HMA celebrates its clients at annual banquet

Best attendance, best attitude and most improved are a few of the many awards given out at Heartland Management Alliance’s annual banquet Tuesday evening at the Supertel in Creston.

After a buffet-style meal for the approximately 150 in attendance, representatives from each of the four agencies that provide services for the intellectually disabled — Community Area Residential Environment, Innovative Industries, Southern Iowa Resources for Families and Support Services of South Central Iowa — gave out plaques, key chains and recognition to their clients who have worked hard this past year and achieved goals in their communities.

Among those honors were Kristen Miller for environmental specialist from C.A.R.E, Jamie Lee for Day Hab from Innovative, Alice Briley as most improved, John Baucom for “friend of all” for his best attitude from C.A.R.E and Lloyd Lilly for best attendance at Innovative and Frieda Phelps for 15 years of service to SIRF.

Kendalyn Huff, CEO of HMA, said that bringing the four area agencies under one roof nine years ago has allowed all of them to weather ups and downs without disruption to any of their services.

“The future will have more change ahead in all the fields we work in,” Huff said in the annual report. “HMA will continue to strengthen not only itself, but the agencies it serves.”

Innovative Industries served 101 disabled individuals to provide them with opportunities to find and maintain employment through both training and the support of staff members.

Innovative has a pallet department, which meets orders from businesses that purchase the product. Supported employment staff coached and provided transportation to individuals who are able to work in the community with a little help. The supported night janitorial crew cleaned many area businesses five nights a week and employed 17 clients.

C.A.R.E, a residential facility in Afton, provides its residents with both work and social opportunities. Several of them have jobs through Innovative Industries. Members attended community events such as college and high school sports and music events, participated in and attended Special Olympics, took trips to the zoo and Iowa Cubs baseball games among many other options.

C.A.R.E welcomed several new members this year, now hosting family members as well as individuals, including two brothers and a husband and wife.

SIRF served 77 individuals between its hourly program and 24-hour sites, providing supported living services. SIRF staff members assisted in daily activities such as shopping, laundry and meal preparation. In addition, SIRF runs a can redemption center in Corydon averaging 25,000 cans per day. Consumers participated in Special Olympics, took trips to places such as Adventureland, helped host a community Easter egg hunt, and volunteered at a 5K walk for autism.

SIRF maintained nearly 100% occupancy ratings at its residential sites this year and raised the revenue of its supported employment by 28%. It also achieved other goals set forth in 2018, including receiving a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Support Services of South Central Iowa provided services in the Adair County area up to 24 hours a day allowing its consumers to live individually or in a home with others. It currently serves 24 individuals with 13 in waiver homes. SS of SCI also provides respite care for family caregivers in need of short-term relief.

SS of SCI consumers worked with Innovative Industries and other area businesses though supported employment. They also are active in Special Olympics, attend school and community events such as the races at the Adams County Speedway.

SS of SCI is currently under a three-year accreditation from CARF for supported living services.