Star Thrower Group Inc

“Tina livezey joe livezey board presi. Trustee husbamd and wife”

“No review was or will be conducted.”

“BOARD APPROVAL”

“BOARD APPROVAL”

“AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST”

“In 2020, the pandemic forced a temporary shutdown on march 13 which prevented us from billing for services, although we continued to provide these services to our members through an online format (and still offer the option). Shutdowns resulted in payments from medicaid being distributed based on our most successful month in 2019, and starting april 2020 ddd/medicaid provided a 50% payment of our november 2019 income. We were sent this stipend, and as restrictions eased, we were allowed to work with clients in supported employment and community based supports and bill for those services, while the stipend still provided income for the other services we could not meet or bill for. As things reopened,the payment structure changed, but we continued to receive a stipend throughout the remainder of 2020 to subsidize the reduced income from the quarantine and illness.”

“Careers - 75% members gained intensive computer and technology training as they participated in our online programming. 10% did not participate in online activity. 15% could only participate with assistance (parent setup and monitor). - 80% of members expressed increased confidence and skills in public speaking, program development, confidence, and leadership as a result of the daily online schedule. - funding was attributed to technology needs including laptops, internet service enhancements,additional software programs that promote engagement and learning and work well in interactive online groups. Some costs covered training and instruction for staff to ensure their skills met the needs of this new online format. - there was a visible improvement in literacy skills due to the use of the chat function in the online meeting rooms. We werent tracking it, because it was the chat room, but we realized at least 4 of our members who told us they couldnt read were suddenly able to keep up and even contribute by reading and typing responses in the chat. This growth and improvement resulted in increased hiring and opportunity when businesses resumed hiring, and 25% members chose to enroll and participate in our literacy workshop for the new year. Community: - in the start of 2020, we had no building of our own but we had a supportive community and neighborhood businesses and organizations opened their doors to us to provide a meeting space while we searched for a new location for our community center. - we developed a close relationship with marshalls (department store). They were supportive and welcoming to our members as employees, and they provided us with many supplies for covid, including masks and hand sanitizers for all members and families. - we worked with the local businesses and government to continue job sampling and establish safe working protocols to continue to support employment throughout the pandemic. - even with the shutdown, we continued to grow our membership as we established our new community center and welcomed recent graduates into our programs. - the pandemic caused many applications for ddd services and ssi to be delayed (state workers were not getting the mail that was accumulating on their desk, so processing applications was held up) which led to members not being able to have funding available for our services, so we worked with families to help create a budget or find scholarships to allow them to attend. Our fees are based on services, not hours spent in our community center, and even with reduced funding and the pandemic, no one was turned away for lack of budget or funds. Connections: - when the virus caused the state to shut down, we retreated to our homes friday, and by monday morning had established a format and program online. Our members did not lose even one day of the connection to friends and staff due to the pandemic throughout all of 2020. - members learned how to communicate through various platforms, and practiced tech etiquette and developed relationships while improving communications skills. Staff created programs and workshops for reviewing online/tech safety and explaining boundaries around phone and tech communication to promote respectful connections and usage. - 100% of members, staff, and families participating online reported that the daily connection online was helpful to their mental and emotional well-being during quarantine. The workshops and socialization helped everyone feel less isolated and stuck.”

“Helping adults 21 and older with assistance in gaining employment, housing, and self esteem.”