Tag: Blog

Thank you to all that participated in the latest installment of the TMAC Trivia Challenge. The last question in the series asked:  

Health services are provided by MHM through School Based Health Centers. 
Where are these two School Based Health Centers located?
(name the elementary schools)

The two School Based Health Centers operated at Krueger Elementary School (217 West Otto Street, Marion, TX 78124) and Schertz Elementary School (757 Curtiss, Schertz, TX 78154) provide primary medical care, dental care and counseling to school-age children who attend the Marion ISD or Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD and their siblings up to the age of 21.

Congratulations to Marla Fisher for being selected as the winner of this installment of the TMAC Trivia Challenge. As winner, Marla was awarded with a gift certificate to Chick-fil-A on behalf of TMAC.

Thank you Marla for playing!

We look forward to announcing the next winner soon.

Back-to-School time isn’t just for the kiddos. As you prepare your children for the beginning of a new school year with their immunizations, schools supplies and a fresh set of clothing don’t forget about furthering your own educational goals.

MHM is committed to your career and professional development and has designed the MHM Education Reimbursement program with you in mind. The MHM Education Reimbursement program is dedicated to helping you achieve your educational objectives.

MHMers like Christina Raya, dental assistant, and Blanca Arguello, WNHM regional manager, have already successfully participated in the program.

How It Works

In order to receive education reimbursement benefits, team members must be deemed eligible to participate in the program at the time of reimbursement processing and follow the steps outlined below.

1. Discuss your self-development plans with your manager prior to course registration/enrollment to ensure your course and institution choices meet all of the eligibility requirements.

2. Your manager will submit these plans to your department Director for final approval. Failure to secure final approval prior to submitting a reimbursement request may result in denial of reimbursement.

3. Document your director-approved education plan in SuccessFactors under “My Profile.”

4. Select an approved educational institution and approved course/degree program.

5. Enroll in the educational institution of choice. You are responsible for applying and registering directly with the educational institution, adhering to its procedures, policies, and deadlines.

6. Keep track of your semester educational expenses. You are responsible for ensuring that all itemized receipts for appropriate expenses are correct. Save your registration confirmation for submission with reimbursement request.

7. Within 60 days of course completion, submit your reimbursement request with itemized receipts, registrar’s records, and final grades. You may submit for every semester. There is a maximum benefit of $1,200 per semester and your reimbursement will not exceed $3,600 per year. Semesters do not have to be consecutive.

8. Your reimbursement will be processed through payroll following your reimbursement request submission.

As you set forth reaching your educational aspirations, remember the MHM Education Reimbursement program is here to help. Please submit your Education Reimbursement Application now for the Fall 2011 semester. 

For more details, contact Maggie Vasquez by telephone at (210) 385-0297 or via email at mvasquez@mhm.org.

Lauri Revilla,
Parenting Programs Coordinator,
Meld Plus

Lauri Revilla was presented with the Excellence in Action button for the compassion and sensitivity she offered to a Parenting Program volunteer.

Lauri took the initiative to engage the volunteer as she was struggling with a personal and tragic loss. Lauri was the first person to reach out to the volunteer and has provided much-needed support though a very difficult time.

We are proud of Lauri and applaud her for personifying our core values. Please join us in congratulating her on earning this recognition!

Congratulations Lauri!

Have you seen Excellence in Action?

Tell your collegues you appreciate them by passing along this gift and sharing their story. Photos and stories can be submitted via email, the MHM Blog or Facebook page!

The summer celebration continued today as the Team Member Appreciation Committee (TMAC) met with team members at the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic as part of the ongoing recruitment efforts for 2012.

This visit also marks the next installment in theTMAC Trivia Challenge series. The TMAC Trivia Challenge offers team members the opportunity to learn more about Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the important role TMAC plays within the organization. For the remainder of the year TMAC members will visit various MHM facilities to personally issue the TMAC Trivia Challenge question. On-site team members will have first exposure to the question, however the challenge is open to all MHM team members.

We hope this is a fun and exciting way to test your MHM knowledge while discovering fun facts about the organization. As a committee, TMAC works hard to ensure team members are satisfied with life at MHM. We look forward to hearing your answers!

Without further delay, the next question of the TMAC Trivia Challenge is: 

What are the five core values defined by
Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ team members?

Please submit your answer to the TMAC Trivia Challenge question by utilizing the commenting feature following this post. Answers can also be submitted to the MHM official Facebook page in the form of a wall post at http://www.facebook.com/mhmstx.

Submissions for answers will close five business days after posting date. Therefore, the last day to submit answers to this question is Friday, August 5, 2011!

For more information about the MHM TMAC Trivia Challenge or TMAC in general, please contact our Membership Coordinator, Melanie Garcia or Current Chair, Lisa Rodriguez. 

RULES

Team members will have up to five business days after the question of the month is announced to submit their answer. After five business days, all correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The winner will be notified by a TMAC representative.

• Open to MHM team members only.
• One winner per question.
• Entries for submission will close 5 business days after TMAC Trivia Question is announced.
• Answers will be accepted through the MHM Blog or the official MHM Facebook page only.
• Emails or verbal entries do not qualify for submission.

by Rev. Mickey T. McCandless
Director, Church Connections and Spiritual Care

Stories are the threads that woven together reveal the fabric of life to others and to ourselves.  Stories allow us to know the difference we make in the world around us. Stories allow us to point beyond information to feelings of grace, sadness, joy, anger, confusion, gratitude, and amazement. Stories invite us into the world that is more than we can fully describe but we often experience. Our stories also point toward the vision we live of making a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Remember a time you saw a difference that was made in the life of another person out of the work you do. Share that story with me and with at least one other person. When you remember and share your stories of making a difference you celebrate your call to vocation, you celebrate the ministry MHM does through you, and you celebrate the power God invests in the world through you.

You make a difference in the lives of people. Share a story of that difference you make.

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless.
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.

Today, members of the Team Member Appreciation Committee (TMAC) visited the Parenting Programs team at the Meld East office as part of the ongoing recruitment efforts for 2012 membership. 

It’s hot out! To cool off, MHM team members gathered over a summer-influenced theme.   

This visit is also the second in the TMAC Trivia Challenge series. The TMAC Trivia Challenge offers team members the opportunity to learn more about Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the important role TMAC plays within the organization. For the remainder of the year TMAC members will visit various MHM facilities to personally issue the TMAC Trivia Challenge question of the month. On-site team members will have first exposure to the question of the month, however the challenge is open to all MHM team members.

We hope this is a fun and exciting way to test your MHM knowledge while discovering fun facts about the organization. As a committee, TMAC works hard to ensure team members are satisfied with life at MHM. We look forward to hearing your answers!

Here we go, the next question of the TMAC Trivia Challenge is: 

Health services are provided by MHM through School Based Health Centers. 
Where are these two School Based Health Centers located?
(name the elementary schools)

Please submit your answer to the TMAC Trivia Challenge question by utilizing the commenting feature following this post. Answers can also be submitted to the MHM official Facebook page in the form of a wall post at http://www.facebook.com/mhmstx.

Submissions for answers will close five business days after posting date. Therefore, the last day to submit answers to this question is Friday, July 22, 2011!

For more information about the MHM TMAC Trivia Challenge or TMAC in general, please contact our Membership Coordinator, Melanie Garcia or Current Chair, Lisa Rodriquez. 

RULES

Team members will have up to five business days after the question of the month is announced to submit their answer. After five business days, all correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The winner will be notified by a TMAC representative.

• Open to MHM team members only.
• One winner per question.
• Entries for submission will close 5 business days after TMAC Trivia Question is announced.
• Answers will be accepted through the MHM Blog or the official MHM Facebook page only.
• Emails or verbal entries do not qualify for submission.

by Rev. Mickey T. McCandless
Director, Church Connections and Spiritual Care

Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts,

Which no unworthy thought can drag downward, unconquered hearts,

Which no tribulation can wear out, upright hearts,

Which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,

Understanding to know you,

Diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Saint Thomas, Italy, 13th Century, Alt.)

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless.
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.

Parenting Programs are offered through the Community Programs component of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The Community Programs of MHM focus on bringing together individuals of similar backgrounds, ages, or life situations and creating a community within a community.  

Parents Helping Parents (PHP) is a parent support group designed to build stronger, healthier communities by strengthening and encouraging family life. It is volunteer-based and built upon the belief that parents are the first teachers and best advocates for their children.

PHP currently offers three programs in English and Spanish: Teen Moms, Parents of Children 3 and Up and Parents Raising Teens. Each curriculum was written by professionals in child development and family resources, and focuses on areas of health and safety, child development and guidance, family management, personal growth and other topics that promote positive parenting skills.

The PHP is a component of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ ecumenical outreach and does not teach a particular set of denominational beliefs. All members of the community are invited and welcome to participate regardless of the church to which they belong.

How the program works

A group from the community recognizes a need for help.

Together, the group:

• Finds a facility in which to meet once per week for 10-12 weeks (two hours per session).
• Identifies at least two volunteers who are willing to be trained and serve as facilitators, not teachers, for the group. Training is provided by PHP coordinators.
• Promotes the support group in the community and recruits parents to participate.
• Convenes meetings and works with PHP staff in San Antonio to report progress.
• At the end of the 10-12 week session the parents decide if they would like to continue. 
• Stipends are available to organizations that participate.
• Funds can be used for any expense related to implementing the program i.e., copies, flyers, transportation to help parents participate, food, activities, childcare, etc.

Funding is available to initiate the program in your community.

Parenting Programs are offered through the Community Programs component of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The Community Programs of MHM focus on bringing together individuals of similar backgrounds, ages, or life situations and creating a community within a community.   

The Meld Parenting Program brings together groups of parents who have similar parenting needs, and provides them with the tools to help them become more confident leaders within their families. The program consists of peer groups guided by a team of Parent Group Facilitators, whose roles are to provide groups with curriculums designed to address health and safety, child guidance and development, family management and personal development.

The core philosophy of the Meld program stems from the belief that parents can, and do: learn from each other; give one another support; need to be free to make informed decisions about their families; and can cooperate in groups while maintaining their individuality.

Meld groups usually meet once a week, for two hours at various locations around San Antonio. Groups meet over a two-year period, and are eligible to participate in a free annual field trip. Volunteers help to facilitate Meld groups, and provide child care during group meetings.

Meld Programs

• Meld for Young Moms

Meld program especially designed for young mothers ages 13 to 25. Participants meet weekly or biweekly to receive basic, practical parenting techniques and support. All participants are encouraged to pursue and achieve their educational and career goals.

• Meld for Young Dads

Meld program serving fathers facing emotional, societal, financial and interpersonal barriers to participating in their child’s life. Through group work and other services, fathers receive information and support that can help them to understand the special role they play in their child’s life.

• Meld for Growing Families

This Meld program is an extension of the Young Moms program, for mothers ages 26 and older as well as grandparents raising grandchildren. The curriculum focuses on age-appropriate child development techniques; managing outside influences on children’s lives; living situations; violence; and balancing work and family life for optimal health and well-being.

• Meld Special

Meld Special brings together parents of children living with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities to provide support for the specific challenges of raising children with special needs. The curriculum focuses on: parent relationships; extended-family relationships; siblings; coping with grief; dealing with professionals; play growth and development; and stress and behavior guidance. 

by Rev. Mickey T. McCandless 
Director, Church Connections and Spiritual Care

Stories are the threads that woven together reveal the fabric of life to others and to ourselves. Each of us has stories of ourselves. Each of us has stories of our friends and our families. Each of us has stories of the impact we are making in the world around us. When we share those stories we come to better understand ourselves as persons created to live fully alive. When we share those stories we come to better understand the difference we make in the world around us. When we share those stories we come to better understand how we are connected one with another.

Since I am new in a direct employee relationship with Methodist Healthcare Ministries I have been asking the question, "What brought you to work for MHM?" The sharing of the answers to that question has been helpful for me to understand the person I am meeting but also to understand the ethos of MHM as developed by its servants.

I invite you to share with me and with one other person your answer to that question. My hope is that it will continue to weave the threads of our lives together that we might, with the shaping of the One who is Creator, offer glimpses of a new kingdom where life is a blessing for all persons.

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless.
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.