#44 � Spring Meadow Resources Celebrating 50 Years of Service
Mackenzie Jones
Thank you for joining us for this episode of talking health and the 406 where we are one community under the Big Sky I'm your host McKenzie Jones I'm also the program manager of the DPHHS Montana disability and health program which supports the disability community to drive futures of healthy and resilient communities. It is therefore even more fitting than I host and introduce gene Morgan executive director and Cody lundeen director of operations of spring Meadow resources spring Meadow resources is a nonprofit organization that provides services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Individuals with developmental disabilities often need extra help in dealing with certain aspects of everyday life including health and Wellness at spring Meadow resources they provide this support do knowledgeable and caring staff that are familiar with the unique needs of the individuals they serve for this episode we are going to hear from spring. The resources about their 50th anniversary. They're accessible garden bringing fresh food from ground to plate and other health initiatives that have their members and staff competing to meet their daily step goals. So today we are going to talk about a spring Meadow resources their 50th anniversary is the longest running disability service agency in Montana they're growing programs including their accessible. Garden and other health and Wellness focused programs and the impact of community partnerships in their work. Uh today we have Jean Morgan the executive director and Cody Lundin the director of operations here with us today. So I'd like to start by asking Jean and or Cody to tell us about spring Meadow resources who do you serve and what is your mission.
Jean Morgan
As you said spring Meadow resources is one of the longest running organizations in the state of Montana serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our program is located in hell in the community and we have 7 group homes and a supported living program and we also have a a small day program where people come and do community activities and work in the garden and just. You know are engaged and all sorts of things to help. People. Have just a an important and meaningful day?
Mackenzie Jones
So this is your 50th anniversary tell us a little bit more about how you're celebrating this year and how you're growing your programs moving forward.
Jean Morgan
So we are trying to tell the story of our 50 year history so we've done some work with our local radio station and TV station to give a little bit of background about our program starting in 1975 which a lot of people with disabilities were did not have. Access to community based services so it really was kind of an innovative approach at the time as as and many communities were working toward deinstitutionalization and moving folks into community homes and as we've gone through the years the. Our role as the the support team to people that we serve has changed as well it was I think early years there was a lot of focus on you know teaching people skills and and and having people you know work and those kinds of things but it was more of a custodial approach. And so I think that there came a time when people really started to look at what's important to people as well as it's important for people and so you know having. Activities that they could go to or developing hobbies or you know going to community activities being on vacation visiting families those kinds of priorities started to to take precedence over just you know focus on on building skills and and and work as we've evolved today and going forward into the future. Those are kind of our goals we want to hear from people about what's important to them how they'd like to spend their time what's meaningful to to their life and how can we support that and and you know help give people the best experience that they can have so that's our goal now and that's also our goal going into the future. It's just building more of a well-rounded you know life and supports for people that help them get and achieve those.
Mackenzie Jones
Thanks Jean you talked about your day programs as well as having group group homes and everyone participates in your programs a little bit differently how do they decide what programs work for them and how do you work with them to include them in that process.
Jean Morgan
So going into. A service that is going to provide supports to. There are a lot of assessments and ways to identify what kind of medical needs to people have what sort of skills do they need to you know in just activities of daily living do they need help with with showering or or eating do they have a specialized diet do they you know all of those kinds of things and then. Or do they have equipment you know all of that is looked at for example if somebody has a wheelchair then they need to have access to accessible you know buildings and vehicles and that kind of thing so we take a look at at the needs of each person and they're all unique and different. And then not just their needs but also what do people want and then we try to build a plan and implement that with the along with the person and a team of people that that everybody has. A different role. And so we then can ensure that people are not only safe and healthy but also happy. And fulfill. And that people are thriving in their in their communities and so those are all balanced and important things and again it's different for everybody not everybody wants to go bowling you know not everybody wants to go to the movie and so we can get it can get tricky trying to take people that need support and supervision in a bunch of different directions at the same time but you know we do our best to try to. Make that happen our staff are dedicated to making sure that people are busy and engaged and happy with the life that they lead in the in the.
Mackenzie Jones
Today those wonderful thank you for sharing that not everyone knows what ID or intellectual and developmental disabilities mean what is ID and what supports does that community often need and you see that you provide.
Jean Morgan
So there is a legal definition of intellectual and developmental disabilities it it talks about the onset of the disability and and the kind is it is it a lifelong condition and different kinds of disability types that might impact somebody 's ability to maintain their safety manage their finances. Take care of themselves take their medications things such as you know the people are familiar with such as Down syndrome or autism were people born with you know cerebral palsy those kinds of of disabilities and then again this supports differ you know we work with people who for example are on the autism spectrum. And you know there are people that are very verbal and can you know express and what they need and communicate very effectively cook their own meals and then there are people who are nonverbal and need need support in all. Of their daily living so it it just really varies and and we see that a lot with multiple types of diagnosis and disabilities is that there's a sort of a spectrum involved in where people fall you know changes what their needs look. Like.
Mackenzie Jones
You mentioned in addition to your day program and your group homes you also support a small employment program and work with people that work in the community what does that part of your program look like.
Jean Morgan
So spring Meadow actually does employ a few people as part of our program and also there are people that work across the community sometimes we are their support staff in their community jobs and sometimes there are other programs who work with volk rehab or with another organization and so that people have the work supports that they need. A lot of. Teams starting out people might need and they job coaching where someone comes into the into the employment site works with their coworkers their supervisor to help build skills if there are places where the person is struggling that they can come back in and work together and then hopefully they can feed that. That supervision and support out sometimes people need it throughout their employment and. And we have on site supports here so we have people that do a little bit of janitorial work cleaning the office and helping with groceries and so they can have most of those folks have the supports that are going to stay.
Mackenzie Jones
In place that's great thank you just talk about your health focused programming gene you are a member of the Montana disability and health program community planning. Nope a group that I help facilitate with the Montana disability and health program. And it brings together disability and public health partners from across the state to advise on strategies for increasing chronic disease prevention and healthy living opportunities among montanans with disabilities it is clear that health is an important part of your mission at spring Meadow resources. Tell us why health and Wellness is central to the success. Of your programs.
Jean Morgan
A lot of people who. Have intellectual and developmental disabilities need support with maintaining a healthy lifestyle so we not only help people with you know grocery shopping and meal planning and those kinds of things we also wanted to get people more information and understanding of where food comes from?
Speaker
No.
Jean Morgan
How does that work why is it important why is nutrition important why is movement important and an opportunity about 5 years ago when I came to spring Meadow to get a grant through the Montana council on developmental disabilities and? We had a. A half acre space behind our office that wasn't being utilized we were actually fencing in weeds and so it was. Time to do something with that. But and I just thought not only was the great opportunity for activities and kind of fun things for people to do as part of day program I also thought it was important to increase awareness on nutrition and and build their skills in that so we got to go out to the Montana. Council and that was one of the. The places where we focused was on the garden and we've tried to make it as accessible as possible so we have elevated raised beds so that people in wheelchairs can sit up next to them and help plant and with partnerships with not only the Montana council but also with. Karen Chadwick at at Chadwick nursery here in Helena they've been very supportive and generous with helping us maintain that garden so we're on we're starting our 5th year of the garden and just the front activities that that people have been able to do and I'll let Cody speak more about that but just. You know opportunities that people never have experienced like pulling a carrot out of the dirt and people. But you know ever having experienced that and for all they knew carrots came in a plastic surgery store so it's been it's been eye opening and and fun and to experience that as well where people are just in awe I think growing it we've had people who maybe weren't as app to eat a salad. Are eating salad everyday because they they grew it and so we've had fun things with that we had a bunch of strawberries that we grew so we had a project that we we did canning and made homemade jam and? Meal planning and so that's been fun so I'm gonna let Cody talk a little bit more about the.
Cody Lundin
Other day-to-day stuff well yeah and can I add too that why it's so important because a lot of our individuals that we serve are at a higher risk for some of the preventable diseases and then as well as a higher risk for some of the chronic diseases or conditions. So it's important to have healthy eating habits. Umm those types of things. With the day program some of the things that we've got going well I'll start with the garden so they've started some seeds indoors and program members really enjoyed that as well as going to the nursery to pick out vegetables and things that they want to grow and they have raised beds and we have a couple. Greenhouses that we can put stuff in as well so they just they really enjoy it and just being able to go out there and walk through the garden and get vegetables when they want and they really enjoy it there's a couple that really enjoy just going and getting strawberries. And they water it as well and also at the day program they've started a mileage club. Along with healthy eating so we got fitbits for everybody they got to pick out what color they wanted and they were so anxious about it I mean there was one individual who we had told we were getting them for him and he kept asking every single day and finally we were ready to give them and literally the next day he came in. He's like I have like. 8000 steps already and we're like holy cow so it's really cool and we see him walking by out outdoors they're really getting into it. At and they've set individual goals and as well as group goals. So when they hit a certain amount of steps or a mile they get to do fun activity of their choice like going bowling or going out to get a healthy treat or go to the park or just things like that so they're they're actually really enjoying it so that's the day program and also our supported living department is getting really involved they've done. UM the linkage program they're just trying to get people moving in and having better eating habits. Well they've set also set individual goals and group goals they're doing fun things like they get to pick like a a healthy fun recipe and everybody brings a dish to like a game night or something so they've really gotten into that some of them have gone out and gotten exercise. Bikes. All sorts of things just to get moving and and gym memberships and some of the goals they've set you know could have been as small as I'm going to try out a new gym or some people in order to get them moving more you know it might. Be. Taking a trip around Hobby Lobby or something like that but just getting people outdoors getting people moving and just learning better eating habits so I think everybody 's having a lot of fun with it.
Mackenzie Jones
So you have talked about goals a lot as you described the day program and my work within the disability and health world also leans into choice and autonomy and people having the chance to. And their life that makes them happy and gene you said earlier that finding ways. To be happy and connected to the community is that shift that spring Meadow resources has experienced over the time of being an agency does everyone know how to create a goal and if not how do you support the people that you're working with to learn how to create a goal that's realistic and matches their joy and their. Your life. Yes.
Jean Morgan
I think starting out doing that is a little bit tricky because we also work with people who haven't had a lot of life experiences they've you know been supported and maybe they haven't traveled a lot or lived at a lot of places or been places so sometimes it's hard to know what you do like to do because you haven't had a lot of exposure so that's. Where I think we like to start some of it might just be observing people and you know we've got people that the minute the weather 's nice is all they want to do is be outside so that is a good indicator for us whether they can express that verbally or not there's certainly communicating with us by being outside and and wanting? The outside so we've we've tried to honor that with not only encouraging it but also at areas where for example we worried about safety because of the street we've tried to you know enclose our the courtyard so that people can be outside and go in and out without always having to have a staff person with them so. Creating a lot more independence the more you you you spend time with people the more you learn how they communicate so.
Speaker
So.
Jean Morgan
It's. You know for people that understand them best to just ask questions in a way sometimes it's just there are goals that say we're going to go to 5 new places you know this year and just trying to find creative ways to understand what people are trying to communicate through asking through exposure and giving people more experience. Experiences and even if they don't like it the the fact that people got to try is is extremely important and I think all of us know that in our own lives that you know we want the ability to make decisions about where we want to go some places you love some places you don't and some places you just put up with you know so all of that. Creates a more expansive and fulfilled life for people and with more experience and knowledge about what they truly do want and and all of that helps people make future decisions.
Mackenzie Jones
I want to go back to the garden for a little. Bit you mentioned making jam with the strawberries.
Cody Lundin
uh how else do you use the food and how are the people that you work with involved in that process the program members they can go out and they can get you know strawberries when they want and carrots or anything really and then a lot of it's salads and just kind of snacks and stuff and then. We have plans to make you know salsa with the tomatoes and just little things like that.
Jean Morgan
Last year they they picked all the squashes and zucchinis and they made ratatouille and I rushed the movie ratatouille so that was super. Fun and just you know the staff have been good about. Trying to come up. With schemes yeah things like that.
Mackenzie Jones
How has this push for healthy eating and physical activity impacted the staff along with the people you're surveying?
Cody Lundin
I think that they enjoy it I I mean definitely uh we have several. Team members that really enjoy being in the kitchen and cooking and coming up with recipes and getting the individuals involved so I I see that it's been positive really and it's just a fun thing to be able to be outdoors right now they're planning the garden cleanup they're going they're getting out there and getting things cleaned up and ready to plant. So I've just I've seen it just be positive for for everybody really.
Jean Morgan
I think that. People that we support are are the greatest part of what we do with with our employment with our jobs you know we everybody loves to work. With the program members. But also you know there are parts of the job that are not as you know as glamorous and exciting and so to have something new and innovative where we're asking people what do you think and for their ideas is really inspirational and motivating for people. You know it. And and not that they don't like all aspects even the things that aren't so glamorous of of taking care of people or helping support people new ideas and innovation and we try to create a culture here at spring Meadow where people matter their opinions matter we ask what they think.
Mackenzie Jones
What other benefits does the garden bring to spring Meadow resources into the community whether it's introduction to bees or bats or community partnership?
Speaker
Yes.
Jean Morgan
Obviously partnerships with the Montana council they we were able to use some of the money also to start some fruit trees so we're hoping to continue to to add that to the garden we've had we had a a parent just come out with you know 10 rhubarb plants and planted them in the garden. We work where our office is located we also have the benefit of the prickly pear Land Trust trail system that runs along 10 mile Creek our property intersects with that and and we also. Have a an easement agreement with them so that people the community can come in and cross over our property to walk the the the trail it's accessible so the folks that we serve can be out there but we're also we're right next door to to Georges we're right from the Archie Bray they've been excellent partners and just trying to find ways to support? That we do same with prickly pear we have a couple of a program members that actually get paid to do some trail maintenance for them so it's it's just been you know a great partnership like I said with chadwicks we've had other. Places you know ask how they can help and donate we've had one of our healthcare providers that a couple of years ago donated some money for the garden so just it's really been it's it's really just been a a group effort and we want to continue to expand that as well we've only been doing this this will be our 5th year and so the more we can. We can you know grow the opportunity and get people out here to see. What we do? The the better it is for everybody it. This gives people an education about folks with disabilities and also you know just exposes the program and it's just positive because we're we're a big contributing member of the hell in a community we're not doing it anymore but a couple of years ago we grew pumpkins and for one of the local breweries and and they used the pumpkins with. All the program members came and we delivered those and and then they used those pumpkins to make their seasonal pumpkin ale so that was a fun project that we collaborated with them on and think we're just hoping to do more of that kind of thing. We've got some ideas and some things in the works with some other community businesses that we want to we want to partner with so it's it's exciting things to come.
Mackenzie Jones
That's wonderful having ways to to grow the program and like you said remain inspired and motivated.
Jean Morgan
That's kind of our theme going into the future. You know as part of celebrating our 50th this help us grow our program and so I mean literally and figuratively grow you know with you know additional you know support through generous community donations or just watch. Watching us be able to build on ideas and and create more opportunities for people.
Mackenzie Jones
Is anything more you want to share about the the garden?
Jean Morgan
I think it it's just a huge sense of accomplishment for people like we did this we grew this for the sake of doing it and it just makes you happy you know as we expand and go forward we'd like to grow flowers and things like that but I just think it's it's it's.
Speaker
Bye.
Jean Morgan
Then a positive increase in people 's interest and something to do and a sense of accomplishment and achievement that for just the sake of doing something fun for the heck of it and that isn't always been something that that the people that we support have had those opportunities to just do something just for this because it makes you happy. And. I think that's the stuff that really you know. Makes all of our lives feel complete or the the the places and and the people and the things that we get to do for just for the. Sheer joy of doing it. So not just healthy but also healthy in other ways you know like emotional.
Mackenzie Jones
Health could would you.
Speaker
But.
Cody Lundin
Add anything something actually happened today going back to not necessarily the garden but the fitbits and getting people steps in their individual goals we have one program member who who requires a wheelchair. Majority of her mobility and she got out of her wheelchair. This morning to get some steps in with her feet so it was really cool to see just her being encouraged to just to to move because she's she's able to it's just more challenging for her and she she did it and she was. So proud of herself so.
Mackenzie Jones
Alright.
Cody Lundin
That was pretty cool to.
Jean Morgan
See that's how important it was to her and so that may not have been something that she would have thought a lot about. Here she is seeing all of her peers wear a little Fitbit walk around and she's like I'm gonna do that too she maybe took 20.
Mackenzie Jones
Step maybe but.
Jean Morgan
She was so proud so proud of.
Cody Lundin
Herself being cheered on by her staff and her peers and it was it was just really cool.
Speaker
OK.
Mackenzie Jones
I did want to jump over to the linkage which is related to the fitbits and how that program started spring metal resources has participated in the Montana disability and health program linkage demonstration program workshops. And that's that's. A long way of saying the program links. People that have had their disability since they were young so that's looking back who have intellectual and developmental disabilities linking them to needed health care and health promotion programs that align with self-directed goals like we keep saying over and over what are their goal. That lead to their health because that's the only way that behavior changes if they feel happy and joyful and it's their goal choosing. You've mentioned many of these goals including small goals like step counts or going outside to getting access to more community events and how those goals lead us to making decisions that are healthier in our.
Speaker
Life.
Mackenzie Jones
What did that program look? 4 members and why do you feel like it was successful for them to create those goals and lead to everyone getting a Fitbit.
Jean Morgan
Working with the with your team on the linkage program I thought it was important because we really wanted to make nutrition and movement a daily activity for people. And it's easier because we have a big part of that program working at our day program but with folks in supported living sometimes they're doing some of those activities without staff support like going to the grocery store so sometimes you see not the healthiest purchases for groceries and so how can. He takes a program and and implement it there and and have people you know pick those goals that they want to work on and some people have identified I'm going to make sure that I have at least one vegetable added to my diet you know 4 days a week or whatever it is so even those things so I think bringing it to the forefront. For. People and giving them an opportunity to think about it and not being told by staff or you should do this you should do that and you know not the people try to you know to you know interact with folks in a way that that doesn't promote independence but sometimes it's frustrating where you want people to take a look at maybe another option and I think it just brought it to the forefront. And then when people were kind of empowered and in charge of it they came up with some pretty amazing things on their own and Cody can talk a little bit more about that.
Cody Lundin
Yeah and I think just making it fun making it a thing where they they can do with their friends and you know setting goals is exciting and knowing that if you reach your goal you know you might get. Get to do something fun and you know some of the goals I mean could be. He every week I'm going to choose a new recipe to make something healthy or you know I'm going to add healthier things to my grocery list and then being able to just do it also not only individually but together together with your roommate together with your your neighbors I mean. Your your peers they've really enjoyed that and then getting to plan you know get togethers to talk about. Their successes and and and share their new you know recipes that they're learning and also getting you know someone on one time with the the team members the staff that they enjoy working with I think that it's just it's really positive.
Jean Morgan
And I think too when people have actually seen and experienced success. That this isn't just something that somebody 's throwing out at me that Oh yeah they want me to you know I've why should I do that well when you have people who struggle with you know joint issues or their weight and that's become a goal and now they're walking more and they're eating healthier and they actually feel a little bit better and they see that. Progress dot is a rewarding of itself that you know that people see that that it's making a positive impact on their life and they're having fun doing it so you know who doesn't like that and I think that's true for all of us I mean I walk more when I have somebody to walk with I think that's true for all of us and so. Just experiencing that it's it not that it hasn't always been encouraged but like we are really leading it now and just you know wanting to kind of have everybody sort of take charge of this and and just see where it goes so we're really excited about. About the impact it's had people so receptive and motivated by it it's just been really exciting to see.
Mackenzie Jones
Cody earlier you mentioned people with disabilities experience chronic disease or secondary conditions more often than people without disabilities Montana adults with disability experience health disparities and are 2 to 3 times more likely than adults without disability to report depression smoking. Diabetes heart disease and lung COVID. 29% or about one in 4 Montana adults have a disability and 14% identifies having a cognitive disability so this is a a small group of people we're talking about a significant part of our adult population in Montana and finding ways to support that population in our community so that they can have opportunities for. I'm eating healthier and physical activity and participating in the community you at spring Meadow resources are such an important. Peace to that progress that we have seen in creating healthier and more inclusive environment other conditions that are of concern among people with ID but aren't always considered by health providers as important to think about and people without disability include malnourishment aspiration or choking. Constipation urinary tract infection and pressure sores and that's why it's really important to create environments that encourage healthy eating and physical activity that can lower someone 's chance of experiencing this these conditions. In your experience gene and Cody what are some other health conditions that are common among people with idd that your programs are helping to reduce.
Jean Morgan
Commonly you know we see you know what they call the fatal vive where there are people who are greater risk of things that you talked about like Constipation and you know seizure disorders and trying to think of some of the others aspiration aspiration dehydration those are are some of the things you also see people who are at greater risk of falling. Some coordination and balance. That is that we see commonly and. People are at. Great risk of serious injuries when they have falls and so another reason why you know movement is so important is to increase peoples you know stability and balance and all of that but we see people that have experienced all of those things diabetes you know I mean you name it. People that are. On oxygen and of some of that is because of the damage that's been done to their lungs with chronic aspiration even and just on their on their on their own secretions and so it it really puts people at risk and people don't always identify I think we have a lot of folks that have because of their disability that started when they were young. They probably had some chronic illnesses and so people are kind of. Troopers and they. Just you know they they live their life every day not feeling so great and so sometimes it's harder for people to understand when those things change or when things become sort of critical so it's it's really important that's where the support staff really come in and these guys do a great job trying to read you know what might be happening with people and people who can't communicate. I don't feel good and UM you know just observing and so that becomes a really important part of that as well. Yeah we see we've seen all of that you know people that struggle with nutrition and weight and all of those things that then can chronically lead to other things like joint issues and back problems. And you know. They kind of it can be kind.
Mackenzie Jones
Of a snowball do you have a set of supports that are always available how do you work with each individual to identify. The supports that they need and when you don't have that available what do you do to ensure that you can. Support that person and reaching their potential.
Cody Lundin
It's kind of built into our programs so yes I think that there is always somebody available to help maintain this or help ensure that it gets done daily because it's it's built into the program so like for our day program it's it's just part of their day the movement it's part of the schedule they and. It's you know they get there they get their fitbits and it's just it's part of their day right now and same with. In our supported living even our residential homes too you know they do a lot of healthy. Cooking and portion control and weight monitoring and and exercising so it's just it's built into their plans and to and into the the daily routines are some days better than others sure and some days are more focused on it absolutely but. I think that it. Is just part of our our day?
Jean Morgan
To day and as far as like the larger system goes for for organizations like spring Meadow that are providing home and community based services for people there are required standards that we have to uphold so. Everybody has an annual plan it it's referred to as their personal support plan and everybody has an annual plan and within that plan there's a team of people that support that person they have a case manager they have their family or guardian they have the people that provide their residential services and people that provide their. Their work day services. And there are goals that we that we work on in conjunction with the person about what do you want your what do you want your year to look like or what are you working on this year that will get you to where you want to be in 5 years so there's shorter term goals longer term goals they typically involve health and safety which is you know one of the ways that. As organizations we are we are judged is you know are we ensuring people are healthy and safe and so we have protocols in place to make sure that people are getting their medication that they have. Oxygen that they get to the doctor that they have a you know a dentist that they meet with somebody to talk about any of their mental health issues all of that package that would go around you know somebody would depending on their individual needs and then there are the the things that people want to you know build their skills in or or learn more about so maybe somebody wants to. You know learn. How to cook a a simple meal so we would help them build those skills and you know and it just kind of goes on and it's unique and individual and where do people want to go you know as as we want to help people? You know live work and play and thrive in their communities where do people want to be you know and again that's where sometimes it it's experimenting a little bit because people haven't always had a lot of experiences and so you know that the day-to-day and the supports are built into that and then we have staff we could not do this work without. The direct care staff who support people 2473 165. And they wear. Many many hats and they have a lot. But that they need to learn and that they need to keep track of they need to be able to know when somebody might be getting sick with if they can't tell you they need to be able to comfort somebody when they found out that their their mom passed away they have to be able to get people to the doctor they have to manage situations where people maybe aren't regulating very well and so they're having some challenging behavior. People that don't communicate well. Amid all the hat and they have to be the you know the activities director and the the transportation person and all of that so they're incredibly important in everything that we do and we could not do this work without our workforce and and we're also grateful. That there has been a lot of attention and focus on. One ensuring that we're supporting workforce so that people can make this type of work at career and that they have you know access to paid time off and retirement plans and health insurance and so that it isn't just a little job I mean this is an important career I feel blessed that I was able to make this work. The career and I couldn't have done that without some of those supports in place where I could support my family you know and do this work that. I love how.
Mackenzie Jones
Do you hope to be a model for other organizations whether that's specifically to the accessible garden? Day program the way you support your direct support providers how do you hope to be a model for other organizations.
Cody Lundin
I think our culture and just continuing to work collaboratively with with other providers in the community we're all here doing the same thing with the same goals and wanting the same things for our our program members so just just having a good culture though I think is the big the key and just working well with others. And and sharing ideas.
Jean Morgan
There's multiple providers in the state of Montana and and we all are trying to do the same work and you know and sometimes you know we all kind of can are limited on you know how what our our pay is would feel like what sets us apart from people and I think that that would be our culture and how we how people. Feel about working here and do people feel like they matter and that they're listened to and that their ideas are. Reported and that we collaborate and we approach things as a team and even if your idea doesn't get implemented the fact that you're able to give an idea is extremely important to people and so you know it's always a work in progress we're always you know setting the bar a little bit higher next time. So that we can we can continue to to not get complacent and that we're always paying attention to what. You know what are people telling us not just the program members but also our workforce and how are we making sure that we're supporting them and making them feel like they're part of something extremely important and that they they're making a difference in somebody 's life and we've also said maybe you're making a difference in somebody 's life and it might even be your own you know because of how rewarding this kind of work.
Mackenzie Jones
I have a clarifying question earlier you mentioned home and community based services what is the difference between home and community based services and institutional living and other options that people have and what's the value of what you're doing at spring Meadow resources.
Jean Morgan
Growing up in an institution was not uncommon. You know 50 plus years ago and in the 1960s the Medicaid waiver program was established. And basically what that looked at was that the Medicaid funding wasn't just exclusive to institutions or nursing homes those kinds of those kinds of care facilities that that that we could waive that and and have people move into their communities and be supported in the communities and so. Like I said spring Meadow started in 1975 and and that was kind of the early onset of that of that. Deinstitutionalization and moving people into into community based services we're funded through the state of Montana and the federal government with Medicaid and Medicare services and we are monitored by what's called CMS which is the Center for Medicaid Services and they. They established standards for States and what you know broad standards of of of what the expectation is on on on what the service delivery needs to look like so which would be things like access to. To the community and how are we going to make sure that people get to access their community especially people who can't do it alone and they need the supervision and support in the community and so we you know build our programs around some standards but also I think just you know what's considered best practice and. We want what we provide here it's for middle to be best practice and that we are helping people live well-rounded fulfilled lives.
Mackenzie Jones
Best practice has shown that people who live in the community do have better health outcomes and experience fewer secondary conditions and have access to more health supports would you add anything to that.
Jean Morgan
I agree for for several reasons I think that that the work of our partners who are and our colleagues who are who are providing supports to people. And you know the Montana State hospital or nursing homes or you know any of those kinds of facilities that are that are larger there are there are things that that that can compound issues that people experience when they're living in those environments whether it's because they're living with a lot more people. And not having smaller environments that we try to have in the community you know we're only you know 6 people are living together or 4 people depending on on how well people. Live with other. I think that you've got people that have a higher level of need sometimes so there are things that happen in those environments that can you know create noise and. Uh you know situations that can get a little more chaotic which can be difficult for people to watch or to be in involved in and I know how difficult that work can be and so our colleagues that can help you know people. So in a more secure environment gets stabilized that's always the goal is to move people back into their communities and and with maybe better supports or strategies and sometimes we're limited in the community with what we're able to do and and which then puts people safety at risk and so. Those are important parts of the whole continuum of.
Mackenzie Jones
Early. Gene what has been the most important or most impactful part of being the executive director or staff member at spring Meadow resources for you.
Jean Morgan
The people it always is the people you're nervous when you're when you're coming into a program especially where people have been there longer than you and there are established and I knew that I had an opportunity to bring a lot of experience and some fresh ideas to the table but I was so supported and and people were so receptive. To me being here and. I have felt very welcomed and again that says something about our culture and I it was it's been a I've worked in the in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for longer than I probably even want to say for over 40 years and so I worked with a lot of different people it's always the people. But to come here and meet and work with folks who you know again I had never had an opportunity to work with staff that I didn't have an opportunity to work with our team members are what you know are we're just wonderful and very very welcoming. So to be able to just kind of roll up our sleeves and say let's get to work and let's kind of we've got some new ideas and fresh ideas people have just been enthusiastic and and open to a change can be scary but I feel like people have been really open to it and just said let's go let's let's let's do this so it's been really a fun experience.
Mackenzie Jones
Cody what has been the most impactful for you as operations director or as a staff member and working at spring Meadow resources.
Cody Lundin
For me I this year I've been here 17 years and I was just kind of becoming who I was going to be as a as a person as an adult and I know that it it's truly has made me a better person and I I know that working here has helped me be more patient. Be more understanding and you know and just knowing that I'm literally changing people 's lives for the better and they are changed they've changed mine for the better 100%. It's just a feel good it's just you just feel so good so I just it is really a shaped me into being. A good human to be to be honest it it just yeah it in my own here in the workplace but also at home with my my family and my children I mean it's just it's it's really has just it's changed my life for for the better.
Jean Morgan
I would echo that well.
Cody Lundin
Could not imagine doing anything different I need them as much as they need me?
Mackenzie Jones
Kodi or gene is there anything that you want to.
Jean Morgan
Share I mean the only thing that I always like to plug is you know how people can help continue our support our program and and you know there are ways that people go to our website there are ways that people can donate to help us continue to expand and build our program. We have limited funding and you know we do the best with the funds that we have we always could use support and help with our community so we think it's important that people know what we do and how we are you know benefiting the community we have 100. And 50 plus people that work and are supported by spring Meadow that live work and recreate in the hell in a community so we impact the economy in positive ways but we have needs that we would appreciate the support so we're always looking for people who want to get on board with us as donors and. You know stay connected that way and ways that they can help us with our mission and and our work going into the.
Mackenzie Jones
Future thank you for listening to the talking health and the 406 podcast where we are one community under the Big Sky I am your host Mackenzie Jones. We'd like to thank our guests Jean Morgan and Cody lundeen with spring Meadow resources for sharing their story if you would like more information on what you heard today visit our website at talking health in the406.mt.gov if you haven't already Please remember to rate review and subscribe. Thank you and have a. Wonderful rest of your day.