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Some thoughts on retirement

I remember the beginning of my relationship with the Marion-Dillon County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs. It was Friday, September 17, 1993. I was sitting at home on my first day out of work after resigning my job with the Pee Dee Autism Program, when the phone rang. Dr. David Vandergriff, the Executive Director of MDCBDSN was calling to set up an appointment for me to do some fee-lance work on communication goals with some of the participants in the Dillon and Marion Day Programs.

I went to Dillon and met with him the following week, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Shortly thereafter, in addition to the communication goals, I began working on other projects for the board, such as The Leaflet newsletter, a couple of brochures, etc. A little more than 3 years later, I started full-time with the agency as a job coach on December 2, 1996. 

In June 1997, Dr. Vandergriff called me in and asked if I would be interested in taking over the Training Coordinator position, as he thought my skills would be well-suited for the job. He encouraged me “to apply.” By July 1, I was the new Training Coordinator.

Prior to starting with Marion-Dillon, I had been continuously employed since my Senoir year in High School, never having been completely jobless for longer than a few weeks. I always managed to pickup temporary jobs to fill the gaps between real jobs. I had also never stayed with a “real job” for longer than 36 months. I was 38 when I got the first call from Dr. Vandergriff, and had just left a job after 2 years and 8 months. 

Over the last 30+ years, Marion-Dillon has not only been my job, it has been my calling, my family, and my life. I have initiated projects (without permission) simply because I felt like it was something that needed to be done. One major personality flaw of mine is I would rather ask forgiveness than ask permission. (Oh, and I don’t really like being directed to do something, either.) It really is quite remarkable that I have been able to remain here for all these years. I attribute that, not to my own value, but to the patience, wisdom, and perseverance of those who have had the misfortune to “supervise” me.

I look back on these years and the different things I have initiated with pride:  like the logo for the agency, the Information Portal of our website, the online policy manual, the iTrain online training platform, our online employment applications, the Powerpoint presentations used in our staff development sessions, and so many other things upon which I have left my fingerprints. 

Sadly, my health has recently begun to deteriorate which has necessitated that I move my planned retirement date up a few months. It is my hope that I will be able to remain involved with my MDCBDSN family and the life that has been so incredibly good to me for the past 30 years. I am facing some serious physical challenges, but they are not insurmountable, and I will recover and thrive once again. Please know that I value the friends and connections I have made as my life’s most precious moments. I am a better person now than I was when I started, and it is all because of you. You will all remain forever in my thoughts and I hold you in the highest regard.

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Candy Land 2011

Marion-Dillon Disabilities Foundation Hosts Fall Prom

The Marion-Dillon Disabilities Foundation hosted a Fall Prom for the consumers and guests of the Marion-Dillon County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs at the Dillon Wellness Center on Friday, October 7. With over 150 people in attendance, the event was a huge success. Music was provided by DJ Billy Wilson, who kept the guests dancing to the music all night long.

A special thanks goes out to the employees and members of the Foundation who volunteered their time to make the night memorable for everyone. Thanks especially to those whose labor of love created the handmade decorations that lent magic to the night.

Foundation members and employees volunteered their time to prepare the refreshments and to be on hand to act as servers for the event. Of course, no prom would be complete without pictures to commemorate the night, and there was a volunteer photographer on hand to make sure the participants got their keepsake photos.

All in all, it was a wonderful night made possible by the commitment and caring of truly unique group of people. People whose generosity and hard work made for an evening to remember.

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Residential Employee of the Year

Samantha Bethea is a very dedicated staff. She assists with doctor's appointments, administers medication at other residences and also works at other units as needed, all with a smile on her face. She makes sure the consumers get to go on their outings during the week. Samantha will adjust her schedule and come into work whenever you call her. She never complains and always has a positive attitude with the consumers and her co-workers. Samantha has requested annual leave in the past, but when she found out that one of her co-workers was out sick, she cancelled her leave and chose to take it on another day. Staff like Samantha make everyone's job a lot easier.

Nominated by Ella James, House Manager

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Administrative Employee of the Year

James Cox has worked with the agency for 13 years. James has more than proven his dependability to MDCBDSN. He is on call 24/7 and is there whenever or wherever needed. His maintenance knowledge and capability is displayed in all MDCBDSN facilities. James is willing to go the extra mile to make sure our centers and homes are safe and our consumers are comfortable. He also serves as a member of the Safety Committee. James is a great asset to MDCBDSN and his hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated.

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Day Program Employee of the Year

This year's Day Program Employee of the Year is Sharon Haynes. Sharon has been employed by the Marion-Dillon County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs since August 1, 2000. 

Ms. Haynes has demonstrated a wonderful work ethic and dedication to excellence that has led to her receiving this honor. Her many attributes include dependability, serving as a role model for consumers and staff, and placing the team's objectives above her own personal interest.

In addition to her creative teaching and instructional techniques, Sharon provides a positive learning environment for the consumers entrusted to her care. 

Ms. Haynes consistently delivers monthly reports and other relevant documentation in an accurate and timely manner. She is also responsible for monitoring the Child and Adult Food Program and serves as the lead ES-A for administering medications at the Dillon Center.

Sharon is always looking for ways to improve the quality of activities provided at the Day Program. She often takes the initiative to try new and exciting ideas.

Sharon Haynes has continued to grow professionally and personally over the years and has become a valuable and extremely appreciated member of the Dillon Center Team.

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Professional Employee of the Year

David Turner, Jr. began his career with the board 16 years ago in Residential Services as a direct care staff. David has worked as faithful Service Coordinator for over 10 years. He is very knowledgeable in the area of Service Coordination standards and Medicaid waiver standards. He is very conscious about meeting time-frames, which is evidenced in quality assurance reviews. During our most recent Delmarva review, there were no citations noted for Service Coordination for the files selected from David's caseload. He is a strong and outspoken advocate for the consumers and families he serves. Additionally, David is a great team player and is always willing to perform extra duties beyond the scope of service coordination. David is a great asset to the Service Coordination department and he is to be applauded for all of his efforts and dedication.

Submitted by Elaine Weston, Director, Family Support Services.

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A Change of Space

A change took place on Main Street in Dillon not too long ago. At the close of business on June 25, Twice as Nice of Dillon closed for the last time at 108 West Main Street. Originally opened as the Helping Hands Thrift Store nearly 16 years ago, Twice as Nice has been an essential part of our agency, accepting donations from the public and serving the community as an outlet for gently used merchandise while providing training and job opportunities for a number of our consumers.

On July 5, Twice as Nice of Dillon reopened at its new home, 112 West Main Street, just two doors down from the old location in the space that had previously been occupied by Citi Trends. The new location offers almost three times the floor space of the old store, allowing us to accept donations of larger items which we could not previously accommodate. Stop by soon and often to check out our featured items. You never know what bargains await!

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FAREWELL MR. WILL

One of MDCBDSN's valued employees, Mr. William Dickerson, passed away on Friday September 3, 2010 at his home. Mr. Dickerson, or “Mr. Will” as he was referred to by many of the consumers, was an excellent employee and a great asset to this agency. He had a great personality and he displayed a positive attitude no matter what he was asked to do. He was well respected by all the staff and the consumers. No matter where he was assigned to work, he always gave 100%. He always did his job to the best of his ability and he never complained. He always covered for his co-workers when they needed to be off. He rarely asked for a day off for himself.

He understood the unique needs of the consumers. He would cut the consumers hair, make sure that they were shaved, took the consumers to see the Wrestling Match, and he would take them on special one to one outings. Not only did the agency appreciate Mr. Will’s commitment, but the consumer’s families appreciated it as well.

He NEVER told his supervisor that THIS IS NOT A PART OF MY JOB DESCRIPTION! It was a pleasure working with Mr. Dickerson and he will be greatly missed by all the staff and consumers that knew him.

-- Submitted by Tammie Hill, Marion County Residential Administrator

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Recycling Project

Wellman Plastics Recycling Teams up with Marion-Dillon Co. BDSN

Johnsonville, SC – Wellman Plastics Recycling and the Marion-Dillon County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs have teamed up for a recycling project in the Marion and Dillon county area. Marion-Dillon BDSN collects recycled material labeled PET 1 from the surrounding area. This material is brought to the Marion and Dillon sites where it is sorted and separated by Marion-Dillon BDSN associates. Once it has been determined that enough bottles are ready for transport, they are sent to the Wellman Plastics Recycling Facility in Johnsonville where they are unloaded to be placed in the recycling process.

This project has provided a positive effect on all involved parties. Employment opportunities are created for associates of Marion-Dillon BDSN in an area where unemployment is one of the highest in the state. The project provides primary raw material to a local company at a competitive price. Finally, PET 1 collection is helping to reduce the volume of landfills in the area. For more information on this project or potential for other projects please contact Artie Buxton with Marion-Dillon BDSN at 843-423-4484 ext. 108 or Pat Board of Wellman Plastics Recycling, LLC at 843-386-8054.

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Annie Bell Gibson

2010 Residential Employee of the Year

Ms. Gibson has been employed by the agency for 10 years. She has been a great asset to the residential program. Ms. Gibson is well-respected by the consumers we serve as well as her peers. Any time Ms. Gibson is called upon, she is willing to do what is asked of her. She goes beyond the call of duty to ensure that the consumers receive the care they need. She is dependable and goes to any assigned house she is needed with a positive attitude. Ms. Gibson ensures that the house is in order and brings any problems to her supervisor’s attention. It is a great pleasure to work with her. — submitted by Barbara James, House Manager and Ella Timmons, Dillon Residential Administrator

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Necole Phillips

2010 Day Program Employee of the Year

Necole has maintained various duties while meeting many requirements of Day Program Licensing Standards. She has enhanced the lives of our consumers and assisted them in many ways in developing their maximum levels of skills and independence. She is devoted, dependable and eager to learn. She has served in many capacities. She is supervisor over the janitorial crew and landscaping crew at the Marion Center. She has served as lead staff in the absence of the regular lead staff. She is a very valuable asset to MDDSN.

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Renee Graves

2010 Administrative Employee of the Year

Renee is the type of person who can always be counted on to get the job done. She gives each and every assignment 100% no matter what she is asked to do or who asks her to do it. She is so efficient, I can rest assured that once I put an assignment on her desk, it will get done in a timely manner and it will be done professionally. Renee shows great diligence with ensuring that the Human Rights Committee runs efficiently and effectively. She provides excellent administrative support for the committee and personally calls every member to make sure they are aware of every meeting and that they have received any important information from the agency. She also makes sure that each resigning Human Rights Committee member receives some type of recognition for their time of service on the committee. Renee also serves as of part of the administrative assistant pool. She has been assigned to work in other areas as needed. No matter where she works, she does what needs to be done and ensures that the department runs as efficiently as possible. Renee is a great asset to this agency and deserves to be employee of the year. — submitted by Tammie Hill, Marion Residential Administrator

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Jamie Maylor

2010 Professional Employee of the Year

Jamie Maylor began his career with the board 18 years ago in residential services. Through the years with the board, Jamie has worked in service coordination and as Residential Administrator from 2001 - early 2005. He ultimately realized that he truly missed the excitement of service coordination and returned to the SC department in 2005. As a  Service Coordinator, Jamie can be relied upon to be a strong advocate for all the consumers on his caseload. He is willing to go the extra mile to obtain needed services for all consumers served. Jamie is very organized, detail-oriented and his documentation is always current. Jamie is a great asset to the board and all of his hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated. — submitted by Elaine Weston, Director of Family Support Services