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

May 22, 2024

New Inclusive Designs for Starbucks

I love quiet time to relax and enjoy a nice hot cup of tea. I find myself choosing to go through a drive thru as the cafe’s, especially the Starbucks in my community are small and noisy. A new Starbucks store has opened in Washington D.C.’s Union Market. The new store design is setting an example for more accessible and...

General

May 15, 2024

Rising Tide Car Wash: Shining Opportunities

According to the CDC, as of 2023, around 75 million people have autism spectrum disorder in the U.S. That’s 1% of the world’s population. One in 36 children, or over 2.7% of 8-year-old children, in the U.S. were diagnosed with ASD in 2020. The statistics show there are many potential workers, people with autism, around the country. However, the unemployment...

General

May 8, 2024

Lisa Tovcimak: A New American Hero

“The British are coming; the British are coming!” As Americans, we have all been taught these famous words of Paul Revere since a young age. We Americans value our freedom. We hold Paul Revere in high esteem and remember him as an American hero for helping to safeguard our liberties. What if…instead he had yelled through the night “The cavities...

Community/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...

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...

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...

Resources/Technology

April 10, 2024

For The Love of Pets!

April 11th is National Pet Day. It is an unofficial holiday that was created to encourage people to appreciate the role that pets play in our lives. It’s also a day meant to bring awareness to all the animals currently living in shelters and in need of a home. If you’ve ever had a pet, you know first-hand how much...

Everyday Life/General

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...

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...

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...

General/Resources