Writing on the Wall: Summer 2021

<strong>Writing</strong>
on the
Wall
Summer 2021
The Good Life:
Fun on vacation & at home. Page 5
3
A Cinderella Story
With Marilyn’s support, Maggie
makes big dreams come true
4 6
High Tech & Old Fashioned
Matthew & Adam grow a garden
and build combat robots
Hitting the Jackpot on Goals Met
Jordan uses tools from Therapeutic
Consultation to improve his life

Director’s Corner
John Weatherspoon
We find ourselves in the middle of
what seems to be an unrelenting wave
of audits and reviews from DBHDS
which appear to only be increasing as
COVID restrictions are being lifted.
On top of those audits, the waiver
rebase process has started, which sets
the framework for what rates will
look like for five years.
Those of us who dealt with this when
waiver redesign began know the potential
this has to impact all services
in Virginia. Sponsored Residential
Services, in particular, was under
significant duress during the last rate
setting due to a lack of understanding
at the state level of what this service
provides to the Commonwealth. Sponsored
Families and Provider Agencies
persevered and worked to educate
DBHDS and members of the General
Assembly on how we are different here
in Virginia than in states that provide
a less regulated model. In other states
the model mostly serves individuals
who in Virginia would likely fall into
Tier 1 or 2 of Sponsored Residential
Services. In Virginia, Sponsored Residential
services were found to provide
more services to individuals who fall
into Tier 4 than other residential services
by percentage.
We need to maintain strong advocacy
for Sponsored Residential services
as we enter the rebase process. The
rebase survey was recently released to
provider agencies and we were given
17 business days to complete it for
all services. This may not be an issue
for a small agency serving under 30
individuals, but it is a massive undertaking
for larger organizations which
took months to complete last time. I
am already hearing from some agencies
that they will not be completing
it. Wall Residences will complete the
survey so we have a voice at the table
when results are back. In the meantime,
we need to prepare for meetings
with members of the General Assembly
this fall if we find ourselves in the
same situation we did after the last
rate setting. We will work to avoid
that scenario through advocacy with
DBHDS and DMAS, but should be
ready to get in front of our Delegates
across the Commonwealth if needed.
Remember, Virginia does it better!
Sponsored Services here grew up
under congregate residential regulations
and was one of the few services
that not only had to comply with those
regulations, but also a separate set
of regulations specific to the model.
Sponsored Residential Services in
Virginia serves individuals with significant
medical and behavioral needs.
The service is more individualized and
people are naturally integrated into the
community. I recently learned DOJ
was concerned about Sponsored Residential
when they first came to Virginia
due to issues in other states. DOJ
soon learned after visiting our services
that Sponsored Residential is the best
residential service option Virginia has
at getting people into the community
in the most natural environment, while
serving individuals identified as having
higher levels of need.
Sponsored families achieve this by
not only being amazing professionals
but also by having back up (or relief)
staff. Sponsored Residential Providers
hire Direct Service Professionals, who
they have to train and pay to provide
supports. Those staff are paid out of
the line item for the Sponsored Home
in the rate model which we must
protect. During the waiver refresh
DBHDS, DMAS, and Burns &
Associates recognized this and
applied the increase given to DSPs in
the Group Home Rate Model to this
line item in the Sponsored Residential
Rate Model. In a recent meeting with
the state, we learned this increase is
not guaranteed - it is up to decision
makers at DBHDS. The state will also
need to ensure when rates are developed
to match increases in minimum
wage that those measures are also
applied to the Sponsored Residential
Rate Model. Increases for Sponsored
Residential Services have to occur to
match these changes.
Regional
Summer Socials
Coming Soon!
Please watch your email for more information.
2

A Cinderella Story
Maggie radiates confidence as she discusses
her life with Provider Marilyn
Sumpter. It is difficult to believe this
bubbly, outgoing young woman suffered
from extremely low self esteem
just a few years ago, but she’s quite
forthright about her difficult childhood
and teen years. “I was made fun of in
school. I felt sad inside… was doubting
myself… thinking I was useless.”
Her world was small and it never
occurred to her to dream big. That
changed the moment she entered the
home she now shares with Marilyn.
Much like Cinderella in the classic
fairy tale, all Maggie needed was one
person to provide the support she
needed to show her true self.
This Cinderella has seen her world
expand with a new self confidence
that has led to taking on challenges
and achieving big goals. Rather than
seeing herself as limited by a diagnosis,
Marilyn worked with Maggie
to see herself as Marilyn sees her
through a process Marilyn refers to
as Weights and Wings. “Weights are
things that hurt us, hold us down, and
make us feel bad about ourselves.
Wings are what elevates us and makes
us feel good. We can’t move forward
if we are looking back or down.”
Marilyn notes, “We may not always
take the straight path. We may have
to use some workarounds, but Maggie
is capable of accomplishing anything
she puts her mind to.” Maggie smiles
and nods in agreement.
Marilyn quizzed her on signs and
right of way when the two were out
and about. Her preparation paid off
and she passed her learner’s permit
test on the first try!
She’s proving to be a scholar beyond
just that one test. Maggie enrolled at
Germanna Community College, completing
her first semester with A’s in
both classes! Having learned to dream
big and then work hard toward the
goals she sets herself, she’s not stopping
as she looks to the future. She
wants to continue her college classes,
eventually earning a degree in Information
Technology and becoming an
IT Specialist for the government.
When not studying, Maggie and
Marilyn enjoy hanging out together
enjoying the great shopping walkable
from their neighborhood or strolling
the path to nearby Smith Lake Park.
Roller skates were a recent purchase
and the two are excited to try them out
on the basketball courts at the park.
Take out and TV have
been a favorite during
COVID. They also do
lots of cooking together,
including making
their signature dark
and white chocolate
chip cookies with
pecans from a secret
recipe.
For Maggie, support through Sponsored
Residential has meant blossoming
self-confidence, learning new
skills, and gaining a whole second
family. She says with a smile, “Now,
I feel like I can do anything I put my
mind to! Marilyn gives me positive
reinforcement when I get down on
myself.” That positive support goes
both ways. Marilyn shares, “Maggie
has been just as instrumental in my
life as I have been in hers.” The two
glance at each other and burst into
laughter as Marilyn confides, “She
keeps me in line!”
The two rely on honest conversation
and role playing all possible outcomes
when Maggie needs to make a difficult
decision. That work has paid off. “The
biggest change in Maggie is when
she’s apprehensive or afraid, she will
advocate for herself.” Mutual respect
and affection have created a beautiful
transformation and a bright future for
Maggie. A Cinderella story indeed!
~Angie Covington
This statement is abundantly clear
when Maggie shares what she’s been
up to in the last year. She first decided
she wanted to get her driver’s license.
“I want independence… to be able to
see my family on my own,” she says.
She studied hard, making flash cards
and using apps to do practice tests.
Left: Maggie is ready to take the road.
Above: Marilyn Sumpter and Maggie
3

Your Turn
Does building robots for
competition sound like a fun
challenge to you?
Matthew and Adam are always
looking to add team members.
Anyone is welcome to
participate but those with
knowledge in programming
or general technology
are especially encouraged!
Outdoor & Indoor Fun
As COVID slows down and the world
begins to open back up, Matthew and
I (his in home provider Adam Lawson)
have been hard at work planning
some exciting activities. First, Matt
expressed interest in beginning a garden
in October of 2020. I have a degree
in outdoor recreation and helped
with various community gardens as
an undergraduate, so I jumped at the
chance to make this a reality.
Throughout the winter and early
spring, we obtained permission to use
a garden plot at a friend’s
house, planned out exactly
Not all days are great for gardening,
but we found we share an indoor
interest too. Since about 1996, we
have both been interested in robotics,
electronics, and tinkering. This led us
both to getting hooked into the niche
sporting event of Robot Combat.
This is a sport where ordinary people
combine motors, wheels, weapons,
and armor, then throw their creation
into a heavily fortified arena to fight
other robots. The general public may
know this sport from the Discovery
Channel TV show “Battlebots.” These
robots usually weigh 250lbs and can
cost well into six figures.
“
This is a dream come true. I never thought I’d get an
opportunity to participate in this sport. It’s so cool!
Matthew works on constructing
a 1 lb. robot.
www.wallresidences.com
what we wanted to grow,
and researched when each
item needed to be planted.
We made several phone
calls to obtain a tiller and
then went to work on
preparing their soil for
the warm months. This
included researching
planting depths, how to till,
and other various gardening
related activities.
Though it has been hard
work, we are both excited
to see our hard work pay off. Matt
said, “I’m excited to grow tomatoes
and peppers so we can make canned
salsa in the fall.” It’s been a lot of fun
in watching Matt get excited over
something like this, and it’s been cool
to see Matt independently do research
on gardening when I’m not around.
4
After Matt expressed interest in building
a robot himself, I found kit robots
that weigh 1 lb and are an inexpensive
way to start participating in the sport.
Together we chose the components for
the robot, compared different vendors,
and finally settled on one with a
spinning saw as a weapon. Matt notes,
“This is a dream come true. I never
thought I’d get an opportunity to
participate in this sport. It’s so cool!.”
Though small, these things still pack
a wallop with a weapon tip speed of
around 250mph. Because of this, we
constantly talk safety when working
on the robot. We aren’t yet to the
phase where our bot is operational, but
already obtained all appropriate safety
gear and will use it the moment it is
needed. We hope to have the robot
complete by mid summer and go to
several competitions in the fall!
~Adam Lawson

The Good Life
“We are living the good life!” proclaims
Brittnay, and the truth of that
statement quickly becomes clear! Brittnay,
Shelley, “Ms. Shirley,” and Provider
Karen Gordon chat about Pandora
rings, fun photo filters, and weekly
nail appointments, waving glittery
fingers and toes to illustrate the point.
The conversation moves to their
mutual love of eating out, something
they indulge in frequently. Shelley and
Shirley like Golden Corral best, while
Brittnay’s favorite is Red Lobster.
Their Friday night tradition is to alternate
between two household favorites:
Applebee’s and Anna’s Pizza. During
COVID, of course, those restaurant
meals have been of the takeout variety.
The good life extends to relationships
between all four as well. Brittnay considers
Karen her godmother, Shelley
calls Karen her second mom, and of
Shirley, Karen says, “I’m her family
and she’s mine.”
Karen feels truly called to the provider
lifestyle and believes in the importance
of relationships, respect, and
genuine connection. She started with
a small agency over six years ago
before moving to Wall Residences
3 1/2 years ago. “I love what I do,”
she says, “It’s all about giving people
chances.” Karen’s choice to become a
provider and extend chances to others
has turned into “the good life” for her
and these three happy ladies.
~Angie Covington
Where the good life really comes into
play is in their mutual love of travel.
Pre-COVID they took annual cruises.
They recount tales of the fun they had
on these voyages, especially dancing
with the cruise staff and playing a
Hasbro game on stage as part of the
evening entertainment. Relaxation, the
good food, and swimming are among
the things that make them cruise
fans. During COVID, cruises stayed
docked, so they enjoyed a trip to Myrtle
Beach for this year’s adventure.
Above: (l-r) Shelly, Ms. Shirley, Provider Karen Gordon, and Brittnay at home.
Top: The entire household enjoyed a recent trip to Myrtle Beach.
5

What a Year Can Do
With the right support, a year can
make a dramatic difference as Jordan’s
story proves. After years of living
in a group home, where he became
accustomed to being told what to do
and when to do it, Jordan relocated
to a Sponsored Residential service
when the group home closed. The
adjustment into the looser routines of
a family-type setting was a difficult
one for this young man who had spent
years in a less flexible setting.
When he engaged Therapeutic Consultation
Services, Jordan was dependent
on his Provider’s directives and
would often find himself following
them around waiting on what was
going to happen next. He voiced low
self-esteem and was very dependent
on his caregivers to direct him to
complete daily living tasks, show him
on how to fill his day, and to guide
him on how to interact with others.
Jordan feels he learned this way of
life in the now-closed group home,
which he describes as “military like.”
Jordan also desired a closer relationship
with his parents. In the summer
of 2020, Jordan temporarily moved
back in with his parents while a new
Sponsored Residential Provider was
found. With the support of Therapeutic
Consultation services during this
time, he was able to reconnect with
them, playing golf with his father and
card games with his mother. He says
he “hit the jackpot” with his current
Provider and has since soared into the
life he has envisioned for himself.
Jordan put in much hard work to overcome
the barriers keeping him from
his dream life. He worked tirelessly on
developing and engaging in socially
appropriate behaviors such as saying
“excuse me” during conversation,
referring to a schedule that he creates
with support instead of depending on
others to tell him what to do when,
engaging in positive self-talk, learning
how to speak up for himself in
a socially appropriate manner, and
bringing out the confidence buried
deep inside of him. This smart and
kind-hearted young man has the best
sense of humor. His desire to be treated
with dignity and respect drives him
to give everyone he meets the same.
Today, Jordan is happy and feels like
he belongs. After a year of hard work
on his goals, Jordan has landed a job
with Goodwill Industries, is more
independent than ever, is developing
friendships, is a valued member of
his Sponsored Residential family, has
a renewed relationship with his parents
and sister, and volunteers in the
community. He has claimed the life he
envisioned for himself. Just think….
Jordan made all this progress while
also living through a pandemic. He has
shown the difference it makes when
you set goals for yourself and work
hard to make them reality. For Jordan,
a year has made a world of difference!
~Patience Holdren
Know Someone Who Could Benefit from Our Services?
The Wall Residences Admissions team has staff in all parts of the state to respond to your referral needs and
answer questions about the services we offer. We work quickly to find the right match for longterm success
while striving for the quickest placement in services possible. The Admissions Team is here to serve you.
www.wallresidences.com
Alex Jackson
Admissions
Director
(434) 610-7578
Emily Eagle
Central Virginia, Danville,
Charlottesville, Staunton/
Waynesboro/Lexington
(434) 907-5067
Ashea Green
Northern
Region
(202) 760-6411
Brooke Keen
Roanoke, NRV,
SWVA
(540) 250-8482
Lisa Schalasny
Eastern
Region
(804) 380-4309
6

Katrina Ceasar-Gray
Deborah Cooper
Wanda Sue Cornett
Elizabeth Dandridge
Jennifer & Tim Farney
Jennifer & Shaun Graham
Wanda Hall
William Harper
Althea & Robert Harris
Victor Henderson
Marlene & Daryl Beckner
Carmelita Bishop
Hester Bruce
Gloria Faulkner
Janet & Jeff Gordon
HONOR ROLL
2021 Wall Residences Milestone Anniveraries
We could not do the work we do without the stellar efforts of individual people. It gives us great pleasure
to recognize providers and staff members celebrating milestone anniversaries with Wall Residences in 2021.
Thank you for your dedication and for the difference you have made and continue to make!
PROVIDERS
Five Years
Constance & Daryl Irby
Roxanna Johnson
Kellie Lynch
William Lyons
Andrew Dylan Mays
Stephanie McNulty
Cheryl Pleasant
Tracey & Mark Pugh
Angela & Ben Revely
Ten Years
Vera Hailey
Belinda & Roscoe Harris
Danny Campbell & Juniper Healy
Patti & Dennis Henderson
Charlotte & Everette Horton
Racheal & Sam Riffey
Cordine Rose
Veronica Saint
Barbara Schrader
Ellen Smith
Angela & James Snyder
Jasmine Taylor
Joseph Wade
Frances Wenger
Ana Iglesias
Abby & David Owen
Maria Sankolewicz
Carolyn & Garrett Weatherholtz
Kelly Dixon
Roxana & Joseph Hartman
Kathy Hubbard
Debra & Marvin Boyette
Larry & Barbara Hatcher
Dominique Allan
April Bourgois
Amanda Branigan
Teresa Combs
Samantha Dooley
Fifteen Years
Mary & Jeffrey Lester
Mike Robinson
Sandra & Ron Snodgrass
Twenty Years
STAFF
Five Years
Carolyn Everett
Lorrie Harrison
Cindee Layne
Kl’Methia Merriman
Tabitha Nappier
Ten Years
Kathy & Ken Wakeman
Peggy & Kenneth Wooldridge
Tabitha & Kenneth Humphreys
Jeffrey Scott McDorman
Justine Paterson
Venecia Pollard
Nancy Sizemore
Persis VanWyk
Donavin Brown Bea Cleveland Rebecca Ledingham
Fifteen Years
Jenise Burford
7

All About the Dough
When Little Caesars reopened after the first few months of the
pandemic, they welcomed a new staff member to their team. Russ
loves eating pizza but in the past year, he’s also become an expert
in making it! Russ works several days each week at the Little
Caesar’s near his home. His regular tasks include making the
dough and sauce, but his manager Crystal Chittum shares that one
of the things that makes Russ such a valuable staff member is that
“he does anything and everything asked of him.”
Russ’ background as an athlete helped prepare him to be a team
player at Little Caesars. He has carried the torch for Special Olympics,
playing on baseball, basketball, and bowling teams. His dad
describes him as a “one man scoring machine” in basketball, sinking
three pointers from the top of the key. These experiences also
taught him the importance of following rules for the safety of all...
critical skills for a job in food service during a pandemic.
He enjoys the time with his co-workers. The respect and camaraderie
goes both ways. Crystal notes, “Russ is a very hard worker.
He has learned and accomplished a lot!” Russ said he “likes making
the regular dough best” but here’s an insider tip from this new
pizza expert... his own favorite to eat is “the thin crust!”
Russ (right) with co-worker and assistant manager
Caleb Dalton
Digital Bonus: Scenes from Spring at Wall Residences