EYE ON AVATAR
here are your monthly AVATAR TIPS from the quality team BASED ON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS my
• Have you checked out the Bill Client Info tab on Avatar? It has lots of helpful information, including what appointments clients have had or have coming up, demographics, financials, last 30 services rendered, and more!
• When you enter a client name in Pre-Admit, Admission (Outpatient) or Update Client Data, you should only use letters and hyphens. In Update Client Data, you should use the fields for First, Last, and Middle Name, rather than updating the field for Client Name.
qual-e’s corner
• The 8500 series of Service Codes are utilized to mark and track Missed Appointments. Make sure you enter a note for these appointments.
• A DFL client only has one chart, not one chart per program or provider. If you see an open Admission episode, you do not need to Pre-Admit them when they are linked to your program. You can just seamlessly begin providing services.
Contact any member of the Quality Management Team at QualityImprovement@directionsforliving.org.
Here are your monthly updates and reminders from DFL’s Quality Management Dept.
JWB Paperwork
Our JWB Annual Monitoring is coming up in September! The JWB paperwork in our Intake Packet is an important part of our compliance with documentation standards. Let’s break these down:
• The Household Member List – This list should contain all of the listed information for every person who lives in the home in which the client resides, whether or not they are of familial relation or not.
• The Authorization for Consent – The top of this form should include the name of the adult who is providing the consent as the “participant” and the name of the DFL Program in which the client is engaged. The bottom of this form should include the listed information for every person who was listed on the Household Member List, along with the signature of the person providing consent. That could be the adult household member or the parent/ guardian of a child household member.
• The Written Statement of Purpose - This form should include the listed information for every person who was listed on the Household Members List, along with the signatures of the person providing consent. That could be the adult household member or the parent/guardian of a child household member.
Questions? Contact any member of the Quality Management Team at QualityImprovement@directionsforliving.org.
TEAM DFL WEEK! We loved celebrating our team members last month with a week filled with daily treats and activities including chair massages, food trucks, ice cream socials, snack stations, gift card hunts, and big raffle prizes!
Thank you to DFL Leadership for supporting the events, to the Sunshine Committee for hosting an ice cream social and scavenger hunt, and to all DFL team members for bringing the fun and positive energy to Team DFL Week!
Interview
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY
I like to start my day by saying Good Morning to everyone that I pass, it brightens my day and I hope it does others, as well. As the credentialing specialist, it is my job to make sure that all of the licensed providers and TCM supervisors are credentialed with all of our health plans. This also includes verifying and overseeing licensure and insurance contract renewals, auditing, and following up with the health plans to make sure they have everything is in place for billing these providers services. I am also the delegated single point of contact for our Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHOH) clients. I send out my DHOH reminder emails for the clients that are scheduled for the day. I run reports to determine what clients need DHOH paperwork for their upcoming appointments and I set calendar reminders so that I can send the team members emails and positive feedback when they complete the appropriate and required documentation for compliance. I also assist my team members with billing questions and help my leadership with any billing projects to ensure accuracy and compliance. I am also a member of the POC Committee (Provider of Choice). During my lunch break and after hours, you will find me decorating the Revmax door and office for each month or holiday. I have been told by many that the decorations brighten their day every day that they walk by, it makes me happy to see them smile and boost team member morale!
WHAT ENTICED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN SERVING OTHERS?
I grew up in health care, my Mom was a nurse but she also encouraged me to be involved in the field, as well. As a small child, I would dress as a clown and go with her to children’s hospitals for special events for the children. I was a candy striper in a nursing home during middle school and as an adult, I have always been a caregiver to someone or some animal. I strive to be
helpful and spread joy. I love to see people happy, so I try to do what I can to make things happen for them. Whether it is something as simple as small gestures of kindness or going out of my way to accommodate their needs. It makes my heart happy to help people.
YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT
I am a single mom and caregiver to my adult son with Autism. I achieved a degree and certification in Billing and Coding while working a full time job and keeping up with my son’s needs. I was also promoted to Credentialing Specialist after just a year of working as a Billing Specialist for DFL. I really enjoy being a part of a non-profit organization that cares so much about the community and their team.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY
My most perfect Saturdays are the ones where I can sleep in, stay home, and snuggle with my cat. If it’s a rainy day, that just makes it all the more perfect. But I also enjoy spending a day out shopping with my sister then the evening spent with my son at home. Saturdays are also days that my son and I enjoy car picnics by the water, going on fun adventures like the Zoo or museums, or just staying home and having a movie night with popcorn!
MINDY HAS A BRIGHT PERSONALITY WHO CHEERS EVERYONE UP IN HER DEPARTMENT. MONTHLY, SHE DECORATES REV MAX’S DOOR FOR EACH HOLIDAY. WHOEVER PASSES BY IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE THE DOOR. HER ROLE AS A CREDENTIALING SPECIALIST IS VITAL TO THE SERVICES DONE AT DFL. SHE IS THE MAIN POINT OF CONTACT FOR NEW HIRES GETTING CREDENTIALED AND ON BOARDED TO BE BILLED. SHE IS TRULY AMAZING BY ENSURING INFORMATION IS ACCURATE AND GETS DONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Karissa Gabrielson
THIS MONTH WE ARE CELEBRATING CREDENTIALING SPECIALIST, MINDY EVANS! CONGRATULATIONS MINDY! The Team Member of the Month is selected each month by Directions for Living President & CEO April Lott based on nominations submitted by team members. The Team Member of the Month receives 8 hours of PTO, recognition in the DFL Newsletter & at SoundBites, and a $250 Visa gift card.
Thank you to Manuela, LMHC and Rick, Case Manager at Bayside Clinic for helping me get started in the referral coordinator position.
-David Jones Jr
Congratulations on Jeila and her recent marriage! We are all so happy for you.
-Aubrey Muir
Lonnesha Lee, thanks for your support.
-Alberta Currin
Kudos to Melissa Callier for taking the time to help assist and train team members at Directions for Living.
Melissa will meet one on one with a team member to go over expectations of a bio and a treatment plan to ensure that they understand the requirements and timeframes. I am so grateful for you, your passion, and your generosity to help others who are new to completing treatment plans and bios. Kudos to you!
-Aubrey Muir
Ryan Shay, thanks for your support.
-Alberta Currin
Thank you, April Lott, for the awesome Employee Appreciation Week, paid Friday off for Employee Appreciation Day and for our upcoming Wellness Day in April. I so appreciate each one.
-Mindy Evans
Thank you, April Lott, for our wellness days! They are always WELL spent.
-Amy Fichter
A big thanks to Elijah Mitchell and Richard Cover! I appreciate that you both are always one call away for guidance. You are both knowledgeable and great assets to the community and DFL!
-Mark Felix
Thank you, Chris Johnson, for your willingness to help, ALL the time. You’re the best.
-Amy Fichter
Shout out to Family Works Wraparound Facilitators Lonnisha, Kirsten, Alberta, and Amanda. You all work so hard! Your hard work does not go unnoticed. Congrats to Amanda passing her BHCM Exam!
-Aubrey Muir
Shout out to BabyCAT Wraparound Facilitators Tim, Nesha, Sandy, and Matt! You all make such a positive impact to your clients in the community. Nesha- Welcome back! We missed you.
-Aubrey Muir
Thank you Laura Ezell and Christine VonStaden for decorating the LARGO board. You both ROCK.
-Amy Fichter
congratulations to jeila and her new husband, steven, who got married last month!
Peter Hirsche, appreciate all you do in rev max! -Karissa Gabrielson
Sending many thanks to April Lott for putting together the “A Day ON The Water Basket”. As the winner of this prize, I am very grateful. I appreciate all that you do for DFL.
-Justine Cuviello
Chrissy E. and Kaisha M. You both are doing such a great job on first floor AOP! Thanks for all you do :)
-Karissa Gabrielson
Thank you, Gaby Moran for stepping in to support our team members.
-Amy Fichter
I want to give a Shout Out to the ECC Department Early Childhood Consultants who work hard every day to serve the children and families of Pinellas County. Let’s give a big Woot! Woot! to Cindy Keene, Cassie Smith and Justine Cuviello! Also, Dr. Wendy Kubar for always being there when we need her. -Ju Cuviello
Thank you to Brooke Brown for always being kind and cordial. You are always so positive despite how demanding your job can be! -Amanda Vanke
Mary Mason- So glad to have seen you on my limited time in office for spring break! Welcome to DU and excited to work with you again!
-Matt Howard
Thank you, Mecayela Monroe and Gaby Moran for assisting your site, IPLA, with their black history month presentation and banquet!
-Amy Fichter
Michelle Hansen, thanks for your support. -Alberta Currin
Thank you, Laura Ezell for your dedication, support, and resourcefulness. You’re an outstanding colleague.
-Amy Fichter
April Bartholomew, thanks for your support.
-Alberta Currin
Big shout out to the ECC Team (Cassie, Justine, Cindy) for assisting in monthly community outreach and completing screenings for more and more children in our county. WE work great as a team and represent our agency well. -Cassie Smith
Thank you AOP/Field AOP homies for being absolute rockstars with these clients and with each other! We see people sometimes at their lowest point and the amount of empathy and care I have seen my team have for every single individual is an inspiration. What an amazing team to be part of! XOXOXOXOXOXO
-Shana Davis
Thank you, Katie Schaffer for your leadership. Your guidance and support is invaluable!
-Amy Fichter
Shout out to Treatment Works 2.0 Wraparound Facilitators Susan, Havana, and Tamara- Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your clients in the community! -Aubrey Muir
Thank you, Jillian Harris, for coordinating the AMAZING wish delivery for our client. It was such a JOY to get to assist with making this client wish COME TRUE! -Amy Fichter
LaTonya Arthur- Thank you for always being a fresh face to see! Whether we are paired up for DU (Twice in a row so far) or on the same team, or even paired up for CPI training, I am here for it! You are my DFL good luck charm!
-Matt Howard
I want to thank Kaitlyn Johnson for being such an uplifting and supportive supervisor!
-Amanda Vanke
first five Consultant Gaby and Clinician Mecayela collaborated with the site director at harborview creative learning center to deliver strength-based training for teachers
Thank you, Max, Aubrey, and Jeila for the supervisor training.
-Melinda Edington
Thank you to April Bartholomew for putting in so much time and effort to make sure all of our clients are safe and getting the quality care that they deserve. You ALWAYS put the clients first!
-Amanda Vanke
Thank you to everyone who organized/ came to my bridal shower! It was so special to have my fellow DFL team members celebrate this major life event with me! -Jeila Alai
A huge thank you to Michelle Agrela for all of her hard work and dedication to TW 2.0 Team members! -Dee Monje
Thank you DFL for the wonderful team member appreciation week! I was able to use the wellness day to help out a friend with airport travels AND get my hair done after 7 months!! Much needed.
-Cassie Smith
Kudos to Treatment Works 3.0- Ashley GB and her team Maria, Morgan, Danielle, Gina, and Trenita for the hard work that they put into their clients every single day! Thank you Skyla for providing counseling on the Treatment Works 3.0 Team as well :)
-Aubrey Muir
Mindy Evans, Norma Troche, Kayla Whitney, Ashley Dilks - So glad I got to see you all on my brief stay in office while the college was closed for spring break! Thanks for the hugs!
-Matt Howard
Thank you to DFL for the CISM team’s new shirts! We are proud to represent DFL in our community! -Jeila Alai
Kudos to Michelle and Jackie for running Treatment Works 1.0 and 2.0! We are so happy that you are here at DFL. Shout out to Dee and leading her teams! We are so grateful for you.
-Aubrey Muir
Thank you to the CISM team members for jumping into the activations and tabletop last month! You are having a tremendous impact by supporting our community through critical incidents!
-Jeila Alai
Jackie - we’re so happy to have you as our new supervisor welcome to 1.0!!!
-Priscilla Rima
brings a unique strength to the table, and together, we accomplish extraordinary things. It’s your commitment to high standards, your collaboration, and your drive to make a difference in the lives of others that truly sets us apart. I’m sure you all have faced challenges, but it’s your collective determination and resilience that have made all the difference. You have all demonstrated not just skill and professionalism, but also an incredible passion for what we do. I am continually amazed at the level of care and dedication each of you brings, and I want you to know how much your efforts mean to me and to everyone we serve. As we continue to work together, I have no doubt that we will continue to achieve great things. Thank you for being an integral part of this team and for inspiring me with your commitment every single day. Please know that your hard work does not go unnoticed, and I am truly honored to be on this journey with all of you.
-Linda Riley
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for each member of my OP team. As we move through our work together, I’ve come to realize how truly fortunate I am to be part of such an incredible team. Renee Carter-Gura , I want to begin by acknowledging your exceptional leadership. Your unwavering commitment to the success of our team and the clients we serve is evident in everything you do. Your guidance, vision, and expertise have helped steer us through challenges and have been a source of inspiration for all of us. You foster an environment of excellence, compassion, and teamwork, and I am incredibly grateful for the direction you continue to provide. To the entire team, thank you for your relentless dedication, compassion, and hard work. Each of you
Happy Birthday again to our ECC team member Justine Cuviello!! Hope it is a blast and that you enjoyed your celebrations!! -Cassie Smith
Thank you Laura Ezell for being willing to help locate documents when needed and lending a listening ear when needed. Your advice is always appreciated. -Cassie Smith
Thank you to Lonnisha Lee for being a friendly face and a helpful coworker. You are an amazing team player!
-Amanda Vanke
Shout out to Treatment Works 1.0 Wraparound Facilitators Kelsey, Madison, and Amanda! You all rock! We appreciate you. -Aubrey Muir
