HomeLife, Inc.

Kalamazoo, MI: Seven employees of HomeLife, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan with an office in Battle Creek, Michigan, have been appointed to the 2008 Michigan Quality Council (MQC) Board of Examiners. One of these individuals was appointed to a Senior Examiner position.

Employees appointed include Kevin Steve, Program Director; Joel Parish, Behavior Analyst; Michele VandeZande, Business Office Manager; Kristen Brekke, Referral Coordinator; Eli DeLeon and Emily Taylor, Home Managers. Barry Bruns, President and co-owner of HomeLife, Inc. was appointed with a designation as Senior Examiner.

“This is the second year for several of our employees, and much was learned about how to operate a quality organization over the course of becoming examiners. This knowledge base will not only benefit other Michigan organizations; it will contribute to the improved practices within our own organization consistent with our commitment to performance excellence,” Bruns said.  “I’m very pleased that these key leaders in our organization accepted the challenge and time commitment to become MQC examiners.  In addition, I am humbled and take pride in the fact that I was invited to become a Senior Examiner.”

HomeLife provides specialized residential care to adults 18 and older who need assistance due to brain injury, neurological impairment or mental illness.

As Michigan Quality Council examiners, these individuals are able to participate in various levels of organizational performance review and will help to identify recipients of the Michigan Quality Leadership Award, the highest award available for quality recognition in the state. Examiners and senior examiners are selected for an unpaid appointment of one year.

Assessment by the MQC addresses key performance criteria ranging from leadership communication and strategic planning to workforce practices and process improvements. Through their involvement, examiners gain an in-depth understanding of the criteria and how to apply them to their own organizations.

The MQC’s Leadership award program is modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Leadership program and evaluates an organization for excellence in seven performance categories: leadership; strategic planning; focus on customers; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; staff focus; business/organizational processes; and organizational results. Participating organizations receive a feedback report that identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement; those who progress to the highest scoring level become award recipients. For more information, visit www.quality.nist.gov.

The Michigan Quality Council was created in 1993 by business and government leaders to promote performance excellence practices among Michigan business, education, healthcare, and non-profit organizations. Now affiliated with Cleary University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the MQC uses the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to identify and promote best practices. Each year the MQC recognizes outstanding organizations and through its partners, provides organizational and professional development consulting. For more information, visit www.michiganquality.org.

Bruns and co-founder Scott Christ founded HomeLife, Inc. in 1996 with a vision to provide compassionate care to individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the long-term effects of injury and illness. Today HomeLife, Inc. operates seven Kalamazoo area programs, each providing stable and optimal care that dignifies their clients as individuals while meeting their unique challenges. For more information, visit www.talkhome.net.

Kalamazoo, MI — April 15, 2008 — CARF International announced that HomeLife, Inc. has been accredited for a period of three years for its Psychosocial Residential Treatment (Adult) programs. The latest accreditation is the fourth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to HomeLife, Inc. in its nearly 12 years of operation. 

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.  HomeLife, Inc. operated by co-founders Barry Bruns and Scott Christ provides services in seven residential home programs in Kalamazoo. Their mission is to provide the highest quality of care possible, to persons struggling with the long-term effects of injury and illness secondary to Mental Illness and/or Brain Injury. HomeLife’s vision and values include the provision of stable and optimal care that dignifies the persons served as individuals, while meeting their unique challenges.  

“This accomplishment marks the continued commitment to quality care by all HomeLife, Inc. employees,” Christ said. “We were also pleased and humbled to have received exemplary surveyor comments regarding the quality of our home environments, and our employee training programs.”  This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

Kalamazoo, MI: HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, with an office in Battle Creek, has announced the opening of its seventh specialized residential home in Southwest Michigan.

HomeLife founder Barry Bruns announced today that the organization has been granted approval of its AFC License for a program and residence at 6595 Ravine Road, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009. With the approval, HomeLife staff will immediately begin accepting referrals for this new facility.

HomeLife provides specialized residential care to adults 18 and older who need assistance due to brain injury, neurological impairment or mental illness.

This program meets a need for individuals using wheelchairs for mobility, and has six single bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a spacious living area in a ranch style home, Christ said.  Customers have been asking for this type of environment and we are pleased we can now offer them this much needed option.

Bruns and co-founder Scott Christ established HomeLife, Inc. in 1996 with a vision to provide care to individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the long-term effects of injury and illness. Today HomeLife’s seven Kalamazoo area programs each provide stable and optimal care that dignifies their clients as individuals while meeting their unique challenges.

The latest six-bedroom residential addition is located on the Northwest side of Kalamazoo in the Alamo Township area. For more information, contact Scott Christ at (269) 373-5919, call 888 825-5466, or visit www.talkhome.net.

Seven HomeLife, Inc. Employees Named to
Michigan Quality Council Board of Examiners

Kalamazoo, MI: Seven employees of HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, Michigan with an office in Battle Creek, Michigan, have been appointed to the 2007 Michigan Quality Council (MQC) Board of Examiners.

Employees appointed include founders Barry Bruns and Scott Christ; Michele VandeZande, Business Officer Manager; Kevin Steve, Program Manager; and Eli DeLeon, Emily Taylor, and Aaron Hamming, Home Managers.  Bruns, a 2006 examiner, is a returning examiner in 2007.

We all learned much over the course of becoming examiners that will not only contribute to other Michigan organizations, but improved practices within our own organization consistent with our commitment to performance excellence, Bruns said.  I’m very pleased and excited that these key leaders in our organization accepted the challenge to become MQC Examiners. It says a lot about their commitment to self improvement and improvement of HomeLife.

HomeLife provides specialized residential care to adults 18 and older who need assistance due to brain injury, neurological impairment or mental illness.

As MQC examiners, these seven staff will participate in various levels of organizational performance review and will help to identify recipients of the Michigan Quality Leadership Award, the highest award for quality in the state. Examiners are selected for an appointment of one year.  Assessment by the MQC addresses key performance criteria ranging from leadership communication and strategic planning to workforce practices and process improvements. Through their involvement, examiners gain an in-depth understanding of the criteria and how to apply them to their own organizations.

The MQC’s Leadership award program is modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Leadership program and evaluates an organization for excellence in seven performance categories: leadership; strategic planning; focus on customers; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; staff focus; business/organizational processes; and organizational results. Participating organizations receive a feedback report that identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement; those who progress to the highest scoring level become award recipients. For more information, visit www.quality.nist.gov.

The Michigan Quality Council was created in 1993 by business and government leaders to promote performance excellence practices among Michigan business, education, healthcare, and non-profit organizations. Now affiliated with Cleary University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the MQC uses the Malcom Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence to identify and promote best practices. Each year the MQC recognizes outstanding organizations and through its partners, provides organizational and professional development consulting. For more information, visit www.michiganquality.org.

Kalamazoo, MI: HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, with an office in Battle Creek, has announced their ten year anniversary as an organization. Co-Founders and owners Barry Bruns, President and Scott Christ, Vice President reflected that HomeLife started serving individuals with brain injury and mental illness in December of 1996.  We have improved many aspects of our organization over the past 10 years, Christ commented. 

Through focusing on active treatment, careful measures, and staff training we have improved our programs every year.  In our most recent customer survey, eighty percent of family and guardians scored our programs excellent as compared to other providers they have experienced.  This endorsement by our customers is important to everyone in our company.  It’s a level of satisfaction that only comes with time, focus, and effort, Bruns stated.

HomeLife started with about 12 employees and a few consumers back in 1996.  Those days were really tough.  You wore a lot of hats: dishwasher, floor scrubber, maintenance person, caregiver, and business owner.  If someone called in sick, you filled in regardless of your plans for the day, Bruns stated.  Today it’s much different.  We have over 100 great employees who do a wonderful job.  I’m so impressed with the work they do every day.  It’s really something! Bruns stated. We have worked hard to make HomeLife an excellent place to learn and work, and it shows.

According to vice president Scott Christ, the success, stability and progress of the persons we serve is directly related to the dedication of our staff and the many stakeholders that encourage our efforts, including families, case managers, guardians, and various other agencies. We extend a sincere thank you to all of them, and consider it a privilege to celebrate ten years of success.

For more information visit www.talkhome.net, call 888-825-5466, or contact Scott Christ at 269-373-5919 (SChrist@homelife.net)

Kalamazoo, MI: HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, with an office in Battle Creek, has announced the new location of their corporate office.

Founder Barry Bruns announced today that in keeping with the needs of our growing organization, HomeLife, Inc. moved its corporate office to 3 Heritage Oak Lane, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 effective November 9, 2006.  Please continue to use our 5420A Beckley Rd, PMB 234, Battle Creek, MI 49015 address for business mail, Bruns stated.

HomeLife provides specialized residential care home programs to adults 18 and older who need assistance due to brain injury, neurological impairment or mental illness.

This move marks the continued growth of HomeLife over the past 10 years, Bruns said.  HomeLife now operates six specialized programs with over 100 employees.  With an eye on continuing quality, this new office provides more space to accommodate our current business operations and future growth.

Bruns and co-founder Scott Christ established HomeLife, Inc. in 1996 with a vision to provide care to individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the long-term effects of brain injury and mental illness. Today HomeLife’s six Kalamazoo area programs each provide stable and optimal care that dignifies their clients as individuals while meeting their unique challenges.

HomeLife’s key focus is on providing active treatment in home-like environments that promote stability and quality life experiences for our consumers.  To accomplish this we are committed to training and developing our employees using a systematic approach, Bruns said.  Skilled caring employees are vital to our vision, mission, and values at HomeLife.

For more information or to make a referral, contact Scott Christ at (269) 373-5919, call 888 825-5466, or visit www.talkhome.net.

Level 3 and climbing
Employee Development Program raises the bar on quality care
and, ultimately, the quality of life for HomeLife clients

Kalamazoo, MI: HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, with an office in Battle Creek, announced today that the first two levels of a 5-level Competency Based Employee Development Program have been implemented and completed yielding great results in staff performance.  While the skills and credentials learned thus far already meet and exceed State mental health and licensing requirements, HomeLife isn’t stopping there. The third level of staff training has been introduced this summer and the standard of care continues to rise above and beyond for the benefit of HomeLife clients.

HomeLife, Inc. was established in 1996 by Barry Bruns and Scott Christ. Their vision was to provide care to individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the long-term effects of injury and illness. Today HomeLife’s six Kalamazoo area programs each provide stable and optimal care that dignifies their clients as individuals while meeting their unique challenges.  Skilled caring employees are essential for consumers to maintain behavioral and medical stability.  Without stability, it is difficult for consumers to benefit from skills training, therapy, community integration or greater independence.  A key HomeLife objective is to focus on employee development to achieve these outcomes.  According to President, Barry Bruns, the skills of our employees make a big difference in the progress and quality of life our consumers experience.  That is why at HomeLife we feel staff development is a key objective.

HomeLife’s competency based employee development system requires each employee to:
(1) have a certain amount of employment experience with individuals with disabilities
(2) pass classroom training and testing
(3) complete competency based on-the-job training and performance reviews
Standards are established in each of these three requirements for each level of competence.
Employees who pass each level become trainers for others, reinforcing their own proficiency.

The first level of training focuses on basic health and safety, crisis intervention, medical, care-giver and basic customer service skills.  The second level of competency focuses on more advanced health and medication procedures, emergency procedures, staff training procedures, advanced customer service skills, and leadership.  The third and newest competency based training level focuses on advanced clinical skills including behavioral assessments and data recording techniques.  Level three trainees are also required to complete a five part series on traumatic brain injury, neurological impairment, mental illness, and behavior. Additional topics of study include ethics, corporate compliance, quality procedures, and advanced topics in medication management.  Employees completing this third level of training will have Behavior Technician added to their title.

Beyond the third level currently being implemented, a fourth and fifth level will be introduced over the next year, providing quality care for HomeLife consumers that exceeds anything else available in the area.

Kalamazoo, MI: HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, with an office in Battle Creek, announced today that Joel Parish has received the designation of Board Certified Behavior Analyst, an accreditation that marks his mastery of principal skills and professional commitment to the field of behavioral analysis.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), an internationally accrediting organization, issued the certification.

HomeLife provides specialized residential care to adults 18 and older who need assistance due to brain injury, neurological impairment or mental illness. Parish is the behavior analyst for all of the organization’s residential homes in Southwest Michigan.

Parish’s board certification marks the culmination of extensive coursework, professional experience and passing the Behavior analyst Certification Examination. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABA), which supports the BACB, estimates that just over 2000 professional behavior analysts have received this accreditation.  Parish joins Emily Taylor as the second Board Certified Behavior Analyst at HomeLife, Inc.

A nonprofit corporation, the BACB was established at the urging of behavior analysts, state governments and consumers who saw the need for professional standards in behavior analysis. The credentialing process ensures knowledge of the legal standards established through state, federal and case law. It facilitates the exchange of best practices, and promotes a code of ethical standards for the profession.

HomeLife, Inc. was established in 1996 by Barry Bruns and Scott Christ. Their vision was to provide care to individuals with disabilities, and those struggling with the long-term effects of injury and illness. Today HomeLife’s six Kalamazoo area programs each provide stable and optimal care that dignifies their clients as individuals while meeting their unique challenges.

For more information, contact Scott Christ at (269) 373-5919, call 888 825-5466, or visit www.talkhome.net

Kalamazoo, MI: Barry Bruns, president and co-founder of HomeLife, Inc. of Kalamazoo, Michigan with an office in Battle Creek, Michigan, has been appointed to the 2006 Michigan Quality Council Board of Examiners. (more…)