February 2011
Successful Transitions with Sycamore + Project Search
Students served by Sycamore and Project Search have found great success. In 2011, Sycamore earned a national award from Project Search for placing 77% of its students in jobs through the 2010-2011 school year. Our 2011-2012 student placements have already reached the required percentage to obtain another national award. Learn more about Project Search here.
December 2011
Christmas Luncheon Brings Together Sycamore Community
On December 23 Sycamore brought together more than 150 friends and family for lunch. It was a great afternoon of food and fellowship. Staff and friends from across sycamore came togehther to prepare and serve food and host the annual event.
November 2011
Employee Appreciation Day Celebrated with Breakfast and Apps
Sycamore staff were honored in late November with waffles, pancakes, and baked goods in the morning and snacks and appetizers later in the day. The events also featured door prizes and family activities. Sycamore gives thanks to and for the many great staff members who make this such a great organization.
SEPTEMBER 2011
First Steps audit passed
We just completed our agency First Steps audit and we passed without any concerns or findings! Congratulations to all of our Children's Services and Accounting staff for providing quality services and meeting the benchmarks of this valuable program.
AUGUST 2011
Bassmasters team with Sycamore for 20 years of fishing memories
The clients of Sycamore Services recently celebrated 20 years of fishing with the Central Indiana Bassmasters of Plainfield. The Bassmasters have shared their love and abilities with hundreds of of our clients over that time and we thank them for their efforts. Read about the event here.
Thanks to Team Vectren!
On August 26 more than 25 volunteers from Vectren worked on landscaping and painting projects at the Sycamore office in Danville. Their efforts were part of United Way's Day of Caring. Their hard work is appreciated very much. Check out some photos of them and their work on our Facebook page.
Paula Deen donates to Sycamore Services. How much can you give?
Paula Deen has graciously donated $13,500 to Sycamore Services. She wanted to continue to help the organization even after the fundraiser she hosted in January. Can you match 1% of her gift and help support the effots of Sycamore Services with a donation of $135 dollars? Sycamore is thanful for and appreciative of the support we receives from all of our donors, butter fans or not. Click here to make a donation.
Not-for-profit Building Affordable Housing in Brownsburg
Indianapolis Business Journal (August 2) - A not-for-profit group serving people with disabilities has closed on financing to build a 72-unit affordable housing community in Brownsburg.
Sycamore Services Inc. has secured $8 million in federal tax credits for the apartment project, along with additional financing from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and U.S. Bank, the group said Monday in a prepared statement.
The project, dubbed Commons at Wynne Farms, is planned for a tract on the south side of Brownsburg, near Dan Jones Road.
Unit sizes will range from studios to four bedrooms, and the complex will include an exercise room, library and community room. The developers plan to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the project.
Residents in the community will be able to live independently while still accessing support services.
Indianapolis-based Herman & Kittle Properties Inc. will serve as general contractor and property manager. Construction is scheduled to begin this month.
http://www.ibj.com/notforprofit-building-affordable-housing-in-brownsburg/PARAMS/article/28648
JUNE 2011
Sycamore Receives Three Year CARF Accreditation
In June 2011, Sycamore Services went through a rigorous four-day certification process for CARF accreditation. CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, is an independent, nonprofit organization focused on advancing the quality of services people use to meet their needs for the best possible outcomes. CARF provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers. Below is an excerpt from our notice of accreditation from Mr Brian Boon, Ph.D, President and CEO:
“It is my pleasure to inform you that Sycamore Rehabilitation Services, Hendricks County ARC, Inc., has been accredited by CARF for a period of three years for the following services:
Community Services: Community Integration
Community Services: Respite Services
Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Development
Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Supports
Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job-Site Training
Employment Services: Organizational Employment Services
“This accreditation will extend through June 2014. This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served. Services, personnel, and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence. Your organization should take pride in achieving this high level of accreditation.”
Sycamore would like to thank and congratulate all the hard working, dedicated staff who helped the organization achieve such a high level of accreditation and, most importantly, strive to achieve standards of excellence that result in our clients receiving the highest level of services and benefits possible.
MAY 2011
Sycamore Services Secures Indiana Certification Status
As a provider of services to individuals with disabilities, we must comply with Indiana Code, which are rules set to protect individuals being served. To assure that all agencies are maintaining these levels of care and compliance, provider surveys are completed every year to every three years. Surveyors study policies, procedures and review random files to make sure services are being provided and doumented correctly.
On March 24, the Bureau of Quality Improvement, a division of the Indiana Family & Social Services Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services performed a Compliance Evaluation and Review Tool survey at Sycamore Services. On May 11, 2011, Sycamore successfully passed the survey and received a three-year certification - the highest level issued.
Thanks to all the staff who put forth efforts to accommodate the surveyors and to those whose conscientious completion of required paperwork supported our resulting certification.
Sycamore also adheres to requirements of a national certifying agency, CARF, who performs a similar, but more comprehensive survey, which Sycamore will be completing in June 2011.
Congratulations Graduates
Many Sycamore employees combine work schedules with continuing education. We would like to recognize those employees who graduated this Spring:
Kristin Houck - Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Patricia Clemons - Bachelor of Arts in Business Management
Erin Thornburg - Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Arts & Web Design
Elizabeth Fleming - Bachelor of Arts in Health Administration
Tiffany Beasley - Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies
Cade Hall - Bachelor of Science in Biology with a plan to go into Physical Therapy
JUNE 2010
Vandy Sheriff, Sycamore Services help hearing impaired drivers
VANDERBURGH CO., IN (NBC WFIE-14) - Sycamore Services and the Vanderburgh Co. Sheriff's Office have designed communication cards alerting law enforcement of a deaf or hard of hearing driver during a traffic stop.
Drivers are told to place the card over the visor of the car making it easier for law enforcement to identify during a stop.
A list of instructions are available on the back of the card for officers and deputies, as well as a list of reasons as to why the stop might be happening.
There are also a series questions the driver might have for law enforcement in case the driver needs any assistance.
"The overall goal is of course to make this community safer, as well as the law enforcement safer," Sycamore Services spokesperson Michelle Kirk said. "Just to facilitate better communication and make life easier on everybody."
Sheriff deputies start their training on Thursday with the cards and EPD will start theirs next week.
If you need to pick up a card you can stop by Sycamore Services on Weinbach Ave.
