A Fun Message from our CFO

Bridges of Indiana has decided to jump into social media full force this year and all members of management have been asked to write a blog. As CFO, I considered blogging about financial changes or updates to accounting policy that may have an impact on Bridges of Indiana. The first thing that came to my mind was BORING! If I was looking at the company website or a newsletter and saw anything dealing with financial updates or changes in accounting policy/regulation I would probably NOT READ IT. So being a risk taker I decided not to blog about anything financial but instead write about a strong passion of mine…. Lacrosse.

Growing up on the east coast, I have been involved in lacrosse since I was 5, playing and coaching. I am currently the head coach of the Guerin Catholic High School girls’ lacrosse team. Over the past year, I have been trying to think of ways to make the sport accessible to anyone in Indiana especially our consumers. To date I have only been about to reach out to two different organizations, Wheelchair Lacrosse and Lacrosse for Autism.

Wheelchair lacrosse was founded in California by Ryan Baker and Bill Lundstrom a few years ago. What started as two guys looking for new challenges has turned into an entire lacrosse movement that spans the United States and Canada. There is huge support from US Lacrosse (the governing body of all levels of lacrosse in the United States) which has had a very positive impact on the growth. It is my hope to get a league established in Indiana and become the Midwest hub of the sport. To date, I have contacted both Ryan and Bill and they are willing to help get things rolling. I am just in need of a location. It looks like the best location is an old roller rink. If anyone knows of one or has an idea please reach out to me. For more information you can visit www.wheelchairlacrosse.com.

Lacrosse for Autism is a great organization located primarily on the east coast. Their mission has been to raise awareness and provide an opportunity for children with Autism to learn and play the sport. They can be found at www.lax4autism.com. The only problem is that they do not have a presence in Indiana…. yet ... I would like to take care of that.

So here I am. I have some great ideas, coaches, player mentors, access to fields, and officials. If I don’t have something I can get it. I just do not know the hows and whos in order to get some interest and grow this into something pretty cool. So I am reaching out to you blog readers for help. I am a coach and a financial guy. I know nothing about getting something like this rolling.

So what’s stopping you?
Brian Billand, CFO

Indy Update

As some of you may know, the Indianapolis Bridges of Indiana office has undergone several changes. These changes include myself being named the Indianapolis Area Director and the addition of three new Service Coordinators. Those new Service Coordinators are Mary Hanna, Ouida Butler, and Amanda Harper.

Each of these ladies bring with them a wealth of experience in the disability field. Mary Hanna has comes to us after many years of working with the Developmentally Disabled population in the Nursing home Industry. Amanda Harper brings to Bridges of Indiana her experiences with the Educational System and those who have Developmental Delays. Lastly Ouida Butler has been a Program Coordinator in the Indianapolis Area for another provider for the last 2 years.

We all look forward to serving the needs of those consumers in the Indianapolis Area. Over the next few weeks these new staff members will be calling on our consumers to meet and get to know you. In the meantime please stop by and see as if you are in the neighborhood.

I would like to finish with this quote from Ester Dyson "Change means that what was before wasn’t perfect. People want thing to be better." This is our goal for the remainder of 2011. I look forward to meeting each and every one of those people who are involved with the Indianapolis Area and Bridges of Indiana's services.

　　

Sincerely,

Luke A. Anderson, Regional Director

What Does BOI's Therapeutic Services Have to Offer?

Bridges of Indiana is a certified Medicaid Waiver Provider and provides an array of services to children and adults with disabilities.  In addition to Respite, CHIO, and Res Hab, Bridges of Indiana has added a new Therapeutic Services department. This department can provide therapeutic services in the comfort of your own home or at our therapy center.  Here are the following services we offer:

Behavior Management Services:  This service is provided by a certified Behavior Specialist who holds a Master degree in social work. Bridges of Indiana is committed to Scientific Based Behavior Modification for support and non-aversive interventions that accurately reflect the needs of the individual.  Our agency will use a Multidisciplinary Team approach in providing a variety of interventions and replacement behaviors to highlight the consumer’s strengths and needs. Our focus is on the person and the underlying factors surrounding the challenging behavior; not the behavior itself.   

Music Therapy:  This service is provided by a board certified Music Therapist trained to use various forms of music and instruments to promote self awareness, social interaction, and positive emotional expression.  Music Therapy can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, isolation and integration, or demoralization and dignity.  The Music Therapist uses Active and Passive therapy methods dependent upon consumer needs and abilities.

Recreational Therapy:  Recreational therapy improves and maintains physical, mental, and emotional well being.  This service is also provided by a degreed, certified Recreation Therapist.  Recreational activities provide access to the opportunity to achieve or fail at activities that have long been denied to individuals with disabilities.  Recreational therapy can reduce stress, help recover basic motor functioning and reasoning skills, and build confidence and social skills.

Bridges of Indiana is committed to providing quality, therapeutic services to children and adults with disabilities.  If you are interested in our therapeutic services please feel free to contact Gina Soulier, Therapy Program Manager at therapies@bridgesofindiana.com  or visit our website www.bridgesofindiana.com  for more information.  At Bridges of Indiana, we are all about quality comprehensive services.

Respectfully,

Gina Soulier