805-928-5000 2445 A Street, Santa Maria, CA 93455 VTC Enterprises 2020-2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Vice-President Secretary Past President Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Schelli Acosta Sally Ostini Lynn Conklin Polly Huffer Travis Biegel Brenda Corona Kathy Fargen Rose Kinyon Judy Lundberg Janet Silveria Daniel Villalobos Purpose To provide a place for individuals with disabilities to thrive. Values Be Courageous We hold ourselves and others accountable to the highest ethical standard. Be the Change We are not satisfied with the status quo and strive to create a more equitable world Be Curious We seek to understand so we may strengthen our relationships. Mission The mission of VTC Enterprises is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their life goals. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sponsored 2019 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Constest Winner, Nerissa Arellano Sponsored 2018 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest Winner, Kate Compton Sponsored 2017 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest Winner, Madison Hall Sponsored 2016 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest Winner, Ashley Singh Sponsored 2015 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest Winner, Taylor Glines Sponsored 2014 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen Contest, 1st Runner Up, Johna Emerick Selected 2006 “Small Business of the Year” in the 33rd Assembly District by Assembly member Sam Blakeslee Awarded First Place Award by NISH in nationwide 2007-08 National Scholar Award for Workplace Innovation and Design Awarded Third Place Award by NISH in nationwide 2008-09 National Scholar Award for Workplace Innovation and Design City of Santa Maria Award of Excellence for Community Development Block Grant recipients – 2006-07 1990 Community Based Organization of the Year by the Department of Rehabilitation – Santa Barbara District Recipient of Certificate of Achievement for outstanding service on AbilityOne contracts for eleven years Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year – 2011-12 VTC PARTNERS WITH… VTC Enterprises partners with the Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in identifying appropriate projects for their Senior Engineering students. The selection and completion of a project by individual students or a team of students must be typical of problems which engineering graduates would solve in their fields of employment. Projects typically involve assistive technology enabling workers with disabilities to be more productive in their work environment. A chosen project typically involves the student working with persons served and VTC staff members in system design, modeling, analysis and testing. Projects include identifying costs, planning, scheduling, and choosing appropriate research methodology. In recent years Cal Poly students and VTC Enterprises have won top awards in the AbilityOne program’s National Workplace Innovation and Design competition. The Opportunities Expo Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month annually in October NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT MONTH Each October in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, VTC Enterprises co-sponsors the Annual Santa Maria Opportunities Expo in coordination with other key local organizations. The purpose of this event is to showcase service opportunities available to adults and transition aged youth living in Northern Santa Barbara and Southern San Luis Obispo Counties. The Expo is an opportunity for individuals graduating from high school to see what options are available from local adult service agencies and for those already using adult services to explore a wide variety of programs and work activities. Representatives from various programs are available to answer questions, door prizes and many other prizes are given away throughout the event, and there are booths to visit for information about employment, day programs, residential options, and advocacy. The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month began in 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week in an effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment. In 1962 the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities, and in 1988 Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. There is also Disability Mentoring Day, a national program started in 1999 in the White House in order to increase the profile of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. ELKS CHRISTMAS PARTY The most popular and eagerly awaited event of the year is the Elks Christmas Party! Each December our local Elks members sponsor a celebration at their lodge for all staff and individuals from VTC. In addition to a tasty lunch, the day includes a talent contest, dance, and special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus! We are grateful to the Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538 for their many, many years of generosity and active support. WORKER APPRECIATION DAY Another highly anticipated event at VTC Enterprises is our Worker Appreciation Day. Held annually in June, this occasion is designed to recognize the efforts and safe working habits of all workers and persons served at VTC throughout the year. Festivities include lunch, treats, games & activities booths, and dancing to the tunes of local radio celebrity Andy Morris. Andy has donated his time and resources to this event every year since it started (and to the Elks Christmas Party for over 25 years), and we truly do appreciate him and other community members who have contributed to this special day. APPROACH TO SERVICES Person Centered Planning VTC Enterprises uses a Person Centered Planning approach to providing services that is based on discovering and acting on what is most essential and meaningful to an individual. It is a process for continual listening and learning, focusing on what is important to someone now and in the future, and following through on that information in partnership with the person’s support team. A support team consists of one or more of the following representatives as selected by the individual: referring agency representative, family members, friends, special service members, and at least one VTC representative. Paramount to the process is recognizing that each individual is unique, valuable, and deserving of respect. Meetings are positive and promote a team spirit characterized by trust, loyalty and commitment. Individuals are encouraged to come prepared with ideas and statements regarding their dreams, preferences, and expectations. Discussions are non-judgmental and open ended, and team members are encouraged to share ideas and viewpoints freely. It is within this environment that individuals are assisted in making informed choices, expressing what type of future they want to work towards, and determining what goals to set in order to get there. Goals are based upon the individual’s strengths, capabilities, preferences, lifestyle, and religious and cultural background. Members of the team maintain frequent communication between meetings, and it is easy to update goals according to the individual’s progress and desires. Plans are adapted to the individual’s level of understanding: “All About Me Books” are photo albums which transform the plan to a living plan Schedules are developed using picture and photograph icons Relationship Development Intervention promotes: Self Esteem Humor in communication Peer acceptance Collaboration and team work Flexibility Awareness of each individual’s unique identity © VTC Enterprises est. 1961 - 2020| Designed By The Cloud Company and CenCal WebDesign