Emergency administrative leave policy update
During the pandemic, CHCS has offered an Emergency Administrative Leave policy through which associates who are in quarantine, awaiting COVID-19 test results, caring for a family member with COVID-19, or ill with COVID-19 are eligible for up to two weeks of paid leave. The regulations requiring certain employers to provide paid leave to associates for specific COVID-related leave expire on December 31, 2020, but CHCS has elected to continue to offer the leave after that time.
Please note the following:
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The leave does not "reset" on January 1; in other words, if you have already used your two weeks of Emergency Administrative Leave, you are not eligible to receive it again.
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Associates and managers must fill out a form to apply for Emergency Administrative Leave, and HR must approve the leave. The form is available in PowerDMS and should be returned to HR.
- If an associate is eligible for modified quarantine or is approved for remote work and refuses, the paid leave request may be denied.
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LTC vaccines begin!
CVS Pharmacy braved the icy conditions and visited Eastridge as scheduled on December 29 to administer the first doses of vaccine to our long-term care associates and residents. Jim Spry, Michelle Lewis, and Tristan Gernhard, pictured below, were among the associates vaccinated yesterday. Thank you to Kasey McClary for the photos! CVS is scheduled to visit St. Marys Manor next week, and Redbud's big day is later in January.
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Study shows COVID-19 'far more serious' than flu
A study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine using hospital data from France "is the largest to date to compare the two diseases and confirms that COVID-19 is far more serious than the flu," study author Catherine Quantin, MD, PhD, said in a news release. "The finding that the COVID-19 death rate was three times higher than for seasonal influenza is particularly striking when reminded that the 2018/2019 flu season had been the worst in the past five years in France in terms of number of deaths," continued Quantin, who jointly led the research.
"The large sample size is an important strength of the study and it is assumed that the indication for hospital admission in the two periods was the same and thus does not bias the results," write Eskild Petersen, MD, DMsc, in a comment accompanying the study. "The results...clearly show that COVID-19 is more serious than seasonal influenza."
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Jeans on Friday extended through January 2021
Many associates have enjoyed wearing jeans on Friday for the last few weeks. This policy is continued through the end of January. Happy New Year!
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The CHCS Spirit Squad is happy to defy the old adage that there's no such thing as a free lunch. During the second week of January, associates will get to enjoy free lunch from Bobby's Food Co.
The food truck will visit locations on the following dates:
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Tuesday, January 12: St. Marys
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Wednesday, January 13: Centralia
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Thursday, January 14: Holton
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Friday, January 15: Onaga (with boxed meals delivered to Frankfort and Westmoreland)
We will share additional details in the January 7 edition of the E-Connection. Stay tuned!
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Take a Mental Health First Aid class |
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The New Year brings a new opportunity to learn Mental Health First Aid!
A special blended course with two hours of self-paced online instruction and a five-hour in-person, instructor-led class is coming soon. The course is limited to 8 associates to allow for social distancing. More information:
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The in-person portion of the class will be February 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Walsh Room in Onaga.
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Online coursework must be completed before participants attend the in-person class.
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Instructors are CHCS's own Angie Sauvage, Licensed Master Social Worker, and Roz Lewis (recently retired); both are certified MHFA instructors.
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CE credits are available!
The registration deadline is January 20; email Marlene at marlenewolfe@chcsks.org or call extension 5002 to register. Click the flyer (above, right) for more information or to download and share.
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The Walsh Room in Onaga (formerly known as the North Teleconference Room or the Blue Room) recently received a serious upgrade.
- The room will now be set up like the other admin conference rooms with a PC and wireless keyboard and mouse instead of a laptop with a long cord.
- A new touchscreen control panel (pictured above) has replaced the old analog push-button panel, and a new pull-down big screen and new laser projector will deliver a sharp, crisp picture and make it easier to view presentations and read smaller print.
- Everyone will also notice a new panel hanging a foot down from the ceiling: It's a beam-forming microphone that will allow anyone from any part of the room to be heard clearly in Zoom meetings. This is a huge improvement over the old equipment and the mic pod that had to be close to anyone presenting.
- Presenter inputs are moved to the screen side of the room so someone giving a presentation from their laptop can plug in on the screen side instead of dragging a long cable across the floor.
All in all, the room should be much more functional and have fewer cords! If you need training to conduct meetings in the room, please contact Dominic Freeman at extension 5028.
Photos below show the work in progress.
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Reminder: Parenting class signup
Learn about the challenges teenagers face and how to support them at a free virtual parenting workshop on January 13, 2021 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
The presenter is Dr. Shayla Sullivant, Children's Mercy child psychiatrist and suicide prevention advocate. Her presentation will address topics such as self-care, eating disorder prevention, screen time, substance use, suicide prevention, and safe storage of firearms and medications. Dr. Sullivant developed the content based on her experience working with parents after a crisis brought them to the hospital. The hope is that by increasing awareness of challenges teens are facing, parents will be empowered to support their teens.
Registration is required. Click the flyer (above left) to expand.
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Welcome
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
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Misty Lowe, Nurse Aide, St. Marys Manor
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Haley Bonilla, CMA, Eastridge
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Peter Ganstrom, CNA, Eastridge
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Lindsay Koch, LPN Acute (soon-to-be RN), Onaga Acute
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Here's to our associates with January birthdays! Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate.
Jacinta Palmeri, Alisa Skruch, DeAun Bailey, Alexandra Harrison, Miranda Krohn, Marie Fredericks, Jane McClain, Charlene Porter, Meghan Weiser, Justina Zartman, Karen Ebert, Rita Landers, Jenna Rethman, Brandy Watkins, Debra Dellere, Barbara Talkington, Lyndsi Morton, Geraldine Bates, Joan Henry, Andrew Barnes, Linda Christen, Kathleen Haufler, Skyler Baake, Michelle Budreau, Mindy Olberding, Manda Thompson, Angela White, Susanne Kufahl, Jacqueline Parisi, Anna Palmeri, Michelle Gibbs, Kara Hoffman-Bagby, Chris Ireland, Debra Boyce, Robert Bernatis, Carmen D'Aloia, Susan Figge, Caitlin House, Emma Pedersen, Laura Horgan, James Pierson, Denise Kohake, Mary McCarthy, Nikole Wells.
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What are we doing with the wreaths?
A few individuals have asked about what to do with the wreaths from our wreath contest. Here are some options:
- If your department wishes to keep the wreath to display in future years, please pack it away and store it with other decorations.
- If someone in your department did the bulk of the work on a wreath and would like to keep it, it's fine to let that person take it home for their personal enjoyment. If everyone joined in, find a fair way to decide who can keep the wreath (such as a drawing).
- If you have an undecorated wreath, please return it to Lorrain Meyer in Onaga.
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Coffee Shop special
January 4-8
Snickerdoodle latte
- Bro
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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Bargain alert!
Look for a holiday clearance sale starting Monday, January 4!
Thanks for shopping with us in 2020! We look forward to finding fun items for all to enjoy in the New Year.
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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Christmas cheer
Nothing was "normal" this year, but there was still plenty of Christmas cheer around the system last week!
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Below: Redbud residents enjoyed a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, delicious snacks, and singing a few Christmas carols during their party on December 23. Santa and his lovely assistant doled out gifts to residents from Redbud staff. |
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Below: Eastridge residents enjoyed a visit from carolers at the windows from Centralia Schools and watching the Centralia Elementary School Christmas program. The carolers also brought a gift of candy for staff and thanked them for all they do for Centralia School. |
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Below: Santa really gets around! He also visited St. Marys Manor and delivered gifts to residents from the community and the St. Marys Police Department. Look at that loaded sleigh! |
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Below: The Onaga Business Office celebrated with a "Redneck Christmas" activity. Participants give something they would re-gift or sell at a garage sale, and it's always good for some laughs. The recipients are clearly thrilled! |
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Did you miss your Connection?
Important information is relayed every week in the E-Connection. If you miss it in your email, an archive is available on our website. Visit the For Associates page, then click E-Connection Archive.
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Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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