TESH opens doors in Idaho

Eleven years ago, doctors told Vickie Lesley that Zachary, her 2-year-old son, was autistic and may never talk again.

Last week Lesley told a roomful of people that she found the caring program and encouraging support she needed to help her son when she discovered TESH in 2005.

“TESH feels like a lifeline at times, providing a warm, safe, wonderful, and challenging environment that changes as Zach becomes more independent,” she said.

More than 300 people, including politicians and community leaders, heard Zachary’s story when they attended the TESH Pathways to Independence Benefit Breakfast last week at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. By the end of the one-hour event, those attending had either pledged or donated over $130,000 to help TESH meet the needs of Zachary and the estimated 15,000 Kootenai County residents with developmental disabilities.

According to TESH CEO Russ Doumas, the organization, which provides adult, children, and family support services to those who are disabled and disadvantaged in Kootenai County, is facing a critical funding issue. He reported that there has been only a 7.4 percent increase in medical funding during the past 18 years, while the costs to provide developmental therapy have grown 51.3 percent.

The result, Doumas said, is that services, especially in the rural areas, are being reduced or eliminated and this lack of funding has resulted in the closure of six facilities, including those in Kellogg and St. Maries.

In order to remain open, facilities like TESH in Coeur d’Alene are facing higher caseloads for professional staff and reducing some staff positions to part time with the loss of benefits, both of which make it harder to maintain qualified and dedicated personnel.

Loss of personnel will mean services may be endangered, such as the very programs that helped Zachary eventually find his voice, and helped his mother develop the skills she needed to cope with his emotional and behavioral problems.

“From the beginning, the very special staff at TESH embraced the challenge of working with Zach and saw the hidden potential in this very special boy. They provided me, as a parent, a toolbox of skills, tried and proven methods of working with Zach at home and in the community,” said Lesley.

Prior to the event, those invited had been encouraged to visit TESH and take the Pathways to Independence tour. They were encouraged to take a first-hand look at the programs TESH offers.

Lt. Governor Jim Risch, acting governor while Gov. Butch Otter is on a trade mission overseas, is one of those who did. He reported he was filled with admiration.

“You can’t help but come away with the thought that the people involved with TESH are the most caring and giving people there are … they are truly doing heaven’s work,” he said during his remarks.

In addition to life skills, TESH offers employment development services, including education, training and job placement. Many TESH workers have been successfully placed in manufacturing, retail, restaurants, and service industries throughout our community. And, they are good employees.

“People with disabilities make good employees,” said TESH Board Chairperson Mike Patrick, “They show up on time and are hardly ever sick.”

Doumas also spoke of the excellent reputation workers with disabilities have in the workplace.

“Hiring people with disabilities is good business sense and promotes diversity,” he said.

One successful program, the janitorial services program, has been providing professional cleaning services in North Idaho for over 15 years to customers like the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Federal Building and Hagadone Directories.

Through its Production Services program, TESH also offers opportunities for job skills development, meaningful work, and commensurate wages for individuals who work in their Vocational Center. Through their Piece Work and Assembly program, they offer shredding, document management, packaging and bulk mailing services. Clients also hire workers to make customized lapel buttons, provide balloon bouquets, and make durable, non-skid, personalized threshold mats out of PVC links for homes or businesses.

The message TESH put together for the community during the early morning event was that TESH services are invaluable to our community and deserve our support. Zachary’s mom said it best: “Community awareness and support will continue to keep minds, hearts and TESH open and available to a very special group of our society.”