Hi Team DFL,
Happy March and Happy Team DFL Week! I will keep this short since I’m hoping to spend time with each of you today during all of the fun activities and treats we have in store. I hope you will sign up for a 10-minute chair massage this afternoon if you haven’t done so already, and then enjoy the food truck, desserts, and games at our Team DFL Appreciation Palooza event from 11am – 2pm in the back parking lot of the Clearwater Center. I can’t wait to see you all there.
I truly hope you all feel how appreciated you are. Not only for just fulfilling your job duties with integrity and passion – but for everything else you do. For volunteering for a TQM committee, participating in our annual fundraiser, helping train or mentor a new employee on your team, submitting shoutouts to our monthly newsletter, showing up to SoundBites and Sunshine Committee events, contributing to the Sunshine Fund, jumping in to help start up a new program our community needs, referring your friends and family to come work for
DFL, and so many other things you do to go above and beyond every single day. I see you, I value you, I appreciate you.
I am so dang grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you for being a part of Team DFL.
#DFLStrong -April
SAVE THE DATE
SoundBites will be held on 3/14 at 12pm in the Largo Center Training Room.
This is an important reminder to set your out of office before the paid day off tomorrow. Please use the “holiday” template (page 4) in the DFL communication guidelines to set up email and phone out-of-office messages before you close your day today for the Employee Appreciation Day paid day off tomorrow. The date of closure you will include is: Friday, March 7th. This is important since most organizations are NOT closed tomorrow, and we want to be sure anyone contacting DFL gets our closure update.
Officially, only our President & CEO may speak on behalf of Directions for Living to the media, and the Communications & Development department must field all requests from news outlets, publications, or any other representative of the media.
If you are contacted by a media outlet (including magazine, newspaper, television station, etc.) – whether by phone, email, letter, or in person – to give a comment on a story, answer a question, or otherwise represent Directions for Living, please politely redirect them with the following script:
“I cannot comment on that, but please contact our VP of Communications & Development, Summer Gray, who is our point of contact for media relations, at SGray@DirectionsForLiving.org or (727) 524-4464 ext. 1723.”
The Communications & Development department must approve all donations made to Directions for Living and/or made to our clients via DFL. It is vital that we ensure all agencies and/or individuals we partner with are appropriate and mission-aligned. Our single point of contact for donations requests, ideas, or questions is: Lisa Alchin, Director of Development.
If you are ever contacted by an individual or organization who would like to donate to Directions for Living, please forward the details and contact information for the donor to Lisa at LAlchin@DirectionsforLiving.org or (727) 524-4464 ext. 1408 BEFORE saying yes or accepting the donation. Once a donation is approved, Lisa will serve as DFL’s point of contact for that donor, make sure all financial and tax-related tracking is completed accurately, appropriately thank the donor, and manage the relationship.
This applies to donations of money, goods, and services.
If you have any questions about Directions for Living Policies and Procedures, please contact HR.
EHIM Coordinator
Counselor Together We Rise
Clinical Quality Assurance Reviewer Children
Clinical Assessor- Adults
Director of Human Resources
Intensive Case Manager BabyCAT
one year
six years
three
four years
five years
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO DIRECTIONS FOR LIVING, YOU ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE ‘LIFE GETS BETTER HERE!’
A typical day in my position usually consists of meeting with my clients, whether I’m taking them on tours of housing units, filling out financial packets, accompanying them to the social security or SNAP office, working on financial stability, or making sure their mental health needs are met. My main goal every week with clients is future plans and future sustainability, and working on whatever we can to make that a reality.
While I was getting my bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, I was actually a nursing student for two years. I began to volunteer in my free time for Crisis Text Line, an online suicide hotline, and began to really enjoy the work and fell in love with the field. I ended up graduating in May of 2020, moving to Pinellas county mid-COVID and immediately started working in the social work field. Now, I am in my Masters of Social Work program while working for DFL!
One accomplishment that I think of is working towards completing my masters program for social work. When I graduated with my bachelor’s mid-COVID, it was hard to feel like I accomplished much... no graduation, no celebrations. Even though I still have a few semesters left, I am just proud of my masters program journey thus far and am excited to see where it takes me. I also think
that my work in the Family Works program while at DFL has been significant. I love my job and I think that shows with the passion I put into my work.
If you know me well, you know I’m usually at Disney World. My fiancé and I are Disney adults to the core, and that is actually where I will be this weekend for our long weekend. If I’m not spending the day or weekend at Disney, I really enjoy just spending time with my family, with my not-so-little puppy, or having a lazy day at home reading a book.
I AM INSPIRED BY HER DEDICATION TO, NOT ONLY HELPING THE CLIENTS, BUT TO DFL AS A WHOLE. SHE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS I NEED TO EXCEL AS A CASE MANAGER AT DFL. SHE IS INCREDIBLY FRIENDLY AND KIND, MAKING ALL OF HER COWORKERS AND CLIENTS FEEL WELCOME. SHE WAS FACED WITH THE DIFFICULTY OF DISCHARGING A CLIENT WHO WAS NOT FOLLOWING PROGRAM STANDARDS OF MEETING WEEKLY, AND INSTEAD SHE USED HER INNOVATIVE THINKING TO TRANSFORM THE SCENARIO INTO A TRANSITION INTO OTHER SERVICES FOR THE CLIENT, INSTEAD OF CUTTING TIES FROM DFL COMPLETELY. SHE IS A GREAT TEAM MEMBER AND A TALENTED SOCIAL WORKER!
Amanda Vanke
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 Ali Jones for being supportive and a positive role model, not only for your team, but for the teaching staff at our centers, as well as our learners. You make our job fun even when we are having those challenging moments. Thank you for all that you do for us.
Terrie Schofield
The Everyday Hero, selected by the Editor, receives 1 hour of PTO and recognition in the monthly DFL Newsletter.
Huge Thanks to Manuela Nicolini our AOP Counselor for all her hard work with coverage and being excep-tional at her role. You are appreciated.
-Breanna McClain
I would like to send a huge THANK YOU to Ryan Shay for all of your assistance with the Family Works Team. You have been Incredible!!
-Lonnisha Lee
Thank you for your commitment and dedication Willa Tinsley (Street Outreach). You are doing a phenomenal job. -Breanna McClain
Thank you to the Sunshine Committee for a great Valentines event!
-Christine Von Staden
Thank you Lonnisha Lee for always making yourself available to answer my questions. Our jobs are very timeconsuming, but you are always friendly and ready to share your insight!
-Amanda Vanke
A huge shoutout to AOP clinic for working so hard getting charts updated and for supporting one another! I am grateful to be part of such a strong team of wonderful clinicians!
-Lindsey Heath
Thank you Michelle Hansen for always encouraging me and supporting me with kind words. I always feel like my accomplishments never go unre cognized!
-Amanda Vanke
Thank you April McGlasson for encouraging strong morale around the workplace. Every time I see you, you are always so bubbly and smiling!
-Amanda Vanke
All Family Works to include Michelle, thank you for supporting me and Alberta and our family. We are so appreciative for all the support you have provided us. The family is so grateful for everyone.
-April Bartholomew
Thank you Ryan Shay for going above and beyond by helping all of your teammates. I know there is nobody more willing and ready to help out than you are!
-Amanda Vanke
Thank you Aubrey Ehlers for stepping up and fulfilling a spot that was much needed in order to help your teammates. You went above and beyond to ensure the success of our program and our ability to help our cli-ents!
-Amanda Vanke
I just wanted to give a big shout-out to the CISM team for all the incredible work being done in the community.
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
shani young pressented mental health first aid Certificates to learners atCarver Road Church of Christ
Thank you to Cassie Smith, Cindy Keene, and Justine Cuviello for keeping the “pharmacy” a great place to work. And for putting up with the random hit parade of songs that may or may not be lyrically correct. Stay fun, girls!
-Laura Ezell
Thank you DFL for your support and dependability :)
-Alvin Bullard
I want to welcome Michelle to DFL! I know you will be an amazing TW 2.0 supervisor.
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
Thank you Alberta for being there to support myself and our family after this recent incident. I could not have made it through the week without you by myside.
-April Bartholomew
Thank you to my team (Maria, Danielle, Morgan, Gina, Trenita, and Skyla) for all of your hard work and dedi-cation. You all are truly making a positive impact, and it’s greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work!
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
Thank you to Mecayela Monroe and Gaby Moran for your compassion, professionalism, and dedication to our clients and families.
-Laura Ezell
an spc student left this gift and note for their aop counselor, matt howard, to show their appreciation
April , I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for our Wellness Day on 2/17. It was greatly appreciated, and I truly value the opportunity to focus on well-being.
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
Lindsey Health, and Jesenya Seda you for always being there as supervisors. I have appreciated being able to have team meetings and collaborate on cases, as well as hear about team AOPs wins throughout the month! We appreciate you both so much!
-Matt Howard
thank you chris johnson for all of your hard work this week helping with team dfl week prep! I am grateful taht you are always willing to step in and assist with whatever is needed, and always with a smile on your face. you are so, so appreciated!
-brittany morton
Thank you to Ali Jones and Jillian Harris for your heartfelt kindness with all our families and clients - your efforts and commitment to elevate our work is inspiring.
-Laura Ezell
first five team members participated in a luncheon and performance at their center Infinite Potential in honor of black history month
thank you so much, april and dfl leadership for the much appreciated time off via our wellness days! these days are especially needed during my particular busy season of life, and it feels so good to work for an agency that priortizes these kind of benefits for their team members. I love dfl!
-brittany morton
Happy Birthday to my birthday twin, Tara!
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
