Submit important June dates for next month’s edition by emailing marketing@directionsforliving.org.
The Sunshine Committee will be hosting a catered meal for Taco Tuesday on Tuesday, May 13th from 12pm - 2pm in the Clearwater Center Board Room.
open enrollment
soundbites
memorial day
Learn more about DFL’s new benefits at Open Enrollment meetings starting on Wednesday, May 14th. See all of the available dates & times on page 10.
We will be hosting our next SoundBites on May 16th at 12pm in the Largo Center Training Room. Lunch and cake will be provided.
Enjoy a paid day off for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26th. Memorial Day is one of DFL’s 2025 holidays and all offices will be closed.
DFL IN THE MEDIA
Our President & CEO, April Lott, was spotlighted by the Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) last month in their newsletter (left). FBHA is the state’s largest trade association representing community treatment providers with a united voice. FBHA serves as a trusted source of information, it advances policy initiatives, and it advocates for better behavioral health for all Floridians.
DFL at national conference
Seven Directions for Living team members attended the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s annual conference, NatCON25 last weekend in Philadelphia.
SAVE THE DATE!
Benefits Open Enrollment Meetings for 2025-2026
Attendance at these meetings is optional ; however, strongly encouraged. You can choose to join during your lunch break, or before/after business hours, as the meetings are designed to fit into your schedule.
While participation in the Open Enrollment sessions is voluntary, attending is highly recommended to receive important information regarding the new "New DFL" benefits. Representatives from Stahl & Associates, along with our Health Insurance Carrier, will be present to explain the new benefits and answer any questions you may have.
If you currently do not have benefits and decide not to enroll, you will still need to formally decline the benefits via an online link that will be provided. Additionally, if applicable, you will need to update your beneficiary information for the basic life insurance provid ed to you at no cost by Directions for Living.
Highlights:
W e are pleased to announce that health and dental coverage will continue to be offered through our current provider, Florida Blue and vision coverage will continue to be offered through our curren t provider, Lincoln . However, there will be important changes to the plans this year. To ensure you understand the new options available, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the upcoming informational Open Enrollment meetings. Short -Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Life Insurance, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) will remain with Lincoln.
Information about the Mutual of America 403(b) retirement plan will also be available.
Open Enrollment Meeting Schedule: Date: Time:
Wednesday, May 14 , 2025 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 6: 30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 , 2025 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Training
Friday, May 16 , 2025 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a m.
Meeting ID: 625 231 6007
qual-e’s corner
monthly updates, reminders, and important info from your quality management department
COMPLETING INCIDENT REPORTS
Per DFL policy #9502, an Incident Report needs to be completed whenever an event occurs that is out of the ordinary and has an impact or could impact client or team member health, safety, or care. Incident reporting is the affirmative duty of all team members.
Incidents are categorized in three ways: “Critical – Immediate,” “Critical – 24 Hour,” and “Routine.” Critical –Immediate incidents must be reported immediately to the Quality Department upon discovery of the event. For these circumstances, contact Jenn Whealey directly via telephone at (727) 422-8320 with detailed information about the incident.
How to access a blank Incident Report:
1. Access SharePoint and then click on Corporate Documents
2. Click on DFL Forms and then double click to open 9000-054 Incident Report
3. In the upper right corner, click on “Open in Desktop.” This will open and display a fillable version of the Word document.
4. Enter all information that applies to the event. If it does not apply, type N/A. Please ensure that all categories of information are addressed. N/A lets the QM analyst know that there wasn’t an oversite or missing information.
5. Email the completed Incident Report to incident.report@directionsforliving.org and also CC your supervisor on the email.
upcoming changes to avatar reports
We’re making some upcoming changes to the reports available in Avatar. These updates are intended to streamline reporting and improve ease of use for team members. More information will be shared shortly, and we’ll make sure to keep you informed about what to expect and when the changes will take effect. Stay tuned!
QUESTIONS?
Contact any member of the Quality Management Team at QualityImprovement@directionsforliving.org.
WELCOME TO THE
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Psychiatric APRN - Adult
Intensive Case Manager of Together We Rise
Intensive Case Manager of Treatment Works 2.0
SOAR Benefit Specialist
Intensive Case Manager Behavioral Health Homeless Prevention
Intensive Case Manager of Treatment Works 2.0
Integrated Decision Team Facilitator Homeless Prevention
recent New Hires
1. Bing Liu (rehire)
2. Mary Aleman
Enrique Brito
Andrew Kearney
Skye Laidlaw
Zack Boyd
Tonya Naples
MAY BIRTHDAYS MAY BIRTHDAYS
Interview
THIS MONTH WE ARE CELEBRATING HMIS DATA ANALYST, RYAN SHAY! CONGRATULATIONS RYAN!
DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY
A typical day starts of by grabbing a cup of coffee and a water for the morning start. As the HMIS Data Analyst in Quality Management that supports our Housing First Division, I start off with pulling a number of reports and send out a weekly corrections emails to all appropriate team members and supervisors for Family Works, Homeless Prevention, Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME), SOAR, and Behavioral Health Homeless Prevention (BHHP). My main job function is to keep our HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) data entries as clean as possible and up to HUD (Housing Urban Development) data standards. I ensure that we have met the agency and contractual obligations for any paperwork, auditing, and data entry that is required for the monthly/quarterly/annual benchmarks for those programs we receive funding for. I’m also responsible for onboarding Housing First team members in getting access to HMIS, and being available to answer any questions regarding HMIS. I am in constant communication with our Housing First Director and supervisors for regular updates or to be of assistance with any technical issues, especially for deadlines or data submissions that we send out per the program requirements. I am also a member of our Employer of Choice committee (EOC). I enjoy the job due to the fast pace and organizational skills it requires to understand each program. I am skilled at undestanding the “fine print” with who we can assist in the community and working with team members to resolve complex issues.
WHAT ENTICED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER IN SERVING OTHERS?
I actually applied to work at Directions for Living off a whim from a previous team member who told me to take a chance. I first worked as a Customer Service Rep and then as a Billing Specialist from 2015-2018. Those positions were a great experience as my first start in healthcare, but what was very fulfilling was the stories clients told after getting better that set my path to now.
YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT
My biggest accomplishment at this point has been being able to effectively create change as the HMIS Data Analyst and creating a streamline process at the start of my position in 2021. This process has won us HMIS’s “Gold Star Data Quality Award” three times and has put the Housing First Division on an autopilot process to continually hit higher data quality above what is typically required.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY
The perfect Saturday for me would be either playing golf or going to the driving range, but disc golf works too. Then grabbing some wings and a cold beverage to watch hockey or FSU football. Also, pickleball is something else I enjoy after my mom got me hooked. Going to museums, art galleries, state parks, the beach, visiting a nice cold spring, or occasionally a lazy weekend just staying home is what I enjoy the most other than playing golf.
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.
You’re an amazing counselor and you have so much to give to each of the kids and families you serve. Keep shining, and thanks for always lifting me when I need it. I know you don’t have to, but your kindness is so much appreciated.
Priscilla Rima
The Everyday Hero, selected by the Editor, receives 1 hour of PTO and recognition in the monthly DFL Newsletter.
JULIANA PINNEY
Welcome Enrique, Mary, and Skye! We are excited to have you all as Behavioral Health Case Managers and Wraparound Facilitators at DFL. -Aubrey Muir
Thank you, Peter Hirsche, for always making everyone laugh in rev max! Also appreciate all you do!
-Karissa Gabrielson
Thank you, Ashley Dilks, for bringing in treats every month that you make.
-Karissa Gabrielson
I would like to welcome Stephanie Lembert to the IDT team!
-Rochelle Ignatz
Shani Young, thanks for all you do with all the training! You make it fun and exciting!
-Karissa Gabrielson
Thank you to Ashley G and Izzy K for being flexible and diligent throughout a growth period. -Sarah Miller-Marossy
Kelsey, Welcome to TW 3.0! We are so happy to have you.
-Ashley Gooding-Butts
Bonnie, I really appreciate you assisting me with finding a MHFA training class at clearwater center!
-Karissa Gabrielson
Thank you to everyone that nominated me for Team Member of the Month! I was very surprised and honored. It also made for a wonderful birthday present as well. I appreciate you!
-Mindy Evans
Thanks to Janice King and Derek Albanese for supporting POC and TIC with needed technological information!
-Jeila Alai
I would like to thank all of AOP Field for consistently showing up for their clients and this department! You are all superstars! I appreciate every single one of you for everything you do.
-Jesenya Seda
Thank you to our Directors; Dr Gluszak and Joseph, Dr Rodriguez, Dr Desai , Dr Brandon, Sarah, Np and Bing, NP. Your guidance and support motivates us to achieve our goals leading to the success.
- Ilirjana Kullaj
I would like to recognize the TW3.0 team for being supportive of each other and their IDT facilitator, Debbie. I love how you all welcomed Debbie to the team. You offer each other support, constructive feedback and genuine concern for each other and your clients. #goals
-Rochelle Ignatz
Thank you to Janice King, Lindsey Heath and Derek Albanese for their patience, providing accurate information to complete administrative procedures.
-Ilirjana Kullaj
Thank you DFL leadership team for going the extra mile to show us that you care. We love and appreciation you :) :) -Alvin Bullard
Thank you for all the warm, sweet congratulations! My heart is full! Thank you. -Mindy Evans
Thank you to Adrienne Belarde for helping recommend potential TQM Committee members!
-Jeila Alai
Thank you to Kerneisha Francis and Michelle Gant for always being willing to cover IDT staffings for a team member. I love the teamwork :)
-Rochelle Ignatz
shani young was celebrated on stage at the mhfa summit last week for being the top mhfa trainer in florida
