CLI Incorporated

P.O. Box 508

Norwalk, Ohio 44857

CLIsupports.com

419-706-5137

Week of 3/4/2024

Meet CLI's Ron Ross!

Ron just celebrated his 1 year work anniversary with CLI. He was new to the DD field and has found it to be very different from the factory-type settings he worked in previously. Ron participates in a number of bowling league and has helped a few CLI clients participate in Kenilee Lanes' Wednesday night men's league this year.

Ron says that his favorite part of the job is "the people"-- and that if he weren't at CLI, he'd be doing factory work. His interests outside of work include traveling, bowling, and demolition derby driving.

Ron has a good sense of humor & enjoys joking around-- which means that he's fit right in with clients & staff at CLI. If you don't know Ron, introduce yourself the next time you see him.

John's usual--

I hope everyone enjoyed the weather this weekend. The upside of living in Ohio is that nice weather really stands out as "special". I was in St. Petersburg the weekend before last and the weather was perfect-- but I didn't feel like the locals around me were sufficiently appreciating it like we do here because it was just another sunny day.

We've featured CLI's new Transitional Youth program calendars and program descriptions this week. We're offering separate activities for 3 different age cohorts: ages 14-16, 17-19, and 20-23. Anyone interested in learning more should talk to Haven Helmstetter. Holly will be handling CLI's side of the intake, but your SSA (or possibly a Case Manager if the youth isn't served by a local County Board of DD) will be the one who authorizes this service. It's ok if you contact us first because we can help connect you with who you need to talk to about it.

Class & activity sign-up is first-come, first-served. We do want to use the Friday/Weekend activities to work toward personal outcomes and connections-- so parents & kids should be prepared to talk about what they want to get out of their participation. We're excited about this and look forward to growing the program to offer additional night/weekend opportunities to people who are working competitive, community day jobs. We don't believe that it's sustainable for people to have to choose between a job & a social life with friends. We believe that it's necessary to support both.

CLI has a new job posted for a Bowling Center Manager & Activities Facilitator. This is a hybrid position. September through April will be mostly about running the bowling alley, but the spring/summer will be flexing back into CLI programs. It should be a fun position, but will definitely include weekends & nights during bowling season. CLI believes in maintaining a healthy life/work balance-- so we'll make sure that this person gets time off, but there's no getting around business hours of a bowling alley. The deadline to apply is March 15th.

I hope everyone has a good week. We always need more pictures, so if you have any fun pictures of something that you are up to, please send them in!

John

Jimmy starts back with Cedar Point again at the end of this month. We're always sad to see him go! His last day this spring is March 21st. If you get a chance-- wish him a good summer season.

Did you know that many people are afraid to make money because they worry that they'll lose their benefits or their Waiver?

The reality is that Social Security and Medicaid want people to work and make money. There are lots of ways to earn money while protecting your benefits & Waiver. Click the box below for more information.

Carole's craft classes are always a lot of fun.

Carole is always coming up with fun new projects. Got something crafty you'd like to try? Let her know!

The Huron County Chamber of Commerce has aske us to help them promote Norwalk's Eclipse Website https://norwalkeclipse2024.com.

This website is meant to be a hub for for up-to-date Eclipse Information. The Chamber is also asking anyone who is planning, know of any events going on for the Eclipse, if anyone is offering glasses to the general public or if anyone knows of any camping/lodging or anyone offering viewing locations, to share that information with the Chamber. Also, the Chamber is willing to come to your place of business to speak with you, your Leadership Team or Employees about the Eclipse.

The Chamber's phone number is 419-668-4155 or you can send them an email by clicking the box below:

Firelands Local LLC

James Johnson james@firelandslocal.com

419-921-6400

CLI's Good Works Cafe offers a

free community lunch every Friday afternoon at the Norwalk Reservoir Clubhouse

Thanks to the generous donations

(money & food),

CLI is able to take care of our neighbors and also get some real life restaurant and customer service job training--



60+ meals served each week!

Question of the week



Q: I work for Firelands Local LLC and sometimes Social Security or my landlord wants proof of income. How can I get proof of what I make in my employment with Firelands Local LLC?

A: CLI & Firelands Local LLC understand this problem. That's why every payday Firelands Local LLC gives all employees a paper paystub that shows wages & withholdings. We recommend that you put all of those stubs in one place (a special box or drawer) so that you can easily bring them to those kinds of appointments. We outsource with another company to do our payroll so we no longer have the ability to quickly print out a pay report like we could way back in the day.

There is an option for each employee to set up an email address, user name & password so that you (or someone on your behalf) can log in anytime and access all of your pay information. That is a really good thing to do because if you realize that you need this information on short notice and you lost your stubs, you can still get it. We get a lot of panicked calls the day before someone has a meeting with Social Security or their landlord and unfortunately there is nothing we can do to get the information for you right way. We feel bad when this happens because we know that it's stressful for the person who is worried about their benefits or their housing. That is why your best plan is to set up the online access before you need it.

Video(s) of the Week: