Category: Showcase

Getting to Know Maintenance Technician Bobby Hoffarth

 

It’s often said that “dressing well is a form of good manners”. That philosophy never applied to anyone as much as it does to Sound’s Maintenance Technician Bobby Hoffarth. Sporting a polished bow tie and a friendly smile around the Sound campuses, Hoffarth exemplifies the professionalism and excellence we have all come to rely on from Sound’s Facilities and Operations teams.

Bobby Hoffarth

Hoffarth works in all areas of the Facilities Team, specializing in the appropriation of furniture, building maintenance, and site design along with managing and serving a variety of stakeholders including vendors and contractors.

The technician has a strong sense of personal style. Fueled by a lifetime of creative focus on the arts, Hoffarth is a published poet, a musician, and an aristologist – a person who loves the arts of both cooking and dining. He and his wife of 22 years, Betty, enjoy dining at different restaurants each week, exploring a variety of cuisines and cultures. Hoffarth is also famous for his amazing varieties of salsas that he meticulously prepares and shares with team members.

Hoffarth and his wife are also avid music fans, having attended countless musical performances of a variety of genres. The latest? Blink 182 with Lil Wayne over the Memorial Day weekend and then, Elton John at the Tacoma Dome. Hoffarth is a musician who was once in a band called Eminence. “Art and music are an important part of who I am. I play instruments, I sing, I write…I can’t believe I went to see Elton John!  It’s was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to check something off my bucket list!”

In addition to valuing the arts, Hoffarth treasures his family. Hoffarth and his wife enjoy spending time with their two cats, Monty and Latuda, their bird Harley, their three children and their 10-year-old grandson. “There is nothing more important to me than being with my kids and grandson. Family is everything to me.”

When he’s not working hard on facilitating projects for team members, you can find Hoffarth designing and creating relaxing outdoor spaces at Sound’s multiple locations.  Bobby takes pride in his work – always striving to make Sound a beautiful, clean, organized, relaxing space.

Hoffarth joined Sound in 2018, after a long career working at the PIH hospital system in Southern California.

“Bobby has a great sense of humor and a never-give-up attitude; he tackles every day and every situation with positivity. He’s a real problem solver and a super person to work with and be around. It seems that a lot of people on campus know him and want him on their projects,” says Operations Manager James Hill. “Bobby is always very professional. He has a great attitude; he’s willing to go above and beyond to help team members and to get projects done. And, he has a light-heartedness that makes everyone smile. Every time I see him he says, ‘There’s a happy camper!’  We’re really glad to have Bobby on the team.”

Hoffarth loves his work with the Facilities Team, which allows him to be creative while being of service to others. His creative thinking has been instrumental in implementing preventive maintenance. For example, earlier in September, someone had left a water faucet running in a facility, causing disaster. Hoffarth suggested installing motion-detecting faucets at that location so that water could not be left on.

Why does Hoffarth choose to work for Sound? “I love it here. I love the people I work with and the clients we serve. It makes me happy to see people being treated so well here. I’m so proud of the work we do. I’m proud to be a part of Sound.”

 

Hoffarth graciously shared one of his published poems from the book, A Celebration of Poets – Showcase Edition Vol. 1, The Poetry Guild, 1998.

We – by Robert A. Hoffarth

The first two letters in wedding are “we”

That’s what a marriage should always be

Us together, what a mighty fine start

Love and honor, until death do us part

What we build together is shared by two

Our love for each other grows stronger

No matter what we do

Like climbing a mountain & sailing the sea

It’s rugged and calm, it’s pure ecstasy

There’s an art to marriage where two

Sides must try

If one side stops, you’re left with an “I”

So look to the future and not to the past

Love your partner like today is the last

Every Sound client has a treatment plan; a set of written instructions that clinicians and clients create together to define treatment goals. The treatment plan includes the patient or client’s personal information, the diagnosis (or diagnoses, as is often the case with behavioral health) and a general outline of the treatment prescribed. These plans are the vehicle by which Sound provides effective, whole healthcare to people, tracks information and remains dedicated to goals.

For those who don’t know, the tool we use to write treatment plans and organize data is MyAvatar, an electronic health record (EHR) system developed by Netsmart, Inc. Clinicians enter service information into MyAvatar such as assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and medications. MyAvatar also captures client health insurance information required to produce claims to Medicare and other insurers and supports managed care functions.

The big news, though, is that a multidisciplinary team at Sound, which consisted of Sound’s clinical, quality and business applications teams who agreed that the initial configuration wasn’t quite right worked together to create a new design that places the treatment plan on top of all the other information, like an umbrella. (See illustration.)

The new treatment plan is a primary example of Sound’s strategic initiatives focused on team member experience and client care outcomes.

This new configuration is a welcome change for clinicians, who have been happier with the easy, new way to see and work with client data. Before the change, documentation was disjointed and it was difficult for clinicians to link client progress back to their treatment plan. With the change in place, the treatment plan is the top layer and links to the progress notes in any episode without having to try to puzzle together what is going on with a client’s treatment. Previously, they couldn’t link to progress notes at all. Clinicians were trained on best practices for care planning in order to use the new treatment plan as a clinical tool to help drive treatment.

Susie Winston, chief quality & clinical excellence officer, shared her thoughts about the umbrella model of the treatment plan.

“The new treatment plan is the culmination of many months’ effort,“ she says. “The team has redesigned the way we organize data.  The plan is very intuitive. It keeps the treatment plan at the forefront and integrates the Reaching Recovery components.  Now, everything is organized around the treatment plan, whereas before, all data was inside episodes and progress notes weren’t linked to the treatment plan, the way they are now.  Having this non-episodic feature supports our move towards a true co-occurring treatment plan. “

Because the plan lives outside of the treatment episodes, it is easier to refer to the most recent information. Clinicians can easily link the treatment plan with progress notes in any episode to document progress towards treatment goals.  As a result, people in services have one integrated holistic treatment plan that covers all services the person is receiving.

The new treatment plan takes advantage of MyAvatar’s ability to adapt to growth and change.

“The beauty of MyAvatar is that we can change it as we go, fulfilling the requirements of the clinical team as needed. This EHR system is very flexible,” says Lisa Greer, applications manager at Sound.

This new, more efficient approach saves time and helps different service providers work collaboratively to the benefit of the clients.

“For far too long, clinicians have had to struggle through a series of episodes to piece together client progress notes and to view Reaching Recovery markers,” says Winston.  “The goal for a treatment plan is that it be seamless and easy to read. There’s ONE treatment plan per client and many different clinicians and providers need to be able to see it.  There could be several different programs that a client is partaking in and we just need to make sure everyone is aware of that client’s overall treatment plan.  This new organized way of doing things is really beneficial.  We are literally living our vision to provide effective and innovative whole health care for the people and the community we serve.”

Sound has played a vital role in the community for over 50 years. And now, during the Covid-19 crisis, Sound’s team of experts continues to serve thousands of clients in person as well as via telehealth every month.

The heart and soul of our model of care are the people who work here, helping clients get through these scary, unprecedented times. We will continue to work with people and we will get through this together with these Heroes of the Pandemic.

Meet Ann Marie Hill, a clinician at Sound’s Tukwila location. Ann Marie put together a virtual group for parents to learn how to best help their children through these unprecedented times – with a group specifically FOR parents, called “School Online”, offering tips and tricks to help with successful online schooling.

“The idea is to help parents who really want to help their children succeed in spite of a global pandemic that forces us all into a very difficult, socially-distanced situation, ” Says Hill. “By nature, kids are social, and sitting in front of a screen instead of interacting with a human being in person is DEFINITELY a challenge for them. What I wanted to do was support parents, give them ideas, and help them keep their positive energy flowing! I think our group parents are doing just a phenomenal job caring for kids. I’m so proud of them! I couldn’t be happier with the success of these families!”

As for the curriculum? “The materials were created by Child and Family Services. They had so much success with them that I chose to tailor the materials to families with children that have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. These families’ already-complicated situations are only compounded by the COVID epidemic. I just thought they could use some of that same success only more individually tailored to the challenges they face.”

Ann Marie, Thank you for your dedication. You are a Hero of the Pandemic!

Sound has played a vital role in the community for over 50 years. And now, during the Covid-19 crisis, Sound’s team of experts continues to serve thousands of clients in person as well as via telehealth every month. Join us as we continue to visit and celebrate Sound’s Heroes of the Pandemic.

The heart and soul of our model of care are the people who work here, helping clients get through these scary, unprecedented times. We will continue to work with people and we will get through this together with these Heroes of the Pandemic.

When Governor Inslee issued strict quarantine measures for Washington State due to Covid-19, team members at Sound got to work. “Instead of panicking, the Operations Team at Sound got organized,” said Hansen. “One of my first assignments was to get the necessary supplies to help protect team members and clients.”

Hansen immediately rolled up her sleeves, and started working to help. “Like everyone else, I was stunned at the gravity of the situation. We serve over 26,000 people at Sound. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure the team and the clients all had the proper personal protective gear to stay safe,” said Hansen

Procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) for the entire organization was not an easy task.

“Back when Covid-19 started, it was really tough to get PPE,” said Sound Safety Manager Hailey Willman. “Elyssa really worked hard to get PPE to keep clients and team members safe. She was really key in making things happen.”

Director of Administrative Services Eric Cota had this to say about Elyssa, “Elyssa has ensured, since day one, that we had all of the Covid supplies we needed. Elyssa spent almost the first few months doing nothing but shopping. Since supplies were difficult to find – at least at first – she spent a lot of time researching different vendors, checking back constantly on availability, etc. She also has done a tremendous job tracking the supplies and the associated costs, and she took the opportunity to install shelving in the room across the hall from her to create an organized space. Elyssa also spends quite a bit of time each week fulfilling orders from all of our clinical and housing locations.”

We’re thankful and proud of you Elyssa. Thank you for joining Sound and for being a Hero of the Pandemic.

Sound has played a vital role in the community for over 50 years. And now, during the Covid-19 crisis, Sound’s team of experts continues to serve thousands of clients in person as well as via telehealth every month. Join us as we continue to visit and celebrate Sound’s Heroes of the Pandemic.

The heart and soul of our model of care are the people who work here, helping clients get through these scary, unprecedented times. We will continue to work with people and we will get through this together with these Heroes of the Pandemic.

Maia Leslie is a clinician at Sound. Maia’s office is with her IDD team at the Capitol Hill location, but these days, Maia is conducting most of her client work online. Recently, Maia created an online group called Music with Maia, a virtual group that meets online on Friday afternoons with clients who log in to participate.

“Music is such a universal language! I just love to see happy faces smiling and singing on our video group chats. It’s encouraging to know that we can be the highlight of someone’s day – maybe even their week,” says Maia. “To me, the most important thing about our work is giving people hope – something to look forward to. Participating in the group is social, and fun, and happy. It’s really about self-care. I’m so proud to be a part of this team!”

Maia, thank you for caring for the people we serve. Thank you for being a Hero of the Pandemic!

Sound has played a vital role in the community for over 50 years. And now, during the Covid-19 crisis, Sound’s team of experts continues to serve thousands of clients in person as well as via telehealth every month. Join us as we continue to visit and celebrate Sound’s Heroes of the Pandemic.

The heart and soul of our model of care are the people who work here, helping clients get through these scary, unprecedented times. We will continue to work with people and we will get through this together with these Heroes of the Pandemic.

Meet Cathy Callahan and Jody Schreven, two Certified Peer Counselors at Sound who have dedicated their careers to working with families and kinship caregivers. This dynamic duo has been a successful team at Sound for over 11 years. Callahan and Schreven have led many groups and events. They have been chosen to represent Sound at multiple, statewide healthcare conferences, sharing their progressive knowledge, and lived experience with others. They have taken groups of families, kids, and kinship caregivers on fun outings, all around the Greater Sound area. Recently, the two team members have added online cooking classes and intergenerational art projects to the services they offer. As many of Sound’s Peer Counselors do, Callahan and Schreven provide supplies and food to families and kinship caregivers, as part of their work on behalf of the Sound Child & Family Services teams. And now, due to the pandemic, Callahan and Schreven have begun running their group meetings online, supporting dozens of families and kinship caregivers throughout the area.

“It’s really stunning how little support many parents and caregivers have without the schools being physically open. That’s why we have two Zoom Groups weekly as well as safe and healthy events monthly. We check in. We reset. We laugh. We share. We get our positive mindset back. It’s important to continue the work we do together,” says Jody.

“Jody and I just want everyone to know that we both appreciate that Sound has been so amazing at providing us with ways to stay safe and still allow us to keep doing these jobs we love,” exclaimed Cathy. “Thanks to our Managers, our ELT (especially Katrina Egner, Guy Delisi, and Susie Winston), and everyone up to and including Patrick. We are grateful for all of you.”

We’re thankful and proud of you both, Cathy and Jody. Thank you for all your years of dedicated service and for being Heroes of the Pandemic.

Sound has played a vital role in the community for over 50 years. And now, during the Covid-19 crisis, Sound’s team of experts continues to serve thousands of clients in person as well as via telehealth every month.

The heart and soul of our model of care are the people who work here, helping clients get through these scary, unprecedented times. We will continue to work with people and we will get through this together with these Heroes of the Pandemic.

Meet Ashlee, a Sound clinician working on the Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) Team for the past 5 years. Ashlee brought Halloween candy to several clients who are in quarantine.

“I just know how much people LOVE our annual Halloween dance and I really wanted to do something to let them know we’re here, we’re thinking of them and we miss
them, too!”

Ashlee, thank you for caring about Sound and the people we serve.

Pamela Connors, a peer support counselor for Sound’s Transition Support Team, has been honored with the Partners in Health Above & Beyond award. This distinction is reserved for professionals who exemplify excellent service by going above and beyond the call of duty for children and families while modeling the Recovery and Resiliency Principles in King County. The principles address both holistic healthcare and trauma-informed-care and include assistance for people for both outpatient and residential services.

The award, given annually by Partners in Health, is a well-earned honor for Connors, a 3-year team member of Sound. A caring nurturer, Pamela is lauded by her clients and coworkers as an “exemplary human being” who goes above and beyond in serving her clients and caring for her peers. “I was shocked to win a prize for doing work I love!” said Connors. “I’m not looking for recognition, but it IS nice to be appreciated.”

Her teammate, certified peer counselor and parent peer coordinator Jody Schreven, nominated Connors for the award. “Pamela is one of the greatest clinicians we have at our Sound Tukwila office. She is also a wonderful certified peer. Upon meeting her I could see immediately she had “the best of both worlds” to offer clients. The folks she supports, in her role in Transition Support are often in complex and difficult situations. Pamela truly listens to them, without judgment or reservation (no stigma allowed around Pamela)! She not only goes above and beyond for clients, she is a colleague one can always count on and who involves herself in the work we do outside the office as well.”

The energy Connors exudes is positive, warm and welcoming – the kind of energy that makes a workplace more like home and team members more like family. When you ask people around the Sound office about Connors, the consensus is that she is the team mom. Connors says that she keeps her office lights low and the atmosphere calm. “I like my office to be inviting – a place where people can come to decompress.” Connors also keeps an impressive supply of treats in her office, noting which of her coworkers likes which snacks. Team members will often chip in a few dollars toward their favorites.

Her role as a Peer Support Counselor involves working directly with youth and adults to promote mental wellness, provide support to individuals and families directly impacted by mental illness, and advocate to reduce the stigma and discrimination against individuals grappling with mental health challenges.

Connors is especially proud of her work with at-risk youth. Her favorite client story is about a young man struggling with chronic institutionalization and mental challenges that caused him to attempt suicide several times since the age of seven. After working and talking with the youth, she concluded, “I don’t think you want to die. I think you’re afraid to live.” These words resonated deeply with the young man who took her wise counsel to heart. He continues receiving Sound services and he is now finishing high school, working at two different jobs, going to counseling and has been adhering to his medications.

Connors loves her work, she loves people and it is definitely reciprocated. We all congratulate you on this well-deserved award, Pamela. We’re very proud of you!