A place to communicate. A place to celebrate. A place to connect.
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A Message from
Richard Stagliano
Chief Executive Officer
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As We Move Toward Spring
The spring season is almost upon us. May this season be full of peace, happiness, and new beginnings for everyone.
I want to share with you that I recognize and acknowledge the challenges all of us continue to experience as a result of the many changes that occurred during the last two years. The latest change is the relaxed mask mandate across the state and nation. The ongoing need for us to adapt and adjust can take its toll. I acknowledge that we are all feeling the effects.
I ask you to continue to make time for yourself each day. Find ways to make your wellness a priority. Center For Family Services offers you free activities and workshops to support your wellness. Make the time to try some of these activities. Find what works best for you and incorporate it as part of your daily wellness routine.
Regardless of what is to come, I know we will continue to show up for one another and our communities, we will continue to improve the lives of those we touch, and we will continue to grow.
This spring, I encourage all of you to find new ways to make your voice heard within Center For Family Services. Your voice matters when it comes to how we can better serve our staff and those in our care. Your unique perspectives and experiences bring value.
One way you can have your voice heard and share your ideas is through participation on one of our agency’s committees. Center For Family Services has a number of hard working committees, including the Intercultural Competency, Wellness, Zero Suicide, and Quality Improvement committees, that are dedicated to making change within our agency. Engage with fellow staff by joining a committee. Involvement on a committee is a great way to connect with new and familiar colleagues, get out of your comfort zone, educate yourself, and influence Center For Family Services’ future.
I also encourage you to push yourself to listen to new perspectives and ideas and try new things. When you really listen to varied voices and opinions, you can become more creative, diligent, and strategic. This becomes a form of professional development. Center For Family Services offers ongoing Lunch & Learns as a way to celebrate the diversity of our staff. The Lunch & Learn events provide an opportunity for you to listen to perspectives from various staff on our team. These great events help us to educate each other as we pursue justice, equity, and inclusion. Research has shown that diversity builds stronger, more innovative teams and on a personal level, it causes us to change our behavior and makes us more aware of the world around us. Our next Lunch & Learn is scheduled for March 30th at noon. I encourage you to register to attend.
Remember, you can visit our staff portal on a regular basis as a way to stay up to date with our free wellness events, committee workshops, Lunch & Learn events and staff appreciation and recognition events. You are encouraged to attend these events.
Finally, I'd like to recognize Social Work Month and express my gratitude for our Social Workers who never stop advocating for our families. Your tireless work to provide hope and healing is valued and appreciated. You are invited to join a Social Worker Appreciation & Recognition virtual event on March 15th at noon. You can find the link on the staff portal. I hope you will attend.
I want to again thank our entire Center For Family Services Team. Each of you can be proud of the way you continue to show kindness and compassion as we work together to best meet the needs of those in our care.
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Celebrating you and your work! |
1. Shout out to our AmeriCorps Recovery Corps cohort 6 on recently graduating! You've done incredible work over these past few months and have brought recovery services to so many.
Thank you for your service!
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2. Last month, Rebecca St. Louis, Program Coordinator of Survivors of Drug Abuse, took part in an Instagram Live with the Bloomfield Health Department. Rebecca spoke about Covid’s impact on substance use and the effects of family addiction on youth.
Check out the saved livestream here!
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3. We’re excited to share that Center For Family Services has earned a 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid! This 2022 Platinum Seal ensures that we provide the most transparent experience for our donors. Thank you to everyone involved in this achievement.
Visit our profile to learn more.
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4. Congratulations Living Proof Recovery Center for assisting over 41 individuals and families with food bank assistance during the last quester of 2021. Your tireless work supporting those in need in our
community is inspiring!
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5. To celebrate Black History Month, executive team members Karen Johnson and Nicole Sheppard and board members Monika Williams Shealey and Brian K. Jackson shared how they prioritize health and wellness. Thank you for your participation and sharing your insight!
Follow us on social media for more staff highlights.
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6. Riley Keenan, Program Director of Coordinated Assessment and Kaleidoscope Advocate, contributed to the A Call to Men Mid-Year Impact Report, by sharing the impact their training had on him. Thank you, Riley, for participating in trainings that allow you to better serve your community.
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7.Congratulations to Barbara Ogden, Chief Financial Officer, for being named to South Jersey Biz Magazine Top CFO of 2022 list. Read Barbara's feature here!
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8.Kudos to our Intercultural Competency Committee for your great work throughout the year. The recent Black History Month Lunch and Learn was a fantastic learning opportunity for everyone. Thank you for helping to destigmatize mental health treatment and educating us on how to better serve black children, adults, and families.
Visit the ICC page for more resources.
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9. SERV recently hosted a variety of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month events across South Jersey. In addition to their outreach events, staff also hosted an art contest with local high schools centered on supporting survivors, shared information on social media, held virtual training sessions, and participated in an event hosted by Rowan University’s Office of Social Justice. Great job spreading awareness on the issue of human trafficking! Pictured left to right are Kristin Norton, Nathan Peirano, Thalia Toran-Aviles, Merari Cerezo, Zikea Wise-Hughes, and Christine Palacio.
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10. In celebration of Social Work Month, several of our expert social work staff shared what inspired them to become social workers, why social work is important, and how social workers impact communities. We're grateful to have our social workers positively changing lives everyday!
Follow us on social media to view all of our Social Work Month highlights.
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Getting to know all about the people on your team. |
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Enrique Arreola
Bilingual Family Partner - Building Bridges Family Success Center
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Q: Describe your role. How do you think your role fosters our vision of all people leading capable, responsible, fulfilled lives?
A: My role at the Family Success Center is Bilingual Family Partner. My objective is to assist participants in anything that they need. My role allows participants to find solutions for issues that they have and give them resources that will better further their lives.
Q: What is your proudest moment at Center For Family Services?
A: My proudest moment at Center For Family Services was our haunted house that we organized, planned and executed at our center. We had over 150 people come from all over the Camden County area.
Q: What three traits define you?
A: Three traits that define me are urbane, funny and curious.
Q: How do you define success? Do you think you’ve achieved this yet?
A: Success to me is coming home from a long day and watching tv, knowing that you have done all you could have possibly done to make the day the best it could be. Rinse and repeat.
Q: If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live? Why?
A: If I could live anywhere in the world, it would possibly be the Japanese Countryside or closer to home - Canada or Alaska. It has to be cold.
Q: If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
A: If I could meet a historical person, it would be one of two: Val Kilmer in 1993 or Kurt Russell in 1981.
We want to highlight YOU!
If interested in being featured, email Jennifer DeSimone-Jewell.
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Register for our Women's History Month Lunch and Learn |
Mark your calendars, the Intercultural Competency Committee is excited to host the first Women’s History Month Lunch and Learn.
This will take place on March 30th, from 12:00 - 1:15 PM. Registration to follow shortly! Hope to see you there!
Be on the lookout for more ICC Committee events throughout the year focused on LGBTQ+ Pride, Disability Awareness, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
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At Center For Family Services our staff are our greatest resource.
The Expert Angle is a collection of blog entries – written by you, our expert staff - with relevant information on various topics related to mental health, wellness, resources, and more. It’s a platform to help staff, community members, and other social service professionals to learn and grow.
All staff are encouraged to check out the blog series and share articles with friends and family. New entries are added monthly!
This season’s featured blog post is from Richard Lange, Director of Clinical Supervision and Training. Visit the Expert Angle to read his blog on practical solutions to dealing with seasonal depression.
If you would like to contribute to The Expert Angle, please contact Tara Aquila.
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Social Worker Appreciation Event |
In recognition of Social Work Month and National Social Workers Day, Center For Family Services is excited to host you at an appreciation & recognition event on Tuesday, March 15th from 12-1pm to recognize your hard work and dedication to the individuals and communities you serve.
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The Development and Public Relations Department is excited to share that the “Building Our Brand” training is now available to view on the Development and Public Relations page of the Employee Portal. In this training, you will learn how to communicate Center For Family Services’ message and learn best practices and tips so you can be a brand champion. This training is a mandatory part of the New Hire Experience for all new employees. Public Relations strongly encourages all current staff to participate in this training as well.
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Center For Family Services' Internship Program - Important Changes |
Center For Family Services is committed to professional development in the area of human services, and has an extensive program of student internships.
Our outstanding team of supervisors support an average of 100 students annually, from over 25 regional colleges and universities, in associate, baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and post doctorate programs.
The benefits of supervising a student intern include:
- Professional development opportunity for staff who are looking to gain supervisory/managerial experience
- Recruitment tool – successful interns, once they’ve completed their internship, can make great staff!
- Interns provide additional support to your program
- Invigorating and challenging experience
- Increases our visibility and prestige in the academic and general community
Ready to supervise an intern? Visit the Staff Portal to browse our listing of available interns.
Do you already supervise an intern? Or has a student intern or university reached out to you directly to coordinate a placement? Visit the Staff Portal for a step by step guide of how to onboard and train your intern. Beginning immediately all current and future interns need to complete the Intern Onboarding Training.
For additional questions, email Sue Bergmann.
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Update to the Agency Mask Mandate |
Center For Family Services continues to follow state and federal guidelines in order to maintain a safe workplace for all staff, clients and visitors. As you may be aware, the guidelines in NJ and across the nation have loosened recently, in line with local and national trends showing a continued reduction in the spread of the coronavirus. |
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Effective March 8, 2022, Center For Family Services is relaxing our mask mandates as well. Should cases rise locally, or if we have an increase in cases at a particular site, increased safety protocols will be reinstated as necessary.
Again, based on the most recent state guidance, Center For Family Services is announcing a relaxation of our mask mandate for staff who are fully vaccinated.
If you are Fully Vaccinated
Mask-wearing is optional for staff who are fully vaccinated, unless your program funder mandates otherwise.
This means if you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, then you are no longer required to wear a mask in Center For Family Services locations. Please note that you are required to follow the policies of other locations if you have an offsite workplace, such as a DCPP office, courts, hospitals, etc.
Fully vaccinated includes the COVID-19 Vaccine and the COVID-Booster, if you are eligible.
Exceptions - Funder Mandates
The Office of Head Start continues to mandate mask-wearing. Therefore, masks continue to be required at all times in all of our Mosaic Early Learning Centers.
Congregate Care (Residentials) continues to mandate mask-wearing. Again, masks continue to be required for our congregate care programs.
Staff are also expected to honor the wishes of those we are serving. For example, a family may prefer that staff wear a mask/PPE during a home visit or in office session. We will continue to make this available to staff and clients as requested.
Continue to Take the Following Safety Measures
1) Respect and honor our coworkers and client/participant choices.
2) Wear a mask if you are not fully vaccinated.
3) Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs.
4) Stay home if you are sick.
5) If you are concerned you may have COVID, stay home from work and get tested.
6) Wear a mask if you have been exposed to an infected person.
7) Accept and encourage mask wearing among co-workers who continue to do so.
8) Wear a mask whenever you are in doubt about whether a situation is COVID safe.
Get Vaccinated
Center For Family Services continues to have a goal for 100% of our staff to be fully vaccinated. For those employees who are not yet vaccinated, you are encouraged to become vaccinated to help us reach our goal of a 100% vaccinated team.
Currently, 80% of our staff have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Our goal continues to be to have 100% of our staff fully vaccinated against COVID. This includes the COVID Booster.
All staff continue to be eligible for monetary incentives, which are paid to you via payroll. The incentives include:
·$75 with your proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
·$50 with your proof of COVID Booster.
Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe work environment for everyone.
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For this year’s MLK Day of Service, our AmeriCorps VISTA, PowerCorps, Recovery Corps, and Promise Corps members volunteered their time to answer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of giving and doing for others. Members packed essential items for local homeless and in need youth. Members were happy to be in person and make a difference together. Thank you to everyone who gave their time!
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Recognizing your work in changing lives.
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Showing up for Your Participants |
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Pathways to Recovery for Adults and Family First have both transitioned to hybrid services from Telehealth. They continue to provide excellent care to those seeking treatment. Staff have displayed significant support for each other, flexibility to the changing climate from Covid ups and downs, and unfailing dedication to their clients. Big shout outs to Sunny Ferringo, Hillary Ali, Deanna Little, Mardia Garresen, Lily Duncan, Elise Vermane, Rosemary Garcia, Toriana Fanelli and our interns.
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Bringing a Curriculum to Life |
Comprehensive Outpatient Counseling facilitated a virtual enrichment group for youth aged 11-14 in Morris, Sussex, Essex and Passaic Counties. The group’s goals were to build a sense of acceptance and support between group members and enhance socioemotional skills. For 8 weeks, group leaders and participants practiced mindfulness and self-care activities and reviewed skill building activities.
Group members regularly participated in sessions, shared personal experiences, provided feedback for facilitators and promoted growth between group leaders. Group leaders identified practicing skills throughout interpersonal interactions outside of the group. Both participants and group leaders shared positive feedback for the program. Shout out to Lisa DeLorenzo for helping to bring the curriculum to life!
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Staff at the Family Life Center made sure their families were happy and supported during the holidays! Judy Santiago and April Bell facilitated fun and engaging holiday themed activities with families. Ruthie Lewis worked to make connections with individuals and groups within the community that volunteer and donate to the Family Life Center every year. The mother of one family who received clothing, toys, and gift cards expressed immense gratitude to Ms. Ruthie and shared that because of the Family Life Center and donors at the Hiram Abiff Lodge #16 she would not only have her children for Christmas, but they now had the funds to purchase food for a holiday meal. Thank you to the entire Family Life Center team for improving the lives of the families you serve.
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Center For Family Services continues to encourage all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This includes the COVID booster. A $50 cash incentive is available to you when you share proof of your COVID booster with Human Resources.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick. They are one of the most important tools to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and getting back to what you love. The health of those in our care, our staff and their families, and the community at large is of the utmost importance. Thank you to all staff who have received your vaccine or have registered for a vaccine.
Send proof of your booster to Get.Vaccinated@centerffs.org with Your Name and Booster in the subject line. You will receive your cash payment via payroll.
To find the nearest vaccine appointment or learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines click here.
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Bringing you kudos from your supervisors and coworkers.
You make a difference to someone each day!
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Sonya Davis - Patient Navigator, LifelineED
Sonya Davis, you are always willing to help without hesitation. Thank you for being part of a number of recovery programs in Camden County!
Karen Murphy - Program Supervisor, SAIF
Karen, congratulations on your recent milestone of 12 years with SAIF! You are a fantastic leader and a hard worker. We’re grateful for you.
Jennifer Montalvo - Case Manager, SAIF
Jennifer, you have endured so much recently but continue to maintain your caseload and work responsibilities. You are my go to case manager for Spanish speaking clients in Salem and Cape May Counties. Through adversities, you never skip a beat. SAIF is blessed to have you as one of our team members!
Alexis Maneely - Associate Vice President of Quality Improvement
Alexis, thank you for your dedication and hard work in the Council on Accreditation process in 2021. You worked tirelessly to make this happen.
Denise Dailyda - Administration
Denise, thank you for being so organized and easy to work with. We are grateful for all you do.
Jen DeSimone-Jewell - PR Specialist
Jenny, Thank you for bringing such positivity to all you do at Center For Family Services. Your work in PR plus your involvement in our committees makes you an integral part of our team.
Karen Johnson - Vice President Administration
Karen, thank you for being so dependable. It is great to work with you.
Daryl White - Associate Vice President of Facilities & Infrastructure & Chris Ward - Marketing and Graphic Design Manager
The window cling signage and new building signage at so many of our sites is impressive. Thank you for your work with the permit process, design creation, and install of our building signs.
Yvonne Johnson-Cane - Case Manager, Kinship
Yvonne, you are one of the most dependable team members of the Kinship Navigator Team. You have always displayed loyalty, dedication and are a very trustworthy employee. You consistently demonstrate that you care and support our families and go above and beyond your duties as a Case Manager. You can always be counted on completing tasks in a timely accurate manner and converse well with your supervisor and team. It is such a pleasure working with an awesome individual like you!
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Shout out to the Inland Family Success Center team for being a pleasure for our donors to work with! They were incredibly appreciative of the time you took to provide them with a tour of your center. Keep it up!
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Huge thank you to all the staff in the Children’s Mobile Response & Stabilization Services program for all your hard work and dedication servicing youth and families in person during these unprecedented times! Welcome to our new coordinators Alyssa Vinone, Pascale Jean Simon, and Ashley Tarquini.
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An Announcement from the
Wellness Committee
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Your wellness is our priority.
March is National Nutrition Month, and the Wellness Committee is excited to share our upcoming Wellness Wednesday Workshops with you. Participate for a chance to win a $100 gift card! In addition, the first 10 participants to sign up for each workshop will receive a prize!
Whole-person health is experiencing optimal physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. At its core, whole-person health is self-care. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how the 5 pillars of health are interconnected, how to recognize your body's needs, and how to make choices that help you function at your best and thrive across different areas of life. Register here.
The foods you eat have great effects on your health and quality of life. While eating healthy can be simple, it can also be confusing and overwhelming. This workshop, that’s based on nutrition science, will focus on understanding calories and nutrients, tailoring your diet to your goals, portion control, making healthy eating sustainable, and more. Register here.
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Setting and Accomplishing Goals this Spring |
This spring is a great opportunity for a fresh start, and the perfect time to set new goals for yourself. Deciding to make positive changes, like ditching a bad habit and adopting a healthier one, is beneficial to your well-being. Whether your goals are personal or professional, they should be SMART goals. Following the SMART goal method, along with our other tips, is a great way to increase your chances of actually succeeding with your goals in 2022 and beyond.
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Creating SMART goals - SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.
- Specific - Make sure your goals are as clear and specific as possible
- Measurable - How will you track whether or not you’re on track to accomplishing your goal?
- Attainable - Work towards a challenging goal that you can reasonably accomplish within your timeframe.
- Relevant - Ask why your goal is important to you now at this point in your life and see if it aligns with your values.
- Timely - Give yourself a date to reach your goal by.
Other Goal Setting Tips to Keep in Mind
- Write down your goals and reassess them as needed
- Develop a plan to follow through with your goals
- Celebrate your small successes
- Work on your goals with a partner
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Training Resources
To view Recorded Trainings, visit our Staff Resource page:
Visit
Relias Learning:
Center For Family Services is a great place to grow as a professional. Take advantage of the ongoing training opportunities available to you.
We will continue to share additional resources and trainings as they become available and we encourage you to continue to check the Staff Resources, Employee Portal and the Training Calendar for continued updates.
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