If you have a story or event to share for the next issue, please contact:

Dean Morganti

Communications and Consumer Relations

Phone: 601.853.5176

dmorganti@mdrs.ms.gov

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The Insider

Volume IV, Issue I

2011

 

Use Your Brain

 

In an effort to enable Mississippians with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury achieve their maximum level of independence, the 1996 Mississippi Legislature established the Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury (TBI/SCI) Trust Fund. Funding for this fund is provided through fees and surcharges on moving traffic violations ($25 from DUIs and $6 from all other moving vehicle violations). MDRS was designated by the Legislature to administer the Trust Fund program.

 

One concentrated effort of the program is on Prevention and Education Projects to reduce the number of TBI and SCI injuries. This is where the Use Your Brain: Best Routine Against Injury Now helmet program comes in. MDRS goes to elementary schools statewide and distributes multi-sport safety helmets to each child at the school. MDRS staff present information on how and why it is important to protect your brain, and then each child is fitted with the proper size helmet. All of this is done at no cost to the schools.

 

Allison Lowther, TBI/SCI Coordinator, reports that from February 2010 to the first of April, 2011, MDRS has made 31 safety presentations and provided 8,325 helmets to children either through the schools or through city events, such as health fairs.

 

 

Naik Becomes U.S. Citizen

 

Anita Naik, an English native, had a dream----to live in the USA. After her marriage in 1995, her dream started taking shape when the couple moved to America. Her first step was to obtain a work permit to work in the U.S. as a legal resident. Then on April 1, 1996, Anita began her career with the State of Mississippi and began her plans to become a citizen. In 2000, Anita received her green card in New Orleans, allowing her to proceed with paperwork to file for citizenship. In May 2011, she traveled back to New Orleans and passed her Naturalization Citizenship Test. On June 26, 2011, Anita completed her Oath Ceremony in Jackson, receiving her Certificate of Naturalization, which officially made her a U.S. citizen! To make this experience even more memorable, the Citizenship Oath Ceremony was the last official U.S. Court proceeding held in the old Federal Court Building. Anita, Director of Program Administration, stated, “My journey was long, but it was all worth it!”

 

 

DDS Acquires New VSD Equipment

 

In March, the Disability Hearing Unit had its first video conferencing hearings using the Disability Determination Service’s Video Service Delivery (VSD) equipment, reports Karen Morgan, DDS Hearing Supervisor.

 

The new equipment, located on the 3rd floor of the Madison MDRS building, will be used first in conducting hearings with claimants in the Gulfport Social Security Office. Karen states, “We hope to expand into other areas of the State in the near future.”

 

 

MDRS WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAM

 

The MDRS Worksite Wellness Committee is excited to report that we will be providing valuable information to you throughout the year to help you maintain the best possible health policies while at work. The Mississippi State Department of Health has joined the State and School Employees’ Health Insurance Plan and WebMD in promoting worksite wellness. Under the Insurance Plan’s Motivating Mississippi – Keys to Living Healthy Program, there are many wonderful benefits awarded to state employees.

 

First, we encourage you to visit the website, www.webmdhealth.com/Mississippi, to take your Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and receive your Health Quotient (HQ), if you have not done so already. This online survey allows you to receive your free wellness visit each year. Be sure to remember your username and password, so you can access the site frequently with any concerns you may have.

 

The WebMD website provides tools and resources to support and promote improvements in the health of Plan participants. There are numerous health topics and lifestyle improvement programs on the site. We can all benefit from improved health. You will feel better physically, increase your ability to manage stress, reduce your risk of injury and illness, and achieve higher satisfaction in all aspects of your life. Currently, less than 5% of the U.S. population engages in healthy lifestyles and behaviors. Our goal is to strive to make a healthier MDRS, which in turn equals a productive workforce.

 

Jamie Tucker, Worksite Wellness Champion, says, “The committee is striving to find fun and creative ways to implement this program within our agency, so be on the lookout for them!!”

 

 

Save the Date:

 

Mississippi 3 rd Transition Conference

Nov. 2-4, 2011

 

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Special Education are pleased to announce that the 2011 Transition Conference Building Partnerships for Youth Transition will be held November 2-4, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

We are looking forward to approximately 500 participants, including elementary, middle, and high school special education teachers, vocational rehabilitation personnel, principals, and superintendents from Mississippi’s 152 school districts, as well as parents of special education students.

 

 

PHYLLIS SABBATINI MEMORIAL

 

RAM President Lou Ellen Caden reports that RAM’s fundraising efforts to establish the Phyllis Sabbatini Memorial at the Haven House in Oxford produced outstanding results. We were able to provide a great resource tool for our clients through a collection of CDs and CD players, which will be especially helpful to those with reading, hearing, and vision impairments. Phyllis died on May 2, 2010 in a tornado which completely destroyed her home in Abbeville. She has been greatly missed for her work as a VR Counselor in Lafayette County. Phyllis had a passion for helping people with alcohol and drug addictions and began her career in this field immediately after graduation from Belhaven. She served as an A&D VR Counselor at the Haven House, a chemical dependency residential center in Oxford, where the Director James Tyson said she was a very gifted counselor. She joined MDRS six years ago, continuing to work with patient referrals from the Haven House. Since the Haven House was dear to Phyllis’ heart, RAM felt this would be the appropriate place for a memorial to Phyllis---an ongoing tribute to the clients she cared so deeply about and committed her life to help.

 

 

Houston Everett

Houston Everett may suffer from cerebral palsy, but he never lets that stop him from achieving his goals. As a student at Magee High School, Houston began receiving VR services and working with the Transition Counselor for Simpson County. Since his main goal was to attend MSU and become a disability advocate, his case was transferred to the MSU Liaison Counselor for coordination of services on campus, including attendant care, tutors, technical assistants, note-takers, tuition, housing, and books. MDRS provided Assistive Technology (AT) devices, including a power chair, to assist him in daily living. Houston, an avid sports fan, is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Baptist Student Union, and United Students. There is not another Bulldog fan as committed to MSU sports or as knowledgeable about them as Houston. His dedication to MSU, along with services provided, ensure that Houston will obtain his degree and find employment afterward, hopefully at MSU.

 

 

Norman Washington

 

Norman Washington, paralyzed for 20 years as the result of an accident caused by a drunken driver, has been a valued employee of Clinton’s Walmart for 11 years. Norman once could be seen riding to work in his wheelchair along Hwy. 80; however, now he is able to transport himself to work. On January 5, 2011, MDRS staff was on site for a media event in which this Walmart worker was presented a fully equipped van. MDRS, through OSDP, paid for van modifications made by Team Adaptive in Biloxi. “It’s a regular service we provide, but it’s an expensive service, so it’s not something we do lightly,” said Executive Director Butch McMillan. “In this case, it was very much needed.” Natalie Ellis of Clinton, MPA’s Executive Director, who is also paralyzed as the result of a car wreck, was at the presentation of the van. She praised those involved, noting that through partnerships such as the ones used in this case, Mississippians with disabilities can reach their goal of becoming totally independent. Although MPA and MDRS can’t purchase vans for individuals, they can provide the funds and expertise to get them converted. Thanks to Walmart management and associates, members of the community, and the MS Paralysis Association, nearly $15,000 was raised to secure the van. Norman responded, “I’m thankful for it. I’m very thankful…..very appreciative to God that He put it in people’s hearts not to give up on me.”

 

 

DDS Update: eCAT

 

In April, 2011, MS DDS began utilizing the “Electronic Claims Analysis Tool (eCAT) in case production. This policy tool is designed to assist Disability Examiners, Medical Consultants, and Psychological Consultants in the documentation, analysis, and adjudication of SSA disability determination. Utilizing “intelligent pathing” and quality checks, eCAT assists the user in addressing critical policy issues relevant to the claim. It is a web-based application that produces a document called the “Disability Determination Explanation” (DDE), which is a complete and detailed technical, medical, and vocational rationale for the determination.

 

Once completed, the DDE becomes part of the electronic Disability claim folder, enabling an independent reviewer to understand the examiner’s actions and conclusions throughout the development and adjudication of the claim. Felecia Brown (pictured below) is the DDS trainer assigned to train the first Disability Examiner and Consultants in eCAT. Will Nelson is the “Pilot” Examiner. At this date, there are 53 Disability Components utilizing this tool; and, by the end of 2011, eCAT is expected to be rolled out nationally.

 

Employee Spotlight

Carolyn Wilbourn

VR Administrative Assistant

Madison

 

Carolyn began her career with MDRS in 2003 as a Counselor Assistant in District 5, where she worked closely with her counselors to ensure that clients were served in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Her great attitude and willingness to serve have been demonstrated countless times and in many ways. Shirley Brown, VR Director of Client Services, cites one case in particular where Carolyn went above and beyond the call of duty in VR. A talented client had a passion for art and was rather shy about exhibiting; so, in order to help the client overcome her fears, Carolyn attended each art show with the client, even staying after the show, when necessary, to help. As a result of Carolyn’s support and faith in her, that client is now a successful artist, creating and selling her artwork in the Jackson Metro Area. A special bond was formed, and they remain in contact today. Carolyn is involved with all aspects of the VR program as Administrative Assistant to the Client Services Director. This vital position links the administrative and field service staff, ensuring that resources are available to maximize services to all clients. Shirley Brown states, “Carolyn is an extraordinary person, as demonstrated by the way she responds to people seeking her help, whether a client or co-worker. With clients, Carolyn is resourceful and reassuring, giving them confidence in the agency’s ability to meet their needs. With staff, Carolyn always comes to their aid with her trademark smile and eagerness to help, despite her own heavy workload. Helping people is simply her forte. Carolyn is a tremendous asset to this agency, and I feel extremely fortunate to have her on my team!”

 

 

SSA/VR COST REIMBURSEMENT

 

We congratulate Patti Rayner, SSA/VR Cost Reimbursement Counselor with the Selected Social Security Services Division (SSSS), for her exceptional accomplishment in securing revenue in excess of $1.5 million in 2010 and $1.3 million in 2009 in cost reimbursement payments. Also congratulations to the VR/VRB Counselors who successfully rehabilitated 67 clients who were SSA disability beneficiaries. You are to be commended for your diligent work in serving our clients, enabling them to transition from a recipient of benefits to a productive member of the workforce. Money secured through cost reimbursement is often channeled back to the districts in the form of case service dollars.

 

 

Top Statewide Fundraising Team

 

On January 22, 2011, at the 32nd Annual Super Conference of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, Susan Smith-Patterson accepted, on behalf of MDRS, the award for the Top Statewide Fundraising Team. Per Susan, “The goal this year was to raise $7,000, and we didn’t make it…..We exceeded it, with a grand total of $8,855.30!!” Wow, great job, everyone!! This is an outstanding award, and we congratulate the entire team for exceeding expectations. Diabetes is an exceptionally good cause because most of us have a loved one who suffers from this disease, and we realize the importance of educating Mississippians about its devastating effects. When you work for this cause or contribute to it, you are making a difference!! The winning team had great leaders as Team Captains: Delinda Armstrong, Tommy Burnham, Kerioon Grant, and Sue Pennock. VR raised the most money with $4,109.67; Support was 2nd with $2,004.62; DDS was 3rd with $1,419.53, and OSDP was 4th with $1,321.48.

 

 

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If you have a story, event or Employee Spotlight submission for the next issue, please contact us. For Employee Spotlight reccomendations, send your suggestion with a brief paragraph explaining how he/she makes your office a better place for you and your co-workers.

Submit to Dean Morganti at dmorganti@mdrs.ms.gov

 

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