This month we celebrated safety week and were excited to start the year with safety on the mind! Our staff and clients alike displayed their safety knowledge by completing a “circle the safety hazard” worksheet. We also encouraged all staff and clients to share why they work safely at CDC through their drawing and writing skills. Some popular responses were “to go home safe to my family” and “working safe helps me get better at my job”. It was fun hearing all of these responses and it was a good reminder to us all that we have many reasons to work safely. We wrapped up the week by asking our staff and clients to sign a poster that says “I ‘m Committed to Safety at the L.E. Phillips Career Development Center”. By signing this poster and hanging it in the hallway for all to see, our employees can be continuously reminded of their dedication to keeping their workplace happy and healthy!

Community Based Prevocational Skills Class 
Our class had the privilege of having Natasha Giacomino come teach our class. She shared about her position as a Job Developer/ Employment Specialist. Natasha talked about the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and how it is a funding source that helps people get jobs in the community. Natasha said that in order to work with her, someone would need to go through DVR. She works with consumers before and after their job. Natasha also talked about how important hygiene is: showering regularly, putting on deodorant, putting on clean clothes, ect. She talked about the importance of sharing your skills at a job interview, not your interests. Meaning that you wouldn’t show up to a job interview wearing a sweatshirt with a sports team on it. Natasha explained appropriate conversations at work and that is it important to talk with co-workers at work. Natasha did a great job talking about the importance of turning your weakness into goals. So instead of stating at an interview that you are disorganized, you can talk about what you have done to help yourself become more organized; that you are learning to be more organized and have been putting effort into organizing.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
This year’s Valentine’s Day was celebrated with staff receiving a Valentine’s card and a box of Brach’s Tiny Conversation Hearts and a free lunch of spaghetti with garlic bread and dessert. Other activities for the day included a scavenger hunt, crafting a heart puppy, and pictures.

WISCONSIN SPECIAL OLYMPICS 
CDC is fortunate to have three staff members, Kent Kohlhepp, Sara Fellenz and Nate Stygar participate in the Wisconsin Special Olympics Spring Season either on a basketball team or by demonstrating amazing basketball skills. On Sundary, February 18th the Regional 3 District Team Basketball and Skills Tournament was held at UWEC Stout Johnson Field House.

Kent Kohlhepp who plays on the Eau Claire Wolverines basketball team took First place!! His team won their first game with a score of 36 to 8 and won their second game with a score of 50 to 13. The Wolverines will move on to the Northern Sectional Tournament on Sunday, March 17 at UW                                 Stevens Point. Congratulations Kent and the EC Wolverines!

Sara Fellenz took first place in the skills competition which includes, Basketball drills, dribbling drills, catching drills, passing drills, shooting drills, rebounding drills, offensive and defense skills. Sara will be showing off her skills again by competing at the State Spring Games at UW Oshkosh on April 12.
Way to go Sara!
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Nate Stygar who plays on the Eau Claire Bucks basketball team took 2nd place at the Regional 3 District Team Basketball and Skills Tournament! The Bucks lost a close one in their first game, 21 to 25. But won the second game 25 to 17. Nate’s team will also be competing at the Northern Sectional Tournament in Stevens Point. Great Job Nate and the Bucks!
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COMMUNITY BASED PREVOCATIONAL SKILLS CLASS
In our Community Based Class on February 20, we started our class by reviewing what we have been learning over the last couple of weeks. We also did it in a fun game called Kahoot! Donnie A. was the winner of our game, but it was very close and came down to the last question. The second part of our class included a tour of Saver’s in Eau Claire. We learned all about the production area in a behind-the-scenes tour. The tour was informative and our clients left with a possible opportunity.