Life Bridges recently became accredited by CQL, The Council on Quality and Leadership, a national accreditation. CQL Accreditation promotes excellence in person–centered services and supports that lead to increased quality of life. It is about continuous improvement. CQL Accreditation facilitates organizational development in person–centered services and supports and personal quality of life outcomes. Agency staff worked hard to evaluate current proce- dures and developed new strategies to better meet the needs of individuals. Several people who receive supports from Life Bridges are participating in focus groups and have added a great deal to the discussions as the agency grows and moves forward.
SPRING FLING UPDATE: Tables are being sold for the Spring Fling/March 2023 event. Table costs range from $1,000 to $5,000. Please call Karen Kelley if you would like to discuss opportunities. (423) 421–4129 .
2023 will be the agency’s 50th year of providing services. More to come on this – but we will plan to celebrate all year long!
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Save the Date:
Independence Day Celebration with Family and Friends
Special Olympics was held on a beautiful day and the celebration of athletes was so meaningful. All were encouraged and honored for their efforts and progress since our last event which was in 2019. A good friend of mine who participated in the 100 meter race and the softball throw said of himself, “I am amazing!” That is truly what it is all about!
The 2nd Annual Spring Fling fundraiser was both a hit and a success! The event was well attended and those present enjoyed the live auction, silent auction, and band. Also, many donated cash, at the encouragement of Steve Hixson, auctioneer. Tables are sold for this event and if you would like to purchase a table for the 2023 event, please let me know. Thank you to all of our partners who work hard for the people we support!
2023 will be the agency’s 50th year of providing services. More to come on this – but we will plan to celebrate all year long!
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Question & Answer
What is CQL?
As a provider of supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Life Bridges always seek to enhance the quality of supports. We are entering a new adventure on our journey to excellence as we seek certification by the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Many people in our field of work consider CQL to be the golden standard of excellence. According to their website, they have been a leader in working with human service organizations and systems to continuously define, measure, and improve quality of life and quality of services for youth, adults, and older adults with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disabilities since 1969.
CQL Vision
The vision of CQL is a world of dignity, opportunity, and community for all people.
CQL Mission
CQL is dedicated to the definition, measurement, and improvement of personal quality of life.
CQL has a two pronged focus. First, there are high systemic expectations. Systems include our written policies and procedures. The second prong of focus is on practice. It is not enough to have policies and procedures that meet CQL standards. We must also have staff, especially supervisors and DSPs who live out those policies and procedures. CQL standards also set the bar high in the level of participation of the people we support and their families and friends at every level of our organization from input into policy making to issues of everyday living.
These new standards both affirm our strengths and challenge us to look outside the box for ways to grow. Please let us know if you have questions and know that you will hear more as we move through this journey.
Thanks for all you do to help us grow, develop, and THRIVE as a provider agency!
A highlight of this year was the Life Bridges Annual Staff Awards Day. We celebrated many employees with 5 to 30 years of service. Employees of the year and CEO Choices of the year were also named. Later in February all will be featured in a large Banner article with pictures and awards.
It is amazing the longevity that is represented among our staff. Cheri Williamson is the staff member with the most tenure. This is her 39th year of service. She is a “rock” who has stood through changing times, three directors, and hundreds of staff. Gail Miller was celebrated for 30 years of service. We currently have 458 employees which is 20 less than last year.
If you would like to donate a boxed cake from a bakery or bakery like Publix we are accepting them for our Spring Fling Fundraiser on March 25th . They can be donated by noon on that day either at the Cleveland Country Club or at Life Bridges Main Office.
Our Annual Giving Campaign earned over $15,000 and we appreciate all of you for your contributions! Some of you are even giving monthly – we are very grateful!
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Happy New Year to all of our Life Bridges Partners!
The New Year has brought many changes including: weather, retirements, and employment opportunities for many. The Life Bridges Team celebrated Lionel Scotton and Jackie Laginess as they both retired with 19 and 20 years of service, respectively. They will both be greatly missed and in many ways they are irreplaceable. They will remain a part of the Life Bridges family (we do not let go easily), as we plan to see them at future milestones and gatherings.
The future is bright with many employment opportunities for the people we support. The current job market has provided openings that companies have partnered with us to fill. It is common to speak with a person supported who is talking about what they plan to do with their new earnings. There are many challenges that we look forward to working through this year. Next month I will be sharing with you some successes in tough times.
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Lionel Scotton Retires
In recognition and appreciation for 19.5 years of dedication and caring service to the citizens of our community with intellectual disabilities. We celebrate your dedication as a Residential Director, Residential Supervisor and as a Direct Support Professional. Your concern and compassion for the staff and the individuals you support are an inspiration to us all.
Merry Christmas to all of our Life Bridges Partners!
I trust you will be with friends or family during the Christmas holiday.
December 2, 2021 was a beautiful day in every way. The weather, the people who came, and the words that were spoken were all perfect. On this day the Life Bridges main campus was dedicated to founding board member, Ralph D. Summers. What a joy it was to stand with his family, the board of directors, staff, people supported, and community leaders as we spoke of his dreams and love for the agency. Ralph and his wife, Sue, worked for nearly 50 years to see that people with intellectual disabilities in our community would have a place to live, work, and socialize. They offered their expertise and skills to make Life Bridges what it is today. It reminded me that –One person really can make a difference!
To you and yours we wish you the best Christmas holiday ever and we welcome 2022!
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Life Bridges Partners!ItrustyouwillbewithfriendsorfamilyduringThanksgivingholiday.WemissourlargeThanksgiving/ChristmasmealatClevelandHighSchoolwithallofyou,buthopefully nextyearwecanjointogetheragain.
When I think of the many things that I am thankful for I think of Ralph and Sue Summers. Ralph was a founding board member and served the agency for 48 years. We will be dedicating the main campus to him on December 2, 2021. I would like to invite you to join us at the middle entrance at the main Life Bridges campus located at 764 Old Chattanooga Pike at 12:00 Noon on this day. We will share sentiments of appreciation and see the addition to the sign in his honor.
To you and yours we wish you the best Thanksgiving holiday ever.
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Life Bridges team receives SHIFT Tech First accreditation! The goal of SHIFT is to use technology to identify areas of a person’s life where technology can be used in place of or alongside paid support, allowing the person to participate more actively in their day to day activities. Life Bridges hope is that this program will allow the agency to continue to succeed in their mission – to bridge the gap for people with disabilities, and to be one of the many voices advocating for increased independence for those they support.
Each October, we honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) to highlight the many valuable contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy.
Employment is a very important part of the supports that are offered by Life Bridges. People love being identified with the business that employs them and they enjoy the buying power that a paycheck affords.What do people who receive supports from Life Bridges want?Most of the people supported by the agency want more money to afford the things that make them happy, to share outings with friends, and to buy the things they want.
We are excited to share some of the employment success stories and opportunities offered Life Bridges that are occurring in our community; these employees bring their own strengths and skills to their work, and create a full and inclusive workforce.
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The purpose of NDEAM is to commemorate the ways people with disabilities have contributed to America’s workforce & economy, and highlight resources for employees, businesses, & community organizations.According to the most recent data, less than 20% of people with disabilities are currently employed. Specifically in Tennessee, 33% of people with disabilities who are not working want a job in the community.
At Life Bridges, our Supported Employment staff work hard to help people find meaningful, integrated employment.Our goal is to help them not just find a a job, but to identify their own interests & skills, to work towards building a career.We provide education & experiences helping someone determine if they even want to pursue employment, right up to their retirement.Throughout the way, we work to provide supports where needed, but ultimately build independence and pride in their work.
The service our Job Coaches & Job Developers provide are only one piece of the puzzle when working towards increasing community employment.It takes all staff, working together to build the necessary skills & helping people determine what their interests are and what their dream job may be.
Cheerful
Katie has worked at Taziki’s for two years.
Her cheerful disposition plus her attention to detail is one of her many attributes .
As part of National Disability Employment Awareness month we celebrate Katie’s strength “Cheerful.”
Knowledgable About Music
Terry is part of the TDOT workplace and is considered a well rounded employee, he not only performshis daily tasks successfully, but is a great person to be around.
As part of National Disability Employment Awareness month we celebrate Terry’s strength“knowledgeable about music.”
We send a huge thank you to David and Kim Luzader, First Baptist Church, Bachman Foundation, and Beth Jarrett for making Cherokee Camp happen this year. It was AMAZING!!! Also, thank you to the 80 plus families and friends that attended the Quarterly Family Meeting in July. It was great to see everyone!
Life Bridges is proud to be one of the nine agencies across Tennessee to receive a Technology First Accreditation through the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities pilot program. As part of the accreditation, Life Bridges leadership and staff completed online training and submitted an organization tech plan, as part of our overall dedication to utilizing technology as a way to support people with disabilities.
Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Sharon Marr with MainStreet Cleveland and Mayor Kevin Brooks and Cleveland City Council member, Ken Webb, present “Good Citizen” medals to Joey, Andy, and Percy during a recent council meeting.
Cindy Wilson, DSP, supports the group as they volunteer with MainStreet Cleveland twice a week.
Camp Cherokee 2021
The Return of Camp Cherokee
By: James L. Kilgore
August 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2021– Welcome back to Camp Cherokee…On the 1st day of summer camp it was a sunny day and time for music, they make good songs that will last forever. Also, we have story time from PJ the storyteller and he talks to everybody about God. Next, the staff pour some ice onto foil, we color the ice. Finally, you let the t-shirt dry overnight. Joey catches the most fish during camp. In order to get on the tube you have to guess on coin toss and this reporter chose tails and it was. So, I finally went on the tube first.
Did you know that a speedboat travels the Ocoee River at eighty-five to ninety miles per hour?
It took me about two to three minutes. Wherever you go on boat rides, tubing or swimming you have to wear a personal flotation device.