisions to Incident Reporting Process, which documents resident injuries and significant events.
Initiated program whereby older computers are used for resident training.
Revised all policies and procedures on restraints to reflect changes mandated by temporary rules.
Initiated efforts to enhance enivironment by introducing plants,animals and children into the lives of individuals via the Eden Alternatives Project.
Developed Arts and Crafts curriculum to produce hand made items for the Balloon Company.
Developed crafters hourly wage to further expand the entrepreneurial model.
Submitted grant to expand the Balloon Company Operations.
Purchased a second greenhouse.
Expanded services to Caswell Center in the area of landscaping and ground crews through the resident vocational program.
Added new off campus job sites.
Completed and implemented use of state-of-the-art Snoezelen room funded by grant monies.
Disseminated information and completed training on Hydration for all staff.
Revised procedures for Employee Advisory Council.
Increased number of quality improvement suggestions and chartered teams to address these issues.
Developed and completed Developmental Technician (DT) Retreat survey.
Developed and implemented Health and Sanitation Inspection Database program.
Revised Quality Improvement Manual.
Coordinated numerous Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) assessments in preparation for compliance dates.
Added numerous lifts and wheelchairs.
Revised procedures for dental/medical sedation and restraints.
Developed Disaster Plan to include how to complete a full evacuation.
Initiated revision of Investigative Process for Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation.
Revised and re-inserviced proper procedures for cleaning wheelchairs.
Completed Team Building training for all interdisciplinary teams, training in E-Procurement system, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Family Medical Leave, Unlawful Workplace Harassment as well as numerous other training that was conducted.
Certified two instructors in the NC Interventions program and implemented the prevention portion of this course for Caswell Center employees.
Certified two new North Carolina Support Needs Assessment Profile (NC SNAP) examiners and implemented look-behind quality assurance process.
Implemented Train the Trainer class for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) instructors.
Initiated renovations in Parrott building that will include modern and functional kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and enhanced living and bedroom areas; developed renovation plans for all homes.
Restructured Magnolia and Cypress homes, including ICF/MR renovation of Cypress, to enhance living arrangements for residents.
Completed extensive contrast painting to promote safety and independent mobility, especially in homes of residents with visual impairments.
Completed Division 6 parking lot.
Renovated bathrooms in Birchwood B and Hardison A to better meet the needs of residents.
Obtained wider doors for Audiology booth to better accommodate persons in wheelchairs.
Implemented centralized Timekeeping Department.
LAMB Foundation of NC, Inc. fully funded all requests submitted by Caswell Center in amount of $13,941 through the LAMB statewide drive. Also, Local Knights of Columbus funded request for digital piano in amount of $1,100.
Produced two photo boards (1 museum, 1 volunteerism) to display at share fairs and expos in the community.
10,000 additional Caswell Center Museum and Visitors Center brochures were printed with funding received by Kinston Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Increased visits to Caswell Center Museum and Visitors Center by increased written promotion in a variety of NC tourism brochures and booklets.
Completed video on History of Caswell Center.
Implemented new Christmas project titled "Christmas Cheer" allowing Caswell Center employees to contribute directly to residents at the Center.
Total of 9,133.50 Community Service Leave hours provided by Caswell Center employees to area communities. Of these hours 3,533.50 were given to Lenoir County Public Schools.
Initiated steps to establish first Caswell Center Publications Committee.
Successful Operation Santa Claus Project provided Christmas gifts to every resident at Caswell Center.
Significant increase in student and group volunteer involvement.
Worked with VFW Auxiliaries to create a courtyard beautification project in Johnson 4.
Two new public relations opportunities undertaken to promote Caswell Center. Did display at Vernon Park Mall in March for Mental Retardation Month and in April during National Volunteer Month.
Added Thomas Furniture and Mattress Outlet to contributors that provided brand new furniture for a living unit and three new recliners to residents at Caswell Center.
Received national recognition for Community Services' Crisis Preventive Institute (CPI) Instructors
Through Caswell Center Foundation, Inc. developed and initiated Project HOME (Helping Our Individuals Maximize their Environment) with Caswell Center being recipient of $5,134.33 in Project HOME mini grants.
Revised and submitted Medication Administration Course for Unlicensed Personnel in Community Facilities to the Division of MH/DD/SAS.
Expanded Foster Grandparent Advisory Council.
Held collaborative event (Senior Twilight Festival) with Lenoir County Council on Aging and Foster Grandparent Program.
Foster Grandparents organized choir and performed a Christmas concert for Caswell Center staff and residents.
Foster Grandparent Program opened a new volunteer worksite--Alpha & Omega Christian Day Care Center.
Assisted Area Programs in attending Olmstead meetings on residents from their respective area programs.
Implemented Family Involvement Work Group in order to enhance family/guardian participation in the affairs of their loved ones.
Renovated Hospital Lab to accommodate new equipment and certification requirements.
Installed additional DuPont donated equipment in Advanced Workshop to aid Supported Work Program.
Renovated vending/break room of second floor Lee Building to provide office for Safety Officer.
Through combined efforts with Management Information Systems (MIS), Dietary created flexibility to print resident meal and snack tray tickets in Reprographics on a Monday-Friday basis.
Completed renovations to House 1300 Hull Road (Caswell Corner's Balloon Company), by installing handicap ramp and other modifications, as well as renovations to House 1302 Hull Road.
Successful program (ICF/MR), life safety, sanitation surveys, among others.
Installed partitions in Pate kitchen and Oakwood B.
Renovated Room 113 in Administration Building as well as Residential Services Administrative Office Area.
Renovated Maple electrical equipment room and Tapp Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) room.
Installed fire extinguishers in Telecom rooms, changed air handler coil in Byrum, repaired water main at Brown Heights, ran new sprinkler test valve lines across campus, repaired section and ran new section of water main to Workshop, and renovated existing Kendall dishwashing room HVAC system.