June 2014
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
THE
IN THIS ISSUE Calendar of Events……………. 2 Four Star Employees Named . . 2 Bring your Child to Work Day . . .4 It’s Ah-CHOO Season . . . . . . 5 Our Guiding Principles. . . . . . . . . 6 Meet New Employees . . . . . . . . . 7 Open Enrollment Meetings . . . . . 7 June Anniversaries . . . . . . . 8
MCFI earns Fit-Friendly Worksite award!
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n May, MCFI was recognized as a gold-level recipient of the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksites Recognition program. Worksites throughout the nation can be part of the initiative by making the health and wellness of their employees a priority. MCFI was recognized by the AHA’s My Heart. My Life. initiative for: • Offering employees physical activity support and encouragement through walking clubs and subsidized gym memberships. • Providing healthy eating options at company events and in Café 2020.
• Promoting a culture of wellness and participating in citywide wellness initiatives. • Implementing at least nine criteria as outlined by the AHA in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture. “We are extremely honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. initiative as a CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
MCFI 75th gala is June 19
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oin us as we celebrate MCFI’s 75th anniversary with the Spirit of Independence Awards gala featuring keynote speaker Michio Kaku, Ph.D., author of “The Future of the Mind” and the public face of the Science Channel. The event includes the inaugural presentation of the Spirit of Independence Awards; the recipients are: Don and Sallie MICHIO KAKU Davis, Dori Chortek (posthumously), Alexis Hardin and Richard Zalewski. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
June 2014
2 — A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
MCFI NAMES FOUR
Calendar of Events
EMPLOYEES
JUNE 4 Blood Drive WHEN: 8 a.m. to Noon WHERE: MCFI Conference Center MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: www.bcw.edu/mcfijune or contact Dr. Rosalyn McFarland, 414-937-2257
JUNE 19 MCFI 75th Anniversary Gala WHEN: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin FEATURING: Michio Kaku REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/mcfi19 (Learn more on Page 3)
JUNE 20 Bring Your Child to Work Day WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. WHERE: MCFI Main Campus (See story on Page 4 for details)
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his past quarter, four MCFI employees were honored with Star Employee Awards: Julie Abramowski, Ursula Flores, Robyn Kelley and Wanda Torres Valle. Read on to learn more about them and, in the words of their nominators, why they were chosen. Julie Abramowski, SSI Benefit Specialist, TLS Behavioral Health “Julie always works tenaciously on behalf of every client,” said Deanna Kloster, benefit specialist with the Winged Victory Project. “She does her best in every situation and is always positive. She unfailingly treats every Julie Abramowski client with respect, kindness and patience. “Julie's positive leadership style drives me to do better and better. Julie freely shares her extensive knowledge with everyone. Ask anyone with whom Julie comes in contact with at the Social Security Administration, Disability Bureau or Behavioral Health Division, and they will say the same. Plus, she's funny!” Ursula Flores, Community Living Coordinator, MCFI “I routinely receive compliments from colleagues regarding how carefully, consistently and professionally Ursula communicates essential information to those who need it,” said Jim Hill, vice president of government relations and housing. “Her people skills have earned Ursula Flores her the respect of everyone who comes in contact with her, regardless of the subject matter, or what position they hold in the organization. “Ursula shows a high degree of self-initiative and positive motivation, holds herself to the highest standards of professional conduct, and possesses a nearly boundless capacity for work. She takes on and completes every assignment with poise and professionalism. She is, quite simply, among the finest employees I have ever worked with. The agency is fortunate indeed to have her.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
June 2014
3 — A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
Four named Star employees
75th gala is June 19
FROM PAGE 2
Robyn Kelley, Client Coordinator/Case Manager, City L.I.F.E. “Robyn Kelley is an outstanding employee who brings to her job a lot of energy, commitment, flexibility and professionalism,” said Theresa Stoltz, program tech/activity assistant. “As a case manager, Robyn provides a lot of support to our clients, Family Care workers, activity assistants and nurses.
FROM PAGE 1
“She is the kind of employee that makes MCFI look good. She has a positive attitude and always finds a Robyn Kelley way to get the job done, whether assisting a client, co-worker or family member on site or on the phone. Robyn is the kind of employee that leaves a lasting positive impression.” Wanda Torres Valle, Activity Assistant, Older Adult Day Center “She is over the top great,” said Heidi Sykora, vice president of clinical quality services. “I have seen her many times stay past 6:30 p.m. when a client is not picked up. She has to make special child care arrangements when this happens and never complains. She will deliver things left behind to clients’ homes when needed. She is flexible and supportive of other staff as well.” Added Amanda Bandkowski: “She comes in each day looking forward to serving our clients and strives to Wanda Torres Valle make each day great for them. She works hard to connect to each client on a personal level, learning their likes and dislikes, and works hard to make each client feel special. She brings a smile to not only our clients’ faces but also to all others who interact with her.”
The gala is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 19 at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The evening, emceed by WISN-TV’s Kathy Mykleby, includes dinner, the awards presentation and keynote by Kaku. Tickets are $100 and $150; tables for eight are $1,000. Tickets are available at: http://tinyurl.com/mcfi19. The Presenting Sponsor of the gala is Cardinal Capital Management Inc.; Legacy Sponsor is Independent Care Health Plan (iCare); Triumph sponsors are Quarles & Brady LLP and Diversified Insurance Solutions; Inspiration sponsors are Laurus Strategies, the NML Foundation and Accenture.
MCFI earns AHA’s Fit-Friendly Worksite Award FROM PAGE 1
gold-level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Michelle Black, MCFI’s workplace wellness manager. “The optimal health and wellness of our employees is a very important priority at our agency. We invite all of our employees to fully engage in the various elements of our wellness program, utilize the high-quality services of our Health
our wellness
WORKS
Center and make their personal health and disease prevention a priority.” For more information on the initiative, or to find out what you
can do to incorporate more health-promoting habits into your daily routine, stop by MCFI’s Health Center, and check out MCFI’s Wellness Program Pinterest page and SharePoint. Questions? Contact Michelle Black at 414-937-7509 or michelle.black@mcfi.net. — MICHELLE BLACK RD, CLC WORKPLACE WELLNESS MANAGER
4— A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
June 2014
Diversity Recognitions June 2, Festa della Repubblica (Italy) Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946, when voters abolished the monarch and established a republic.
MCFI hosts Bring Your Child to Work Day Save the date: June 20
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n June 20, MCFI will look a little bit different. How? There will be children scampering around in our buildings, and they will be accompanied by our employees, not our clients.
On that Friday, the Working Parenting Employee Resource Group, WPERG, will host MCFI’s first Bring Your Child to Work Day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BY AL HILL DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE
More than a career day, Bring Your Child to Work Day goes beyond the average “shadow” of an adult. WPERG’s mission will be to expose children to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the workday while helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life. Children will have an opportunity to learn different career paths by providing them hands–on activities in an interactive and fun environment. Employees are encouraged to bring their children, stepchildren, grandchildren, child mentees or other significant children in their lives ages 3 and up and give them the opportunity to: CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
June 2, Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat Festival, China) Commemorates the life and death of the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan, known as China’s first poet. June 6, D-Day (US) Celebrates the anniversary of the day in 1944 when Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the end of WWII. June 14, Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival (US) A three-day festival in Oklahoma City where more than 1,200 American Indian artists and dancers from more than 100 tribes gather to celebrate their heritage. June 19, Juneteenth (US) A holiday marking the date Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas in 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln declared the proclamation. June 28, Stonewall Rebellion (LGBT) Marks the anniversary of a riot in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Patrons had grown angry at police harassment.
June 2014
5— A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
IT’S Ah-C SEASON
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Shower more often. Pollen collects in our hair and skin and is transferred to couches and pillows, causing symptoms later. Change your cloths after being outside, and rinse off your body.
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he lush grasses in Wisconsin begin to grow in May and by June are producing significant amounts of pollen — a fine powder containing reproductive particles of seeds. When inhaled into the nose it releases histamines that irritate nerve endings and cause inflammation. This causes symptoms of allergies — stuffy or runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. If you’re sneezing more than two times in a row, it's probably an allergy! Although pollen can't be avoided, here are some tips to help prevent allergy symptoms before they start! Sleep in. Pollen levels are highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. after the sun comes up. Grass needs warmth and light to pollinate. Enjoy the outdoors in the evening, when pollen levels are lower.
Keep your home clean. Carpets and clutter increase pollen in the home by providing surfaces for dust collection. Clean surfaces with microfiber clothes and use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to de-pollenize carpets. Wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly in hot water and don't line dry them outside where they can collect pollen again. Turn on the AC. As long as your AC has a good filter, it will keep pollen at bay. Medicate early. Medications like Claritin and Zyrtec work to block histamines from attaching to your body. If you're already experiencing symptoms, it may be too late to help. Start using medications two weeks before allergy season, or at least one day before you know you'll be outside with lots of pollen (like golfing.) If your symptoms persist, see us in the Health Center, where we can prescribe a nasal spray or refer you to an allergist for skin testing or shots!
CYNTHIA WOZNICZKA PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT
MCFI hosts Bring Your Child to Work Day FROM PAGE 4
Learn about new work opportunities Have an educational experience outside of school Learn the value of working with individuals with special needs Have an intergenerational experience The day is being planned with several work-like experiences, including filling out a simulated
work application and getting a voucher from the instructor after completing a task at one of many activity sessions. And after a child has finished an activity, he or she can go to the payroll department to turn in vouchers and receive pay for the day — $1 for each activity up to a maximum of $5. This promises to be an exciting day for children, parents and other employees. It should be noted that in order for employees to participate,
they must obtain permission from their manager or supervisor. WPERG is a group started and sponsored by the Office of Diversity to play a critical role in building a positive and healthy work/life balance for all employees.
6— A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
June 2014
MCFI’s compliance program founded on guiding principles iLIFE debuts this month
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fter months of planning and development, the iLIFE name and logo will be introduced to IRIS program participants, employees and vendors in June. iLIFE is the Financial Services Agency for the IRIS program, which serves more than 10,000 participants across the state.
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Efficiency: We endeavor to use the least amount of resources necessary to achieve optimal results or outcomes.
Effectiveness: We provide services that influence the lives of our clients in a distinct and measureable way.
Valuable Service: We work to maintain and/or improve independent functioning, quality of life and health outcomes for all clients.
Client Rights: All clients have the right to respect and dignity; to confidentiality of treatment and records; to receive information in a timely manner; to be free from humiliation, verbal, physical or sexual abuse, neglect and misappropriation of funds; to make decisions about their care/ treatment; to consent or refuse service delivery, concurrent services, release of information, composition of the service team or research where applicable; to help in finding legal representation or self-help/ self-advocacy support services; and to file a grievance if any of these rights are violated.
Accessibility: We strive to reduce, eliminate and prevent real or perceived barriers (for clients, stakeholders or employees) to our internal or external services.
Accountability: We provide accurate data and allow our board and Executive Team, government agencies and other partners to evaluate our performance.
Accuracy: Our financial records correctly reflect transactions and events. Our client documentation provides a reliable record of client needs, goals, strengths, challenges as well as services/treatment provided and the risks associated with said service/treatment.
iLIFE also includes the financial services provided by MCFI Fiscal Agent. However, the MCFI Fiscal Agent name will still be used for programs with contracts that run through the end of 2014. Upon renewal, iLIFE will be the official provider of financial services to these programs. In June, iLIFE staff will conduct participant engagement around Wisconsin, while work continues on a new iLIFE website. Please watch for iLIFE videos on the internal monitors for highlighted features on how our financial services staff helps promote participant self-direction and independence.
— MATT QUEEN MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS iLIFE
CFI’s robust compliance program is guided by the following principles:
If you have any questions or concerns about our compliance policy, please contact Compliance Director Julie Van Alstine at 414-937-2103 or julie.vanalstine@mcfi.net.
June 2014
7 — A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
Welcome New Employees Nicholas Parlapiano, Resident Camp Staff and Day Camp Staff Todd Breaker, Participant Liaison Field Representative DeeAnna Brown, Client Experience Coordinator
Christina King, Benefits Specialist Chrisopher Muller, Lifeworks Curriculum Facilitator Tamara Washington, CRS Andre Spell, Lead Kitchen Helper
Melissa Geszvain, Associate Director of Operations
Shauton Harris, Behavioral Health Technician
Brittany Gusho, Registered Nurse
Alexandra Jackson, CRS
Chakeila Cash, CRS II
Desirah Varley, Caregiver Trainer
Lori Leskow, Activity Assistant CNA
Nichole Bibb, TCM Case Manager
Kate Calvano, Peer Recovery Specialist
Margaret Edlebeck, Intern
Bionca Boyd, Community Support Specialist
Sarah Bane, Medical Staff Assistant
Shop to benefit MCFI MCFI is registered with AmazonSmile, a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same products that are on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected. It’s easy to do, too. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, select MCFI as the organization to receive donations before you begin shopping. Your selection will be remembered, and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation.
Open enrollment meetings continue this month
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t’s that time of year again when employees are able to evaluate current benefit options and make changes to their current enrollment. Employees have until June 16 to turn in their enrollment or waiver forms, and all benefiteligible employees are encouraged to attend an open-enrollment meeting and learn about new enhancements to our benefit package. Remaining open-enrollment meetings are scheduled as follows:
Date Monday, June 2
Time 12 p.m. -1 p.m.
Location TLS-West Allis
Monday, June 2
3 p.m. -4 p.m.
Nexday
Tuesday, June 3
10 a.m. -11 a.m.
TLS-Racine
Thursday, June 5
3 p.m.-4 p.m.
NEC-Baker Road
Thursday, June 5
11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Main Campus
June 2014
8 — A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF MCFI AND ITS AFFILIATES
June Anniversaries Joyce Wene, 20 years
Christine Taylor, 5 years
Mary Scherer, 2 years
Julie Abramowski, 17 years
Sarah Bland, 4 years
Christina Sciortino, 2 years
Michael Williams, 13 years
Theresa Burnett, 4 years
Heidi Sykora, 2 years
Judith Williams , 12 years
Kimberly Imp, 4 years
Rachael Wallace, 2 years
Debra Schmidt, 9 years
Karen Katz, 4 years
Jessica Wilson, 2 years
Christine Boyce, 8 years
Danielle Mattson, 4 years
Sherry Bendlin, 1 year
Joey Cadiz, 8 years
Sarah McCure, 4 years
Renee Chuprinskas, 1 year
Dennis Cherne, 8 years
Edith Nicholson, 4 years
Latoya Eiland, 1 year
Jennifer Welch, 8 years
Ali Rud, 4 years
Tiffany Jackson, 1 year
Allen Werner, 8 years
James Vailliencourt, 4 years
Dorothy Jenkins, 1 year
Barbara Eaton, 6 years
Ryan Hanson, 3 years
William Lizzitta, 1 year
Ruthie Joy, 7 years
Evette Rowley, 3 years
Lindsey McMahon, 1 year
Jessica Kegel, 6 years
Pompii Vaughn, 3 years
Jeffrey Mislang, 1 year
Kristen Lena, 6 years
Amber Bachand, 2 years
Leann Mitton, 1 year
Mary Malsh, 6 years
Gina Balsewicz , 2 years
Laquita Moss, 1 year
Margarette McBain, 6 years
Marcus Carter, 2 years
Amy Rieck, 1 year
Nicole Miller, 6 years
Lawrence Hayes, 2 years
Stephanie Rummler, 1 year
Karl Arps, 5 years
Jocelyn Hoppe, 2 years
Aneshia Scott, 1 year
Annie Davidson, 5 years
Arion Leonard, 2 years
Melvette Scott, 1 year
Erin Handel, 5 years
Mindy Myers, 2 years
Kara Kruger, 5 years
Cassidy Scaffidi, 2 years