Category: General

November 1, 2024

That Time of Year! Holiday Shopping Guide is Here!

Milestone HCQU West is excited to present our second annual Holiday Shopping Guide. This digital publication features small businesses owned and operated and products created by people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and Autism. We haven’t found them all but we happily share what we found across the map. Notice that the companies listed link to their respective websites. You can click...

Categories General

October 23, 2024

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Nonprofit Organizations

Why Cybersecurity is a Priority It seems like every time I scroll through my news feed, there are multiple articles about cybersecurity. But when you consider that data breaches exposed 7 billion records in the first half of 2024 (source: IT Governance), it’s understandable that cybersecurity is such a hot topic right now. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems,...

Categories General/Resources/Technology

October 16, 2024

Do Good and Positively Impact Your Bottom Line!

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month Employment offers many benefits beyond financial compensation. It keeps us busy, challenges us, and adds value and structure to our lives. It gives us a sense of pride, purpose, and personal achievement. This is equally important for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or autism. We have witnessed the positive impact of employment on many...

Categories Community/Employment/Everyday Life/General

October 9, 2024

Trauma and Direct Care Professionals: The Forgotten Sacrifice

Modified from August 2019. Having worked in our system for a number of years now, I have heard many horrible stories of what people have had to endure in their lifetime. We truly work with some of the strongest survivors I have had the privilege of knowing. According to a report completed by NPR in 2018, people with intellectual disabilities...

Categories Everyday Life/General

October 2, 2024

Demystify Sugars: Gain an Understanding of Sugars in Your Diet

Understanding sugars in your diet is beneficial.  Especially if you are looking to lose weight, have diabetes, or are just concerned about what type of sugars you put in your body. This article will discuss the different types of sugars and how they are digested within the body. These are the types of sugars that will be discussed: Understanding Sugars...

Categories Everyday Life/General

September 4, 2024

Why Should You Care About Psychiatric Polypharmacy?

Over the years I have had the pleasure to work with many people receiving services in our system. Our team typically gets called in, not when people are doing well, but when they are struggling. This can be from a medical standpoint, a behavioral standpoint, or often both. When reviewing their records, many people are noted to have a mental...

Categories Everyday Life/General

August 28, 2024

Think Safe: Have Successful Meals, Not Sickness

Modified from August 2019. Summer is all about getting out of the house and enjoying the great outdoors.  Time outside could include picnics, fairs, parties, grilling, and all kinds of fun.  However, being outdoors with food means we need extra care around food safety. Whether you are purchasing, preparing, consuming, or storing food, it is very important to protect yourself...

Categories Community/Everyday Life/General

August 21, 2024

Let’s Get Candid: You Don’t Want to Miss Grace Key

“Hey, party people!” That is the phrase you will hear often if you follow Grace Key on any of her social media sites. I was introduced to Grace several years ago via social media when I came across her Instagram page.  This day Grace was explaining why ice cream was most likely a health food and she wasn’t going to be...

Categories General

August 14, 2024

Project Lifesaver to the Rescue!

Last revision 8/24 Do you support someone who is prone to wandering from home or a program site? Have you had to call 911 when a loved one cannot be found? Project Lifesaver, a program comprised of components specifically designed to protect “at risk” individuals, may be able to help you to be proactive in supporting a loved one or...

Categories Community/General/Resources/Technology

August 7, 2024

Now You CAN Have a Sensory-Friendly Adventure at Myrtle Beach

I love the beach! The sand, the sun, and the soothing sound of the waves. Not to mention scouring the beach for shells and sharks’ teeth! Myrtle Beach, SC. has always been a family favorite. But for individuals who may have sensory issues or be on the autism spectrum, navigating travel and accommodations can be overwhelming not only for that...

Categories General