Name: Lisa Quilico

Program: 002 (Island Program)

Job Title: Residential Coordinator

What does a typical day look like for you? 

I work in the office one day a week, and the rest of the time I am working with clients. A typical day starts with two of us on shift. We ensure the morning routines are done before anything else. A recent day included supporting one of my clients to an appointment in Anacortes to get his ear’s cleaned – with masks on of course! After the appointment, we went over to the park to enjoy the cloudy, windy, fall day! We walked around the track and after that I supported him to Jack in the Box to get a soda, because that’s what he likes.  
I often support my clients with appointments, outings, and goals all at the same time.  I’m always trying to find fun activities for clients. One of my clients likes to listen to car crash sounds on YouTube and I just like watching the expression on his face. He has also become way more talkative over the years and he loves music. When listening to the radio, he will just start jamming out to the Red-Hot Chili Peppers. Every time a song he knows comes on, he sings it, but in his own way. 

While you are supporting your clients in the community, are you also working with them on their goals? 

 Yes, absolutely. I try to do that as much as possible and just support them in all different ways. Masks have been a huge item for me to work on with my clients. One client is great with wearing their mask, but a couple others have found the mask mandate more challenging. This has been a challenge because if clients don’t wear a mask they can’t get out in the community. I was working with one of my clients on setting up a new goal for her regarding mask wearing just the other day. It may be hard at first, but with time and practice everyone will be able to wear them. 

What are some techniques that you have seen work for clients who are having a hard time with masks?

I’m trying to find new ways to engage. One of my clients likes looking at himself in the mirror, so I’m trying to figure a way out that I can encourage mask wearing through that. He is a huge fan of Sponge Bob Square Pants. I am thinking of ordering him a Sponge Bob mask and hopefully that will encourage him to wear one! I have had the most success with finding out things that the clients like, and then incorporating them into the goals – it has worked decently so far!  

Recently, has there been anything uncommon or unusual that has happened to you at work? 

Everything is “unusual” that happens now. That is the norm. But this past month has been decent. I am a multitasker and when things come up I deal with them in the moment. Last month was also a little chaotic. I had someone quit and I worked to cover extra shifts. For my office time, I fell behind on important paperwork but was able to catch up. I am a very detail oriented individual, and I like things to be done ahead of time, but some things are out of my control.

How do you make sure that you show a deep & profound respect for the individuals that you work with? 

You treat them with kindness, you care, and you listen to them. You don’t ignore anyone – ever. I put my whole focus on the people I take care of. To me, that is how I show respect. 

If I could talk to any one of your clients, what are the ways that they would say that you show respect towards them and show the SA Values?  

One of my clients would probably grab their communication book right away and point to my name and then point to all the other pictures showing how much we get along. I’m always working with my clients to instill the values with them. But if you asked him more directly, getting out in the community and getting to meet people would be the things he’d say I do to show respect and the SA values.