Staff Matters 24

Staff Matters

October 2, 2015 - Issue 24 Week 13

Looking for Talented Lifestyle Assistants

In this Issue Page 1 • AFFORD is Looking for Talent

Page 2 • Staff Profile • Procurement Policy • AFFORD Shopping Trip

Page 3 • Group Home Update • David Lands His Dream Job As part of being an Employer of Choice and to utilise and build upon employee knowledge and skills, AFFORD would like to invite those Lifestyle Assistants who have some special and perhaps hidden talents among us to step forward for a new and exciting challenge.

For those who have a qualification we are looking for suitably qualified people to provide services or structured programs for Community Participation Programs in the following areas:

Page 4 • AFFORD Partner with UWS • AFFORD Selfies • Have A Laugh

1. Music 2. Fitness 3. Massage 4. Driver Training 5. Cooking & Healthy Diet If you do not have a certified qualification but still feel you have the required skills in any of these areas you can put forward a case which will be reviewed by management. The rate of pay offered while undertaking the actual provision of services or structured programs will be an extra $10 per hour. So get in quickly and let the management team know of your talents!

T 02 8805 3700 E info@afford.com.au 12 Marieanne Place, Minchinbury 2770 afford.com.au

AFFORD Fact The hard work put in by staff and management at AFFORD in documenting procedures and carrying out internal audits finally paid off in 1996 when the first four FODI Industries Factories at Bankstown, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Marrickville achieved ISO 9002 Certification.

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October 2, 2015 - Issue 24

Staff Profile

Kiralee Jackson

Team Leader Mt Druitt Day Program Favourite Song: I Miss You – Blink 182 Favourite Movie: All the Friday 13th movies Favourite Hobbies: I’m a big gamer!

PlayStation, Computer, Nintendo.. you name it Favourite Foods: Anything with lots of Chilli

Procurement Policy & Internal Controls

You will recall back in May this year AFFORD communicated a reinforcement of the Procurement Policy including the use of Purchase Orders. In July we formally implemented the Expenditure Request process for expenses greater than $3,000. These Policies and Procedures are required to create a suitable Internal Control environment at AFFORD. For non-accountants, Wikipedia defines internal controls as “a process for assuring achievement of an organisation’s objectives in operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations and policies”.

If you could be an animal what would you be: A bowhead whale because they can live for 200 years

Our external auditors (BDO) have just completed the annual audit, and one of their requirements is to report on internal controls. We’re pleased to report that they found no deficiencies.

What is your dream holiday destination: I would love to go to South African Safari

Steve and Wally regularly ask Sarah Vandermeer about compliance with the Purchase Order process, and we are equally pleased to report that there has been good compliance with the Policy.

If you had the power what would you change about the world: Cheeseburgers would give you a six pack, soft drink gives you glowing skin, and chocolate burns fat What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My parents went guarantor for me to buy my first house If you had to teach something what would you teach: How to cook the best pork roast with perfect crackle Something no one knows about me: I had a frozen bacon incident a few years ago and ended up stabbing my left hand with a sharp knife, I now have minimal feeling in my lower thumb and palm

If both the external auditors AND Sarah tell us we’re doing well in this area, we must be doing well! Thanks to everyone for understanding and complying with the requirements.

To date we have raised 15 Expenditure Request forms, ranging from $5,000 for some property repairs, to over a million dollars for Group Home construction.

AFFORD Shopping Trip The next TTW fundraiser is the annual shopping trip which is on 14th November from 8am-5.30pm. The cost is $40 a seat and payment is required by 22nd October. Shop up a storm for Christmas and get all the good bargains! Contact Lyn Wallace on 0409 903 646 to book your spot as spaces are filling up fast.

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October 2, 2015 - Issue 24

Update on New Group Homes for Cherrywood Residents The devolution of the Cherrywood Village is well under way and the construction of new Group Homes for up to 40 residents on six sites in Penrith has commenced. Five of the sites are in the Thornton Estate just north of the train station and the other site is in Warwick Street, South Penrith. These are great sites in the heart of the local community with excellent access to all facilities including transport.

There is now activity on all sites, with some at excavation stage ready for slabs and others which now have frames in place. It is currently estimated that all homes will be complete in the first half of 2016. As each home is completed, the residents for that home will start moving in.

Residents and their family representatives have been involved in all stages of the project so far, including design details and colour charts for all finishes. Blanca and her team have done an excellent job in coordinating everything, and are now starting the fun exercise of taking the residents furniture shopping.

This Devolution project has been on the cards for many years, and it is very exciting for everyone involved, especially the residents, to see it all finally becoming a reality.

David Lands His Dream Job David was referred to AFFORD Employment in Bankstown in August 2015 for assistance in looking for a job and a fresh start in life.

David’s Employment Consultant Brian supported and encouraged David, and arranged for him to have suitable clothing to attend an interview. Brian also referred David to financial counselling and provided assistance to join a community group and start a hobby.

With a goal to secure employment, the team began contacting employers and soon found him a job working as a landscape labourer/gardener.

Brian continues to support David, providing on the job coaching and prompt cards which assist David in remembering job tasks.

David still has access to counselling and advocacy; he continues to be supported by Brian and the entire Bankstown team, helping David to achieve his goal of landing his dream job.

Pictured above L - R: Mariam, David and Brian

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October 2, 2015 - Issue 24

AFFORD Partner with UWS AFFORD have agreed to provide funding of $10k per year for 3 years for a project lead by Dr Nathan Wilson from University of Western Sydney (UWS), in a partnership which provides funding to support the Men’s Sheds mentoring program for young people with a disability.

The program will include implementing and trialling a mentoring program which uses activity and social participation at Men’s Sheds to connect older male mentors with young adults with developmental disability. AFFORD previously had a similar partnership with UWS for the TTR program.

People with developmental disability often experience multiple disadvantages in education, work, health, community and social participation which often begin during the transition to adulthood. International research about young people with a disability reveals that formal mentors can have important positive influences on this transition, for example in wellbeing and employment. AFFORD is proud to be part of this initative.

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In this Selfie Above: Condell Park staff Kiran, Caitlin, customer Shaun and Ellen

Please send in your selfies

Pictured above: Men’s Shed participants in the garden

Have a laugh