Staff Matters March 20, 2020 Issue 249 Week 38
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE! I would like to address the current situation we are experiencing due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The Coronavirus is starting to impact attendance to Day Programs and some other services, but I want to reassure you that Afford is in a strong position. I had successful conversations with our bank, NAB, regarding additional loans if we need them over the coming months. It is also important to reinforce that there are no plans to shutdown whatsoever, and we have had no discussions about a shutdown. This will only happen if the Government makes the decision and as with schools, I am fairly certain they will not.
In This Issue 1
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update! Joke Of The Week Afford Trivia
2
Preparations and Priorities at Our Sites Staff Profile
3
A Year In Review With Hawthorn Hawks Reminder
4
DES Delivering Exceptional Services Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer
We can only monitor guidance by the Government as the spread continues, but recognise that the most important action of closing the borders has been completed. I understand that many of you may be feeling the stress that this pandemic is bringing and I remind you that EAP can be called at any time to speak with counsellors 1800 818 728 or info@accesseap.com.au. Further, feel free to email me if you have any specific questions or concerns that you have. Afford will continue to actively engage with relevant Public Health authorities to guide our decision making and will keep open lines of communication with staff, clients, families/carers and visitors. It is moments like this that everybody’s fabulous performance over the last few years means we Affordians can be confident in our future.
Steven Herald
AFFORD TRIVIA
What year did the polio epidemic peak in NSW?
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Carissa Hedley POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Chipping Norton Day Program FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Baby I Won’t - Danny Ocean FAVOURITE MOVIE? Wrong Turn FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Going to the movies and enjoying time with the family FAVOURITE FOODS? Sweets and crumbed chicken IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A sloth WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Tahiti IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Climate change IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Manners SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I’m petrified of snakes
March 20, 2020 Issue 249
PREPARATIONS AND PRIORITIES AT OUR SITES
Our priority at this time across all services is the prevention through reinforcement of infection control protocols for all clients, staff and visitors. Please make sure that the following procedures and protocols are followed for the safety of clients and staff: • Regular hand washing and sanitising. • Correct sneezing and coughing etiquette. • Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment. • Thorough cleaning of facilities, equipment, surfaces and utensils. All staff are encouraged to remain updated by monitoring their states official health website www.health.gov.au. Over the past few weeks, we have made sure that we have ample gloves, masks, sanitiser and a non-invasive thermometer at each site. Afford will be adding extra thermometers to each vehicle across all states. Every site will start the day with a daily toolbox meeting to reiterate key focuses: • Lifestyle Assistant to be located at the main entrance of the site to take temperatures of all staff & clients as they enter the site. Anyone with a temperature are to follow isolation procedure, with staff/clients to go home and client’s family be contacted to pick them up or ambulance. • Temperatures are to be taken of staff & clients before they access the van. • Staff to wash hands for 20 seconds, frequently using soap ensuring they also wash backs of hands. • Staff to get clients or assist clients to their wash hands for 20 seconds frequently using soap, ensuring they also wash the backs of their hands. • Staff to immediately report temperature, runny nose or cough of staff or clients and then follow the isolation procedure. Please be reassured that we are treating this pandemic with the utmost seriousness while maintaining our commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, staff and visitors.
www.afford.com.au
March 20, 2020 Issue 249
Staff Matters A YEAR IN REVIEW WITH HAWTHORN HAWKS Last year Afford partnered with iconic AFL club, Hawthorn FC. We are excited about the 2020 season and to continue this valued partnership for the next three years. Over the last year Afford have partnered with the Hawks on some amazing initiatives, such as the All Abilities Team, the Hawthorn Blind Football League (VBFL) team and the Hawks Wheelchair Football League (VWFL). Afford have also had the opportunity to participate at community engagement sessions, like the Intra-club Launch, Well-being sessions with the All-Abilities teams and exhibition matches, which continue to benefit the community and create an inclusive environment for people living with disability. Last year also saw the opening of the first sensory room at the MCG, a life changing movement for families who may never have been able to attend before. The club also hosted its first Social Inclusion Match which highlighted the significant work across the social inclusion space throughout 2019. 2019 also saw the first time an AFL match had an Auslan Interpreter, which received positive feedback from the community, “Love this in Auslan! Making posts inclusive to the deaf community is brilliant!” one Hawthorn fan wrote. “Great to see the club embracing more inclusive practices. Keep the ball rolling!” said another. The biggest highlight of the year saw the AFL blind team Premiership winners in the inaugural season of the AFL blind competition!! This amazing partnership has provided our clients with opportunities to participate in activities that are in line with our mission and values, including inclusiveness in sports, healthy lifestyles and opportunities for our clients to gain independence in the community. Most of all, this partnership is about providing our clients with new life experiences, providing enjoyment and celebrating the talents and achievements of the Afford community. We’re excited to continue working with the team at Hawthorn and look forward to all the great things to come this year!
Reminder to celebrate our wins – A thank you from a carer Providing exceptional services and supports is what we do every day without a second thought. Which makes it really nice when your hard work is recognised, and recently Jessica Scicluna Events Coordinator - Club Afford and Afford Getaways, received a nice thank you for a carer: “I would like to thank you for putting together such a great holiday for the clients, Raymond totally enjoyed himself....Raymond has had many holidays over the past couple of years with Afford Getaways, and always has such a great time, this last trip he said has been his favourite”. Since becoming involved with Afford Getaways Raymond has experienced so many wonderful places and he has also learnt a lot about the world around him, he now has had the opportunity to visit 3 different countries. Thank you again to all the wonderful team there at Afford.” From a very thankful cousin/carer :)
www.afford.com.au
March 20, 2020 Issue 249
Staff Matters DES DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES
Afford is proud to offer exceptional employment services for people with disability. One of our most successful employment services is our DES (Disability Employment Services). Our DES staff do a fantastic job helping their job seekers find work and keep a job in open employment. Over the past financial year, we have seen our DES services blossom into an extremely profitable part of our organisation with a 25% profit margin. Afford’s culture is to recognise and celebrate these achievements and we would like to congratulate our DES teams on an exceptional achievement this past financial year. For the current financial year, our DES services have placed so far over 215 participants into work, which is a 35% placement rate, and DES is well on track to exceed their budget this financial year. We have 5 full-time DES sites and 7 outreach sites, making 12 sites in total. Over these 12 sites, we have a total of 700 active participants in our caseload! Our shining star locations are Bankstown, Fairfield and Mount Druitt achieving a 5-star employment rating, the highest rating you can receive. Our Employment Consultants assist our clients each day in overcoming their barriers to employment and helping them find their dream jobs by working together through their job plans. DES Employment services welcome referrals from other departments such as SLES or ADEs and others to achieve the end goal of securing clients part-time work in OPEN employment. If you know someone who may benefit from these services, please contact Jim Win, DES & SLES Manager on: jim.win@afford.com.au
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 23rd March:
Mount Druitt & St Marys
- Tuesday 24th March:
Billabong, Dolphin & Empire
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
- Wednesday 25th March: Minto ADE & Ingleburn ADE - Thursday 26th March:
Narellan Vale, Narellan & Glen Alpine
- Friday 27th March:
Weekly catch-up and urgent requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
ngs Park DP, Selfie Above: Ki eting. It’s a me am te having a tribe vibe!
Pawsome Se lfi Blue Accom e Above: Nancy Bo la, True m Penguin at odation, with a Gen to the Sealife Sydney Aq o uarium.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
21 March
World Down Syndrome Day
28 March
Earth Hour
1 April
April Fools Day
2 April
World Autism Awareness Day
Afford Trivia Answer: 1951, the year we established the Poliomyelitis Society.
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