Milestone HCQU West Blog - News, Resources, and Innovative Ideas & Supports

April 1, 2026

Laughter: The Good Your Body and Soul Needs

In challenging times it is very easy to not see humor in anything. Certainly the anxiety from seeing people ill or the threat of becoming ill causes increased stress and nervousness. It is so important that we do laugh and keep a sense of humor in difficult times because as it turns out there is scientific evidence for saying: Laughter...

Community/General

March 25, 2026

Love, Home, and Other Four Legged Lessons

I have a child who has had an intense interest in animals for as long as I can remember. We have two dogs, two cats, two leopard geckos, one bunny, one hamster, and we also lease a horse. It is nothing to see a bunny hopping across the floor or the dogs chasing the cats to the basement. If you...

General

March 18, 2026

Make that Dinner Bell Ring with Accessible Chef

Why is cooking important? We know that as providers and caregivers our goal is to give people with disabilities an everyday life. But what is an everyday life? “An everyday life is about opportunities, relationships, rights, and responsibilities. It is about being a member of the community, having a valued role, making a contribution to society, and having one’s rights...

Everyday Life/General

March 11, 2026

The Rise and Fall: Blood Sugar Matters

Many things can affect blood sugar. Gaining an understanding of what factors may cause a change in blood sugar can help in being proactive. It may even prevent hypoglycemic events. What impacts blood sugar levels? Blood sugar levels rise and fall based on what someone eats. Whether or not someone is sick also affects levels. From the weather to the...

General/Resources

March 4, 2026

Risky Business: Falls Why They Happen and What to Do

This time of year we are all at more risk for falls due to snow and ice on sidewalks and parking lots. However, did you know that people with intellectual disabilities are always at a higher risk for falls, no matter what time of year it is? Not only is the risk of falling greater for people with intellectual disabilities...

General

February 25, 2026

ITAs – One Service from Milestone Health Care Quality Unit West

You know Milestone Health Care Quality Unit (HCQU) West is passionate about education. We are an important part of the long-term initiative from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Our mission is to support people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). HCQUs were created in Pennsylvania almost 30 years ago and ITAs remain one of the...

General

February 18, 2026

Time to reflect… It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood

I was saddened by Mr. Roger’s passing in February 2003. Indeed it hit home for me. It got me thinking about all the good he did in his life time. That is to say when you think of Mr. Rogers, you think of all the joy and comfort he brought to many lives. About Mr. Rogers Mr. Rogers grew up in...

Community/General

February 11, 2026

Breaking Free from Loneliness: How Can We Help Our Self-Advocates Navigate and Foster Healthy Relationships and Connection

February is the month of love. It makes you think about the relationships in your life and what they mean to you. Relationships are something that all humans hope for in some capacity. According to author and researcher, Brene Brown, “we are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what gives us purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it,...

General

February 4, 2026

Beware of High Blood Pressure: It’s the Silent Killer

February is American Heart Month and I want to discuss High Blood Pressure (HBP) also known as The Silent Killer. According to the American Heart Association nearly 50% of Americans have high blood pressure and many don’t know. (1) Through out my nursing career I have seen many people surprised by their diagnosis of high blood pressure because they “felt...

General

January 28, 2026

Wheel the World. Accessibility Gets Real.

Want to explore the great big, wide world? Wheel the World might be your booking companion and tour guide. Maybe you faced accessibility issues in the past and have stayed house bound since. Maybe you support someone and are afraid that leaving the sanctuary of the familiar is just too risky and unknown. Wheel the World might take some of...

Resources