Exceptional Persons, Inc. (EPI)

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... Want to know why? It's our ULTIMATE !! A time to reflect on the year's DSPs of the month who joined our exclusive group for going above and beyond for the last year. What a great group this is!!! Join us in congratulating them and help us wish them a happy Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week!

We like to call our DSPs - difference makers - someone who advocates for and encourages others to bring about change. You can become a difference maker today! Here's how...

Give a gift in honor of a DSP in your life, every contribution to EPI helps us continue our mission of empowering individuals with differing abilities. Together, we can continue to connect people, create opportunities, and nurture growth.

Click here to get started: https://www.episervice.org/you-can-help/donate-to-epi/

What a fantastic day celebrating our amazing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at the DSP Recognition Ceremony! 🌟

We kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Brenda Meeker, owner and president of Elevate Consulting, LLC, followed by honoring our incredible Five Star Club members (stay tuned for tomorrow’s post highlighting them!). The ceremony wrapped up with a delicious meal, shared memories, and lots of laughter.

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate the vital work you do!

🎉Shoutout to DSPs! 🎉 You are the backbone of EPI, providing essential support and fearlessly advocating along the way. This week, we’re celebrating YOU and the incredible work you do. Do you know an amazing DSP? Shout them out in the comments below!

Join us in congratulating our very own - Allison Bender - for receiving the IACP: Iowa Association of Community Providers Direct Support Professional Award. Watch for more information to come out about Allison and this well deserved award!

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week is also a time to advocate for better wages for DSPs. Supporting policies and initiatives that improve working conditions for DSPs is a meaningful way to honor their work. Click here to stay up-to-date on our advocacy efforts - including the efforts that need your help: https://www.episervice.org/blog/tags/Action%20Alert/

Part of our mission at EPI is to nurture growth in every person we serve - big or small! Whether it’s through education, support, or advocacy, we’re here to help both adults with differing abilities and children at the Hawkeye Child Care Development Center - ALC reach their full potential.

If you're in need of child care, check out the HCDC by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/find-a-service/need/hawkeye-child-development-center.aspx

This week we are celebrating amazing Direct Support Professionals all around the country! They are the heart and soul of everything we do to support people with disabilities to access and participate in our communities!

Did you know? We have 286 staff here at EPI and over 75% are made up of Direct Support Professionals! Follow along how we're celebrating them all week long by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/blog/experience-working-at-epi/celebrating-the-unsung-heroes-.aspx

It’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week! Join us, and providers like us, in celebrating the incredible dedication and compassion of DSPs everywhere. These unsung heroes make a difference every day in the lives of those they support. Thank you for all you do!

Learn more about the week and how you can help celebrate it by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/blog/experience-working-at-epi/celebrating-the-unsung-heroes-.aspx

🏈 Big Day for the state of Iowa Today! 🏆 It’s almost time to see who takes home the Cy-Hawk trophy! Before the big day, we asked our staff, families, and kiddos at our child care center to show us who they’ll be cheering for. Click through the photos and you might find some UNI gear too! 😉

We recently celebrated the bright young minds who have grown, learned, and played with us at the Hawkeye Child Development Center - ALC. Watching you all reach this milestone has been an absolute joy, and we couldn’t be prouder! As you move on to your next adventure, always remember the friends you made and the lessons you learned. The world is yours to explore—keep shining bright! 🌟

Looking for Quality Child Care? The Hawkeye Child Development Center - ALC is now accepting new enrollments! Secure your spot and give your child a head start in learning and growth. https://www.episervice.org/find-a-service/need/hawkeye-child-development-center.aspx

At Exceptional Persons, Inc. we believe in the power of connection. By fostering strong relationships within our community, we help individuals with differing abilities live full, meaningful lives.

Find out just one of the many ways we are connecting people by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/blog/experience-matters/connecting-people-to-opportunities.aspx

While we were SO sad to watch them go, we are extremely excited to see them grow. Join us in congratulating the Hawkeye Child Development Center (HCDC) - ALC kiddos below!

If you, or someone you know, is ready for the next step, we have enrollment opportunities available! Discover a learning environment that fosters growth, creativity, and curiosity. Learn more by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/find-a-service/need/hawkeye-child-development-center.aspx

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At EPI, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Every day, we work to empower individuals and create opportunities that lead to brighter futures. Exceptional people - creating exceptional opportunities.

Learn more at www.episervice.org

It's another ! August's DSP of the Month goes to Gisela Mabunda as we welcome her {back} to the five star club! Her supervisor shared with us when they announced Gisela has won August 2024 DSP of the month she responded with,

"I don't know that I really did anything out of the ordinary, I'm just doing my job, which I like to do."

Thank her in the comments below!

Today (8/26) we will be experiencing record high temperatures with the potential heat index reaching between 105 and 115 degrees!

With this in mind, we wanted to pass along a few tips we're sharing with our staff and people we support:

❄️ Stay Cool - limit exposure to extreme heat and avoid strenuous activity
💧 Stay Hydrated - drink plenty of water and eat well-balanced, light, regular meals
💻 Stay Informed - check in on each other and stay informed, know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses

This information and other tips for extreme heat can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html

A list of cooling centers within the Cedar Valley can be found on https://www.kwwl.com/news/top-stories/list-of-cooling-centers-in-eastern-iowa/article_71e0633c-3df4-11ee-942a-cf49973c6f45.html

is here!!! We are happy to announce Colin Klang, DSP - Virtual Connection Specialist, as our July Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month!! Here is what Colin's supervisor had to say about him...

"From the start of his career with the Virtual Connection Center, Colin has eagerly learned about this new service and jumped right into his new role. Colin has been praised for his positive attitude when providing peer support, his attention to detail, and his wit and problem-solving when providing remote supports. He has been praised as being very professional in both his written and verbal communication when providing peer support to DSPs and communicating with Program Managers. Colin has been so helpful with deploying to sites to fix issues and provide support."

Welcome to the Five Star Club and thank YOU, Colin!!

Want to learn more about our tech-enabled services? Click here: https://www.episervice.org/blog/tags/Tech%20Enabled%20Services/

Are you passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of adults with disabilities? Join our team as a Guardian Representative and make a meaningful difference in the lives of many!

Apply here: https://episervice.bamboohr.com/careers/546?source=aWQ9Mw%3D%3D
Location: Waterloo, IA
Type: Full-time

Amidst the hustle of prepping backpacks, picking out first-day outfits, and organizing supplies, we challenge you to add one more important task - talk to your kids about disabilities and inclusion. Click here for tips on how to navigate these conversations: https://www.episervice.org/blog/more-than-you-see/embrace-curiosity-.aspx

Welcome back to school, students! Balancing school and work can be tough, but we’ve got you covered! Find a job that fits with your class schedule.

Whether you’re looking for part-time, full-time, 12 hour day/night shifts, or flexible hours, we have opportunities that will help you gain experience and earn while you learn.

Apply now: https://www.episervice.org/join-our-team/career-opportunities/default.aspx

Be a part of a team dedicated to empowering individuals with differing abilities while fostering an inclusive community. Your future in making a difference starts here, apply by clicking here: https://episervice.bamboohr.com/careers/554?source=aWQ9Mw%3D%3D

TODAY is the LAST CHANCE to submit your comments to congress on the SOC Bill! Tell them DSPs deserve to be recognized at the federal level by giving them a unique Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code.

💙How? Our friends at ANCOR have made is so simple - click here to submit a comment to congress in less than 5 minutes. https://www.ancor.org/actions/tell-omb-why-a-soc-code-is-crucial-for-dsps/

💙Why? Giving this profession a SOC code will enable state and federal agencies to collect data on the high turnover rate of DSPs and inform policies to address the workforce shortage.



ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources

Are you passionate about nurturing and educating young minds? Join our team as a Child Care Assistant Teacher and help shape the future! We have full and part-time positions available for dedicated individuals ages 16 years and older. Click here to apply today! https://episervice.bamboohr.com/careers/510?source=aWQ9Mw%3D%3D

We had a great group of EPI and Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa staff present at today's Global Leadership Summit. Sharing a favorite quote...

"We have this beautiful opportunity — perhaps even a responsibility — to create our own little magical world in a world that needs more magic." - Will Guidara

Until next year!

We are hiring for an Early Childhood Behavioral Health Specialist at Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa. This position is full-time, mid-level, Waterloo area with the flexibility to work remote. Apply by clicking here: https://episervice.bamboohr.com/careers/582?source=aWQ9Mw%3D%3D

Our ability to make an impact relies on our reach - we need YOUR help to make voices heard. Our friends at ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources have made it easy for us by providing an advocacy toolkit, available here: https://www.episervice.org/blog/legislative-watch/advocate-today.aspx. Act now! The comment period for the SOC bill (ensures vital recognition for DSPs) closes August 12!! Click here to submit comments to Congress in a few short steps: https://www.ancor.org/actions/tell-omb-why-a-soc-code-is-crucial-for-dsps/

Together, with your support, we filled over 185 job in the Cedar Valley last year! While this is a crucial service we provide, the funding is extremely limited. Your support can make a life-changing difference, helping to provide opportunities for meaningful employment and further independence.

Why give a gift to EPI's employment services?
🌟 Empowerment: Your contributions help provide specialized job training, career counseling, and support services tailored to individuals with differing abilities.
🌟 Inclusion: By supporting this crucial service, you're advocating for an inclusive workforce where everyone has the opportunity to live, work and grow in their community.
🌟 Transformation: Help us create opportunities and transform lives through gainful employment.

Here's how you can help.
🌟 Donate: Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Simply visit us online to give a gift today - https://www.episervice.org/you-can-help/donate-to-epi/
🌟 Share: Spread the word with your networks by sharing this post or telling friends and family members a little more about EPI.

Together, we can empower individuals with differing abilities, support their journey towards independence, and build a more inclusive community. Thank you for your support!

Child Care Resource & Referral of Northeast Iowa has a fresh new look! Now is a great time to read about the EPI/CCR&R connection, as well as celebrate this beautiful rebrand. Click here to learn more: https://www.episervice.org/blog/experience-matters/iowa-ccrr-gets-new-look.aspx

🎨 Introducing Our New Look! 🎨

We’re thrilled to unveil the new logo for Child Care Resource & Referral! 🌟

Our fresh logo represents our commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in supporting families and child care providers. This new look is a symbol of the exciting future we envision for CCR&R and our dedication to making a positive impact in our community.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting initiatives!

🎉Just 3 Weeks Until Our Big Event! 🎉

The {final} countdown is on! We're only three weeks away from EPI's 10th Annual More Than You See, and we couldn't be more excited. Join us for an unforgettable night filled with live music by Birdchild, food trucks galore, live and silent auctions (online bidding available soon!), and fun activities for the whole family!

📅 Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
🕒 Time: 6:00 - 9:30 PM
📍 Location: River Place Plaza

Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready to be entertained while supporting a great cause! Proceeds support people in living their lives independently, being a part of their community, and making their own choices.

Skip the line and secure your free will donation ticket now by clicking here: https://www.episervice.org/you-can-help/donate-to-epi/

We can't wait to see you there!