Featured Team

Aurora Vocational Services began contracting with the Western Region Recovery & Wellness Consortium (RWC) in January 2019 to provide Quality Assurance services. Our contract currently includes 7 full-time Quality Assurance Specialist positions. Andrea Olson, Brett Mesner, Jessica Gossen, Tony Nayes, Carly Nelson, and Matthew St. Ores are the Quality Assurance Specialists included in this contract and are based out of the Chippewa Herald office in Chippewa Falls. (We are currently hiring for our seventh position!) Erik Olson and Nichole Hartung also work remotely with this team on a part-time basis. 

The RWC is a consortium of 9 counties working together to improve mental health and substance abuse delivery systems for public sectors. The RWC currently partners with over 130 providers like Aurora to provide Comprehensive Community Services (CCS). CCS is an MA-covered, recovery-focused, integrated behavioral health program for adults and/or children with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. CCS programs are designed to be community-based, enhance recovery, and continually build on quality improvement.

The Aurora QA team works closely with providers and county staff ensuring that requirements of Medicaid and the DHS 36 Administrative Code are met. The Quality Assurance Specialists are responsible for reviewing all provider certification documents, provider service notes/ invoices/service authorizations, as well as consumer charts for County Service Facilitators. Additionally, the team also provides training and support to providers as well as county staff.

The RWC went through an OIG audit this past spring that turned out to be a huge success for the entire consortium. To put things into perspective:

• MA paid the RWC $15,401,332.09 during the year being audited (2021).
• MA paid the RWC $49,751.02 for the sample that was audited.
• The amount determined to be recouped in the preliminary findings was $2,763.98.

*****Final recoupment amount was $621.

These results were absolutely astounding and well received with county leadership. It truly takes a whole team of people who care about quality services to bring this level of success.

The CCS Program is experiencing continual growth. Our initial contract in 2019 started with 1 full-time position and has quickly grown to 7 full-time positions with intent to hire another full-time position in 2024! The expansion of the QA contract has been very rewarding, and the QA team takes great pride in their contributions to the WRRWC and CCS Program.

Finally, it should be noted that this team truly defines “work family.” On a regular basis, we get together outside of work to enjoy all that life has to offer (concerts, dinners, comedy shows, movies, pool parties, disc golfing…. and TONS of belly laughs!). 

Back, left to right: Matthew St. Ores, Tony Nayes, Carly Nelson, Nichole Hartung.

Front, left to right: Brett Mesner, Andrea Olson, Jessica Gossen.

Jewelry made by Aurora's Colorado consumers and team is now displayed and for sale at the Spooner General Store in Spooner, WI. Plans for a brick and mortar store on hold, but keep an eye out for opportunities to purchase New Roots merchandise!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence:

• On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. This includes a range of behaviors (e.g., slapping, shoving, pushing) and in some cases might not be considered "domestic violence."
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 25 men have been injured by an intimate partner.
• 1 in 10 women have been raped by an intimate partner. Data is unavailable on male victims.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence (e.g., beating, burning, strangling) by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime to the point in which they felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed.
• On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
• The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
• Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime.
• Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.
• 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.
• Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior.
• Only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receive medical care for their injuries.

Common signs of abusive behavior in a partner include:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them.
• Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with others, particularly friends, family members, or peers.
• Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people.
• Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school.
• Controlling finances in the household without discussion, such as taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
• Pressuring you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with.
• Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol.
• Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions.
• Insulting your parenting or threatening to harm or take away your children or pets.
• Intimidating you with weapons like guns, knives, bats, or mace.
• Destroying your belongings or your home.

Help is available.

National Domestic Violence Helpline

Call: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

TTY 1.800.787.3224

Text: "START" to 88788

And remember, you can contact your EAP provider REALiving at 877.256.9302 to access your counseling benefits.

Our BEST Employees for the month of September, and winning $150, are ... Latisha Madison from direct support and Lori Burns from management! Congratulations and thanks for bringing your BEST!

Nominees for the month of SEPTEMBER were:

Brian Bender

Stacey Hamm

Latisha Madison

Brett Mesner

Mike Neary

Chrystal Simonis

Names were drawn from the pool of nominees who spoke with us about their employment experience at Aurora. Thanks to each of our nominees for the above and beyond work you do to support our consumers and clients! You are the BEST!

Remember to send your nominations to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com.

Once nominated, employees will remain eligible for the bonus drawing throughout the year.

Would you like to enter a contest to win a gas card? I have two requirements:

1. Send an email to BESTEmployees@AuroraServices.com and nominate an Aurora person to be the BEST Employee. You don't have to write anything more than their name if you don't want to.
2. Reply to this email and let me know who you have nominated.

Winner's name drawn randomly and announced on Oct. 31.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 1/3 of nonfatal injuries were suffered by employees with less than one year of service; and The Institute of Work and Health has determined that newness (to a job) is a more significant risk factor in workplace injury than age.

When we look at trending for Aurora work comp claims you will see, as depicted from the graph below, that the majority of injuries occur with employees that have been employed for less than one year. The graph includes claims from 2021, 2022 and 2023.

When a new employee is learning the ins and outs of supporting consumers (such as with transfers and repositioning) or doing daily tasks, your knowledge and experience are essential tools in teaching them how to do tasks correctly and safely.

Pay attention to opportunities for teaching; instilling confidence by focusing on what they are doing right; and stepping in when they are unsure of how to do a transfer or reposition a consumer safely.

How to know when to offer new hires your support and guidance:

They appear unsure of how to complete a task.

• Ask if you can assist, or demonstrate the proper technique for transfers or repositioning.
• Have them practice what you’re showing them until they can do it correctly and safely.
• Offer praise and encouragement for trying and doing a good job.

They appear uncomfortable or withdrawn.

• Ask if there is anything you can do to help – be patient.

Encourage the new staff to let you, the PM, or his/her supervisor know when they feel unsafe and/or they believe the consumer is unsafe with a transfer or when repositioning a consumer. As the person’s mentor/trainer, you should take this feedback very seriously.

Just because everyone else is doing it a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s the safest way to do a transfer or any work related task. Consumers change, staffing patterns change, and equipment changes. This should be an area that is looked at frequently to ensure everyone is working safely! S.A.F.E. = Stop and Focus Entirely!

Congratulations to Amber Jensen from 303 in Colorado and Rodney McNamara from 115 in Eau Claire!

These team members have demonstrated their commitment to safety and have won a $100 bonus for having done so.

Keep working safely to be entered in next month's drawing.

Jennifer Wescott

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Wausau

Why I applied for the job: My father referred me. He enjoys the company and position. I enjoy serving my community.

What I will bring to the job: A positive attitude, acceptance, and fun!

My background: I have worked in child care for the past decade. Most recently as an assistant direct at the YMCA.

Family: 3 kids: 22, 15, 5. 2 grandkids.

Hobbies/interests: I love to get outside. Walking in every season, direct sales.

Bonnie Feist

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, New Richmond

Why I applied for the job: I was approached for this position by an employee, and I was a caregiver for my husband.

What I will bring to the job: Caregiver experience, people skills.

My background: I have raised sheep my whole life, and they bring me much peace.

Family: Daughter and 4 grandchildren.

Hobbies/interests: Knitting, weaving, making candy.

Martha Wright

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, New Richmond/Comstock

Why I applied for the job: I was looking for a second job, considering Kwik Trip, when a friend suggested Aurora would be more rewarding.

What I will bring to the job: Attention to detail, great communication skills, and lots of compassion.

My background: I currently work at the Jennie-O Turkey Store in Barron, WI on 2nd shift, where I track production and yields on the computer and the production floor.

Family: I raised 4 children: 1 girl and 3 boys, who are all adults. I also have 5 grandchildren.

Hobbies/interests: I love spending time outdoors doing nature walks, wildflower identification, and foraging for wild edibles.

Ashley Mayer

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: I applied for this position because I love connecting with clients and helping others.

What I will bring to the job: Respectable, dependable, kind, and funny. I'm one of a kind!

My background: I'm a full-time social worker but miss doing personal care and am excited to be back!

Family: I have a 6-year-old daughter, Aniya; 1 dog; 2 cats; and some fish!

Hobbies/interests: I love gardening, indoor planting, cooking, painting, watching movies, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.

Anna Rock

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, New Richmond

Why I applied for the job: To help people in the community.

What I will bring to the job: My people skills, my kind spirit, and my charisma.

My background: Employment working with this population before.

Family: My son, mom, brother.

Hobbies/interests: I love hiking and kayaking.

Sean Nelson

Aurora Vocational Services

Employment Specialist I, Menomonie

Why I applied for the job: I recently graduated from UW-Stout with the Human Development and Family Studies with the goal of helping people, which is what this company does.

What I will bring to the job: Humor, outside-the-box thinking, random facts people may not know, empathy, teamwork, maybe something I'm not even aware of.

My background: I have a history of helping people with previous customer service jobs. I had a job coach for my first job many years ago. So, I would like to think I might have an idea of what I am going to do.

Family: Raised by my mother, around grandparents a lot, rarely saw father for first 18 years, big family but barely know anyone.

Hobbies/interests: Video games, dungeons and dragons, football, baseball, movies, music, driving, swimming, martial arts, anime, cooking, jokes, technology.

Racheal Rohele

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Altoona

Why I applied for the job: A friend told me about it, and it kind of goes with my major in college.

What I will bring to the job: Since this goes along with my major, I believe with the knowledge I'm gaining could help me bring a lot to the job.

My background: Retail, detailer.

Family: 2 brothers.

Hobbies/interests: Music, sports, hiking, and hanging out with friends.

Bryan Lammer

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Mental Health Technician, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: I like working with people and helping them.

What I will bring to the job: A great attitude, a great team player.

My background: I used to work at a shop fixing cars and changing tires.

Family: I have a wife and two kids.

Hobbies/interests: I like working on cars and trucks, watching/playing sports, or playing video games.

Carlisa Notz

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Weston

Why I applied for the job: To experience and achieve new goals and benefits.

What I will bring to the job: Loyalty, dependable, respectful, motivated thoughts, positive attitude.

My background: Personal caregiver.

Family: Two children of own. Two older siblings.

Hobbies/interests: Tie-dye, crafts.

Cora Schaefer

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, La Crosse

Why I applied for the job: To begin working in a field that relates to my college major (sociology).

What I will bring to the job: A fun, energetic presence, and a caring and loving attitude.

My background: I have worked at a children's museum for the past 2 years in my hometown, a ceramics studio, and I have waitressed for about 2 years.

Family: Mom and dad live back at home; my sister, Emma, is in school at UW-Madison for nursing; and I live on UWL campus with my guinea pig, Bibble.

Hobbies/interests: Painting, origami, ceramics, playing soccer, yoga, and watching Rick & Morty.

Brian Nelson

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: I would like to be able to help people hands-on.

What I will bring to the job: Positive attitude, energetic, creative, fun activities.

My background: Customer service.

Hobbies/interests: Numismatics, collecting paperweights, R/C cars.

Madelynn Chrisinger

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Community Living Assistant, Eau Claire

Why I applied for the job: To gain experience working with people in need of help.

What I will bring to the job: A compassionate helping hand, and eagerness to learn!

My background: Lifeguard, swim lesson instructor, swim coach, fitness instructor, student at UW-Eau Claire (rehab science, kinesiology, and pre-med).

Family: I'm from the Madison area, where I live with my mom, dad, and little brother.

Hobbies/interests: I love swimming! I enjoy staying active, music, and learning!

Andrew Seever

Aurora Residential Alternatives

Mental Health Technician, New Richmond

Why I applied for the job: I grew up around people with disabilities. My parents ran a group home in Siren, WI, and I've always wanted to give back and to help others in this field.

What I will bring to the job: To the job I will bring a curious attitude, a willingness to learn, and I'm sure I'll make as many people laugh as I can!

My background: I was the head of training at Spectrum and I scheduled appointments for car dealerships across the country.

Family: I'm married to the most beautiful woman ever! I have 3 nieces and a nephew and a stepdaughter.

Hobbies/interests: Guitar, drums, writing, and reading.

We Have the BEST Staff

During the month of OCTOBER, we are celebrating these anniversaries!

Aurora Management

Jennifer Thomas (2 years), Abbey Dieckman (4 years), Cyndi Smith (29 years), Gina Krueger (20 years), Courtney Goff (4 years), Jill Mattson (19 years), Sarah Scheeringa (23 years), and Wendy Jagoditsh (12 years).

Aurora Direct Care Staff

Keyanna Skadsberg (1 year), Jessica Baltzell (10 years), Shawna Feist (5 years), Michelle Baljo (13 years), Misty Herbst (14 years), Erica Hergert (4 years), Robin O'Connor (3 years), Jamie Weidler (10 years), Jenifer Stainbrook (15 years), Trisha Hanson (8 years), Sierra Jalowitz (3 years), DeAnna Howard (1 year), Donna Como (7 years), Seth Yun (5 years), Rocio Seise (7 years), Jazmyn Mobley (3 years), Julie Bahr (6 years), Christina Strom (3 years), Louis Echavarria (6 years), and Elizabeth Green (9 years).

When we combine all of these years of service,

we get 253 YEARS of experience at Aurora!

Thank you for sharing your time and talents with us!