Happy February! Hopefully you have all seen the exciting announcement of our DU theme and date. This June 27, we will set sail, full speed ahead, for a celebration of all things DFL at DU 2025: All Hands on Deck. As most of you know, DU (originally ‘Directions University’) is our signature internal team event which is held at the turn of our fiscal year annually; a paid day away from the office created just for you. Through our nautical theme this year, we will batten down the hatches, embrace a spirit of adventure, and prepare to journey across the vast sea of opportunity during a celebration-packed day of food, trainings, prizes, team-building, and so much more. I cannot wait to celebrate with you this summer at USF St. Pete.
DFL completed our tenth CARF accreditation survey this week. While the formal report won’t be official for a few more weeks, during
April'sNotes
our exit meeting, the surveyors sang the praises of DFL and indicated that we yet again achieved an accomplishment obtained by less than 3% of international organizations – we received zero recommendations during the survey. The surveyors highlighted the high level of our quality care, our teamwork and communication internally, the impressive features of our physical buildings, and the profound impact we have on our clients’ lives. Congrats to our Quality Team for leading this process, and to DFL for another impressive report from CARF International. We have so much to be proud of.
There is a lot happening legislatively right now, as our federal government changes over to the new Presidential administration. Rest assured that I am keeping a close eye on the potential impact to DFL of the many Executive Orders being announced. Everything from freezes on federal funds that
support our funders and partners, to the elimination of DEI initiatives, to the fear of many of our clients over immigration crackdowns – there is an overwhelming amount of news coming down right now. I want to assure you that your Leadership Team and I are staying up-to-date on it all, meeting regularly with our funders, partner agencies, state legislators, and our state and national behavioral health associations to understand the potential impacts. DFL will keep you updated on any new legislation that will directly affect our industry, organization, or community.
In other news, I hope you will join the fun at the Sunshine Committee-hosted Valentine’s Day bake off next Friday, February 14. I will be making brownies (only a small chance they might be store bought) and can’t wait to taste-test your contributions, as well. I want to publicly thank the team members who volunteer to serve on the Sunshine Committee for all of
their hard work throughout the year. I want to thank each of you who are contributing via payroll deduction to our Sunshine Committee, as your financial contributions allow us to come together throughout the year to build camaraderie and lift our spirits.
CARF VISIT
As a reminder, DFL’s next Wellness Day is coming up on Monday, February 17. Thank you for continuing to show up and give your BEST efforts to the challenging, fulfilling work DFL is doing every day to achieve our mission and be of service to our clients.
DFL completed our tenth CARF accreditation survey this week. We’ve had nine successful 3-year accreditations, without a single interruption, since our first accreditation in 1997. While the formal report won’t be official for a few more weeks, during our exit meeting, the surveyors sang the praises of DFL and indicated that we yet again achieved an accomplishment obtained by less than 3% of international organizations – we received zero recommendations during the survey.
We are so proud of our Quality Department, Leadership Team, and all the team members who have been preparing for this important accreditation survey. Thank you!
FEB'25
I hope you have a wonderful, love-filled month.
-April
If you would like to learn more about CARF, click here.
DATES TO REMEMBER THIS MONTH
Submit important March dates for next month’s edition by emailing marketing@directionsforliving.org.
VALENTINE’S DAY BAKE OFF
WELLNESS DAY
SOUNDBITES
The Sunshine Committee will be hosting a Bake Off on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14 from 12pm - 2pm in the Clearwater Center board room.
Directions for Living will be closed for a Staff Wellness Day on Monday, February 17. This is a paid FY’25 holiday and all offices will be closed.
We will be hosting our next SoundBites on Friday, February 21 at 12pm in the Clearwater Center Training Room. Lunch and cake will be provided.
CODE PINK
CODE PINK IS CALLED TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE IN THE EVENT OF A MISSING INDIVIDUAL
Anyone can call a CODE PINK . Announce “code pink” followed by the person’s age, race, gender, hair color, clothing and last seen location twice. Assigned Safety Committee members will report to and secure building entrances and exits. No one is allowed to enter or exit the center until the individual is located. Team members assigned to clients/visitors will need to ensure direct supervision during the time of code pink.
ALL AVAILABLE TEAM MEMBERS WILL NEED TO ASSIST WITH THESE TASKS:
SEARCH ALL STAIRWELLS, RESTROOMS, COMMON AREAS, AND OFFICES FOR THE MISSING INDIVIDUAL. SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL CHECK PARKING AREAS.
Stay in code pink until the “all clear” is announced. The person who called the code must also call “all clear” twice. 5
REPORT FINDING THE INDIVIDUAL IMMEDIATELY TO A LEADERHIP MEMBER OR MAIN RECEPTION AREA ATTENDANT. IF THE MISSING INDIVIDUAL IS NOT FOUND WITHIN 5 MINUTES, A SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBER WILL NOTIFY POLICE.
ANY CALLS FROM THE MEDIA RELATED TO A CODE PINK ARE TO BE REFERRED TO THE VP OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT, SUMMER GRAY. TEAM MEMBERS ARE NOT TO SPEAK WITH THE MEDIA REGARDING ANY INCIDENT.
carf COMPLETE!
QUAL-E’S CORNER
Our accrediting body, CARF was here this week. In preparation, the Quality team held an exciting competition called CARFathon, which was a monthly series in the newsletter where team members competed by sending in answers to CARF prep questions. Well, we have finally reached the finish line...
The racers were sprinting at the end and it was such a close race! The crowd roared and even with the help of a photo finish, it was difficult to determine the winner. The race committee has decided to pronounce both of the final teams as WINNERS, as they were neck and neck at the finish.
Congratulations to the Early Childhood Consultation (ECC) and the Development teams! Each team will receive an equitable share of the $100 of Starbucks gift cards and time to admire the coveted CARF Cup.
A big thanks to all of the teams for going the distance during the entire race and to all of the team members that participated!
QUESTIONS?
Contact any member of the Quality Management Team at QualityImprovement@directionsforliving.org.
Counselor Family Works
Intensive
Counselor Treatment Works 2.0
Recruitment Specialist
Peter Hirsch
recent New Hires
7. Khara Fifth
8. Gertrude Demetreus Allen
9. Sarah Hordeyczuk
10. Anne Courson
11. Kaisha Mitchell
12. Michelle Agrela
Peer Mentors Together We Rise
Clinical Assessor Mental Health Court
Psychiatric APRN - Adult
Counselor Adult Outpatient Clinic
Client Access Representative
Supervisor Treatment Works 2.0
TO THE
team!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Sasha Merthie Tim Rattanachane
Erika Johnson Elaine Taylor
Renee Carter-Gura
Breanna McClain
Shana Davis
Priscilla Rima
Lori Thomas LaTonya Arthur
Carrie-Ann Bullard
one year
fifteen years
eighteen years
two years
four years
five years
Shani Young
Ryan Shay Alberta Currin
LaTonya Arthur Gordon Sandorf
Mara Macchia Matthew Sullivan April McGlasson
Rochelle Ignatz Briana Perry Noemia Delgado
Jasmine Grant Melinda Edington
TEAM MEMBER OF THE MONTH QUINN COHEN
February 2025 Gramt Writer
Interview
THIS MONTH WE ARE CELEBRATING GRANT WRITER, QUINN COHEN! CONGRATULATIONS QUINN!
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY
My day looks a little different every day depending on what or how many open grants we have. I prospect and review new and upcoming grant solicitations, provide grant overviews to our Leadership Team, and attend meetings in our community about new or current solicitation. I also communicate with our funders, support our Finance Team for grant related requests, gather data and organizational documents, keep our grant management system updated, and support the Communication and Development Team with tasks for DU, the PB&J Run, and other initiatives we spearhead throughout the year. And sometimes I do nothing but write from the moment I come in until I leave.
WHAT ENTICED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN SERVING OTHERS?
When I look back on my life, I feel like I lived the most fulfilled life that I could have. I believe that the way to a fulfilling life is by living a life that makes your heart happy. If my heart is happy, then I know I am leading my life right. My heart just feels happy and fulfilled knowing the impact of the work that I do.
YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT
There have been a few awards that I have been really proud of, but I’m always most proud of awards for our housing support services. One of the most recent ones was for rental assistance funding from the City of St. Petersburg, which I am especially proud of because they
were only selecting one organization for the award, and we had to apply twice and were awarded both times. The first time that we were awarded, I got a call back to let us know they had to rescind the award because they wanted to add some funding during contract negotiations, which their Legal Team vetoed. We applied for a second time and were awarded again, this time with some additional capacity-building funding.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY
My perfect Saturday would start by sleeping in until at least 9 and waking up to cuddles from my cat, Cow. I would get some chores done in the morning and do an activity like roller skating, puzzling, or window shopping in the afternoon. I would go out for Korean food for dinner with my family and best friend. And then I would end the night with some TV or a movie and a little treat (and hopefully some more cuddles with Cow).
QUINN IS THE EPITOME OF SOMEONE DEDICATED TO DFL’S MISSION AND FULFILLING OUR FIVE PROMISES. SHE ADVOCATES BEAUTIFULLY FOR OUR CLIENTS AND MISSION IN HER THOUGHTFUL GRANT PROPOSALS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. SHE HAS A HIGH AWARD RATE IN HER GRANT WRITING AND TAKES PRIDE IN MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF QUALITY IN HER WORK AND THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT. SHE IS CONSISTENT, COMMITTED, KIND, CAPABLE, WILLING TO LEARN, A QUICK STUDY, AND EXTREMELY SMART.
Summer Gray
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.
EVERYDAY HERO
ALBERTA CURRIN
Thank you to Alberta for letting me shadow and learn from your extensive experience at DFL. It was amazing to see how you interact with clients, and how much rapport you have built with them. You are the exemplary case-manager that everyone should strive to be!
Amanda Vanke
The Everyday Hero, selected by the Editor, receives 1 hour of PTO and recognition in the monthly DFL Newsletter.
To our Senior Director Michelle Hansen for all her support & guidance for our entire department. It is appreciated. Thank you Kindly.
-Breanna McClain
Norma thank you for all your help. I know I ask a lot from you. I am old so I ask a lot of questions.
-Judy Lauriano
To Ryan Shay you are so awesome! It should be your middle name, thank you for everything. -Breanna McClain
April McGlasson: The care and consideration you take to onboard our newest team members every cycle shows your extraordinary character and dedication to the mission. I’m lucky to have you on my team!
-Max Redd
Thank you for our upcoming three-day weekend! I greatly appreciate the extra day to rest and spend with my family.
-Mindy Evans
Congrats to Amanda and Bert for Completing their BHCM trainings and applying for their BHCM Certification!
-Aubrey Ehlers
Kudos to Alberta, Lonnisha, and Kirsten for working really hard in the Family Works Program with their Wraparound Clients! Your hard work does not go unnoticed. :) I am so happy I get to partner with you all! -Aubrey Ehlers
Aubrey Muir (Ehlers): I am consistently impressed by your drive and determination to work through challenging objectives. It’s such a privilege to support you in the important work you do each day.
-Max Redd
Thank you, Alexis Duhamel and Paige Todaro for all your help and teamwork during a client crisis!
-Christine Von Staden
Thank you, Judy for your support.
-Geena Tawfiq
Jeila Alai: Thank you for your flexibility, care, and support. We are absolutely spoiled as an organization to have your brain working towards our most important initiatives and goals.
-Max Redd
Alethea Winston’s leadership as a supervisor should be the model for all supervisors and all who is in any leadership position at DFL. She is kind but strong. She delegates but gently provides direction. She communicates which provides insight to what she expects and needs to be done to keep the SOAR program working with excellence. I am thankful to be working with a superior person and supervisor.
-Sarah Coles
Great job with client De-escalation Nix Taylor! -Christine Von Staden
DFL team members volunteered for the point in time survey last month, pinellas county’s survey of our homeless population
Thank you, Adrienne, for the valuable ideas and organizational skills you bring to the TWR program. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! -Melinda Edington
Welcome to our TWR team Khara Fifth! I am so glad you joined us!
-Christine Von Staden
Jessica Williams, Thank you for always making a point to check on me throughout the day and providing me with coverage anytime I need to step away from the Welcome desk. I appreciate how generous you are with your time. I look forward to coming to work every day knowing that I have a supervisor who cares about my wellbeing just as much as my performance. I am so very grateful to be part of your team!
-Sharon Decker
Thank you, Alvin, for your dedication to QM, for staying late, and for making sure everything gets done!
-Jenn Whealey
Thank you, Christine, for your strong teamwork and your constant willingness to help. Your support is truly appreciated!
-Melinda Edington
Shout out to the HIM team and Jessica!
-Jenn W
Thank you, TWR team, for consistently making clients your top priority. Your dedication is truly appreciated!
-Melinda Edington
April McGlasson- Thank you to April for your in-depth knowledge, and effective communication skills. I feel so much more informed and ready to provide services at DFL due to your expertise during training!
-Amanda Vanke
Thank you, Maria , for sharing your knowledge and making work fun!
-Jenn Whealey
Thank you to Aubrey Ehlers for being a friendly face and helping me through the new hire process! She has made me feel very welcomed through my DFL journey.
-Amanda Vanke
Thanks to Kirsten, April, Lonnisha, and Bert for taking time to discuss Motivational Interviewing with me!
-Jeila Alai
Michelle Hansen- Thank you to Michelle for being on top of everything, and helping me even when you are swamped with all your other responsibilities. Michelle puts DFL and all of its staff as her first priority, and it shows!
-Amanda Vanke
I wanted to say thank you to De’Chelle Plumber for always showing up and helping where needed on Treatment Works 1.0. you’re an amazing person.
-Priscilla Rima
Thank you to Mindy Evans for always going above and beyond, who is always willing to stop and help a coworker and provide our clients with the utmost quality of care. -Tamara Gillispie
Thank you to Kelsey on 1.0. I think you go above and beyond for your clients/families. Every day you check up on your team and help support us.
-Priscilla Rima
Thank you, Casey, for organizing app assistance for your team members!
-Amy Fichter
Madison Hill: I wanted to give a shout out to you for how you rock at helping and making sure things are done for the team and our kiddos.
-Priscilla Rima
ecc team members represented dfl at the books, balls, and blocks event by help me grow florida last month
Happy Birthday Ashley G, enjoy your birthday Month!!!!
-Priscilla Rima
Thank you to: Christina, Summer, Millie, Doug, and April Lott for your support and patience.
-Jenn Whealey
Thank you Sarah Miller Marossy for your support and collaboration.
-Amy Fichter
Amanda Famiglietti: Thanks for always showing up for the clients/families, always coming up with new ideas, and going above your job title. You doing amazing work, and when you become a social worker, you’re going to do amazing at it.
-Priscilla Rima
Terrie Schofield for her dedication and hard work; always dependable, flexible and resilient. We can’t do it without you,Terrie! -Laura Ezell
Andrew Harding for being a team player. Thank you sir.
-Breanna McClain
A big thank you to April M., Jeila, and Alvin for all the CARF prep! -Jenn Whealey
Thank you to Dr. Kuber, Cassie, Cindy, and Justine for your participation and support during the BBB Event!
-Amy Fichter
Thank you, Amy, for following up with DFL’s Infectious Disease Policy and making sure that we were safe to work in our schools. It’s nice to work for a company that cares for their employees.
-Marisa Maximous
Trish Archambault for her enthusiasm and great attitude! Trish’s smile is contagious and she makes others feel at ease. -Laura Ezell
Charles Owens: Thanks for always being my friend, supporting me, and checking on me. -Priscilla Rima
Juliana Pinney: I wanted to say how much you truly care about your kids/clients doesn’t go unnoticed. You’re amazing at what you do. Treatment Works would be lost without you. -Priscilla Rima
Thank you Melinda, Katie and the TWR team for helping make my birthday special (: -Christine Von Staden
Ashlee Seymour: You’re amazing at your job, you help when needed especially when we’re have things going on in team meetings. You help build up the families, and also the team. I thank you for all you do, and thanks for showing up every day.
