News
Celebrating 30 Years:
Comcare 1981 - 2011
In the late 1970s, Mrs. Marjorie Nelle Cardwell approached Dr. John Johnson regarding the increased referrals to the state institution for services for young children with a diagnosis of Autism. She asked him to develop a community based program as an alternative to institutional placement.
In 1981, Oakhaven was opened as a 24 hour program for six children and teenagers with Autism. The seventh person soon joined us at Oakhaven for her school program.
By the mid 1980’s we had expanded the number of individuals served and had two homes for young individuals with Autism. We also developed a day program and had the opportunity to open three eight-person homes for adults with intellectual disabilities. Some of these individuals moved from Greene Valley Developmental Center and some were placed from their community homes (thereby avoiding institutionalization).
The Shadow Supervision program was set up in 1984 for individuals who could live on their own but needed assistance with accessing the community for shopping, doctor appointments, etc.
Also in 1984 Comcare’s conservatorship program was set up to provide legal representation for intellectually disabled individuals who do not have family to speak for them. This program has grown to provide services statewide to 800 individuals.
In the late 1980 – early 1990s Comcare built four HUD homes and one home through THDA to provide affordable housing for the individuals we were serving. We also opened several three person homes during this time period.
In the mid 1990s Comcare opened six ICF homes to move children from the institutional setting to the community setting. In 2011, we opened three more ICF homes to serve individuals formerly living at the state institution to the community as the state institution is downsizing their census. See attached article.
Dr. John Johnson served as Comcare’s Executive Director for 27 years. In July, 2008, Nancy Thiessen was appointed Executive Director by the Board of Directors.
Since our beginnings in the 1980s Comcare has grown to serving 108 individuals in 30 homes and two day programs in Greeneville, Johnson City and Erwin.
Pictured above: Nancy Thiessen, Executive Director; Dr. John Johnson, Founding Executive Director; Mary Anna Pirozzoli, Associate Director 1981-1998
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Yoga at Comcare 11-8-11
Every week Christine Dinwiddie leads a Yoga class for interested individuals. The goal of the class is to work on flexibility, balance and relaxation - qualities that are very beneficial to everyone. Several of the individuals have participated since the inception of the class more than 12 years ago. We are all very grateful for the support and materials provided by Dr. Fred Martinson.
Pictured to the right is Travis working on balance with the Tree Pose.
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Visit from Commissioners Henry and Emkes
10-16-11
On October 16, 2011, Commissioner Jim Henry and Commissioner Mark Emkes and eight other state dignitaries visited Comcare’s newly opened ICF program located on Marshall Lane in Greeneville. Priscilla Harris conducted a tour of the facility and shared how the program is meeting the needs of the individuals served in the home. The Marshall Lane program was opened on April 11, 2011. Four ladies who previously lived at Greene Valley Developmental Center reside in this home.
Pictured are Debbie Payne with resident Nancy Foland and Commissioners Emkes and Henry with Priscilla Harris, Associate Director for Comcare.
Growing to Serve Room Naming Recognition
2010
In recognition of major donors to Comcare’s Growing to Serve Campaign, rooms and areas in the Comcare Building have been named in their honor. Pictured here are Leon and Donna Jones standing with Nancy Thiessen next to the recognition plaque in the Jones Wing named in memory of their son Brooks. Brooks was a long time recipient of Comcare Services until his death. In addition to the generous contribution made by Leon and Donna several family members and friends made contributions in Brooks’ memory. Click here for additional pictures and recognitions. (4.9MB) pdf format
Comcare Awarded Grant from Enterprise Holdings Foundation 5-31-2011
On May 31, 2011, Catherine Cassidy, Account Manager for
Enterprise Fleet Management presented Lori Stokely and Nancy
Thiessen a check from Enterprise Holdings Foundation in the
amount of $2,000 to benefit Comcare’s Christmas Day fund.
We are grateful for this partnership with Enterprise and their
donation to benefit our clients.
Donations collected for Greene County Tornado Relief Fund 5-9-2011
Comcare staff gave $1,600 for the Greene County
Tornado Relief Fund. Our agency was one of the top contributors
to this fund raiser. What a wonderful statement that our staff,
some who had property damage themselves, gave to others in our
community who lost so much.
Belk 2011 Spring Charity Sale 4-20-2011
Twice a year, Comcare participates in the Belk Charity Sale. Comcare is given tickets to sell for a $5.00 donation that is good for the one-day sale. All money that is raised from this event goes towards the Comcare Christmas Party for the clients. Mary Phillips and her family have participated in our Belk Charity ticket sale for a number of years. She and her family have gotten pretty creative selling tickets. They have sold them at her children’s functions and in front of the Belk Store. This year, Mary and her family raised $250 for the sale in April.
Pictured: On right is Mary Phillips receiving Certificate of Appreciation from Jana Thomas.
Representatives Hawk and Faison visit Comcare 3-29-11
On March 29, 2011, Representatives David Hawk and Jeremy Faison visited Comcare on March 29, 2011. Nancy Thiessen gave them a tour of the building and introduced them to some of our staff and clients.
Mr. Hawk is a Comcare Board member and he has been
very instrumental in the process to open our new ICF homes. This
was Mr. Faison’s first visit to Comcare.
First Tennessee Bank Leadership Grant
3-8-11
On March 8, 2011, Willie Anderson, Vice President of First Tennessee Bank presented a $1,000 Leadership Grant check to Comcare. The grant is acknowledgement by First Tennessee Bank of Mr. Anderson's service to the Comcare Board of Directors. He has served on the Board for 6 years and as president for the last 2 years.
Staff Longevity as of September 30, 2010
1-4-11
Executive Director, Nancy Thiessen, expressed grateful appreciation to staff for their dedicated service to Comcare. Longevity plaques were presented to staff in recognition of their years of service. Pictured here is Jody Guffey who was recognized for 25 years of Dedicated Service. Click here to see all staff recognition.
Comcare Opens New Homes
8-3-10
This summer Comcare is opening three new homes. Each home will serve four people who will be moving from Greene Valley Developmental Center. The opening of these homes represents the culmination of five years of determined and persistent work. The homes were originally built with HUD funds to house eight people. While the homes were the norm of care when they were built 20 years ago, times changed and eight-person homes are no longer in favor. Comcare found good three and four-person homes in other homes in the community for the people who formerly lived in the eight-person homes.
It was not as easy to convince HUD that the eight-bedroom homes no longer offered viable housing and needed to be reduced in size. HUD’s argument was that HUD is in the business to increase, and not decrease housing opportunities. After several years, it became clear that these empty houses were headed for the auction block and that there would be no interested buyers. However, the HUD office in Washington continued to persist that the number of beds should not be reduced.
With the advocacy of Thomas Rone in the Knoxville HUD office, Congressman Phil Roe and Senator Bob Corker, HUD in Washington finally agreed to sell the properties to Comcare and to allow each home to be converted from eight bedrooms to four bedroom suites. The second room of the suite is especially important due to the complex medical equipment, wheelchairs, standers, lifts and sidelyers, required by many of the people who will be living these homes.
In addition to securing the homes, it was necessary to obtain the funding to operate them. The State of Tennessee has a funding category under Medicaid known as Intermediate Care Facility- Mental Retardation (ICF/MR). This category of funding is reserved for people who have significant care needs. To obtain this funding, Comcare went through a lengthy application process with the State of Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency and was successful in obtaining a Certificate of Need for each home.
A third part of the process involved Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation, a non-profit organization that is the business of providing low income housing. Comcare is in the service delivery business and not the housing business. Comcare has partnered with Eastern Eight on other projects and is very pleased that Eastern Eight agreed to purchase the eight-bedroom homes, renovate them to meet the new needs and lease them back to Comcare.
Finally, the last and most important piece of the process was to identify the people who would live in the homes. Individuals currently living at Greene Valley Developmental Center and who could benefit from living in a home in the community were identified. Transition meetings are currently underway to insure that the physical and staffing requirements of the new homes will meet the needs of each identified person. It will be the culmination of years of work and the contributions of many people when these people move into their new homes this summer.
Comcare's Annual Halloween Party
10-24-09
Ghouls, goblins, pinafores and circus acts were seen among the participants gathered for an evening of fun at the Comcare Halloween party.
Comcare's Annual Picnic
9-12-09
On September 12, 2009, Comcare hosted the Annual Picnic in our new facility. The theme was "Reaching for the Stars." More than 300 clients, family member and staff gathered to enjoy music, games and a meal. It was a great to see everyone and spend time together.
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Comcare's First Annual Talent Show
6-26-09
On June 26, 2009 the Day Program hosted their first annual Comcare Talent Show. Clients and staff worked for weeks creating and perfecting their acts for the big days’ performance. A wide variety of talent put their skills to the test. We had solo artists, duets, trios, dance acts and even a hula hoop performance. The judges had a very difficult time picking the winners, but trophies were handed out to the top performers. Everyone had a great time and the top performances were showcased at this year’s company picnic.
Comcare Moves Into New Facility
9-25-08
On Thursday September 25 Comcare hosted a Greene County Partnership ribbon cutting to symbolize its move to a new facility located at 100 Pennsylvania Ave. A second ribbon cutting for families, staff and clients will take place at the annual picnic to be held at the site on Saturday September 27. Comcare purchased the former National Business Forms building in June 2007 and has been conducting extensive renovations since that time. The building will house Comcare’s day program services as well as administrative and management offices, training and conference rooms and the maintenance department. These programs were currently located in three different buildings on West Main Street. Training and conferences were being done off site due to space restrictions.
“We had outgrown our facilities and had a plan for expansion when the National Business Forms Building became available. It was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. This campus atmosphere with its ample parking and this 70,000 square foot building is designed to meet the present and future needs of our clients. This building houses all the support functions for our agency as well as our day services program. The building will be in use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.“ said Nancy Thiessen, Executive Director.“ Not only do we have more space we have a safe environment where clients can enter the building protected from the weather and away from traffic. The bathroom, lunchroom and health services room have been significantly improved.
“We are also interested in promoting our business incubator opportunity. We have designated 17,000 sq. ft. of production space, additional shipping and receiving space and a loading dock for a new business start-up or a company wanting to start a new line. If we can attract an operation that will have some component where our clients can participate, we are willing to provide some support incentives. Interested parties can contact me for more information,” said Thiessen
The Comcare Work Activities Center which is located in the building is the hub for a menu of day services.
• Supported employment
• Vocational training
• Developmental skills training
• Sheltered workshop
Many of the people in the day program assemble piece work for a local industry. They find this work to be very rewarding because they can work at their own pace while being productive and earning a paycheck. Others are involved in meaningful day activities including exercise, music, community activities and training in self care and safety.
25 people in the program have jobs in the community through the Supported Employment section of the day program. Each person has a job coach that supports them to do their job. These individuals are employed at McDonalds, Tusculum College, the Rest Area on the interstate, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, 4-H Camp, YMCA, Roberts Furniture, Gregg’s Pizza, Mama’s House, Fazolis and several cleaning jobs. Many of the individuals have held their job for more than 6 years.
Comcare, a not-for –profit agency, is in its 27th year of service to people with disabilities. The program began with five children who lived in the Susong home where Laughlin hospital now stands The residential program currently serves 100 people in 25 homes and 5 foster homes in Greeneville, Jonesboro, Erwin and Johnson City.
Comcare’s services have been given a three star rating by the state, an honor received by a small number of agencies across the state.
Ribbon Cutting for New Rental Housing Group
9-22-08
Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation and Comcare, Inc. conducted a Ribbon Cutting for four new rental housing group homes. The Event took place on Monday, September 22 at the development located at Willow Creek Subdivision, Mosheim.
The new affordable handicap-accessible homes were developed for residential service-recipients at Comcare, featuring three bedrooms and a fully handicapped accessible bathroom. Each home will house three individuals with 24-hour on site staff.
The project forged partnerships between Comcare and Eastern Eight. Comcare received a HOME grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency for the construction financing of the rental housing to serve qualified adults with developmental disabilities. Eastern Eight is the project administrator and will manage the rental units now that construction is complete.
Comcare, located in Greeneville, is a private agency serving adults and children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Comcare provides person-centered services in a variety of residential and day settings. Services are based upon individual needs. Comcare is a community 501 c (3) non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer board of directors.
The Ribbon Cutting is in celebration of Creating Affordable Housing Solutions for Northeast Tennessee. Any persons wanting more information should contact Eastern Eight at 423.232.5097 or Comcare at 423.638.3926.
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