Melissa Francque has been the Administrator of Exceptional Care and Training Center since 1998, having worked her way up through the ranks of Program Director and QMRP.

She manages over 160 professionals, paraprofessionals and volunteers - in both Residential and Day Training programs - and oversees the daily operations of ECTC in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the governing body, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Melissa serves on the Human Rights Committee, the Behavior Management Committee, and the Day Training Advisory Board (having been Chair of each over the years), and also on the Quality Assurance Committee, Safety Committee, and Infection Control Committee. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Public Health Degree, plus numerous certifications including Nursing Home Administration.

She is knowledgeable and eminently approachable! She believes in the corporate philosophy that we need to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing, that is 1) Provide Quality Care to each resident in our care; 2) Be a good employer; 3) Earn enough money to pay our bills; and 4) Laugh More!

She enjoys hearing your ideas on quality improvement. Contact her at 815-626-5820, or by e-mailing: melissa@ectc1.com

Born and raised in Sterling, I attended the local community college - Sauk Valley College. Upon graduating in 1968 with an Associated of Liberal Arts, I attended the 2 year RN program at Sauk - which was the first nursing class at Sauk to graduate from the RN program; graduating in 1970.

After graduation, I got married and started my nursing career at CGH Hospital in Sterling. However, I took some time off to raise my two children.

When I first came to Exceptional Care & Training Center in 1985, I started on the 3p-11p shift part-time. I transferred to 6-2 and worked as Charge Nurse for many years before moving into the Nursing Supervisor position.

As the Nursing Supervisor, my job is multi-faceted. Mainly my job is to develop care plans for each resident and ensure that the staff implements the care plans according to policy and standard of care. My responsibilities change frequently and often with little notice. I just roll with it, knowing it's just part of healthcare.

I still enjoy working at ECTC. I have seen many changes over the years with two building additions, two different Administrators, several DON's and the increase and addition of more residents. I have watched many of our residents grow up and enjoy spending time with them.

An Administrative Note: Renae is often seen at her desk writing care plans with a resident in her office providing "guidance." Renae is a virtual fountain of knowledge of everything resident and facility-related. At times we are convinced she can recall every treatment, procedure and medication a resident has been on since admittance! It is sometimes easier to ask Renae than to open the chart! She is one of a kind and we just love her.

Ava Little is Exceptional Care & Training Center's Personnel Director and so much more!

It is Ava's friendly voice you hear on the telephone when you call, and her warm smile greets you when you visit in person. She operates the Human Resources Department in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the governing body, in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Ava accepts employment applications, helps with orientation of new hires, and keeps track of all the many employment records as required.

She has taken care of all payroll duties for many years. Ava is one of our key players, and we wouldn't know what to do without her!

Ava came to us in 1994 with a vast range of work experience including sales, business ownership and operation, plus government work at the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

She currently serves on the Quality Assurance Committee, Safety Committee, and Infection Control Committee. Ava is a bonded Notary Public and is certified in CPR.

Contact Ava with your questions or concerns by calling 815-626-5820, or e-mail her at: ava@ectc1.com. If Ava cannot answer your question, she will find someone who can answer it for you!

All of my experiences have guided me to this position. I worked at the Dixon State School as a teenager in the summer. In my senior year of high school I was the exchange student, living in Europe and learning how to accept and treasure all kinds of people.

I wrote a weekly gardening column for eight years, held many positions with my children's school P.T.O. (helped to write grants, newsletters, and policies), have been Township Clerk and Multi-Township Assessment District Clerk for 12 years (obtaining a $50,000 "Illinois First " grant to build our Community Building), mother of a critically-ill child, officer and manager of my ex-husband's business for 5 years, and the Business Coordinator/office manager at Sterling Dental Group for 8 years, specializing in helping insurance companies to PAY nearly all claims.

Also while at the dental office, I helped to arrange, pre-certify (Medicaid, etc.), and facilitate dental surgeries for ECTC clients, who were also weekly dental hygiene patients.

A strong math student, while at the same time a great fan of the written word, I obtained my Associate's degree in Science, and my Bachelor's degree in Arts: Applied Behavioral Science. The accounting and bookkeeping experience comes from college classes, running several businesses (and preparing clerk's reports for two governmental units), and being both a "budgeteer" and individual investor in my personal life. Combining math and writing skills leads naturally to grant writing...

QUOTE: "Put a dollar sign in front of the numerals and now the math has REAL meaning!"

At ECTC, I take care of the residents' personal funds, as well as Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance issues. I help guardians to prepare financial summaries for the Annual Court reports. In 2008, I filed income taxes for more than 40 residents who were eligible to receive the Economic Stimulus payment.

My overall duties include Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, resident census and other official reporting; insurance, Motor Vehicle/drivers, and Workman's Comp issues. I help with grant writing and the facility newsletter, and I track employees' in-services.

An Administrative Note: Nell is probably the most detail-oriented person I have ever worked with. She takes pride in her work, her reputation and that of the facility. She is willing to go the extra mile to help the resident and guardian with his/her account and assists them with completion of various required documents. She doesn't just "accept" status quo, she researches and if need be challenges…always keeping the residents and the facility a top priority. Nell takes a perverse pleasure in meeting new challenges. She is well-suited for the Accounts Manager position.

Jo oversees the entire Food Service Department in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the governing body, and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. She is instrumental in developing individualized dietary plans to meet the needs of persons with severe or profound developmental disabilities.

When you happen to run into Jo, she's always got a smile, good wishes, and a positive attitude.

Jo is certified in Food Service Sanitation, Dietary Management, the Resident Attendant Program, CPR, and First Aid. She serves on the Safety Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, and the Behavior Management Committee. Jo is another of our hidden gems at ECTC.

Contact Jo with your questions or concerns about diet and nutrition by calling 815-626-5820, or e-mail her at: jo@ectc1.com

Barb Rascoe has been our Director of Environmental Services for years, presiding over many changes to the facility. She came to us in 1983 and worked her way up from the positions of laundry aide and then housekeeping aide to achieve the rank of supervisor of those very same departments in 1990.

As Director of Environmental Services, Barb oversees these departments, keeping them in compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, and is our Fleet Manager as well.

She is responsible for our sparkling clean facility and the wonderful bedroom decorations! Barb maintains all types of inventories, is responsible for resident clothing needs, and is vital to our Infection Control procedures.

Barb serves on the Quality Assurance Committee, Safety Committee, and Infection Control Committee. She is certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Contact Barb with your questions or concerns about housekeeping, decor, or laundry services by calling 815-626-5820, or e-mail her at: rascoe@ectc1.com

Dan came to Exceptional Care & Training Center with a strong work history in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and experience in highway construction. One of Dan’s major projects prior to ECTC was that he converted an old church and made it into a beautiful hair salon, owned by him and his wife.

Dan is our entire Maintenance Department, taking care of buildings and grounds, keeping us in compliance with all zoning and building ordinances, assisting with fleet maintenance and managing our remodeling projects and improvements.

Contact Dan with your questions or concerns about our building's physical plant and grounds by calling 815-564-6339, or e-mail him: dan@ectc1.com

Sue Martinez has been with ECTC for nearly as long as ECTC has been here! She is a highly dedicated resident advocate who has experience in both direct care (C.N.A.) and management.

Sue oversees the entire Activity Department in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the governing body, in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. She supervises and trains over 20 Resident Attendant/Activity Aides and plans and orchestrates various resident activities including art therapy, sensory awareness, community participation, one-to-one and group programs, plus outings, parties, and celebrations.

Sue and the Activity Department plan and host Family Day every summer at ECTC, which is a tremendous undertaking and a fun day for residents, family, and staff.

She is a member of the Safety Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, and the Human Rights Committee.

Contact Sue with your questions or concerns about resident activities and events by calling 815-626-5820, or e-mail her at: sue@ectc1.com

To the delight of all, Gwen returned as Director of Nursing to the place that captured her heart, Exceptional Care & Training Center, after a hiatus in which she pursued more college credits towards a Master of Science in Nursing degree.

Our DON does it all, from training, evaluating, and supervising direct care personnel through monitoring medical records and infection control, to ensuring compliance with all regulatory guidelines, plus focusing on continued increases in quality of care for our residents.

Gwen is the "person in charge" when the Administrator is absent, and she takes her work very seriously. You may find her here at all hours of the day or night!

Contact Gwen with your questions or concerns by calling 815-626-5820, or e-mail her at: gwen@ectc1.com

Cynthia J. Wilson has joined the ECTC team as Program Director, heading up the Day Training Department, and having as her base of operations the Building Bridges educational facility.

Cindy has worked as the Director of Social Services in long term care, as well as in the role of counselor, minister, and youth minister. She is a musician and songwriter as well!

Cindy serves as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee, the Behavior Management Committee, and the Day Training Advisory Board, and serves on the Quality Assurance Committee, Safety Committee, and Infection Control Committee.

Contact Cindy with your questions or concerns about resident programs by calling 815-625-5306, or e-mail her at: cindy@ectc1.com