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

March 15, 2023

Special Neat Treats Ice Cream is Much More Than an Ice Cream Truck

Did someone say ice cream? I don’t know about you but as a child I was delighted when I would hear the familiar sound of the ice cream truck coming around the block in our neighborhood. As an adult I still get excited because of the memories it brings back, and let’s face it, who doesn’t like ice cream… I...

Community/General

March 9, 2023

What are CGMs? Let’s Look at Continuous Glucose Monitors

Diabetes mellitus, Latin for “sweet urine,” has been documented for over 2,000 years. It was once recognized as a devastating and deadly disease. In the 17th century Dr. Thomas Willis, a physician from London, would diagnosis patients with diabetes by sampling their urine. If the patient’s urine had a “sweet taste,” he would diagnose them with diabetes mellitus or “honeyed”...

General/Resources

March 1, 2023

Hersheypark Striving for Accessibility for All at The Sweetest Place on Earth

Even though we are smack dab in the middle of winter, no time like the present to start planning some summer fun. And no better place than right in our own Pennsylvania back yard. The land where they say the air smells like chocolate and the streets are paved with cocoa. Alright, maybe that’s not exactly accurate. But Hershey PA,...

Community/General

February 22, 2023

Tap Into The Power of Pets for Adults with Autism

As you read this, is there a furry friend curled up beside you? The unconditional love of a pet can do more than just keep their owner’s company. A recent study of 735 adults, 326 of whom had autism, resulted in researchers finding pets make a big difference. Pets helped the participants improve their quality of life. Adults on the...

Everyday Life/General

February 15, 2023

Introducing the DSP Handbook App!

February 17 is National Caregivers Day! In honor of this auspicious day, we have a gift for you! If you support someone with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism, Milestone HCQU West has a great new tool for you. We’ve worked closely with agencies, families, communities, and people with IDD for over 22 years and in that time, we learned a...

General

February 8, 2023

National Clean Out Your Computer Day

There’s a day for that, too?! Everyone knows Valentine’s Day is February 14th, but I bet you didn’t know that the day before Valentine’s Day is an equally important holiday! February 13th is National Clean Out Your Computer Day, so give your most-used devices some love. I’m not suggesting roses or chocolate, but this is the perfect time to get...

General/Technology

February 1, 2023

Tissue Jars

It’s cold and flu season again. Germs are the gift that keep on giving. No one likes feeling under the weather. However, do you know what everyone does like? A little surprise gift. These tissue jars made by the people at DFS CHAPS will put a smile on anyone’s face. Not only do they cleverly disguise tissues, they also contain...

General

January 25, 2023

6 Cs of Cyber-safety

Supporting People with ID and Autism in Managing Online Risk There is no such thing as a one size fits all approach when supporting people to manage online risk. Many factors should be taken into consideration when assessing a person’s digital readiness, including any behavioral characteristics that might play a role in increasing potentially risky behavior online. We must also...

Technology

January 18, 2023

Tips for Protecting Your Largest Organ in the Cold Weather

Have you ever had that “itchy skin” feeling when the weather changes to cold and the furnaces come on? Or maybe it’s a feeling of your skin not quite fitting because your skin is so dry and tight. If you have, you are not alone. The largest organ of our body is our skin. Our skin does many things for...

General

January 11, 2023

The Year of No Resolutions

We are entering a new year. As I get older the years seem to fly by faster and faster. Those of you who know me, know I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. To me these seem fleeting. It never seems to be a lasting change. The New Year does bring a time of reflection for me. It makes me...

Community/General