DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
Hello staff, November is here! As you may know, November is National Adoption Month, an initiative founded to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care. This year, the focus of the national campaign is on older youth adoption, or finding forever homes for teens. It is so important that we as an agency take pride in our very important role in uniting these forever families, and that we celebrate our amazing Adoptions Team. This year, DFL has finalized 35 adoptions (72% of the annual goal) – that’s 35 little ones who will have a safe, happy family to come home to for the rest of their lives. This month we are also celebrating our Marketing and Business Development team’s
s ' l i apr s e t no
success in planning our inaugural Battle Run: Heroes vs. Villains presented by Clearwater Gas System on Halloween morning. This 5k and 1 mile fundraiser was one we have dreamed of for many years – a way to showcase our commitment to health, both physical and mental, for our community. It was a beautiful morning, and it was so much fun seeing so many runners (many of them our own staff ) all decked out in their hero and villain costumes – I was blown away by the creativity! I also loved running and walking beside some of you along the gorgeous sunrise views at Coachman Park. More than 500 people came out to the event, we awarded over $3,000 in prizes to our runners, and raised $45,000 for our children and family services. This is a milestone achievement for us, and I’m excited to see this signature Battle Run fundraising event grow each year! As I mention every year,
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Thanksgiving has always been my very favorite holiday. Our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon is on Thursday, November 19th and is an event that I look forward to each year. I am excited to eat a delicious meal and catch up with some of you that I haven’t had a chance to connect with recently. As we approach the holiday, I am reminded how thankful I am for my family, the smells and colors of fall during my early morning runs, my FSU Seminoles, and each and every one of you. I want you to know how much I respect and appreciate all the hard work you are doing every day for our clients and our agency – thank you. I hope you are all able to give thanks in your own ways for the wonderful things in your own lives. This month also kicks off our internal ‘Directions for Giving’ holiday drive. Year after year, I am continually amazed at how much our DFL staff gives to help our clients during the holiday season. I hope you all participate in this drive and have fun competing for the silly prizes while giving back
DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15 to those in need. I also want to make sure that our own DFL family is taken care of during the holidays. If you are in need of assistance to provide a
meal for your family this Thanksgiving, please see Millie Wagner in HR. There will be no questions asked and your name will be 100% anonymous. I want to make sure you are taken care
of and are able to celebrate the holidays with those you love. Have a wonderful November, April
Know of a doctor’s office, insurance company, law firm, apartment complex, or other company that would be interested in doing a holiday toy drive to benefit Pinellas County kids? Encouage them to donate to us! Click here to request our community Directions for Giving flyer to present to your contacts and e-mail Marketing@DirectionsForLiving.org so we can help support!
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2nd
1st
Julie Ackerman
5th
4th
Brittany Houchins
Bonnie Morgan
Allison Marshall
Kelly Fuller
8th Millie Wagner
9th
11th
10th Tanya Kuhn
17th
Loretta Wright
Jennifer Geigan
19th
15th
20th
Ashley Dilks
Luis Alvarez
Ja-Vonta Trotter
Chris Johnson
22nd Nicole Mcauley Atkins Melissa
24th
21st Suzzette Bernardo Dontae Thomas
28th
25th
Barbara Alcena Josue
Joanna Carter
Mary Newman
Christina Fay Jacki Malone
Victoria Oxendine
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30th Sarah Kay Coles
DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
one one year year
two two years years
Rashid Mizell, Jr
Courtney Nussbaum
Nolan Thomas
Summer Perez
Lynn Templeton
Conrad Weller
Fabiola Likaj
Chris Wall
Heidi Cooper
Michael Anthony
Ulysses Alexander
Marina Skane
three three years years
four years Nicole Williams
Summer Lott
Gwendolyn Fraser
CELEBRATING s e i r a s r NOVEMBER e v i n an We celebrated our FY15 milestone anniversaries with a special luncheon last month!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO DIRECTIONS FOR LIVING, YOU ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE ‘LIFE GETS BETTER HERE!’
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
MEGAN DE LA PORTILLA TEN
DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
interview
THIS MONTH WE ARE CELEBRATING CHILDREN’S OUTPATIENT THERAPIST, MEGAN DE LA PORTILLA! CONGRATS MEGAN! Describe your typical day
Describe your perfect Saturday
Why Directions for Living?
SINCE WE BEGAN WORKING TOGETHER OVER A YEAR AGO, SHE HAS PROVEN HERSELF TO BE A VERY DEDICATED THERAPIST AND HAS HAD GOOD SUCCESS WITH HER CASES. SHE HAS DEALT WITH DIFFICULT LAWYERS AT COURT APPEARANCES, MULTIPLE ABUSE CALLS/ SITUATIONS, AND OTHER DIFFICULT AND HIGH RISK CASES. SHE IS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE NEARLY EVERY DAY AND THE LAST TO LEAVE. SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND ON A DAILY BASIS AND IS ALWAYS EFFICIENT WITH HER PAPERWORK AND OTHER DUTIES. Mandy Carr
On a typical day, I provide individual and/or family therapy for up to 7 clients with a diverse range of presenting clinical issues. I am also responsible for completing and updating various clinical documentations such as: progress notes, treatment plans, updating diagnosis, substance abuse evaluations, child safety summaries, etc. Additionally, I coordinate and correspond with other professionals via email and telephone regarding my caseload including internal medical and case management staff, as well as external professionals such as probation officers, CPI, school personnel, etc. When I was 11 years old I read “A Child Called it: One Child’s Courage to Survive” by Dave Pelzer, which is an autobiography detailing Pelzer’s horrific accounts of enduring child abuse and neglect by his mother. It was at this time in my life, I remember knowing that I wanted to work with children and their families in hopes of making a difference in their lives.
Your greatest career accomplishment This past week, I received notification from the licensing board that I have completed the licensing process and am now officially a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. To date, that is the most significant accomplishment in my career because it has been years in the making to achieve.
A perfect Saturday for me would involve spending time at the beach with friends and family on a beautiful sunny day with everyone coming back to my house afterwards for a cook out.
SHE IS SUCH AN AMAZING CO-WORKER AND AN EVEN BETTER THERAPIST. SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR HER CLIENTS AND REMAINS POSITIVE THROUGH THE Natalie Rosado CHALLENGING MOMENTS.
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The Employee of the Month is selected each month by Directions for Living President & CEO April Lott based on nominations submitted by staff members. The Employee of the Month receives 8 hours of PTO, a reserved parking space, certificate of distinction, and recognition in the monthly DFL Employee Newsletter.
O R E H
AMY STOKES Being new to the DFL team, I have found Amy Stokes to be an endless source of support. She is very helpful, always professional, courteous, and a real team player. Her kind and compassionate nature create a positive atmosphere to the whole medical department. Amanda Costello
The Everyday Hero, selected by the Editor, receives 1 hour of PTO and recognition in the monthly DFL Employee Newsletter.
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
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WEL
COME
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y TOfaTHE l i m
1. Lauren Christ 2. Gladys Dye 3. Trish Harwell 4. Maria Lodge 5. Victoria Oxendine 6. Nicole Pedonti 7. Linda Ruvolo 8. Jacqueline Schneider 9. Cheryl White
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Project HOPE Counselor CS Case Manager CS Case manager Director of Revenue Cycle Management CS Case Manager (rehire) CS Case Manager Senior Grant Accountant CS Case Manager Grant Development and Marketing Specialist
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
Everyday Heroes hank you to t y a s o t e for I would lik Counselor, y il m a F , s dkin ies! Bridgette A h her famil it w k r o w y g with Famil her amazin y a d o t e s o l ase c ressed We had a c mother exp e h e. t d n a s r, Bridgett Work o l e s n u o c o her gette gratitude t d that Brid e t ta s r e h t int of The mo ifferent po d a h it w n r onsidered o provided he c t o n d a h s she at she view, thing lso said th a r e h t o m he nseling her own. T gage in cou n e o t t n tte a was hesit k to Bridge l ta o t y s a e but found it ue her d to contin e e r g a s a h tient and FL in outpa D h it w g in e!! counsel to Bridgett s o d u 0 K . 0 s e ,0 servic g a $1 rces, acceptin rook u s i o s l e e t R o l s -Rose Holb ica Agi d e r e M f i t n s n Je Coa ry om West check fr r resource libra u o LLC for he milies! T a f r u o with ng so great ind and welcomi s i c i v o wk Radul about ho Manuela k l a t s y lwa Darielle, A clients a k you! lexis and N aymir - yo all are aw han T ! s i e u h s esome and o d r a o s f h o a s e R v n l e e e e r i s i g h n l y o a a wn and enthus le D -Nat iasm in d Michel l building t n a a i c i e n i p d S r . he E e Da hine Consultatio arly Childhood o Jeanin ffice at Largo s and the t s s k m r n a o f h n program T front o zing the i e for p n h a t a r e g n g r t n s o i w ith childre . for mak s e r n e i d i n v a o n e birth to five. The t oJ or pr ransition thanks t l files f a n io t t o a the new c c urriculum u w psychoed a s s m o e o th and seamless b alon ecause of all your g -Jacki M n i t e l r yo p u u! o -Jacki Ma for com ional. Y s u l s o o e y n f e o k r n p a o appy t ione, th eing so I’m so h d Lauren P me and always b n a g n Kudos to A ti amazi mber Legr work on lor are e s n u ee for you o w c o r a k s w a it r h difficult . u skills o y h c t ases. -Julie Ac wi g n i k r o k erman be w Lemoine DT’s. I e n i g r n i e r h t u -Ca ugh d so thoro g n i e b for hank you t , s e m a J Lynch -Joanne
Kudos
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
S os to KUDOd like to offer Kluwd ays at
e’s a I woul and els. Sh u m a S a smile h t i Vivian w nt desk to take well the fro s es, she nd seem laugh a or. Often tim my um es to to my h nch lin t to say u p e h t ge knows e I ever r o f e b jokes ey are. what th wirth -Jed Ne for derson n A l a ring o Jam lism du a n o i s Kudos t s e ng prof exercisi y. adversit an Ackerm -Julie
Thanks to Carolee Binnett and Jennifer Agisotelis for being such supportive, encouraging, and flexible supervisors. This job would not be the same without you. -Jeila Alai KathyDan Moore, thank you for your efficiency, professionalism, and approachability. You make a difference every day! -Amanda Costello Welcome to the team my new partner Brittany Snyder!!! -Julie Ackerman
Denise Andrews, your dedication to this work is astonishing. Your knowledge and expertise amaze me every day. Thank you -Catherine Lemoine Catherine thanks for being you! I love our closed door time :) -Feleesa Bryant Kudos to Christine Murawski for all her work with the Morale Committee!!! -Julie Ackerman I would like to acknowledge Jamal Sander and Patricia Brown- they are a case management and counseling team with Family Works in family pres. Jamal and Patricia have been working a very tense case with teenaged parents. Jamal and Patricia have done amazing work with this family, all the while ensuring child safety. The parents have responded very well to counseling and have been able to use coping skills that the team has worked with them on to reduce conflict in the home. Great job! -Rose Holbrook Thank you to Tina and Susan for your hard work and efforts regarding your families. -Joanne Lynch Matthew Sullivan - keep us laughing PLEASE!!!! -Melissa McAuley
Michel le Ped ig winnin g chili o and her at this cook-o year ff!
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV15
I would also like to send kudos to Summer Perez who is often available to answer my multiple questions no matter how many times I asked them before. She has never made me feel embarrassed for asking no matter how easy they might be. -Jed Newirth
Starkey Lakes Fall Potluck at
Joey Bacon- Family Preservation thanks you for helping with all of our IT issues!!!!! -Feleesa Bryant
I would like to thank Norma and the access staff and all other staff members that have been supportive during the past month with all that my husband and I have been going thru, also we loved the flowers/plant that was sent to my husband at the hospital, during this hard time. It has been a major adjustment for my whole family, and he has a hard recovery ahead of him, but he is staying positive with all that comes his way. Also again I want to thank Norma and Ryan Williams for working with me on all the time off that I have needed and still will need and working with my schedule to allow me to still work until I get him where he needs to be. He is home now but has a lot of Rehab ahead of him before he can walk again. So My big Thank you goes out to all that have been there for me and all the prayers that were sent our way.. -Deb McMahan
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Shout out to Dan, Manuela, Allison, Chris, and Dale for making sure that resources are available - especially when there appears to be none in sight. -Jacki Malone Jessica Lassiter, your professionalism always impresses me. You are the true definition of what Family a GREAT case manager is. Thank you P ‘kudos’ 2rnedseprlvaaction s -Catherine Lemoine hared mitten e s other this ho with each liday s eason!
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
Joanne you are doing great with CTS thank you for all your hard work. -Feleesa Bryant Kudos to Masha Honore for remaining calm in crisis situations!!! -Julie Ackerman Nicole Anderson - you go above and beyond a t il Lot r p A supervisor. You are a kind hearted, caring, CEO nnual aes! ent & a d i s e e h r t d P wonderful person, and I’m grateful to know I s tiyn Team derxecshsaeng tefe t icdipSaa f t i r l g l a a il t F p h can always depend on you. C n l a erd’s Annua Our ph elreE k c e t i o h f -Melissa McAuley ions Minw l a Festiv Carrie is an awesome team player. She has been very helpful to me in learning my new role. She is friendly, kind and compassionate to all clients. She is a great person to work with! -Amanda Costello Good Luck Ulysses in your new role!!! We will miss your expertise!!! -Julie Ackerman Jessica and Denise great work on your first FFA’s written the new way :) -Feleesa Bryant Thanks to Jason for your great heart and dedication to DFL. You have been the calming influence for clients during the 2nd floor renovations. -Jacki Malone Thanks to my team for being such amazing team players and offering to help when it is needed and offering to listen when it is wanted. -Jeila Alai Thank you to Jesse and Brandy for always being prepared for IDT staffings. -Joanne Lynch
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
Tina Fowler good luck with your 1st case :) -Feleesa Bryant Kudos to Patricia Brown for her kindness and gentle approach with clients. -Julie Ackerman Amy Stokes did a great job handling a client who collapsed downstairs and was very professional and kind. -Ruth Gettes Thanks to Michelle Pedigo for being such a strong leader of our program and all of the extra steps she takes to make our jobs better and better. -Jeila Alai Thanks to Chris Sharpe - for your thoughtful words during trainings and experiential activities - we are glad that you are on board with Case Management. You are a calm influence. -Jacki Malone Kudos to Latoya Anderson for surviving through the storm!! -Julie Ackerman Jennifer thanks for all your hard work on getting the resource library up and running. -Feleesa Bryant Kudos to Jesse Greene for juggling and getting everything done timely!!! -Julie Ackerman Rose you are doing a great job thank you for all you do! -Feleesa Bryant Thank you to Fabiola Likaj... just because you are an amazing counselor and a great teammate! -Catherine Lemoine Thanks to all of IHOS staff - Michael, Jennifer, Mikayla and Alexandra for continually responding to client’s needs and going the extra mile for them. And being willing to shift clinical focus when the need arises. -Jacki Malone Lindsey welcome to the team and good luck with your 1st case :) -Feleesa Bryant
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DFL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER/NOV’15
Thanks to Wendy Kubar and Sara Olivieri for all of your support, guidance, energy and can do attitude!!!! -Jacki Malone Ulysses congrats on the SMS position! -Feleesa Bryant Kudos to Jatharine Mercado for all her hard work and flexibility!!! -Julie Ackerman And Andrea - thanks for providing assistance to the medical staff as we continue to ensure that all assessments are completed within time frames. -Jacki Malone Sharron great work on your first FA :) -Feleesa Bryant Barbara, you are New York fabulous! Thank you for your positive attitude and constant communication. -Joanne Lynch Thanks to Marina and Demetria for being willing to experiment with in and out of clinic scheduling. You are helping us figure out how to increase the quality and flexibility of services. -Jacki Malone
Paint it hosted a “ e t t e l a P DFL Pinot’s support of in s s a l c Forward”
Eileen Vazquez - you’re the sister I’ve always wanted. Thanks for EVERYTHING- in and out of work. -Melissa McAuley JC welcome to Family Preservation -Feleesa Bryant Thanks to Mandy, Natalie, Megan, John for making sure that the clinic provides quality care. -Jacki Malone
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The M arketi ng Tea about me Battle Run pr xcited izes