Partnership eNews For employees and partners of Community Action Partnership of North Alabama
Home In this issue: In-Service Child Advocacy Center
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Employees
Dec 2015
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In-Service Times Three As the Partnership grows, so grows the need for geographically central locations for training staff at in-service programs. This year’s in-service afforded Head Start staff the opportunity to receive their program-specific messages at the Marriott Shoals in Florence, the Jackson
A Word From the CEO
Center in Huntsville, and the DoubleTree in Decatur, depending on respective base site
Updates from the BoD
locations. Each venue featured the same training agenda: CEO remarks, United Way
Children’s Services
campaign, ERSEA with a focus on attendance and
Glasshouse
recruitment, HR/Fiscal and Glasshouse reporting, Health
Our Mission
Training, and School Readiness. As the agency continues to grow in both area and service, the need for a series of road shows to minimize travel becomes more
1909 Central Pkwy SW Decatur AL 35601 info@capna.org
prominent. The 6-hour event proved productive and informative, gearing staff up for the 2016 recruiting season and another semester of exceptional results.
THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER of MORGAN COUNTY—Misty Cowger
United Way Agency Exists Through Donations Misty Cowger, Victim Advocate and Data Manager for the Child Advocay Center (CAC) of Morgan County, delivered a powerful message relating to the role that the United Way plays in the daily functioning of the CAC: without United Way funds families in Morgan County would be forced to pay for therapy out of pocket. Or worse yet, families would not seek therapy at all. For 2014, the 485 one-hour therapy sessions provided by the CAC would have cost affected families close to $50,000 at an average rate of $100 per hour. With the help of United Way of Morgan County, families have been able to receive the help they need to heal. That help comes in the
form of Trauma Focus Therapy the CAC provides for its clients, offering the only evidence-based therapy proven to work for victims of abuse regardless of age or type of abuse. As one of the most underreported crimes, sexual abuse is a reality for 1 in 10 children before they turn 18 years of age. And 90% of abused children actually viewed their offenders as trusted adults. Cowger pointed out that along with the trauma of the abuse itself, the children that are referred to the CAC often lose their main caregiver or provider of their basic needs. Through the services of the Child Advocacy Center of Morgan County, children are able to complete a therapy program that helps them to heal and move on from their abuse. Children who are not fortunate enough to receive may become a part of the juvenile detention system at a cost of $28,000 to local taxpayers. Through the help of the CAC, United Way funds allow children to escape their lives of abuse, heal from their experiences, as they “stand up and stand out,” all thanks to the generous donations by local givers to the United Way campaign.
“The way that we keep on going and doing this work is knowing that kids get better. That’s what we hang on to because we get to see the good things.” -Misty Cowger Victim Advocate for Child Advocacy Center of Morgan County, Decatur, Alabama
PERSPECTIVES OF THE CEO—Michael Tubbs
The Three P’s Policy. Process. Performance. These are the areas to which we must all give attention—they are the sum of each of us as a company. In particular, the performance of one can directly affect the performance of many. With these concepts in mind, CEO Michael Tubbs shared his appreciation for staff at the three in-service locations across North Alabama. Reflecting on the positive results from the recent Head Start federal review, Mike told those in attendance, “We are a very good company at what we do. We continue to get better. We must be good on both sides of the ball.” He elaborated on the company’s focus on being both mission– and purpose-driven with a need to not just be good but to be great. To be great takes employees with a heart for the work that is done and with the dedication to manage things responsibly both internally and externally. Mike reminded the crowds that “actions matter and words matter” when communicating with others about the company. Employees were encouraged to share with friends and family the best of the company, delivering the most positive message possible when asked, “So, what does your company do?”
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UPDATES FROM THE BOARD Former Chair Recognized for Service to Partnership Longtime board member Darris Frost was honored at the December board meeting for his seven years of service, which included a term as board chair as well as multiple committee memberships. Darris has seen Head Start enrollment double during his tenure on the board and has been instrumental in offering his expertise on the financial and housing committees throughout his board CEO Michael service. Shelly Waters was unanimously approved by the board to replace Darris in his role. Bruce Tubbs (left) Gordon received approval through unanimous vote to replace Kyle Buchanan, who resigned from presents Darris the Lawrence County Private Section due to a relocation out of the county. Board member Tim Thrasher and advisor Pat Busing were unanimously approved to replace outgoing Finance
Frost with service award
Committee members Matt Holmes and Kyle Buchanan. Tim and Pat will join current members David Matthews, Bruce Jones and Board Chair Paul Lott. The next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2016.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES · Early Head Start
· Head Start · Pre-K
Recent Review Affirms Excellence in Service They came, they saw...and we conquered. The most recent federal review in the areas of Comprehensive Services and School Readiness revealed to reviewers of 80 classrooms what we already knew. Responses ranged from “Remarkable” to “The bomb”. And why shouldn’t they be? With the policies and procedures that are in place, staff are equipped to deliver the highest quality of services not only in our own state but among other Head Start providers across the nation. With a program of nearly 2800 children across 15 counties, teachers and staff have proved that our program sets the standard for quality early childhood education. Although the official report will not be received for several months, Children Services Director Kim Dodd believes that the unofficial reports are just the tip of the iceberg of the accolades that are yet to come. As one reviewer asked, “How do you manage to have such a high quality program across such a large area with so many complexities?” The question alone, Kim said, is evidence that the reviewers were impressed with what they observed. No longer on a triennial schedule, federal reviews are now
conducted annually by reviewers with program area specialties. January will see federal reviewers pore over the Governance of the program and administer CLASS observations while 2015 has been the year of ERSEA, Fiscal, Health and Safety, Comprehensive Services, and School Readiness. With no findings of non-compliance in all reviewed areas thus far, expectations are very high that 2016 will offer the same exceptional results thanks to the commitment to families and dedication of service by the program’s staff and administration.
GLASSHOUSE PROGRAM STREAMLINES HR REPORTING New System Encourages Employees to Report HR Issues Anonymously By now every regular employee with the Partnership should have completed the required Glasshouse report relating to Human Resources and Fiscal matters. Through the Glasshouse Report site, employees are able to anonymously alert the HR Director of matters that may have otherwise gone unreported, such as harassment, unpaid overtime, or other personnel matters, and for which retaliation was a real fear for many of those who were affected. Each employee receives a monthly email prompting the report. The type and amount of reporting varies depending on employment status (exempt or non-exempt). The requirement for reporting is the same for everyone: all employees are required to complete the report, regardless of whether any incidents have been experienced or observed. For any terms that may seem confusing, there is a menu on the site that may be accessed from the top right corner next to the Logoff. If there still exists some ambiguity in whether a reportable offense has been committed, employees should always err on the side of caution and contact Alicia Higginbotham at Human Resources at 256-260-3126 for clarity and direction.
Our Mission The Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, a results-driven, non-profit business, is committed to reducing or eliminating the causes and consequences of poverty for families and communities.