Program Updates
Dear Rimland Families,
We hope 2022 is off to a good start! This year, Rimland would like to provide more consistent updates as to what is going on in our programs, to give you a bigger picture into your loved ones day.
In our Community Day Services Program we are launching our Technology Room and our Smart Board Program. The Smart Boards offers individuals many ways to learn information, express ideas, and demonstrate understanding. It will address different learning styles such as visual, auditory and kinesthetic. It will help improve communication skills and provide ease in creating and altering activities. Visually engaging, individualized daily/weekly calendars will be created based on preferred activities and choices. The calendars will interface with individual iPads and will work seamlessly in their home and CDS Program. Ariel James was promoted from a Direct Support Professional in our Residential Program to design and facilitate the Smart Board Program. Ariel graduated from Northwestern University. She taught English abroad. She has a long history of work in management and administration. She has facilitated Diversity and Inclusion trainings for teachers and practitioners in the health and wellness industry and is passionate about community care.
Longtime Registered Nurse, Carrie Johnson joined our Health and Wellness Team. Carrie received her Master’s of Science in Nursing from DePaul University. Carrie is providing additional training to Rimland’s Direct Support Professionals in the Residential setting on basic health and medication administration, along with direct observation of the individuals in their home. We believe that a coordinated health and wellness program is essential for improving health outcomes.
Rimland is also proud to offer our Direct Support Professionals with a pay scale that demonstrates an appreciation for their hard work. We have increased our pay scale to recruit highly qualified individuals and also to increase retention. Our entry level positions pay from $15-$16 an hour. Our top level DSP rate is $24 an hour. We will be reinstating our merit based pay program that was put on hold during COVID-19. We want more people to make the topline rate. The most important criteria to meet topline rate is observable client interaction, implementation of personal care plan and maintaining a high standard of environmental comfort. Currently a majority of our Direct Support Professionals are earning our mid to top line rates with 38.7% making $18-20 an hour and 46.6% making over $20 an hour.
Rimland is excited to announce that we have purchased our 20th home for our Residential Program! The home is located in Morton Grove and will be home to six females.
We hope you enjoyed the Superbowl this Sunday; the homes at Rimland celebrated with a pizza party!
We are excited about the new year and new initiatives! If you have any questions, please reach out!
Thank you,
The Rimland Team