Allison's Blog

 Posts Tagged ‘Washington’

When you are SUPER SMART, INNOVATIVE, GOOD LOOKING (remember that all Therap users are perceived as better looking by the general public; it is their aura of progressiveness that they wear like a nerdy shroud), and have SUPER HERO powers (really!), and then there is a group of likeminded and talented individuals within your general area, you have the glorious seeds for a USER GROUP, my friend.

This is what a user group is: A user group is when we invite all Therap users from a state or region to get together and discuss how they are doing with implementation, discuss any issues, as well as troubleshoot. This is often done online but we also like to do them in person when we can and when there are a good number of providers. We have found them to be good networking tools and they tend to help agencies who may be dragging in their implementation to move ahead, as they feel more supported by their local colleagues. (I wrote that so I know…)

The first of a bunch of user groups I have put together (and am putting together–it is a PROCESS you know!) is Alaska and it is tomorrow at 10AM AKDT. Sorry for the short notice but I’ve been a little busy over here!

There is also one for Washington and another for Oregon coming up on April 24. Watch for Arizona, Utah and Texas any minute…and then some California stuff, too. Some of them will be online and some onsite too…so watch for a glowing group of people descending on a local agency soon.

If you want information, get in touch with me: Allison DOT Dudo AT TherapServices DOT net. Got that? I can repeat it if you need….

Heading to Salem…yesterday was Eugene…Today, will catch up eventually. You guys have been blowing up my email and phone the past few days. If you are hunting for me, I’ll find you later today. Promise.

Hugs and Tlogs,

Allison

For real. And what a beautiful day here in Seattle–sun and forties. A fresh cafe au lait (ummm, they seem to have quite a few coffee shops around here!)…and some very fine people from The Arc of King County. I have a rough detail today, I’ll tell you!

I sense something in the air today…great change is heading to Washington State and its orange!

Allison

The following list (which is no particular order) is offered with the the following understanding: Washington already rocks because….

…of all the agencies and the State of Washington that use Therap. Washington is Therap country so look out!

…Archie and I live here. Duh!

So, having gotten that straight, read on to Allison’s Top Ten (or So) Reasons Why Washington Rocks

1. Seattle (including Pike Place Market, Capitol Hill, The Space Needle and everything else awesome in Seattle) and the fact that Seattle is always within the top five or so cities in the world as among the the greenest, most recyclable and sustainable places. Period.

2. Kristen Thompson is from Seattle but abandoned us moved to Florida so not sure that counts anymore.

3. Pearl Jam. They were contemporaries of Nirvana and came from that Grunge scene in the early nineties…big diff is that Eddie Vedder remains alive and brilliant.

4. They are right in between Oregon and Alaska which creates like a complete corridor of awesomeness.

5. The Oatmeal lives here.

6. Starbucks. I know that Starbucks takes a lot of heat but they DID START as a tiny coffee shop in Pike Place Market…and then took over the world. From someone who drinks a lot of coffee, and travels a lot, I appreciate their consistency and omnipresence.

7. Microsoft. Well, okay…

8. Sleater-Kinney and Carrie Brownstein. Carrie Brownstein can be seen currently on Portlandia and touring with her new band, Wild Flag. She is originally from Washington, but now lives in SE Portland and she. rocks. hard. And she used to work for NPR and that makes her extra cool.

9. Seattle. Did I say that already?…

10. Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helen’s…breath-taking and typically covered with snow, they are hulking sentinels watching over Washington and Oregon.

11. Vampires live here. Regardless of how you feel about Twilight, vampires are cool. And, if I cared enough, I would be Team Edward. I’m part of the Anne Rice school, though, and think sparkling vampires are just a little weird.

12. Sea-Tac….um, no. But I do like that the guy from Death Cab for Cutie tells me to hang on when I’m riding the tram.

13. Northern Exposure–arguably one of the best television shows EVER–was filmed in Roslyn, Washington. And it still has the Ros-Lyn’s cafe sign.

14. Almond Roca, apples, salmon and wine. I know. Four things. But the northwest is known for some amazingly good wine…and who doesn’t love choosing from fifteen types of apples at the Farmer’s Market?

15. It’s pretty, like AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL. This goes for Oregon, too. From the Puget Sound to the Columbia River Gorge, the Pacific Northwest wipes the floor with most places.

More tomorrow from The Arc of King County!

Allison

So, that pug is not Archie. She is his fiancé, Eleanor. He was happy to spend time with her last night in Portland. They shared some cookies and a hambone to gnaw on. Pug dating is easy…and a pug is always a good option when no other photo fits.

I’ve actually been local this past week. (Amazing, I know!)

Monday was spent right here in Vancouver with Homes for Community Living (Kendra and Cheryl are getting things kicked off for staff training in April!). I was happy to find that Kendra was their resident nerd (rock, paper, scissors, lizard, spock!). She will be instrumental as they implement across their programs.

The rest of the week was spent in Salem (through sleet, rain or snow, nothing stops Therap!) with Nathan and State Operated Community Programs, which is launching Therap across all of its houses and their seven hundred plus staff. Phew! Nathan has his work cut out for him.

Next week: Seattle and The Arc of King County!

Allison

Archie’s training services were requested by Camelot Society in the greater Seattle area. They didn’t even care if I came as long as he was there!

This is Archie’s first training in Washington and he is looking forward to a tour (much like those he has had in Oregon) with the bunches of new providers in Washington that are popping up all over the place. (Anna’s been busy!)

Camelot Society is rolling out Therap in the next few weeks across their residential locations. And we’re happy to have them join The Arc of King County, as my newest Seattle-ians. Seattle is a pretty awesome place and I’m looking forward to some more time here as we take over the (Washington) world!

Allison

A great facility for training!

So, the Oregon conference was awesome.

Home for a few hours.

My hosts...Heidi and Caroline

And now, I am in Bellingham, WA, working with Holly Community Services. Caroline and Heidi gave me a grand tour of Bellingham…from Fairhaven and the waterfront, to The Black Drop Coffee House, Poor Siamese Thai Restaurant, and downtown, Old Town…everywhere. Bellingham is a fantastic place right on the coast in northern Washington under a hundred miles from the Canadian border. It is spectacular to look at and filled with tons of neat shops and restaurants, and a charm all its own. They also have some strange things up here like disc golf….? And their own theme song!

Very good coffee...Caroline's favorite

They tell me they are getting their friends to all use Therap so I will have an excuse to come back up here.

Bellingham Bay

Boulevard Park

And there is also a ferry to Juneau, just in case.

Allison