EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE
January is a time for new beginnings, an opportunity that many use to reflect on the past and consider improvements for the upcoming year. Coach Tim has encouraged me to think of a word, and, then prioritize that word in everything I do. I picked my word, what’s yours?

Board of Directors happenings: In November, the Board voted to reduce the number of formal board meetings, and, increase the length of our meetings, adding committee meetings during alternate months. Our next full Board Meeting is Jan 24th.

Our next full staff work day/training is Jan 15th. 8am - 4:30 pm. Unless there is an emergency, PTO will not be approved on this or any other required staff meeting days.

I have given thought to the concept of change. Two changes, classroom movement and Organizational Culture Committee (OCC.) Classroom changes will occur on Jan 15th, and, moving forward, the OCC committee will be led by me until the new HR Manager is hired. I am canceling the 1/11 meeting, and, will reschedule it for 1/15, during our all staff work/training day. Thank you to those who have served this past year.  New members are encouraged to join - be engaged, help be a changemaker. Please let me know if you want to join this committee. To read the OCC framework, click here.

In a related matter, make sure you complete this month’s Employee Pulse Survey by the January 10 deadline! This is your chance to share your opinions, and we take your feedback seriously!.

Finally, some much-needed change is coming to our computer servers on January 22. PTG will be installing a new physical server, two virtual servers and all of our files will be protected with off-site back-up. Migration to the new servers begins Thursday, January 24 and PTG has asked all staff to purge any unneeded files and documents from the H: drive prior to that day. This is a great project if you have some spare time on the 15th. Err on the side of caution when purging files, and if you are unsure whether you need to keep anything, ask your supervisor for guidance!

In closing, each of us handle change differently, so, take a moment to learn from John Maxwell,  as he shares a leadership lesson on change.

Laurie Rovin
HUMAN RESOURCE CORNER
It has come to my attention, that some employees are clocking in prior to their arrival to work. If you are doing this, you’re to stop, as this is grounds for termination. Additionally, some team members continue to gossip or talk in a negative tone in front of others, including guests. These are behaviors that we likely would not tolerate from our families, so let’s remember to be respectful to your colleagues.

As a reminder, Ava’s last day with ACH was on Dec 16th. She was here as a PT consultant, this position, along with several other positions are posted on our website. Know any candidates for Therapeutic Provider, Therapeutic Clinical Lead, Program Case Coordinator, Development/ Communications Specialist, HR Manager and, of course, Bus Drivers? Please direct them to our website career page. I will handle all HR matters until the new manager is hired.

Employee change is in the midst! Leah Rogers was accepted into OT Graduate School in Florida and McKenna Burton is moving to a new opportunity. McKenna bids us farewell on 1/25/2019. Join me in wishing McKenna well as she pursues her next career journey!

Finally, don’t forget to dot in and out when you leave the building. This is important for both emergency evacuation and the alarm system. ACH receives a $50 fine each time the alarm is triggered and the police are called. It’s becoming costly, so #RememberTheDot!

Read on for several great resources!

Laurie

EMPLOYEE RESOURCES:  

=>Need prescription assistance? Visit  www.cou-co.com The site shows discounts for name brand medications.Thank you, John, for sharing this great resource: 

=>Greenville Federal Credit Union (GFCU) - You may join for $25! GFCU is a great way to get a free checking and savings account! New employees, ACH requires direct deposit for paychecks.

=> WIn a Fitbit with GFCU!! You do not need to be a member. 1. Register your user account in the free Financial Wellness Center. 2. Begin the Financial Resolutions course found on the home screen. 3. Complete all modules in the course and enter to win a Fitbit Charge2!

=>It’s time for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)!
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free income tax assistance to thousands of individuals and families across the Upstate. Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of approximately $60,000 a year or less, and they help ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible. For more information about VITA, visit www.unitedwaygc.org/vita.

Appointments are now being accepted for free income tax assistance by dialing 2-1-1. Returns can also be filed online at myfreetaxes.com.

=>Diabetes Awareness Month - In honor of our own Jeff Harris
Listen Up! Get an A1C Test: Millions of adults haven't gotten the message about A1C tests. The A1C shows how well your diabetes management plan is working. The test measures your average blood sugar level over the past few months. The monthly health campaign for January focuses on diabetes, including A1C testing, eye exams and maintaining normal blood pressure. Check out www.BlueChoiceSC.com for more information!
PROGRAM CORNER
Program News:

The Program Leadership Team is currently focusing on aligning the current Program job descriptions with the evolving needs of the program. With the service to our clients in the forefront of our minds, it is critical that each of us are set up to succeed in our designated role. This project will require input from all program staff during our upcoming Program meetings to gain perspective from every angle. We are confident that aligning our roles and responsibilities will provide each of us with clarity of how we can function better as a team to achieve better program outcomes.

Recently, we have developed and posted a Program Case Coordinator position to pre-screen and manage client referrals, coordinate client intakes with Family Support Counselors, manage out of agency referrals for families, provide administrative assistance to Program staff such as data entry of client information into electronic databases, drafting notices to parents and compiling information. This position is expected to increase the capacity of direct service providers so that more time can be dedicated to completing his/her primary job responsibilities. To view the Program Case Coordinator job description, please go to our website.

With purpose,

Tanya
New Assignments/New Opportunities:

Our Therapeutic Groups, i.e. classrooms, will transition Tuesday, January 15th to new new teams. Some providers will be changing classrooms and age groups. New team meetings are being scheduled by supervisors prior to the transition for making plans as a new team. We understand that it may be hard to separate from the children and team they have been working with where bonds and friendships have developed. Change does provide opportunities for growth and building resilience in children as well as adults when it occurs in a supportive environment and the early childhood leadership team will be available to assist however needed to help this transition go smoothly.

Caregivers will receive letters via the child’s bags this week informing them of this transition along with the bios of their child’s new therapeutic group team.
  
The new line-up is:
Sprouts - April Faulkner and Christine Gow
Dandelion - Anita Gist, Chandler Burnett, and Jay Young
Lily - Anna Clark, McKenna Burton (until 1/25) and Chelsea Griffin
Daisy - Chelsea Bowman, Tracy Blackwell and Mikaila Clinkscales
Buttercup - Johanna Fleming, Rachel Hanley, and Chuck Power
Caterpillar - Toni Orr, MacKenzie Gerard, Michelle Rackley, Jeremy Barbrey
Hummingbird - Emily Fissitte, Noe Araiza, Tiffany Picket, and LaQuana Martin

Lisa Ryan
Monthly KPI Update:

Click HERE to see the December KPI Dashboard
 
Each month, we submit a Program Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboard to the Board of Directors on the previous month’s data. This report consists of identified performance measures and goals that we set at the beginning of every fiscal year (July 1-June 30th). Each month, we track our progress towards meeting our annual goals for each metric to evaluate if we are on course to meet our year-end goals. 

KPI Dashboard Key Points:

  1. End of month enrollment was 65 as a result of some unplanned discharges and families wanting to wait to the new year to start their treatment. This puts us at 93% budgeted child enrollment capacity. We have several intakes and new starts happening the first half of January.
  2. Average attendance in the month was 85% which is very high and favorable. This translates to having an average of 55 children present in Group Therapy every day. Compared to last year FYTD, we have increased average child attendance by 4% (from 85% to 89%) and increased average attendance per day by 10 children (55 vs 45).
  3. We had 5 discharges. 4 of the 5 were unplanned; 1 was planned. There are some questions and discrepancies that me and the Program Directors are looking into; as well as a heightened focus on streamlining the discharge process and criteria by the end of January.
  4. Average waitlist length is 59 days (average for FY is 45) which is an increase from previous months which is a result of not having the necessary age group slots available. Due to the recent discharges, we should be able to get this number lowered.
  5. There are 6 children being scholarshipped.
FLU SEASON is upon us:

Direct Service Providers, please be extra diligent about cleaning all rooms that children occupy as germs spread rampantly and we want to all stay as healthy as possible. Use Lysol to spray doors knobs, wipe down toys and surfaces often. Everyone, please keep your work spaces wiped down and wash your hands often. We must take all precautions. We appreciate your help and efforts to keep the germs at bay!
Upcoming Program Reminders & Dates:

  • January 28th- Program Collaborative Meeting in Multipurpose Room
DEVELOPMENT + COMMUNICATIONS CORNER
Happy 2019! December was a huge month for Development and Communications, and I’ve got lots of good news to share!

Our 20th annual Holiday Benefit Breakfast was a HUGE success, and I want to thank everyone who chipped in to make it happen. To date, we’ve raised over $230,000 and funds are still coming! You can watch most of the program here. Be sure to click these links to see the superstars among us in action: Tanya, Latrice and Noe.


We followed up our HBB success with the SYNNEX Share the Magic check presentation on Dec. 12th. A Child’s Haven received, $299,623 this year! A huge thanks to everyone who made this possible by collecting silent auction items and attending SSTM events either with our families or on your own.

2019 is off to a BIG start for development. TODAY (1/9), Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar in McDaniel Village is holding a benefit for us, and ACH receives 10% of sales for THE ENTIRE DAY. Let your friends know and come out and keep me company when I’m on site this evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, because Mauldin High School Spirit Week benefiting A Child’s Haven starts Friday Jan. 11 and wraps Friday, Jan. 18. Whether you’re a Mav or not, there something for everyone. Highlights include a 5K, 80’s Skate Night, Silent Auction, Dog Show and a restaurant fundraiser every night. Click here for a complete schedule and more information.

Finally, I’m in the process of scheduling interviews for the open spot on my team. If you know someone who might be a good fit, let me know or share the job description.

‘til next month,

Michael
COACHES CORNER
Effort Needs to Flow in a Single Direction

The Harvard Business School recognizes a team as a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. When teams work together with the aforementioned attitude and mindset, they make decisions that yield the greatest results. 

“Teamwork requires that everyone’s efforts flow in a single direction. Feelings of significance happen when a team’s energy takes on a life of its own.” - Pat Riley

Coach Tim