Resourceful Times Newsletter
"Meaningful Work- Stronger
Communities"
September 2008
Inside this Issue:
Resourceful Annual Christmas Lunch
· Santa is sure to make an appearance.
· Resourceful Futures will once again be hosting our annual Christmas Party in early December, 2008.
· Time, Date and Location will be announced in November 2008.
· Looking forward to see you all there.
HELLO OUT THERE!
Resourceful Futures readers are interested to hear from you. We want you to share tips, experiences, accomplishments, that either you or someone in your family has achieved. Maybe even a personal goal that you have met. You name it; we want to hear about it. Here is your chance for 15 minutes of Fame. Please send your story to lisarfcsl@shawbiz.ca, or drop it off at the office.
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Meaningful Work, Stronger Communities
September 2008
Well I cannot believe we are now into September. Where has the summer gone? I hope each one of you had a fun filled summer.
In July, Resourceful Futures held an information meeting with guardians and families. I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who attended and provided valuable feedback on the overall accountability of service delivery and supported the initiatives that Resourceful Futures is engaged in. Resourceful Futures has adopted most of the information into our Individual Service Agreements for Individuals Receiving Services and/or Legal Guardians. We are excited about the revised Individual Service Agreement (ISA) as we believe it will improve the overall communication with guardians and families thus enhancing the direct service delivery to the individuals we serve. The revised Individual Service Agreement (ISA) will be implemented starting October 2008. Resourceful Futures will introduce the ISA at the time of funding renewals.
Most of you have been advised that Resourceful Futures is involved in the *Employer of Choice Initiative*. We have posted information on our website and as we progress through our achievements, we will update the information to keep you in the loop.
As we progress with the Employer of Choice Initiative, Resourceful Futures is evaluating our entire policies and procedures manual and making the necessary changes to ensure we are accountable and transparent. We want to be recognized not only as the Employer of Choice, but also the Agency of Choice for services. So please, be patient as we go through this transition process. You can blog us your valuable feedback on our website at www.resourcefulfutures.org
I look forward to hearing from you.
Rob Halfyard, RSW, Director
FINANCIAL / HUMAN
RESOURCES UPDATE
A reminder to everyone that the Royal Bank has set up a group banking plan for our staff which includes special offers and incentives for group members. You have the opportunity to $ave on banking fees for up to six months just by visiting your preferred Royal Bank branch with our group banking pamphlet. If you have not yet received your pamphlet or would like more information, please contact Eric.
Johnson Inc. has partnered with ACDS (Alberta Council of Disability Services) to offer an insurance program for our staff, which recognizes the unique nature of the work that we do. They do not judge special needs individuals in your home differently, as many insurance companies do. If you would like more information, please visit the EVENTS page on our website at www.resourcefulfutures.org, or go directly to Johnson's website at www.johnson.ca/acds.
PDD recently approved the second increase in wages in a year
for all workers. Retroactive pay for
CDW1 and CDW2 workers will be distributed on September's month end pay,
covering the period from March 24 to
Remember to keep the office informed of any changes to personal information in a timely manner, as these changes may have significant impact on your taxes or benefits. For more information, please see Eric.
Fall is a great time to consider maximizing your RRSP
contributions to reduce the taxes you will have to pay. You can contribute up to
On
BIRTHDAYS
October
November December
John G
Jennifer L Garry M Barb B
George. V Richard P Micheal B
Barb M James C John P
Micheal. R Keith T Bobby B
Arlene R Dennum M
Laura D
OFFICE CLOSURES
October 13 Thanksgiving Day
November 11 Remembrance Day
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day
CONGRATULATIONS
Keith T did a cross stitching picture of
His picture was sent to
Indefinite Arts to have their art on display. Keith received a $75.00 check just for having it on display.
Way to Go Keith!
TRAINING AND
WORKSHOPS
Summer is over so it is that time of year again, to start updating our courses and workshops.
CPI
Positive Approaches
If you have been scheduled for any of these dates, please make sure you call Lisa to confirm your attendance.
RECOGNITION OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Resourceful Futures is very proud to present and acknowledge five of our employees who have been nominated by their peers for the *Employer of Choice* learning process. Their new titles will be *Service Excellence Advisors* (SEA). During the next year, these five employees will be attending the various training programs being put on by The Custom Learning agency. Through this training and empowerment Resourceful Futures and the entire sector will benefit from the SEA*s - creating a work environment that we all can be proud of. The *Employer of Choice* initiative is all about developing, changing and implementing new ideas from the employees and working together to make the best work environment for everyone.
Without further ado... I am pleased to introduce to you Resourceful Futures’ five *Service Excellence Advisors*.
Kendra Lee
Val McLellan
Carrie Redding
Brian Harrison
Struan MacLeod
Your peers and the administrative staff have chosen you for your leadership qualities, professionalism and high standards you provide to the people you support. Please take a bow and all of us at Resourceful Futures are very excited and eager to see the new changes you will be bringing forward to create a new environment in making us the *Employer of Choice*.
Great Job,
Troy
Program Coordinator
Introduction to
the Employer of Choice Initiative
*Providing Focused Leadership
to Create a Culture of World Class
Employee and Client Satisfaction*
Elaine Burak, Executive Director from Optional
Rehabilitation Services Inc. (OPTIONS) (www.optionsrehab.org) hired Custom
Learning Systems Group Ltd. to assist OPTIONS to become the Employer of Choice
within the Community Disability Service sector.
Elaine recognized that the Community Disability Service sector as a
whole would greatly benefit from this initiative by giving our sector an
opportunity to be recognized and valued as a profession and, equally important,
empowering all employees to be the best they can be to provide world class
customer service for each and every individual we support. Elaine was so
passionate about the Employer of Choice Initiative she met with Dr. Alex
Hillyard, CEO of the Calgary Region Community Board
(pdd.calgaryboard@gov.ab.ca). Dr. Hillyard, supported the Employer of Choice
Initiative and agreed with Elaine*s desire to involve the service providers
within the
In January 2008, Elaine provided the Community Rehabilitation Service Provider Council of Calgary (www.crspcc.ca) a presentation of the three year Employer of Choice Initiative, that would be hosted by Brian Lee, founder of Custom Learning Systems Group Ltd. (www.customlearning.com). With great enthusiasm and excitement, Elaine scheduled a meeting with Custom Learning Systems and invited all service agencies within the Calgary Region to join her. Eighteen agencies attended the meeting and were provided a presentation by Custom Learning Systems Group Ltd. and six chose to participate.
The six agencies in attendance recognized that Custom
Learning Systems has a proven phenomenal reputation starting from the bottom up
*Providing Focused Leadership to Create a Culture of World Class Employee and
Client Satisfaction*. To that end, the six agencies and Persons with
Developmental Disabilities, Calgary Region Community Board, agreed to share the
first year cost of the three year Employer of Choice Initiative. On
Between the six agencies participating, we have approximately 1000 employees who will take an active role to achieve our mission of being an *Employer of Choice*.
On behalf of the HUB Council, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following people for making the Employer of Choice Initiative possible.
Employer of Choice
Framework for Collaboration*
Each Service Provider:
*Shares a common vision for persons with developmental disabilities achieving an exceptional quality of life.
*Shares common interests and many areas of mutual concern.
*Through vital contributions to community and society fulfills complementary roles in the development and delivery of programs and services.
*Respects each other*s autonomy and unique ability.
*Recognizes that a collaborative partnership is essential to enable the combined efforts to achieve the greatest results.
Purpose of Framework
The purpose of this framework is to engage each Service Provider in a collaborative partnership that continues to honor unique strengths and contributions as they increase a collective ability to build healthy work environments.
Commitments to Action
Each Service Provider will work collaboratively towards solutions for commonly shared work culture challenges. These include but are not limited to the following:
1.Develop a better understanding of best practices.
2.Establish a foundation to foster shared learning.
3.Develop mechanisms to receive and process feedback, concerns, comments or questions.
4.Will work together to develop strategies that will enable each service provider to attract, develop and retain the human resources required to fulfill their purpose and mission statement.
5.Will commit to continuous learning to identify and recommend solutions for administrative, program resources and risk management issues that challenge the sustainability of each workforce.
Coordination and Implementation
This framework will be guided by the principles of accountability, dialogue, consensus, cooperation and collaboration; and in its implementation will respect each Service Provider*s autonomy and ability to act independently. Therefore, we shall commit to the following:
1.Will work together with Customs Learning Systems Group Ltd. to ensure that there are coordinating mechanisms in place for effective implementation of best practices.
2.Will function collaboratively through the HUB governing body to ensure the intent of this “framework” is fulfilled.
3.Will individually and where appropriate collectively inform respective stakeholders of the successes and achievements enabled by this framework.
Implementation Date
This framework came into effect
GUIDING PRINCIPALS
ACCOUNTABILITY: Recognizing that while each service provider has separate accountabilities, collectively, they are accountable for maintaining the trust and confidence of each partner by ensuring transparency, high standards of conduct, and sound management in working together, and by monitoring and reporting the results of their work under this framework.
DIALOGUE: The sharing of ideas, perspectives and experiences to contribute to better understanding, improved identification of priorities, and sound practices.
CONSENSUS: The foundation for shared leadership and joint action.
COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION: Working together to address areas of mutual concern and to strengthen both the work culture and workforce.
PARTICIPATING CALGARY REGION AGENCIES:
*
*Foothills AIM Society
*OPTIONS
*Resourceful Futures
*URSA
*Vantage Enterprises
HUB COUNCIL MEMBERS:
*
*Foothills AIM Society, Vince Kimura
*OPTIONS, Elaine Burak
*Resourceful Futures, Rob Halfyard
*URSA, Pam McGladdery
*Vantage Enterprises, Jayne Myatt
EMPLOYEE RESOURCES
/ INTERESTS WEBSITES
CDSCalgary: Community Disabilities Services
Meaningful Work Stronger Communities
CRSPCC: Community Rehabilitation Service Provider Council of
To co-ordinate, collaborate, and act as a resource consultant in the planning of services for people with disabilities.
ACDS:
The association facilitates interaction, co-operation and communication between association members, PDD Community and external stakeholders.
Government of
Helps you find services available in
Client
Resources/Interest websites:
AISH: Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
AISH can help you get money for things like rent, groceries, and transportation.
Access
Access
Handi Bus:
Calgary HandiBus is passionate about providing our customers with access to the community and promoting independence.
PDD
The Calgary Region Community Board Persons with Developmental Disabilities is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities.
VRRI: The Vocational Rehabilitation Research Institute: VRRI
The mission of the VRRI is to be leaders in innovative services and research that support persons with disabilities to live as contributing and valued members of the community.
City of
Here you can find the Street Survival Guide. You can also find *People Resources* here (under City Living)
Enable Link:
Online resources for people with disabilities, their families, friends and professionals
Down Syndrome Research Foundation:
Autism Treatment Services of
Autism Society
Arnika Centre:
Arnika Centre for Dual Diagnosis is a service for adults and teenagers 16 years of age and up with an intellectual disability and a mental health problem.
15 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside, I just finished cleaning"
2. My mother taught me RELIGON
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet'
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
'If you don't straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week'
4. My mother taught me me LOGIC
'Because I said so, that's why'
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me'
6. My mother taught me IRONY
'Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about'
7. My mother taught me about STAMINA
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone'
8. My mother taught me about RECEIVING
‘You’re going to get it when you get home!'
9. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION
'Just wait until we get home'
10. My mother taught me about ENVY
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful **parents like you do'
11. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'
12. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE
'If I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!'
13. My mother taught me about HUMOUR
'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me'
14. My mother taught me WISDOM
When you get to be my age, you'll understand'
15. My favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!’
WHAT REALLY
MATTERS
I suppose it is not always a good idea to blend too closely with your surroundings. And that holds true for the way we think and behave, too. We may not always want to be like everyone else around us. I admire those people willing to stand out from the crowd.*
People like a
In a world that seemed to think alike, two people had a different idea. They refused to blend in with those around them. It was as if they were painted with a different brush. "I have children and I needed to set a good example, " said the mother of six, who could have used a little extra cash to supplement her low retail store wage.
Most people talk about values and what they believe to be right and wrong. But I've noticed that our REAL values can be seen by the way we live. It is the things we do and the choices we make that show what we truly believe.
An 11 yr old boy who turned in 85 cents because he felt" it was wrong for me to keep anything" stood out from the crowd. And a mother who wanted to teach her children to do the right things set and example they will never forget. "SOMETIMES THE POOREST MAN LEAVES HIS CHILDREN THE RICHEST INHERITANCES'
When this
If her children inherit her values, anything else is just money.
PAINT THEM FORTUNATE!