Staff News - September '25
- Laura Bohnke
- Sep 2
- 6 min read
📌To Do - Due by Sept 19th
Complete this Employee Handbook Update Acknowledgement. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the updated versions of these policies and procedures. Physical copies are posted on the communication board in the workrooms. Digital versions can be viewed on the Staff Hub page. Supporting documents are linked in their corresponding policy section. Updated and new policies for this month are:
Formal Complaint Policy and Procedure
111 Formal Compliance Policy
200 Nature of Employment Policies
305 Jury Duty and Other Court Orders
320 Employee Leave to Attend School Conferences/Meetings
Complete the Formal Complaint Policy and Procedure - Annual Review
This should take you less than 10 minutes to complete. Information covered in this quiz is drawn from the Formal Complaint Policy and Procedure and Policy # 111 available in the Staff Hub.
Upcoming Events!
My Autism Ally's Autism Acceptance Walk is on Sunday, September 7, from noon to 3:30 at the Allen County Fairgrounds. It’s an afternoon of activities and resources for the whole family, including supports for those of all ages on the autism spectrum. It’s free to park and attend, so come out and enjoy food, an indoor vendor fair, crafts, games, music play, pony rides, a petting zoo, sensory exploration, cosplay (princesses and superheroes), and a touch-a-truck including first responder vehicles. This year’s unity walk will start at 3pm. It's a meaningful way to show support for our community and raise awareness. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun!
News - Jump to:
Supported Pathways
Company-Wide
Outreach Success
On Sunday, August 17th, Laura, Amanda, Kelly, and Linzie proudly represented Partners in Autism at the Open Streets event! We provided the event's first sensory tent for individuals who needed a quiet break from the event activities. It was a wonderful way to connect with the community while showing our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
We received some wonderful feedback from our client satisfaction surveys! Here are just a few highlighted comments!
From ES and Life Skills: “I was taught a lot and given so much guidance in the career I really wanted to pursue. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and advice. Thank you.”
From the Learning Center: “We love the learning center and everyone at Partners.”
Company-Wide: “Thank you for your continued guidance! A++” and “Actually, you guys were pretty incredible, like... honestly.”
ABA: “I feel confident and relieved that Partners offers so much support and guidance for future steps in my child’s path, specifically after ABA.”
Wavier: “The company is great.”
September Birthdays
Let’s wish a happy birthday to our amazing teammates:
James Stuckey – 09/06 (PAC)
Abby Else – 09/13 (ABA)
Hailey Gebert – 09/13 (PAC)
Rachael Hope – 09/20 (ABA)
Sophie Whitsitt – 09/21 (Admin)
Bailey Brown – 09/23 (ABA)
Nicole Eggerson – 09/26 (PAC)
Courtnie Dunker – 09/26 (Admin)
Eliza Dunlap – 09/30 (ABA)
Diamond Snow – 09/30 (ABA)
We hope you all have the happiest of birthdays!
Welcome New Staff
Programs and Courses
Life Skills
The third session of our Food and Nutrition course is already off to a great start! Participants have learned about the food guide pyramid, how to create balanced meals, and how to identify and use different cooking utensils.
Last week, they took it a step further by shopping for ingredients and making a recipe. The result? Delicious scrambled eggs and toast made with confidence and teamwork!
If you know a local business that would like to become a recipe sponsor, we would love to credit them on our social media and in our newsletter. For more information, contact Amanda or Courtnie.
Autism Pre-Screening Assessments
Know someone who's been wondering if they or a loved one are on the spectrum? We developed our Autism Pre-Screening Assessments to provide supportive, empathetic guidance using verified testing tools. These pre-assessments can help individuals decide if pursuing a formal diagnosis is right for them or simply help them understand and accept themselves more fully. Pick up a flier in the workroom today or download a copy here:
Admin
We've been hard at work keeping up with industry changes and making sure our internal practices run smoothly. Everyone from billing, credentialing, accounting, and day-to-day support is adapting to our company's needs and helping find solutions whenever barriers arise. Thank you for your adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving—you keep us strong behind the scenes!
ABA Services
Special Days
Thank you for making the most of our "Gift Car" day! It was such a joy to see all the different ways you and your clients engaged with the cars and the tracks.
You took the opportunity to dive into natural environment teaching, and you all made it look effortless! This really shows your level of skill and how well you know your kids.
Friday, September 5th – Goodies with Grandparents Day – Enjoy an awesome breakfast with your kiddos' best old buds
Friday, September 19th – Talk Like Pirate Day – That's a real day, matey. Bring your parrot and don't forget your eyepatch - nice words only ;)
September Training
We’ll kick off September with an all-staff training on September 4th, led by Amanda. The focus will be on compliance topics, making sure we’re all on the same page and continuing to uphold best practices for our clients and families.
We'll also be announcing our updated Staff Recognition program for ABA. It will highlight individuals who exemplify the qualities that are central to the service we want to provide to our families while also lifting up the input of colleagues.
Referral Bonus Alert
Know someone who would make an awesome Behavior Technician? We have a referral bonus for you!
ABA Staff Spotlight: Payton Harrah
Payton brings a positive attitude to work every day, which shines through in his interactions with clients and coworkers alike. His great attendance provides the consistency our clients thrive on. He’s always willing to jump in wherever needed, takes feedback exceptionally well, and is eager to learn and grow. Thank you, Payton, for the example you set for all of us!
Supported Pathways Learning Center
Our new instructor, Ashley, hit the ground running with lots of art and science activities to support their academic and social learning. So, needless to say, the school year is off to a fantastic start! Students have been building a classroom community through self-portrait and name art projects. We’ve also explored the importance of germ awareness with an art project where students crafted microorganisms and two fun science experiments. In one, students touched surfaces around the clinic and then pressed their hands onto bread, which was sealed in a bag to watch for mold growth over time. Another experiment used pepper and dish soap to demonstrate the importance of proper hand washing. Truly "hands-on" learning!
Waiver Services
PAC Hacks Reminder
Keep an eye out for your monthly PAC Hack Challenge coming soon!
Community Memberships
As summer winds down and the school year begins, don’t forget about the many community memberships available for clients. These venues also offer thoughtful accommodations:
Fort Wayne Zoo – Sensory bags, quiet zones, trained staff, and wheelchair-accessible features.
Science Central – Hands-on exhibits, Disability Days, and trained inclusive staff.
Sensory Stroll at The Landing – A calming, sensory-friendly event with low-stimulation activities.
From One DSP to Others:
One DSP wanted to recommend Kreager Park's fitness zone, saying, "It's a great place to take a client who is wanting to start exercising- free, outdoors, and there are other options to do at the park if they don't enjoy the equipment!"
Staff Spotlight: Chloe Zimmerman
Our outstanding Waiver Assistant, Chloe, consistently goes above and beyond to support both our team and clients. From managing details behind the scenes to stepping up whenever needed, she brings organization, reliability, and positivity to her role every single day.
Social Groups
Navigators
As the school year starts, our meetings are now biweekly instead of weekly, meeting on the first and third Thursday of each month.
Employment Services
We've been collaborating internally and externally to help clients maximize their skills and prepare for community employment. We’re so proud of the way Brittaney and Saige are leading the charge and finding the right fits for their clients.
Client Successes
Let’s celebrate our clients' amazing wins this month:
Accepted a job as a vending route driver. They will not only drive but also restock vending and collect funds!
Started back at college this week and is thriving at Burlington, where they've been working for two months and connecting well with their coworkers - so many good things!
Began shadowing the karate instructor at Basches Martial Arts and is helping with marketing by distributing flyers.
Continuing to enjoy their time at Wayne High School, learning new cafeteria tasks and building their independence.
Secured a job at Dollar General and working independently - congratulations!
Way to go, team!
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