| EAGLE Spring 2021 Newsletter |
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In This Issue
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"Take joy in the journey, even when it feels long. Find strength in each step, knowing Heaven is cheering you on." - Mercy Me
Emily Robbearts
Director of EAGLE
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I love these lyrics from the chorus of Mercy Me's hit song "Almost Home." As a task-oriented person who delights in crossing off a to-do list or hitting the finish line of big project, these lyrics remind me that the full reward is not in the finishing... but also in the doing. We can be so focused on the accomplishment that we miss the wins along the way. We can be so focused on the task ahead that we don't see those on the sidelines pushing us on to victory.
This is true along the path to EAGLE accreditation. While the accreditation is the ultimate outcome, the process to pursue excellence strengthens an
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organization's core and unites all stakeholders (board members, leaders, staff, clients/residents) in the holistic value of its faith-based mission. Accreditation is an on-going journey and yes, sometimes it does feel long. But within the EAGLE family, there are people on the sidelines to offer guidance, encouragement and energy at each step. The EAGLE staff, commissioners, peer reviewers and fellow EAGLE coordinators are at the ready - cheering you on, all the way home.
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Recognizing Accreditation
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Brian Nageotte
President and CEO
Wesbury
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"Although preparing for and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a tremendous amount of time and effort for us as an organization, it also allowed us to address one of our EAGLE OFIs involving communication to staff and stakeholders.
With the massive amount of changes that we needed to undergo as an organization to our processes in order to adapt to COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, we had to come up with an efficient way to communicate these changes to staff, residents, and families. We decided to subscribe to a mass communication technology that allows us to very quickly communicate to our stakeholders through various channels and streamline a portion of our communication process. In addition, it forced us to make improvements to our website allowing us to have a consistent point of contact for our stakeholders to get updates on various changes to our processes and protocols." |
Commission Approves Release of New Merged Accreditation Manual
A merged manual, known as EAGLE v.10, is now ready for use for accreditations/reaccreditations taking place in 2022. Over the past two years, the EAGLE Accreditation Commission has been working to combine the separate CYF and OAM manuals into one manual that can be used by any organization pursuing accreditation. This merged manual streamlines and reduces duplication among several topic areas. This also results in slight changes to the crosswalk with other accrediting bodies for joint reviews.
The new manual will be placed in the organization's folder in the EAGLE Accreditation portal following submission of the EAGLE Accreditation application.
Improvements to Accreditation Portal
UMA has entered a contract with Citrix to establish a ShareFile account that will become the new EAGLE Accreditation portal to replace the current CRUSH system. The cloud-based ShareFile product offers a more robust, cost-efficient system that will better meet the current and future needs of EAGLE/UMA. Our goal is to have the new portal ready for access by mid-May. Be on the lookout for more information later this spring.
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UMA staff members are eyeing the social media sites of our EAGLE accredited organizations looking for posts that show the EAGLE Principles in action to share on the UMA Facebook page. Follow UMA on Facebook to see if your organization is mentioned in an EAGLE Excellence in Action post.
#EagleExcellence |
Is Your EAGLE Logo Up-To-Date?
Several years ago, EAGLE updated its logo to our blue flame. Has your organization updated this logo on your website and other marketing materials? Click the links below to access the current logo options:
Click here to download. |
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Click here to download. |
Share Our EAGLE Video
Show your pride in being an EAGLE accredited organization by sharing a link to our EAGLE Testimonial Video on your social media page. The video showcases the value of EAGLE Accreditation and the importance of excellence in faith-based mission. Be sure to tag @OurUMA in your post!
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Join the EAGLE Peer Review Pool
| Serving as an EAGLE peer reviewer is a wonderful professional development opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the EAGLE process, learn about innovative programs and share best practices... all while supporting organizations in their pursuit of excellence. Now is the time to join the EAGLE peer reviewer pool! Click here to learn about the EAGLE Education Series to complete the certification process to serve as an EAGLE peer reviewer.
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2021 Site Visits
EAGLE reviews are still taking place in a virtual format with hopes that we will be able to return to in-person reviews later this year. See the following opportunity to serve on a review team. New peer reviewers or those have not participated in a review in the last two years are encouraged to join a team in 2021.
- OCTOBER 24-27: CYF agency in Mississippi (possible in-person) - TWO OPEN SPOTS
Please contact Emily Robbearts at erobbearts@ouruma.org or at 301-556-1344 for more details on serving as or becoming a peer reviewer.
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| Spotlight on Innovation - UMC's Telehealth Partnership Yields Fewer Falls |
| United Methodist Communities (UMC) has seen a reduction in falls as a result of their recent partnership with VirtuSense. The FCC awarded UMC a COVID-19 telehealth grant in 2020 to implement VSTAlert remote patient monitoring in their skilled nursing residences. Prior to deployment, there were 24 falls with injury in the four UMC communities, from April through June 2020. In the three months after deployment in all four communities, December 2020 through February 2021, there were seven falls with minor injury, for a total decrease of 71%. See the full details here. |
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Resilience 365 Shared Learning
Resilience 365 is UMA's year-round conference featuring quality education, inspiring keynotes, recognition of excellence in mission, and numerous peer networking experiences. Resilience365 events are open to all UMA members. Most sessions are one-hour unless otherwise noted. Please click here for more information.
Additional UMA Resources
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April is national child abuse prevention month. National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families. Click here for more information. |
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John Lawson, a longtime church representative in UMA and former Commissioner on the EAGLE Accreditation Commission, passed away on February 10. UMA extends its deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time. |
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| April 1 |
April Development Network: Anatomy of a 7-Figure Gift, 10:00 A.M.
Presented by J.D. Shuman, Asbury Foundation
EAGLE Education Series: Introduction to EAGLE, 10:00 A.M. or 3:00 P.M. |
| April 7 |
Advancing Strategic Technology Adoption & Innovation, 11:00 A.M.
Panel discussion featuring Lisa McCracken, Ziegler, with Nancy Koenig, Caremerge, and Rob
Reback, Forefront Telecare |
| April 14 |
April HR Network: Addressing the Squeeze of Salary Compression, 11:00 A.M.
Presented by Trisha Shearer, LR Webber
Legal and Operational Challenges of IDD/DD Organizations, 1:00 P.M.
Discussion facilitated by Jennifer Hilliard, Esq., Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, and Mary Kemper, President & CEO of UMA
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| April 15 |
EAGLE Education Series: Preparing for a Self-Study/Site Visit, 10:00 A.M. or 3:00 P.M. |
| April 21 |
The Great Reset: Innovation Follows Disruption in the Patient Care Continuum, 1:00 P.M.
Presented by David Mercugliano and Hilary Forman, HealthPRO Heritage |
| April 28 |
UMA Annual Meeting with Keynote Speaker Curtis Zimmerman, 3:30 P.M. |
| May 5 |
Reach for Exceptional Governance, 11:00 A.M.
Presented by LeaderStat and Chicago Methodist Senior Services |
| May 6 |
May Development Network: A Journey Towards Rebranding, 10:00 A.M.
Presented by Embrace Alabama Kids |
| May 12 |
May HR Network: Health Insurance... what's the best way to fund this expense?, 11:00 A.M.
Presented by Johnson, Kendall & Johnson
EAGLE Celebration of Excellence, 3:30 P.M.
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| May 13 |
Discover Ways to Offset Losses Due to COVID-19, 11:00 A.M.
Presented by Expense Consulting |
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