Category: Resources

May 1, 2024

Colin the Jedi: A Star Wars Story

To say I had an affinity for all things sci-fi when I was a kid would be an understatement. It was more like a constant preoccupation. For a while, it was all about Star Trek. I could talk nonstop about the Enterprise and her crew. I drifted off to sleep each night, wondering what it would be like to have...

Categories Everyday Life/General/Resources

April 24, 2024

Challenge Your Way to Better Health Today!

As a direct support professional or family member, you do everything you can to support the person(s) in your care to live their best life. You care about their overall health and wellbeing, so you encourage healthy eating, regular physical activity, and social interaction. But, it can be challenging to motivate someone else to live a healthy lifestyle. Often, it...

Categories Community/Everyday Life/General/Resources/Technology

April 17, 2024

Three New Printable Forms on the DSP Handbook App!

You asked and we delivered! In response to your requests, we’ve added three new printable forms to the DSP Handbook app. Blood Pressure Log: Sometimes a person may have high blood pressure, otherwise known as Hypertension.  The treating medical professional may want to obtain a record of the person’s blood pressure prior to prescribing a medication or may want a record...

Categories Resources/Technology

April 3, 2024

We All Grieve: Understanding How to Support People with Autism

As the holiday season ends, we all know that feeling of taking down the festive holiday décor and boxing it up for the next year. For some people, it might bring a feeling of joy to have some organization back into their home. For some, it may bring a sense of sadness and change to let the excitement of the...

Categories General/Resources

March 27, 2024

Morgan’s Wonderland:  A Theme Park for All

Who loves going to a theme park in the summer?!  Many people take a day and visit their favorite theme park.  They enjoy the sights and sounds, rides, spending time with their family and friends, and let’s not forget about the incredible food! Let me introduce you to a theme park in San Antonio, Texas…Morgan’s Wonderland.  What makes this theme...

Categories General/Resources

March 20, 2024

Support People in the Face of Trauma

You may be aware many people receiving support from our system have experienced trauma. As a supporter in the system, what does that mean for us? One thing it means is that we must humble ourselves to maybe look at the person’s response to their world a little differently. We may feel we know the reason a person is responding...

Categories General/Resources

March 13, 2024

New Stars are Born

I love musical theater! As I am in my car traveling throughout nine counties in Pennsylvania, I listen to Sirius XM’s On Broadway station.  Recently I was listening to Seth Rudetsky and heard him excitedly say that he would be interviewing some of the cast from How To Dance in Ohio.  It caught my attention. Seth said how much fun the...

Categories General/Resources

March 6, 2024

Getting Crafty in Butler, PA

There is a wonderful art studio in Butler, located just north of the Clearview Mall called Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics. They’ve got some really cool things going on there to spark that creativity. Most recently they’ve started sessions called “Crafting Connections-Empowering All Abilities.” These sessions take place Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and were developed for...

Categories Community/Resources

February 21, 2024

iPad Lending Program Teams Up With Assistive Technology Coordinator of Tech OWL

At the HCQU we have some exciting news! You may be aware of the fact that we have an iPad lending program, where a request to borrow an iPad can be made through supports coordination for self-advocates. This FREE service is available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who reside in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer,...

Categories General/Resources/Technology

February 7, 2024

The Anticholinergic Burden Calculator:  What is the fall risk?

Did you know…42% of older adults take 5 or more prescription medications. According to Lown Institute, nearly 20% take 10 drugs or more medications daily. Unfortunately, older people are prescribed multiple medications. Many of these medications that are prescribed have anticholinergic properties. Anticholinergics are drugs that block the action of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical messenger. It...

Categories Resources