Welcome to the Vista Vantage Point! We have compiled news and updates from each program throughout Vista to keep you up to date and to celebrate all the good things happening for our clients, staff and community. If you have any questions or would like to make a suggestion for our next issue, please contact communications@vistaautismservices.org.

Dear Vista Family,

As spring blooms give way to the vibrant greens of summer, it's a time of new beginnings and continued growth at Vista Autism Services. I'm thrilled to share some exciting updates and introductions in this season of growth.

First, please join me in warmly welcoming Trevor Motley as our new Chief Operating Officer. Since starting in January, Trevor has swiftly integrated into our Vista community, showcasing an impressive grasp of our operational intricacies. His expertise and enthusiasm are vital as we continue to enhance our services and outreach with his leadership.

We're also delighted to celebrate Brandon Yorty's appointment as the Executive Director of Vista Adult Services Organization (VASO.) The overwhelming response to our social media announcements—becoming one of our most liked and shared posts—speaks volumes about Brandon's popularity and the impactful contributions he is already making.

I am also pleased to introduce Erica Barley, MBA, CMA, who joined Vista Autism Services in May 2024 as our new Controller. With over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, Erica is committed to advancing our mission through her exceptional expertise in financial strategy and management.

This spring, we have the joy of celebrating the graduation of eight remarkable students from The Vista School. Each of these students, with the steadfast support of our dedicated staff and their families, has reached a significant milestone. Their achievements are a testament to the collective commitment and love within our Vista family.

Following last year's policy update from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Approved Private Schools like Vista can now serve students up to their 22nd birthday. This extension allows us to support our graduating students more effectively as they transition into the next phase of their lives. It marks a significant advance in our advocacy work, including our collaboration with state lawmakers to secure additional APS designations in Central Pennsylvania. Our aim is to make our specialized services more accessible, reducing travel time for families and enhancing the educational experience for our students.

I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our incredible Vista staff. Your unwavering dedication and exceptional efforts are continually praised by our community, and this admiration speaks volumes about the high regard in which Vista is held. Your commitment and passion, along with the collective efforts of our families, supporters, and community partners, are the cornerstones of our organization’s esteemed reputation. It is because of all of you that we continue to thrive and make a difference every day.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Together, we are making a profound difference.

Warm regards,

Nze

Nzenalu Obinelo

nzenalu.obinelo@vistaautismservices.org

ALL Vista locations and programs are CLOSED on:

• Thursday, July 4, 2024 - Independence Day
• Monday, September 2, 2024 - Labor Day

2024/2025 Calendars are now available.

For the most comprehensive and current information and to access detailed calendars for each program, we recommend visiting our website. Within the "Resources for Parents and Caregivers" section (accessible from the Resources icon on the top right of every page), you will find individual program calendars available for download. 

Meet our COO, Trevor Motley

We are excited to introduce Trevor Motley, who joined Vista in February 2024 as our Chief Operating Officer (COO). With over 20 years of healthcare operations experience, Trevor has dedicated his career to serving individuals with disabilities across various settings, including residential, educational, and supported employment programs. His expertise includes strategic planning, financial analysis, quality assurance, policy development, and service delivery.

Before joining Vista, Trevor served as the Executive Director for Village Caregiving in Minneapolis. Originally from Virginia, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in business administration from Missouri State University. Trevor is engaged and has one daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family.

As COO, Trevor is responsible for managing the internal affairs of Vista, ensuring that our business operations are efficient and effective, and implementing the company’s strategies and policies. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his contributions to our organization.

Meet our Controller, Erica Barley

Erica Barley, MBA, CMA, joined Vista Autism Services in May 2024 as the Controller. She brings over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, having previously managed budgets and financial processes at institutions like Penn State College of Medicine and Elizabethtown College. Erica is dedicated to supporting Vista's mission through her expertise in financial strategy and management.

In an innovative team-building event, staff at Vista Autism Services participated in an escape room adventure, demonstrating their commitment to teamwork, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving. Organized by our Lead and Supervising Registered Behavior Technician staff, the activity challenged teams to solve puzzles and clues within a themed scenario, fostering collaboration and strategic thinking. This engaging exercise not only strengthened team bonds but also reflected our core values and dedication to enhancing the services we provide to individuals with autism and their families.

For more, read the full article.

Early Intervention Lead and Supervising Registered Behavior Technician (LSRBT) staff (left to right): Kayse Lawton, Madison Russo, Mackenzie D’Angelo, and Mary Rose.

We are excited to welcome Jennifer Sweeney and Milese Mundi to the Vista ABA Services family. Jennifer joins us as a behavior consultant serving Cumberland and Dauphin Counties, while Milese, a college student, will be working part-time as a behavior health technician.

In the last quarter, ABA Services provided support to 29 clients. Our team currently includes two full-time behavior consultants and one part-time behavior consultant, offering services in Cumberland, Perry, and Dauphin Counties.

This quarter, our behavior consultants were trained on and began implementing the Essential for Living assessment and curriculum across all clients. This tool enhances individual treatment plans and provides a comprehensive framework for skill development. Additionally, we adopted the VB-MAPP assessment for language development, further strengthening our evidence-based approaches to client care.

ABA Client Success Stories

Our clinicians offer services in a variety of settings. For example, with the support of his behavior consultant, Cassie Tipping, KN was able to participate in the Special Olympics, enjoying a fantastic, fun-filled day.

The Vista School High School Graduation is Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 12:30 pm in the school gymnasium. All students will be dismissed at noon on this day.

Congratulations to this year's graduates!

We are pleased to announce some exciting updates within our Transition & Employment Team at The Vista School:

• Michael Shiley has been promoted to Employment Specialist. Previously, Michael served as a Pre-Employment Specialist and has consistently demonstrated his dedication to supporting our students' career development.
• Maddie Itterly has advanced to the role of Career Developer. Formerly an Employment Specialist, Maddie’s innovative approach and commitment to student success have made a significant impact.
• We are thrilled to welcome Allie McClearn to our team as a Pre-Employment Specialist. Allie brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, and we look forward to the positive contributions she will make.

Please join us in congratulating Michael and Maddie on their well-deserved advancements and in welcoming Allie to the Vista School family.

Pre-Employment Services Spotlight

JTN is excelling in the SWAP shop! He’s doing an amazing job labeling, organizing, and stocking products throughout the store. SWAP has looked a whole lot fuller with his hard work, and he is focused on keeping it that way! 

AB is mastering his skills at the AACA Museum, cleaning signs and taking charge! While working, he has made huge improvements in his efficiency in completing tasks as well as following safety directions from staff. Go AB!

BB is cleaning up campus! May has been a huge breakthrough, he’s working on keeping our windows clean and spreading smiles around campus! He really enjoys showing his parents and staff what he’s been up to during Work Based Learning. 

DP has completed his Work Based Learning at the AACA Museum. He has been doing fantastic with his assigned task of labeling and scanning photos of antique automobiles to the museum's records. He has increased his independence with this project, and he always seems eager to start working right away. The museum loves hosting him and appreciates his work so much!

Employment Services Achievements

JS has also increased his hours and is now working 3 hour shifts regularly at GP&M. .

DW started his first job at Maple Press and is doing fantastic!

SW started at Fitness 4 Focus and the owner is already excited for him to begin working more hours!

At Vista, our Employment and Pre-Employment Services programs are designed to support individuals with autism in their journey to meaningful, competitive, and fulfilling employment. Our Employment Services program builds strong partnerships with local businesses to create job matches that benefit both employers and employees, fostering workplaces that thrive on diversity and inclusion. Simultaneously, our Pre-Employment Services offer students from The Vista School valuable volunteer roles through community-focused organizations, providing preparatory experiences while offering businesses dedicated volunteer support at no cost.

If you work with or know of an organization that would be interested in partnering with The Vista School on either of these programs, please contact Liz Phillippy, Secondary Transition Coordinator & Supervisor.

Welcoming New Talent to Our Team

We are excited to announce several new updates within our CoVE program:

• Marc McKenna has been promoted to Behavioral Supports Supervisor-CoVE. Marc’s dedication and expertise have been invaluable, and we look forward to his continued leadership in this new role.
• Casey Graham has joined the CoVE program as a Classroom Technician (CT). Formerly a Health Aide on the main campus, Casey brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new position.
• Karen Dorsey will be joining the CoVE program as an elementary-level teacher, starting with our Extended School Year (ESY) session. We are thrilled to welcome Karen and are confident she will make a significant impact on our students.

Please join us in congratulating Marc on his promotion and welcoming Casey and Karen to their new roles!

CoVE's Curriculum Quest: Leading with Shared Vision and Top-Notch Training!

The CoVE program has realigned positions to foster more "shared leadership" opportunities throughout the team. A significant project currently underway is the selection of curricular resources for Grades K-8, to be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, CoVE recently held its first full day of program-based professional development and is making strides in implementing Danielson-based teacher evaluations, aligning with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Framework for Professional Educators.

It is anticipated that by the end of the 2024-2025 school year, all 9 CoVE staff (Special Ed Supervisor/Lead Teacher, Floating Teacher, Classroom Teachers, Social Skills Teacher) will hold appropriate PA Special Education certificates for the positions they staff. This means that all educational professionals will meet PDE's definition of "highly qualified" teachers.

Thanks to the CoVE leadership team, including Allison Beigel, Malika Lucas, Marc McKenna, Brooke Yellets, and former team member Amanda Sigrist, for their work on these initiatives and their dedication to the long-term sustainability of the program.

VASO In-Service Learning Day: A Day of Unity and Growth

At Vista Autism Services, the strength of our team is the cornerstone of the exceptional services we provide. This belief was vividly brought to life during our recent VASO in-service learning day at the Good Shepherd school in Camp Hill. This event offered a rare and cherished opportunity for staff from different locations and programs to come together for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and community.

Safety Techniques Refresher

A key focus of the day was the annual Safety Techniques Refresher, led by experts Derek Blauch and Bridget Natale. Held in the spacious Good Shepherd gymnasium, this session emphasized our commitment to safety, with hands-on training in preventative measures, de-escalation techniques, and emergency response protocols.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

Teams from various departments also engaged in collaborative sessions to discuss and enhance the ISPs of the individuals we serve, fostering a person-centered approach and reinforcing our mission of “building a meaningful day.”

Community and Connection

During lunch, staff from diverse programs and locations shared experiences and insights, strengthening our sense of community and commitment to Vista’s mission. Special thanks to Aylea Richardson and the entire Camp Hill team for hosting and arranging the team lunch!

Leadership Vision and Wellness

Brandon Yorty, our new Executive Director for VASO, shared his vision for the future, focusing on staff wellness and continuous improvement. The day concluded with a meditation exercise led by UPMC professionals, underscoring the importance of personal well-being.

This impactful day of learning, collaboration, and renewed dedication sets a positive course for our future endeavors.

Employment Services Updates

Client Updates

Over the last three months, our team has helped 5 individuals begin new competitive jobs.

• TyHe was offered a part-time job upon completion of his 12-week WEXA experience with St. Moritz
• GrWa began at Media Heights Golf Club in Lancaster
• ChNi started a new job at General Pump & Machinery
• SaRo obtained a second part-time job at PA Therapy Connections
• BrTe started a part-time position at Dairy Queen in Lebanon

We've also helped 6 individuals secure 12-week Work Experience for Adults positions.

• AnH began at CLuv Thrift
• BrG began at DSW Shoes
• DaN completed an experience at Pronio's
• ChG completed an experience at Pronio's
• MaB begins at Monogham Presbyterian Church in June
• JaR begins at JDK Catering in June

Client Success Story

Hershey Day Services

We're excited to welcome new (and returning) faces to our Adult Day Services team in Hershey! Joining us as Life Skills Instructors are Brianna Arrington, MacKenzie Brady, Teaira Chavis, Brian Ramsey, and Quentin Zinn.

We are thrilled to announce some exciting changes coming to the Hershey Day Program. We are in the process of securing facility authorizations for all individuals enrolled in our Full Community Inclusion program. Currently, participants spend the entire day in the community, regardless of weather conditions. Gaining access to our building will provide much-needed respite from snow, rain, and extreme temperatures while still allowing for meaningful activities.

This program enhancement will also enable us to plan group activities, which are currently limited to three individuals at a time in any location. With the new facility access, we can organize fun events such as holiday and birthday celebrations and larger group outings. Additionally, our individuals will have the opportunity to participate in Vista's Walk for Autism in September. These activities will help foster and encourage social connections among all the individuals we serve.

We are diligently working to make the necessary changes to the facility and look forward to welcoming everyone into the building in July. We can't wait to see the positive impact this change will have on our program!

Camp Hill Day Services 

We are thrilled to announce that Bethany Fisler was promoted to Lead Life Skills Instructor on April 1, 2024. We are excited to see Bethany step into her new role gracefully. Kudos to Bethany!

Camp Hill CIC/Adult Services is excited to welcome its 33rd individual to the program!

We have also added a new volunteer location for our individuals. On May 2, ZaTh, NaRu, and GaHi volunteered at The New Hope Ministries in Red Land, assisting with sorting donations and stacking shelves. We are pleased to include this site in our list of volunteer opportunities and look forward to many more in the future.

In addition, Camp Hill CIC/Adult Services will be organizing multiple trips to Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. Our individuals love visiting local animal attractions, and these trips offer meaningful interactions and exciting adventures with a variety of animals.

We are proud to share some success stories from our program:

• KaWa's socialization with peers has improved significantly, with no recent aggressive behaviors. She is transitioning and staying with her groups with minimal prompting.
• CoSi, who is usually quiet and soft-spoken, has been communicating more with his peers and advocating for group visits to different locations. He is enjoying his fun-filled days and has expressed interest in attending an additional day.

We are delighted to see such positive progress and look forward to more exciting developments at Camp Hill CIC!

We are excited to welcome Kamiia Warren to our team! Kamiia has quickly acclimated to the program and has been inspiring her clients to achieve great things. She follows plans with integrity and truly understands our mission.

We have recently added a new part-time client to the program and look forward to welcoming a full-time client in June. With the warmer weather, our team is focused on creating meaningful days for our clients by encouraging volunteer opportunities and community activities.

We are thrilled to share NaPo's remarkable progress in the program. She has increased her service from 3 to 5 days a week, significantly improving her communication skills and adapting well to new staff members over the past two months. NaPo has also expanded her time at volunteer locations and enjoys discovering local coffee shops. The joy in her smile over the past few weeks has been priceless!

We look forward to more positive developments and successes in our Intensive and In-Home Care program!

Jody Muldowney, our Staff Training Specialist, has continued her series of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) classes with staff at The Vista School. These sessions take a methodical approach, equipping our staff with essential skills for training others and maintaining high standards in the quality of care we provide.

Congratulations to all the staff who have successfully completed this important training!

Help Us Serve Our Community and Expand our Team.

At Vista Autism Services, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best care possible. To better serve our client's needs, we are currently looking to fill several critical roles:

• Behavior Technician ABA
• Life Skills Instructor (Hershey and Camp Hill)
• In-Home Life Skills Instructor
• Registered Behavior Technician
• Lead and Supervising Life Skills Instructor (Camp Hill)

If you know someone passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with autism, please encourage them to apply. 

At Vista, we are committed to excellence, teamwork, dependability, dignity, and consistency. Our comprehensive benefits package includes premium health care, competitive pay, a 401(k) plan, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and opportunities for advancement.

Learn more about our open roles at Vista Careers.

17th Annual Golf Classic

Our 17th annual Vista Golf Classic was held on June 1 at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course. A beautiful day saw 136 golfers enjoying a fun-filled event, contributing over $62,000 to support Vista.

The Winning Foursome celebrates their win!

Upcoming Events

Vista Walk for Autism – September 26, 2024

Mark your calendars for our 17th Annual Vista Walk for Autism. This year's theme, "Rainbow of Possibilities," celebrates the diverse strengths within the autism community and our belief in the unique potential of every individual. Stay tuned for more details on timing, incentives, and team sign-ups.

Annual Fundraising Gala – November 16, 2024

Join us for the "Boots, Bowties, and Bling" Gala at Harvest View Barn, Elizabethtown. Dress in semi-formal attire with a playful Western flair for an evening of dinner, dancing, and entertainment by Jake’s Rockin' Country Band.

Tickets are available now at vistaautismservices.org/gala.

Thank you to all our supporters, sponsors, and the entire Vista family. Your continued support drives our mission forward, making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and adults with autism.

We're regularly adding new items to the Vista Branded Merchandise Store! Dive into a splash of color with our latest collection of tie-dye sweatshirts and t-shirts, available in a variety of vibrant colors and styles. Perfect for showing your Vista pride while staying fashionable!

Remember, our store is open year-round, and we welcome your suggestions for new items at communications@vistaautismservices.org.

Check out the latest offerings and make your pick at our new easy-to-remember URL: http://vistaautismservices.org/store.

Do you have one minute to provide more feedback? We'd love to hear from you